Recently I moved over to Spotify as my preferred app for my growing music collection. I was surprised to find out the Swedish-based company had introduced some great initiatives for supporting women in the music industry.
The Equalizer Project is a forward-thinking initiative devoted to equalizing opportunities for women. The project was launched in 2017 from their Stockholm headquarters. The goal was to increase gender equality in the music studio through building networks and creating opportunities for up and coming talent.
The Equalizer Project consists of a podcast and a range of networking programs to gives females in music careers a chance to connect with established industry professionals and amplify their voices.
Spotify’s Equalizer Project PodcastsÂ
The Equalizer Project Podcast was originally hosed by Henriksson, who was joined for the second and third seasons by writer and DJ Evyn Redar.
The podcast seasons (in Swedish) have been popular with listeners and hosted homegrown and international guests. The podcasts have featured guests like pop sensations Peg Parnevik and Molly Sandén, R&B singer Cherrie, artist and songwriter Sabina Ddumba, and rapper Silvana Imam. The latest season has included electro-pop duo Icona Pop, Imenella, and Canadian pop and R&B singer Alessia Cara. Among past guests were singer Seinabo Sey and singer-songwriters Tove Lo and Zara Larsson.
Spotify’s Equalizer Networking events, Camp and Regular Meet UpsÂ
The semi-annual Equalizer networking events featured professionals like iFirst Aid Kit, Icona Pop, Max Martin, and Shellback. The goal is to allow aspiring creators to meet with industry professionals and receive practical career advice.
Spotify has roll outed camps and regular meetups with success. The Equalizer Producer Camp was created to give these underrepresented songwriters and artists a chance to develop their skills and learn more about production.
The Sound Up Bootcamps are expanding to America, the United Kingdom, and Australia to allow women to break into the podcasting world.
Last year Spotify hosted an exclusive dinner where over 40 of Sweden’s most prominent female artists, songwriters, and producers gathered to celebrate women in music production. There were live performances at the headquarters and the opportunity for industry professionals to openly connect and share experiences.
Spotify’s Girls Make BeatsÂ
Girls Make Beats (https://www.girlsmakebeats.org/) Â is aimed at young women making music. The program focuses on empowering and teaching the next generation of women studio engineers, DJs, and producers. It utilizes educational programs, summer camps, networking events, and after-school seminars in cities like L.A. and Miami to educate girls ages 8 to 17 on the ins and outs of the music industry.
It is heartening to hear about technology companies, like Spotify taking a proactive stance on giving females the opportunity to advance their careers in the current economic climate.
Image Credit: Create Her Stock
