{"id":9142,"date":"2022-05-09T08:09:12","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T06:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myqamar.com\/?p=9142"},"modified":"2023-01-08T05:36:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-08T04:36:31","slug":"powher-sound-label-exclusivement-feminin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myqamar.com\/gb\/2022\/05\/09\/powher-sound-launches-all-female-music-label\/","title":{"rendered":"The power of she: Powher Sound launches all-female music label"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/span> 26<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n
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A year ago we met Muse L\u2019Artiste, a French singer and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Since Muse has been busy, to say the least. Determined to help women in music thrive, Muse a.k.a Jade Porter-Blake has founded the all-female label \u2013 Powher Sound \u2013 with a slew of female artists from eclectic backgrounds. Together, these superwomen want to change the face of music with their upcoming album POW.HER\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s already late at night in Kuwait when the familiar ping of my Zoom window chimes. Will Bug is the first to join the room. We start chatting as we anxiously wait for Jade, Tanesha and Kasia to connect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four women could not be more different from one another. Yet passion is what seems to bring them together. I let them introduce themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia is a producer from Vancouver, Canada who has worked as a vocal artist before turning to producing. Tanesha is an Atlanta-based producer and a Berkeley College of Music graduate. Subin who also goes by Will Bug is a multi-talented artist \u2013 actor, director, musician and model, based in New York with a proud South Korean heritage. And finally, Jade, a French singer, rapper and producer based in Los Angeles, California is the impulse behind project Powher Sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All four women found their own way into the music industry, often quite early on. If their personal experiences vary, there is one red thread they all seem to have tripped on: music is disproportionately male.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started music when I was a kid. By age 11, I was singing, writing and producing. In 20 years, I\u2019ve not met one woman behind the board. I wasn\u2019t necessarily looking for it but at some point, you can\u2019t help but notice. Producers, engineers\u2026 all men!\u201d Jade comments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this lack of representation has an impact deeper than we care to realise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved music and it wasn\u2019t until I was in middle school that I realised it could be a career because we\u2019re simply not exposed to it,\u201d says Tanesha.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear and visible representation nurtures our imaginations, broadens our perspectives and creates worlds of possibilities for people who might think something is for them or that they\u2019re lacking the skills by default. Kids seeking role models who look like them are particularly affected. Their ability to build self-confidence and self-esteem is utterly stifled when they\u2019re not able to identify themselves in environments that constantly make them feel like they\u2019re out of place. Nonetheless, stepping into male-dominated spaces comes at a cost. Power plays and abuse are rampant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had a great mentor when I was a teen. He was like a big brother to me so in that regard I was lucky. But later on, I met some people who wanted to treat me like property, who stopped deals from happening, and so on. It was disheartening but it happens more often than we think.\u201d<\/p>Jade Porter-Blake<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recently, rapper Latto confessed that she was sexually harassed by an artist featured on one of her tracks but stopped short of revealing his name; probably out of fear that they would retaliate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe less gruesome but as disturbing, being a female producer sometimes means being ignored in the very space you\u2019re supposed to lead. Tanesha retells: \u201cWorking at studios, I\u2019ve always noticed that you get second word. They would ignore me, ignore my advice when I was the one controlling the session. But I\u2019m the likes of those who put their foot down, especially when there are a lot of men around.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jade Porter-Blake a.k.a Muse L\u2019Artiste, singer, rapper, producer and founder of Powher Sound<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Kasia who started producing more seriously at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic confirms: \u201cI\u2019ve met this one producer who wanted me to sign my name to him, others who treated me as property too. They all deterred me from producing, saying it was a man\u2019s job! But if I had listened to those who told me I couldn\u2019t do it, I wouldn\u2019t even be working in music right now. And you know what? I\u2019m pretty good at this!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Will Bug\u2019s experience feels almost like a welcomed exception.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI grew up taking voice lessons since I was 10. I did a couple of songs and a children\u2019s TV show. Got into theatre and acting. So yes, there is a lot of male anything in the industry, both music and TV; and it\u2019s even worse in the TV industry. But I didn\u2019t personally have to go through all of that. I assisted this woman composer, an amazing artist \u2013 Nam Hye-seung (\ub0a8\ud61c\uc2b9). She always protected us. I heard stories and caught her dealing with male producers and directors. And it was awful. But thanks to her, my own experience has not been horrible so far.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Jade wants to make something clear: \u201cI\u2019m not here to bash men. There are some incredible guys around but as a woman, it can be difficult. This is why it\u2019s important to create safe spaces where women can be themselves and advance their careers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powher Sound: a burning desire to make a difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly why Jade has been fighting so hard to create Powher Sound. After years of observing and questioning the world around her, this \u201cgradual combination of things\u201d has turned into a \u201cburning desire to make a difference for women.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jade continues: \u201cIt\u2019s about creating equal opportunities but also changing the way we perceive women in the music industry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick look at the musical landscape is already quite revealing and if things have changed, progress is slow. Women are still primarily seen as products \u2013 they\u2019re marketed to segmented audiences, sold, objectified and must fit into specific stereotypes. But looking at actual numbers makes a dark reality even bleaker. Kasia comments:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was looking at statistics. Women account for 2% of all producers and that is down from 2.3% in 2018. So we\u2019re actually going backwards if those stats are right. A quarter of all artists are female and 12% are songwriters.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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Kasia, producer and mentor at Powher Sound<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIf I can be an example to people who want to get into the music industry, if I can be a role model or a mentor\u2026 Then I just found my purpose in life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>Kasia<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Making a difference is also helping women build confidence. Women are raised to be (and act) demure and humble regardless of talent, proficiency or skill level. This has been linked to women\u2019s greater inability to recognise or claim competencies as their own or to dare pursue career paths they truly want. Will Bug explains:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve just started hanging out with a group of musicians from New York City and New Jersey and I was really inspired by them. It helped me realise how much I would invalidate myself. I wanted to be like them and call myself a musician and I just wouldn\u2019t. I would call myself a vocalist but then it dawned on me. I do write songs and I think they\u2019re good too so what\u2019s stopping me?!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jade agrees: \u201cI would never call myself a producer. I always thought I was only helping out. It took me a long time to understand I was a producer in my own right. It happens a lot with women. We don\u2019t recognise the talents we may have or we don\u2019t dare claim them proudly for fear of being seen as too cocky or out of place. Society completely underestimates women. I cannot count the number of times I have been asked if someone helped me produce my own beats!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powher Sound acts as a corrective. Launched in September of 2021, the label seeks to rebalance and amplify women\u2019s voices in the music industry. Female artists from all walks of life can join through their membership programme and benefit from education, mentorship and a chance to work on impactful projects. As we speak, the collective is working on launching their first, multi-genre album entirely produced and performed by women. It should be out in the summer, so stay tuned!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A multitude of perspectives, one project, one goal: reshape the music industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working with women from the US, Canada, the UK, France, South Africa, etc. so it is an international collaboration. We want it to be as diverse as possible. We want to touch as many people as possible and that everyone is able to find something they can relate to because there is something universal to every individual experience,\u201d Jade clarifies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, joining in was simply a no brainer for Tanesha: \u201cI want to change the music industry. I always had this idea of women collaborating more, and supporting each other more because we don\u2019t get that much from the main industry. When Jade contacted me, I checked the project and I said \u2018yes\u2019. So far, everybody has been really cool and supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tanesha, producer and mentor at Powher Sound<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Kasia opines: \u201cI was really excited when I got the message from Jade. Excited and surprised because it\u2019s not the kind of message I usually get on Instagram! And I thought to myself, this is amazing, I\u2019d love to be part of this!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Bug was eager too: \u201cI\u2019m always down for opportunities to get my music out but the fact that it was between us, between women\u2026 and I use the term loosely. I am non-binary and I have a lot of songs about queer experiences. I wanted a safe space where I could be understood\u2026 so, thank you, girls!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked where they see Powher Sound in the next five to ten years, it\u2019s not any less than an established, international organisation that has concretely helped reshape the music industry for the women of today and tomorrow.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to wake up tomorrow and see that we\u2019re still at 2% of female producers and 12% of female songwriters. I want to work hard and contribute towards improving these numbers. I want us to be able to move the dial with this organisation,\u201d Jade explains.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia concurs: \u201cI\u2019m excited to see how far this can go. It has massive potential!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to see whatever doors it opens for us and women creators in the industry. I have a niece who just started writing her own songs and they are actually pretty good. I\u2019ve started bringing it up, telling her it\u2019s something she could be cultivating. It\u2019s great that I could be able to help fuel the next generation.\u201d<\/p>Tanesha<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trailblazing their way into the music industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trailblazers. It\u2019s the word that springs to mind when talking to Jade, Kasia, Tanesha and Will Bug. In their own way, they have defied the odds and chosen less conventional paths (read: secure) that society might have set for them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia recounts: \u201cI run a clothing line. I just finished my political science degree. I was planning on going to law school but was pulled in a different direction. I was recently accepted into the Blockchain Development Grad program at UBC beginning this summer. My plan is to integrate that with my current music projects by developing music NFTs (to start) and work towards creating new Web3 music platforms for artists. I was going to go to law school. I find that I kind of like proving a point and showing that women can do this too. People\u2019s objections add fuel to the fire for me personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it comes to me and my family, I\u2019ve always been the one who wanted to make the revolution, the one always going against what they said or wanted me to do, always trying to prove a point as well. My family is also used to that, so they are not surprised I\u2019ve chosen this path,\u201d Jade points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think my family is too surprised either. It\u2019s still kind of an abstract idea to them. But I think that the more you continue to show them and the more you succeed, it helps change people\u2019s minds. I\u2019m still going to do this either way and it\u2019s going to work out. I\u2019ll be fine!\u201d Tanesha explains in this calm, laid back attitude she exudes at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But breaking the mould means facing up to unavoidable biases and harmful stereotypes as long as existing structures do not address these issues. Women can and have to fight back with bark and bite. If it\u2019s difficult to carry on when everyone is making you feel less than, being humbled down is not an option for the four women.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia starts: \u201cYou have to stay true to yourself, unapologetically. Pursue what you want even if it\u2019s hard, even when people don\u2019t agree with you. Go for it!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have to agree 100% with Kasia,\u201d Will Bug says. \u201cBe bold and completely unapologetic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to men, Jade would like to say: \u201cWe\u2019re not asking for permission or recognition because we don\u2019t owe you anything. I\u2019m here, so you better get used to it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deeper impact of strong role models\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018nature vs. nurture\u2019 debate is endless. Does growing up with strong female role models make a difference? The question is worth asking and the answer is almost definite.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tanesha tells us how she grew up in a family where women were at the centre of everything: \u201cThere are a lot of women in my family. I have two older sisters and three female cousins on my dad\u2019s side, I have nothing but aunts on my mom\u2019s side. So I grew up in a strong community of women and it made my outlook on life a little different because I\u2019m used to seeing women dealing with everything and taking care of themselves. Although I have my dad in my life, having women to support me has definitely shaped me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia comments: \u201cI can relate to that too. I was raised by a single mother. I have sisters. My mum is the biggest role model for me. She pushed me through a lot of hard times and she always tells me \u2018Kasia, you gotta be hungry enough. You gotta hustle. You gotta really want it.\u2019 She\u2019d always really pushed me. I get my work ethic from her, definitely.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jade adds: \u201cI have a few female role models but my mum definitely because she is probably one of the strongest people I know.\u00a0 In terms of music, I have always been a huge fan of Whitney Houston. I\u2019m happy to be working with former Arrested Development member, Laurne\u00e1 Laurae for our current Powher Sound project. There is also Sade who has played a big part in my musical upbringing and I could go on and on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Bug notes: \u201cMy mother as well. She\u2019s always been supportive of whatever I do. Although obviously, she wasn\u2019t the happiest when I told her that I wanted to do music and arts but for her, whatever I do, people are going to be hard on me, so she wants to support me as much as she can. There is also my boss, Nam Hye-seung (\ub0a8\ud61c\uc2b9). I simply worship that woman for all the reasons that I have already mentioned. But she is also the best composer I\u2019ve ever met. She has great work ethic and the end results are just amazing. So she\u2019s a role model in a lot of different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Will Bug, singer, songwriter and musician<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Breaking into the music industry is a feat in itself. It\u2019s as much a matter of hard work as it is of luck. But one thing is certain, women who want to build a career in the field must come prepared because the pitfalls are legion. Jade, Kasia, Tanesha and Will Bug all have their own pieces of advice to young female artists who want to test the waters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jade warns: \u201cDon\u2019t rush into things. Do your homework, do a lot of research and don\u2019t sign anything without having a second opinion or seeing a lawyer first. Most importantly believe in yourself, be confident because no one else can do it for you! Surround yourself with the right people. Don\u2019t trust just anyone or count on one person only. You need a support system if you want to make it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kasia advises further: \u201cEducate yourself as much as possible. You need at least a basic understanding of how things work and not rush into doing anything. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to get by, pay their rent but don\u2019t let that make you fall prey to people\u2019s schemes. The more you know, the more self-sufficient you can be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducating yourself and not rushing into things are super important because people are<\/em> going to want to take advantage of you.\u201d<\/p>Will Bug<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tanesha adds: \u201cStay ready. Always have something you can show at hand. Be yourself, show yourself! That is what is going to make a difference between you and countless others! Also allow yourself to take a break from time to time. Don\u2019t just keep chasing the shiny things people dangle in front of you\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to find them on social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n