GRRRLS to the Front 2024
Mission:
To create access an opportunity for women and non-binary people in the music industry.
To celebrate their accomplishments.
To amplify their voices &
To connect them with resources and each other.
GRRRLS in the Booth
This year these courses will be offered as 10-12 week classes, meeting weekly for 3 hrs each class. The curriculum is sequential and comprehensive giving the student an excellent opportunity to emerge from the course able to approach music venues for employment in some capacity. Musicians, this may be helpful in navigating your own gigs and sound. In addition to our onsite classes, we’ll be offering off-site mentorship opportunities at Higher Ground in Burlington. You’ll have the ability to shadow our techs during shows at Stone Church as well. These classes are for women, gender fluid or non-binary individuals, or anyone who has experienced gender inequity in the music industry. These courses are available by tuition- there are scholarships available and payment plans.
11/8 – Big Enough: Get comfortable with taking up space with Ruth Garbus
A lot of factors play into the paths your career can take as a musician. Our first meetup of the GRRRLS 2 the Front Program kicks off with a conversation around the concept of aligning, balancing, and acknowledging both the internal and external facets of being an artist. Led by Ruth Garbus, this workshop will consist of discussion, meditation, and visualization to help further define your artistic voice and identity.
“At the same time that we work on our songs, skills, and publicity, we also can’t forget the internal work that sometimes needs to be done before we can truly thrive as musicians. If you are uncomfortable, confused, or unmotivated in any aspect of your musical work, this workshop might help.”
Garbus invites us to hold space for this notion, and to take up space ourselves, as folx who may have experienced marginalization in the music industry.
12/13 – THE POLITICS AND ECONOMICS OF MAKING ART with Carsie Blanton
The music industry looks different today than it did 10 years ago. What does it mean to be a working class artist in the age of the internet? How can you find your audience without a corporation pouring money on you? Develop your authentic artistic voice and exploit the evil algorithms to amplify it? We’ll chat about it all with singer-songwriter, Carsie Blanton! From Philadelphia, Carsie takes the spotlight with, “hooks, chutzpah, revolutionary optimism.” Described by NPR’s Fresh Air as “one of those hardheaded, open hearted protesters that makes revolution sound desirable to your body even if your mind wants to resist it,” with Carsie we’ll talk tips and tricks to navigating how the music industry used to work and how it works now, while keeping you, your sound, and brand authentic.
Read more about Carsie Blanton here.
1/10 – MUSIC INDUSTRY Q&A with Emily Lichter: Management, Entrepreneurship, The Business Side of Music
Have you ever wondered what management looks like? How to get your foot into the music industry? What the inner workings are of artist / management relationships? Talk with Emily Lichter (founder of Public Emily, a women run artist management company representing names like Sarah Jarosz, Lake Street Dive, Rickie Lee Jones, I’m With Her and more) and hear about her path to industry success and running her own management company.
Read more about Emily Lichter and Public Emily here.
2/14 – TOURING, BOOKING, VENUES, AND AGENTS with Jenny Crowell
How can you book a tour? What’s a reasonable deal? What does a tour manager or booking agent do? In this meetup you’ll get the opportunity to talk with Jenny Crowell (former tour manager for Grace Potter & the Nocturnals) about her experience in booking, production, and tour management. Get all your questions answered and tips on planning tours, going on tour, negotiating deals and splits, and the key qualities of a strong team on and off the road.