The Global Network for Women Music Producers is an initiative to support women and non-binary music producers to help right the gender imbalance in their field.
Designed in consultation with partners in countries from around the world, the program helps overcome barriers in the music industry, and provide opportunities for support, discussion, networking and collaboration.
The program also serves as a resource for musicians and record labels who are looking to work with a female-identifying producer.
The Global Network for Female-Identifying Music Producers is currently a partnership with National Arts Centre (Canada), Sounds Australia, Music Estonia, MTA Productions (Sweden), (México), Elen Elis (National Eisteddfod of Wales), and producer liaison Belén Aramburú (Argentina).
The ever-expanding network includes studio producers, beat makers, soundscape artists, and engineers who come together monthly online to support each other, discuss their craft, and learn from one another.
The group meets in person annually, with the first meeting taking place in Stockholm in 2022 and following that in Montreal and Toronto in 2023.
A group of producers from Wales had the chance to take part in the network by spending time in Canada in 2023.
The week in Canada included three solid days of studio work at various studios in Montreal, networking with local and national music industry, masterclasses and workshops, and a networking event with screen producers and directors attending the Toronto International Film Festival.
Because of the direct link between culture and art, those involved had the opportunity to consider what the different cultures within the group contributed to the different styles of music involved.
The Welsh artists saw that their contribution as Welsh people was valuable as part of the context of the other cultures. This was of great benefit to the Welsh producers.
The Global producers also experienced the diverse music that Wales has to offer, with Ani Glass’s electropop, Heledd Watkins' dramatic rock and Lleuwen Steffan's alternative folk music, as well as seeing how the three went about producing their own music and music for others.
The variety of music showcased was of interest to the international producers within the network, particularly when considering Welsh songs and the way our artists used the language in the context of contemporary music.
Following the trip, Heledd Watkins said:
“Having reflected on my time in Canada, I see that what I have learned is how important it is for a musician to work outside of their normal comfort zone. By doing this in Canada I have now created a list of the skills that I would like to develop over the next few years, and I now appreciate what I already know, which gives me the confidence to carry on and keep going. Knowing that this opportunity is going to come up again next year gives me a solid goal to work towards. I'm really looking forward to being back in the company of such an inspiring group of women.”
