Tag: women

Announcing the Equal (EQL) Studio Residency Program for Women

August 15, 2018

In partnership with Berklee College of Music and Electric Lady Studios, Spotify’s EQL Studio Residency will help open the door for emerging female producers and engineers while shining a light on the great work already being done by women in the music industry.

Starting in October, the program will offer three residencies in three different cities: New York, Nashville, and London. During these paid six-month residencies, one participant in each city will work hands-on in our studios and gain access to invaluable networking and mentoring opportunities to further her career.

In New York, the resident will split her time between the famed Electric Lady Studios and our own Spotify Studios. In Nashville and London, residents will work out of our Secret Genius Studios, where we’ve shown our commitment to supporting emerging songwriters and producers.

“Women are underrepresented as artists, songwriters, engineers and producers,” says Kerry Steib, Director of Cultural Impact. “We have to use our resources to create opportunities to address this, and do it with great partners across the industry. This is just the beginning.”

“This exciting collaboration recognizes the many contributions women make in the music industry,” says Darla Hanley, Dean of the Professional Education Division at Berklee. “We are happy to support and mentor the recipients of the EQL Studio Residency and look forward to sharing our expertise and many decades of combined experience across all corners of the industry with them.”

“Electric Lady is thrilled to partner with Spotify’s EQL Studio Residency alongside Berklee College of Music in encouragement of more women in audio production, “ says Lee Foster, Partner/ General Manager Electric Lady Studios. We are strong supporters of this movement and look forward to meeting the next generation of women engineers and producers.”

Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know:

  • Applications are now live and close at 5 p.m. EST on August 24.
  • Residencies will start October 1.
  • Apply here: Nashville / New York / London

Equalizer Project Networking Dinner – Get to Know the Rising Female Stars of Swedish Music

June 15, 2018

On her “Witness” World Tour stop in Stockholm this weekend, pop megastar Katy Perry did more than perform. Before entertaining the thousands of fans in her audience, Spotify invited her to sit down with the next generation of Swedish female music professionals to network, provide advice, and encourage them to follow their dreams.

Katy was invited to be a part of the third Equalizer Project networking event and dinner, during which five up-and-coming female creators (artists, songwriters and producers) met with industry professionals including Katy, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, and Swedish songwriter and record producer Max Martin—one of the most awarded producers globally—to share their experience and learn from each other.

The Equalizer Project was initiated last year in our Stockholm office. The project, which currently includes a podcast and networking events, comes out of a desire to fuel discussions about equality and breaking norms in the music industry, and music studios in particular. The goal of these discussions is to drive change and increase the prevalence of women in the music industry.

Other guests included Spotify’s Nordic Managing Director Jenny Hermanson, as well as some of the world’s most prominent producers and songwriters – Shellback, Noonie Bao and Tove Styrke. The group welcomed five rising Swedish talents to the dinner on Saturday.

The five rising stars included names such as Janice Kavander, whose debut album “Fallin Up” was released in the beginning of 2018. Another attendee, Caroline Cederlöf aka GRANT made her 2018 debut with three critically acclaimed singles. Triple threat producers, songwriters and artists Thea Gustafsson aka Becky and the Birds, Bishat Araya joined the crew along with Emma Bertilsson aka KIDDO, who has co-written for Icona Pop, Soleima, Alan Walker, and SHY Martin.