So... You're in a chick band?

So… You’re in a chick band?

If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard those six words, in that order, I’d be a very wealthy woman. What is it about being female and in a band that always solicits these types of questions, comments and qualifiers? As if the gender identity of myself and my band mates somehow automatically defines what we do, how we sound and who we are. Don’t get me wrong, I am an outspoken feminist and incredibly proud to play guitar in a band with other women (not JUST other women - my best friends, in fact), but I have to say that I am plain old sick and tired of the inherent sexism that continues to be perpetrated within our local music scene. Of course, this sexist BS is not limited to just our local scene, we see and hear about it all over Canada and abroad as well. 

You might be saying to yourself, oh come on, it’s not that bad right? We’ve arrived! We’re here and we are empowered! Woman have come such a long way in being recognized within the music industry, specifically within the genre of rock and roll, punk and indie. That is an absolute fact. However, the music scene itself has a LONG way to go in terms of acknowledging, supporting and validating the women who are brave enough to participate in what has historically (and presently) been a total boys club. 

"We didn’t win a 'cute’ competition and something tells me if we were an all-male band, that comment would never have been made." 

Let me share a personal story. A few months ago my band had entered a local songwriting competition. After two days of constant rehearsals, recording sessions and live performances, we were announced as the winners! It was such a thrill and so incredibly validating to have won a competition that recognized our songwriting, performance and sound. As a result of this win we were asked to be interviewed on a local radio station. Our drummer (Brit) and myself prepared for the interview days in advance. We were so excited to be live on the airwaves, talking about our music, our inspiration and our passion. We were briefed about the interview by the male radio host just prior to going on air. He told us he would ask about our writing process, our music and our herstory as a band. Finally! Someone was actually interested in what we do, as opposed to the anatomy between our legs!...and then...it happened. As the host introduced us, LIVE on the air, he referred to my band mate and I as “the cutest rockers” he’d ever seen. In a matter of seconds he had deduced us down from prize-winning songwriters to cute girls with instruments. The worst part is - he genuinely didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he said. He carried on with the interview as planned, and Brit and I did the best we could with the sexist wind being taken out of our proverbial sails. This is just one example of about a million... 

Maybe this doesn’t seem like a big deal to you. Maybe (absolutely) you’ve heard worse comments about female musicians. Maybe you think I’m full of shit. But let me remind you that we didn’t win a “cute’ competition. Something tells me if we were an all-male band, that comment would not have been said. To all you dude musicians out there reading this, ask yourself - if this happened to you, how would you feel? This comment may seem minimal, an accidental slip of the tongue even. But like it or not, this is an overt example of the constant sexism women musicians deal with on the daily. Over the last seven years of playing with my band, I have experienced more judgement, condescension and patronizing comments than I can count. All because we are women, just trying to make art, in a male-dominated space. 

So, whats to be done? This isn’t just an excuse to complain, we need to develop real solutions that lead to the music scene being a safer, more inclusive and respectful space for women. There are so many things we can all start doing to unpack and challenge the sexist beliefs, behaviours and practices that are currently so ingrained in the music scene. 

If you are a promoter or venue owner - book women musicians for all types of gigs - gigs that are NOT just qualified as “girl power” night or “women in rock” showcases. Don’t pigeon-hole all female musicians to one line up, as if having a vagina is some type of musical genre. We are diverse as fuck, acknowledge that. Hell, celebrate it!

If you are a sound or recording engineer - trust that we know what we are doing, and if we need help or suggestions WE WILL ASK. Stop with the mansplaining. Seriously. STOP.

Support women musicians and women specific music publications. If you’ve never heard of She Shreds magazine in the US or SheWolf Radio in Toronto, get the fuck on it.

And, my biggest ask of all, is to my fellow dude musicians. Perhaps you think this isn’t your problem, you’re a decent dude who respects women. I hate to say it, but that is just not enough anymore. I implore you to do more. Call out other dudes on their sexist comments and micro-aggressions. The phrase ‘chick band’ may not seem harmful on the surface, but the iceberg of sexist exclusion that lies underneath a seemingly innocent couple of words, is more damaging than you may ever understand. This shit is exhausting. We will continue to fight it with everything we have, every day, every minute. But it would awesome to know we have allies. Men have a very important role to play in obliterating sexism in music and society as a whole.

And to all you women identified folks out there who are making music and art in this shit-show patriarchal society, I SEE YOU, I HEAR YOU, YOU ARE AMAZING. 

Let’s reserve “cute” for kitten videos on YouTube, shall we? 

Sarah Hull is a founding member and lead guitarist in The Rip Nancies. She is a registered social worker and passionate advocate for violence against women in her community. She is currently training in her second career as a first time mother to her 8 month old son.