reversalofthemuse-blog

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DOLLY PARTON AND EMMYLOU HARRIS

We have reached the final episode of Reversal Of The Muse Series One, so we’ve been saving an extra special podcast for last. Earlier this year, Laura travelled over to Nashville Tennessee to speak with two legendary musicians, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. While we’re sure they need no introduction, Dolly Parton’s incredible career has spanned nearly five decades, with songs that are ingrained in generations gone by and those still to come. She’s in the elite group of musicians to have received Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar nominations, and in 2011 she was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Emmylou Harris has built a similarly prosperous career; the twelve-time Grammy winner is marvelled at for her beautiful songwriting and sublime voice.

In this broad and enchanting conversation with two of the greatest feminine creators in music, Dolly and Emmylou reminisce on how they started making music together, which has lead to their latest album ‘The Complete Trio Collection’. The album is feminine creativity at its finest, as joined with Linda Ronstadt, the blend of the three harmonies highlights the unique resonance of the female voice. Dolly’s work has been particularly influential to Laura, as she’s learnt guitar techniques from playing Dolly’s songs. Laura shares that she’s inspired by how Dolly has maintained femininity, whilst being an extremely talented guitar player and songwriter.

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SHURA (ft MARIKA HACKMAN)

For our ninth Reversal Of The Muse episode, Laura is joined by fantastic London-based singer-songwriter and producer Shura. After releasing singles ‘2Shy’, ‘Touch’ and ‘What’s It Gonna Be?’ to a glowing reception, July 2016 brought Shura’s debut album ‘Nothing’s Real’. For the second part of their conversation, Laura and Shura are joined by previous Reversal Of The Muse guest and friend, Marika Hackman.

Laura recorded this podcast just after ’Nothing’s Real' was released, and Shura explains she made a conscious effort to construct her album cohesively, with the aspiration to create records in the way she consumes them: listening in their entirety from start to finish. However, Laura and Shura share the same difficulty when they’re in the midst of making records and travelling, as they find themselves detached from listening to other music which inspires them. As Marika joins the conversation, the trio discuss how Marika’s early presentation in the media emphasises a problem many female musicians encounter: journalists can focus on everything but the great music they produce.

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KAREN ELSON AND JONATHAN WILSON

(Photo Credit: Emma Tillman)

For our eighth instalment of Reversal of the Muse, Laura is joined by singer songwriter Karen Elson and musician/producer Jonathan Wilson. Karen started her career as a successful high-fashion model, and then went on to release her excellent debut album ‘The Ghost Who Walks’ in 2010. Karen’s forthcoming second album was produced by Jonathan, and Laura also features on backing vocals.

Jonathan starts by talking about his experience of working with women in the studio, and if there’s a difference in the male approach. After working with Jonathan, Karen and Laura share how they trust and admire his sensitivity to the creative process, and together wonder if women will become more integrated into the mechanical world of the studio - perhaps it’s already happening. Karen also recalls the struggles she’s faced, especially at the genesis of her music career, through feeling objectified by men in the industry as if she’s a commodity. She highlights the importance of having the right team of people around an artist, whether that be men or women

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MARIKA HACKMAN

In our seventh Reversal of the Muse podcast, Laura is joined by fellow musician and friend Marika Hackman. Marika’s beautiful debut album, ‘We Slept At Last’, was released in 2014. She has since joined sold out tours with alt-J, The 1975 and of course, Laura.

In this episode, Laura and Marika recall their early experiences of being on tour, and how they adapted to the dynamic of male-dominated tour buses. Like Laura, Marika would be intrigued to record in a studio run by women, as it’d be interesting to see whether an artist would feel less pressure to perform and be more inclined to share ideas. Laura and Marika also discuss the contradiction of many female artists today, by the way they're sexualised by the media but also presented as strong and independent.

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PAMELA COLE

(Photo Credit: The East Nashvilian)

For our sixth Reversal of the Muse podcast, Laura is in Nashville talking to Pamela Cole, co-owner of 'Fanny's House Of Music'. Pamela and her co-founder Leigh Maples,   wanted a guitar shop that was comfortable for everyone, having found that music stores tended to be focused on a male demographic. Therefore Fanny’s unique motto, is to serve those who are typically left out of that experience, and is one of the only guitar shops in the world aimed at female guitarists.

Laura is now a repeat customer of Pamela’s, and together they chat about how they've experienced misconceptions and pre-judgement in other guitar shops, as women are often assumed to be beginner guitarists or looking on behalf of a man. Laura and Pamela also think about the process of women learning from other women, and if there’s a difference in the way that women teach. Fanny’s welcomes and inspires both extroverts and introverts, as Pamela and Laura believe it’s important to encourage all female guitarists and nurture their musical talent and expression.

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OLGA FITZROY 

Our fifth episode of Reversal of the Muse is Laura’s conversation with Olga FitzRoy, who was recently crowned Recording Engineer of the Year 2016 at the MPG awards. Following her Music and Sound Recording degree, Olga trained as an engineer and mixer in the renowned AIR Studios in London, where she’s worked on chart-topping records for Coldplay, The Foo Fighters and Muse. She also assisted Sir George Martin on the last ever Beatles recording for the 2006 album, Love, as well as working with top film composers such as Hans Zimmer.

Laura and Olga are both well accustomed to the long working hours of the studio. Together they discuss whether women are able to meet the demands of working in a studio and still have children, or if the two are mutually exclusive which has consequently lead to the male dominated environment. Laura also notes that women scientifically hear differently to men, which sparks the question: Have we been creating records for the male ear, as most of our studio mixers are male? Olga and Laura consider if we're missing a feminine part to everything behind music and the way it’s created.

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AMANDA GHOST

In our fourth Reversal of the Muse podcast, Laura is joined by Ivor Novello award winning and Grammy nominated Amanda Ghost. Amanda has earned many strings to her bow; starting out as a singer songwriter, she then went on to be President of Epic Records as well as a successful TV and film producer. Amanda’s co-writing ventures saw her first ever session produce global hit ‘You’re Beautiful’ with James Blunt and she went on to write with some of the world biggest stars including Beyonce, Shakira and Mark Ronson amongst others.

Amanda is now the CEO of her own record label, Outsiders and we’ll hear Laura and Amanda discuss the clear absence of female executives in record labels today. Amanda recalls her experiences of being the anomaly in a heavily masculine environment, and also her realisation of how differently women are treated in the work place when they reach executive level. Amanda and Laura consider how the role of the record label has evolved over the decade, and share their frustrations about today's pressure to write manufactured hits at the expense of creativity and quality.

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CATHERINE MARKS

Catherine Marks is a producer, engineer and mixer, and today joins Laura for our third Reversal of the Muse podcast. She won the Breakthrough Producer of the Year at the MPG Awards 2016, as well as receiving a Grammy nomination for Wolf Alice ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’.

In today’s episode Catherine and Laura discuss the intensity of being in the masculine structure of a studio, and how its all-consuming environment is balanced with maintaining a personal life away from work. Through her wealth of experience in the studio, Catherine reflects on how she applies her own femininity and emotions, in order to benefit the creative process of the artist. Laura and Catherine find affiliation through their similar encounters of gender stereotypes in music, which have only spurred them to exceed people’s expectations.

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VANESSA PARR

In our first Reversal of the Muse podcast, Laura speaks to female sound engineer Vanessa Parr. Vanessa was the in-house engineer at the renowned Village Studios in LA, and has worked with some of the greats: Elton John, B.B. King, Coldplay and John Mayer amongst others.

In her chat with Laura, Vanessa recalls how she broke into a male dominated field, where female engineers are few and far between. Together, they share their insights on both the benefits and challenges faced through being the only women in the studio.

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HAIM

In the second instalment of our Reversal of the Muse podcasts, Laura speaks to the Haim sisters: Este, Danielle and Alana. Haim received critical acclaim for their debut album ‘Days Are Gone’, released in 2013, which showcases the innate musicianship that these sisters share. They were hailed BBC Sound of 2013 winners, and went on to be Grammy and Brit nominated.

Laura and the Haim sisters chat about life as professional female musicians, from touring to guitar shop culture. Haim are also joined by special guest: Ariel Rechtshaid, producer of their debut album. Ariel shares his experiences of working with Haim and other female artists in the studio, and considers how the process compares to working with male artists.