Girls I Rate has teamed up with Island Records and PRS For Music to launch #GetHeard, a new showcase event aimed at providing young women with the chance to present their original music to an audience of A&R professionals.
Taking place on Saturday, May 6 at PRS For Music’s Kings Cross HQ, the event will be hosted by GIR founder and Beyonce songwriter Carla Marie Williams, Capital Xtra DJ Manny Norte and UK pop star Lily Allen. The day is designed to offer 100 female songwriters and producers aged between 16-30 the opportunity to showcase their original work to some of the industry’s most influential executives.
Two panels of experts will listen to, critique and offer advice on the works heard. The day will then close with a networking mixer hosted by Sian Anderson of 1Xtra.
Furthermore, 10 attendees will be given the chance to attend a Girls I Rate Academy Weekender. Each Academy Weekender will be run by industry experts, providing educational and practical lessons on how to succeed in the music industry.
Founded in March 2016, GIR is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at increasing opportunities for women in the industry.
Founder Williams commented: “My mission is to engage with as many young females as possible, to break down stereotypes and assumptions in the creative industry and help give young women opportunities by pushing for more equality and diversity within the creative industry! I also want to empower young females to believe anything is possible. This is why events such as #GETHEARD are so imperative”.
Karen Buse, executive director of membership and international at PRS For Music, said: “Girls I Rate is an exciting and much-needed initiative, and I am proud that PRS for Music will be hosting the #GetHeard Weekender. So many young women can be put off entering what often feels like a male-dominated industry, so it’s invaluable to have organisations such as Girls I Rate to break down stereotypes and really support and champion new talent.”
lsland Records president Darcus Beese also added: “It has always been important for us at Island to champion women in all areas of the industry; from the incredible artists we have worked with over the years including Amy Winehouse and PJ Harvey, to the powerful women in key positions at the label. Girls I Rate is a fantastic initiative that we need to be a part of. At a time where the music industry is experiencing growth again, we need more open discussions like #GETHEARD to continue striving for equality and diversity every day. We still have a lot of work to do.”
To apply to #GETHEARD and for the chance to have your track listened to by this expert A&R panel, you must submit your songs via a SoundCloud link, no later than Wednesday, April 26 to ArtsAcademy@girlsIrate.com.
