Women in the Studio: Creativity, Control and Gender in Popular Music Sound Production

by Paula Wolfe

The field of popular music production is overwhelmingly male dominated. Here, Paula Wolfe discusses gendered notions of creativity and examines the significant under-representation of women in studio production. Wolfe brings an invaluable perspective as both a working artist-producer and as a scholar, thereby offering a new body of research based on interviews and first-hand observation. Wolfe demonstrates that patriarchal frameworks continue to form the backbone of the music industry establishment but that women's work in the creation and control of sound presents a potent challenge to gender stereotyping, marginalisation and containment of women's achievements that is still in evidence in music marketing practices and media representation in the digital era.

232 pages, ebook

Published June 25, 2019

Reviews

[Colton Bachinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really interesting read, especially in the impact that access to tools, equipment, etc. can help people break out of marginalization (to an extent). When music production went digital many of the women seeking to do music production got their start by creating at home where they had full control and weren't beholden to the patriarchy in the industry (at least until they had distribute and face public reception).

Glad I read this instead of picking an easy documentary for a class assignment, though it is still very dense and academic and not something I would read for leisure.

Also loved most of the interviews and primary sources, many of the quotes had a good sense of humor while still driving solid points.