SelfMade – Julie Hawk and Joanna Bain


Posted January 20, 2018 in More

Julie Hawk and Joanna Bain are the duo behind SelfMade a new platform for exploring the DIY scene. We chat to them ahead of their debut event. 

 

Can you tell us about the premise behind SelfMade? 

JoannaThe idea initially came from reading about the lack of funding and support for independent musicians, coupled with watching friends trying to make music, and trying to find a way to support themselves while pursuing their passion. I had initially thought about doing a series of portraits of independent musicians in Ireland, with a view to shining a light on the range of music being produced, and the different ways people are pursuing their careers in the industry. Having spoken to a number of musicians who were enthusiastic about the project, I got in touch with Julie after seeing her illustration work online, and the concept evolved into a discussion about the realities of getting a music career off the ground and sustaining it. I’m really excited about the direction its taken – it’s turned into a much more meaningful project with fantastic musicians participating. 

 

Julie:  Over the past few years, I’ve had some amazing discussions with other artists about the unseen aspects of driving a project, and I’ve always been amazed to find such common ground, even with total strangers. I’m hoping SelfMade will be the start of a positive support network around these areas, to take a bit of the taboo away from admitting that we’re working extremely hard, and a chance to celebrate this effort. 

What is your own background and experiences to date in relation to music? 

Julie:  I’m a singer, songwriter and bassist in HAWK. We’re based in Berlin, but I’m originally from Galway. I’m also an illustrator, and in the past year, I’ve been working to merge these two areas of my life through crossover projects. My experience in music is mostly as an artist, but performing and writing takes up a fraction of that job. Along with rest of the band, I’ve always had a hand in arranging gigs, tours, social media, strategy and all the admin that comes with trying to keep a project moving. 

Joanna: I play the violin in a band, and have always played music, but my main background and experience in music is as an enthusiast! I’ve always been slightly obsessive about the music I like, and admire anyone who has the guts to pursue a career in the arts. I love the idea of supporting that in even a small way. 

 

What initiatives could be undertaken to ensure a fairer representation of female artists at festivals etc.?

Julie: I think the most important thing we can do is look at music throughout our lives, not just at the age when we decide to do it as a career. I would love to see more initiatives, like Girls Rock Dublin, driving diversity in music for young people. In terms of helping artists now, even tiny things like the way we phrase discussions about music can help to reset the way we are viewed. I’m seeing more and more backlash against the idea of ‘female-fronted’ music being a genre in itself. And I’m seeing more conversation about making gigs and festivals safer spaces for women, both as performers and listeners. All of these things help to widen the net. 

 

Do you think the idea of a quota is a necessary consideration? 

Julie:  Festival quotas don’t solve the root of imbalance in the music industry, but I think are sadly necessary. Making sure there are more female artists (and more diversity across the board) on festival bills might feel like a quick fix for female acts who are in the game at the moment. It feels like a bitter-sweet result. But this visibility could have an incredibly positive effect on teenagers going to these festivals for the first time. It’s so important that young people grow up seeing more women and non-binary artists on stage, to shake off the assumption that this is a boys’ game. I believe that the effect of having more diverse visibility in music will ultimately trickle down and help to create a level playing field.  

 

Joanna: I would agree with Julie – clearly line ups etc should be put together on merit, which is exactly how ours was chosen. That said, it’s so important to make sure we are making up the lack of visibility for women breaking into the music industry. Culturally, I think it’s important for women, and especially young girls, to see what can be done and how many different ways there are for women to express themselves through music, to encourage them to pick up a guitar or whatever instrument they’re drawn to. I was at Other Voices last month and was delighted to see the range of artists playing there – seeing Molly Sterling, Aine Cahill, Maria Kelly, Bitch Falcon, Wyvern Lingo to name a few, all producing fantastic music across a broad range of genres, was really encouraging to see. 

 

What is exciting you most about the DIY scene in Dublin at the moment? 

Joanna: The volume and range of artists producing music of real substance. I think this is clear actually even in our lineup for this event – eight acts with a range of different experiences and influences, a range of diverse sounds across different genres, with different backgrounds and each with something great to bring to the table. It’s like a little microcosm of the Dublin scene, showing the quality of musician Ireland is producing.  

Julie: Sheer, indestructible amounts of talent and a whole heap of acts writing about real societal issues. It’s like someone left the tap on. 

 

SelfMade is on Friday February 2 in Third Space, Smithfield from 7pm.  

The first edition features panel discussion, live performance and an exhibition. Participating artists include: Carol Keogh, Farah Elle, Mary Barnecutt, Hymmingbird, Jess Kavanagh, Grainne Hunt, Sive, Zoe Gough and Romy.

Image Credit: Farah Elle by Olga Kozmenko

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