Hello from Feminist Create founder Jen Steiner!
When I first launched this project back in 2013 I dreamt of it being a world-wide read platform; including many women profiling their work, unique interviews and I also wanted to run a feminist record label, although I had no idea how to do it.
The first goals of the project were realised but the record label never came about.
Recently I researched into what a record label was, and what a publishing company was, and realised I didn't really want to do either of those things but I did want to release my music, and other peoples, via a platform that was at least gender equal, if not biased towards female artist and musicians.
So this is where I tell you a bit about the new project that I am founding, OPEN UMBRELLA; Open Umbrella is an experimental platform and community, releasing new music for FREE from original, innovative and exquisite musicians and artists. It's mission is to enable independent musicians and artists, especially those who might otherwise struggle to be visible due to confidence or social exclusion such as being disabled or a primary carer; to share their music, widen their listening audience and build a community around them; whilst retaining all rights and copyright to their own work.
I hope the project will be launching in Bristol in March or April 2015 and it's aim is a gender equal roster, or a female bias; however (unsurprisingly) we are having much more interest from male artists and musicians. If you're interested in releasing some music via platform, please do get in touch, follow us via Twitter or FB or email thisisopenumbrella@hotmail.com
I am very excited and nervous about Open Umbrella, it seems to open up many possibilities for artists and musicians to have their music out in the world, including me. I struggle to see my self as a 'proper' musician or artist, despite having done it for most of my life, as I have health restrictions which mean I do not gig regularly. The world of music and music sales is very competitive and most of the time I just want more people to get to listen to the work I make! Perhaps this rings a bell for you or someone that you know; for example the hours of unpaid labour that mothers are usually working often means their creative work is seen as unimportant or invisible.
Let's change the way women's music can go unheard and unappreciated!!
Many thanks for your time reading this,
Jen Steiner
Bristol, 11/03/2015
