The organisation levelling the playing field in the music industry

I found a haven behind a bookcase door. In the back of the Love Shack, under the arches of east London’s Cambridge Heath station is a hidden room, full of beatnik décor, lit up by a spinning disco ball. A crowd of women, non-binary and trans people gathered, chattering enthusiastically with one another, drinks balancing on the wooden tables that peppered the room.

They were there to attend Name Game Nights, a relaxed panel discussion and Q&A with industry experts run by The Name Game. Founded in 2022, the organisation was created to be a ‘supportive network for female, non-binary & trans artists, creatives and professionals in the music industry’. Sitting down after the event founder Daisy Carberry explained some of the inspiration behind the creation of the organisation. “I found it really difficult initially to find a route into the industry, and once here I became really bitter, really quickly with the lack of equality across the industry.”

Name Game Nights are just one of the offerings Daisy has created to try and level the playing field. The organisation also offers gigs and photo shoots to photographers and videographers as well as job postings for publishing, design, and other service roles. Their website includes a number of resources and infographics for aspiring musicians and professionals looking to get into the industry. “We’re also starting more of a gig series, where we can give artists that experience,” Carberry tells me as well as highlighting the creation of “opportunities for experiences like video shoots and live nights.”

All of these opportunities, resources and events are offered for free of charge, which is key to Daisy’s vision for the organisation. “I really wanted information to not be gate-kept and for people, particularly gender minorities to feel supported navigating the music industry. Then once they’re in, feel like they’re part of a community that doesn't have a price tag attached to it”.

The night, which is shaped by intimate and honest conversations with the panel, is chaired by TV and radio presenter, and DJ Abbie McCarthy. Speaking on the need for the event she told me, “what I find interesting about the music industry is sometimes there might be little cliques of people, who all know each other, and have been given an opportunity because of nepotism”.

The inherent inaccessibility of the industry was the overarching theme of the night, one that not even the easygoing ambience of the venue could mask. This inaccessibility disproportionately affects, femmes, non-binary and trans people.

A recent report by the Musician’s Census reveals that 51% of women in the music industry have faced gender discrimination. 37% of LGBTQ+ musicians faced discrimination for their sexuality and over half of trans respondents, have faced discrimination for their gender identity. In an industry characterised by competition and sales, and dominated by those who know a guy that knows a guy, The Name Game provides a place of solace. A space to build community and allyships whilst building connections and getting vital resources and bits of information.

As well as barriers faced because of gender and sexuality, there are further hurdles those attempting to break into the industry feel they must navigate. There exists, Daisy tells me, an "outdated notion that you have to live in London to work in music,” explaining her plans to expand into other regions and hold in-person events in new locations.

Another persistent barrier is the underrepresentation of Black and Brown individuals within the industry. A survey by UK music found that only 6.4% of top music industry jobs are held by Black or Black British people despite making up almost 10% of the population. 4% of those in senior roles are Asian or Asian British despite making up around 9% of the population. A survey named, “Being Black in the Music Industry” by BLiM, found that 57% of black music creators have seen less qualified white contemporaries promoted ahead of them. In the words of panellist Fuzz Chaudhrey, “the only way representation could happen is by having black and brown voices at the table, it’s that simple”.

Of course, as brilliant as organisations like the Name Game are, change will only come from within the industry itself. Chaudhrey is a network producer for BBC introducing and used their slot at Name Game Nights to talk about their experience of entering the industry. From being introduced to secular music, to hosting their University's radio show, to working in radio, and to their current role on BBC Introducing theirs is a journey that has touched many parts of the industry and so they’re clear about how change will come about.

“If you as an organisation or as an industry are committed to championing diversity and providing opportunities for underrepresented artists and underrepresented communities, you need to make sure you’re also enacting and creating inclusive policies.” They explained how “BBC introducing is ensuring that they have 50-50 representation on our line ups and ensuring that there is a minimum of 30% diverse artists represented.” A clear example of how the industry can enact change through action.

Panellist Yazz James, a senior Social Media manager at CYOA MEDIA also reflected on how change can be enacted. “We have to be honest with people in positions of power, and those who are less marginalised. I think someone has to say it, and it’s always hard, if everyone’s too scared to say something, then the change won’t happen. You can do that with the support of like, your allies, and your community”.

As groundbreaking and as necessary that organisations like The Name Game are, the music industry has got to commit to its own diversification. Communities must continue to be created, networking events can continue to be held, but major action has to be taken to ensure that the barriers of entry that exist are broken down.

Nevertheless, the presence of The Name Game and organisations like it, are indispensable not only on a collective but also on an individual level both for attendees and panellists. “It’s given me a new found confidence in knowing that there are so many people like me, wanting to make the industry better and wanting to break into it,” Yazz shared when reflecting on the night.

As I ventured back out into the real world through the bookcase, I couldn’t help but share some of that confidence, hopeful that at least some of that safe haven under the arches will leak out into the wider world.

You can register your interest to attend a future edition of Name Game Nights here.

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