Story Time! Back in March we first covered news that the Australian Women in Music Awards were shining a spotlight on the heavy music scene's powerful women with nominations for their inaugural Women in Heavy Music Category. Fast forward and not only have the nominees been announced, but so has the conference program Breaking Metal Barriers facilitated by our very own moshpit master Ebony Story... more on that in a second!
The nominees for the Women in Heavy Music have been revealed as the iconic Jelena Goluza of hardcore activist group Outright, the enchanting Emmy Mack from genre-bending jet setter act Redhook, and br00tal Deathproof PR extraordinaire (and ex-BLUNT editor) Amy Simmons - all worthy nominees who have not only led or contributed to positive developments, innovations, or transformation of the Heavy Music, but are active and avid fans of the music we all love to throw down to.
The awards ceremony will take place at The Tivoli, in Brisbane on Wednesday 27 September - get your tickets here.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M7gTrwGEZo
Prior to the celebration and festivities of the awards ceremony; as mentioned, our very own maestro of all things metal Ebony Story will be facilitating a conference program titled Breaking Metal Barriers - which aims to shine a spotlight and invoke discussions women face when navigating the heavy music scene.
For the most part, the heavy community is a welcoming one, but why does something such as gender always seem to get in the way of women in their workspace? The conference aims to discuss that question and more when Ebony will be joined by fellow panellists Candice Bankovacki (vocalist Crave Death), Tiana Speter (Owner & Editor of The Soundcheck) and AWMA nominee Emmy Mack (vocalist Redhook).
"The heavy music scene is an inclusive space, but does that extend to women? Women have had to prove they are strong enough to handle this genre — strong enough to hold their own in the pit at a gig, strong enough to captivate and hold a crowd’s attention, strong enough to scream as well as any man, strong enough to be accepted at the table and the list goes on. How can we learn from other women’s struggles and successes to ensure more equitable opportunities?"
Catch our heavy heroines taking to the stage at Hotel X (458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley) following doors at 9:30am on Wednesday, Sept 27th. Get your tickets and join the conversation here.
For the full program and conference information - head to the Women in Music Awards website
Australian Women in Music Awards & Conference 2023
September 26-27 @ Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDcLenwEdUI
