GOTTA SEE IT TO BE IT!
Women have always occupied prominent positions in electronic music - from Suzanne Ciani & Wendy Carlos to Grimes. Get inspired by the Diode Divas of S.O.S.fest performing at Ottawa’s Synthesizer Festival Wed July 25 - Sun July 29.
Laura Whitmore Dickens - LEucrocuta
S.O.S.Fest - Thurs July 26
FIRST SYNTH: My first synth was a little synth I built from a kit by bleeplabs called the Nebulophone.
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Switched on Bach, and Wendy Carlos’ music in general. I come from a classical background, so using synths for arrangement and sound design was appealing to me!
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC: Just start playing around! It’s just a game, you don’t need much, just experiment and learn as you go. Also, don’t be afraid to collaborate, it is very rewarding! I feel like there is often this fear (based in reality) that if you collaborate your work won’t be seen as your own. But screw that, artistic collaboration is very rewarding!
VJ DAISY - RAAS
S.O.S.Fest - FRI July 27
FIRST SYNTH: Casio SK1 that I made into a Video Synthesizer started me on my journey of love of synths. Then the Monotron came out and I was hooked for life.
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Ladytron 604 made me realize the importance of synths in music. Beastie Boys introduced me to Perry and Kingsley and In sounds from way out.
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC: Just do it!!! There is a place for you no matter what your level but be confident, do lots of research and experiment
HOLLIE - BRUSQUE TWINS
S.O.S.Fest - FRI July 27
FIRST SYNTH: The first synth I had access to was the ENSONIQ ESQ-1, the first synth I bought was the Arturia Microbrute
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Depeche Mode - A Broken Frame
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC: Use whatever you have access to. If you don’t have money to buy gear ask friends, borrow, do trades, use cracked software... whatever! Just start doing it! Don’t waste anytime, everything will fall into place once you start.
GAENOR HOWE
RATIONAL YOUTH
S.O.S.Fest - FRI July 27
FIRST SYNTH: MicroKorg.
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Landscape – From the Tearooms of Mars…to the Hell-holes of Uranus - (1981 Cherry Red Records).
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC:
Be brave. Just get up there and follow your own star. The joy of synth music is that there is no ‘right’ way to do it. Don’t be tentative, don’t be shy, and don’t think you have to be like anyone else. And let who you are and what you do change and adapt as you go on. Or not. Just go and do and be.
Juliette
Saravejo & Moi
S.O.S.Fest - SAT July 29
FIRST SYNTH: A Korg PolySix. I fell totally in love with the sound of it. I was not twenty years old at the time, so, for me, it was a lot of money. But I had to get it
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Music For The Masses and Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC:
Work on your sense of humour, you will need it, a lot. Be brave and strong and don’t be afraid to take your place. Dont take yourself to seriously while working hard on your craft. And most important: dont take shit from anyone :)
DANA JEAN PHOENIX
S.O.S.Fest - SAT July 29
FIRST SYNTH: My Grandmother owned a Wurlitzer Orbit III that I used to spend hours playing as a kid. The first synth I bought for myself was a MicroKORG.
ALBUM THAT SWITCHED YOU ON TO SYNTHS: Janet Jackson’s Control, which led to my obsession with all things Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: The Time, Alexander O’Neal, Cherrelle, SOS Band.. etc.
ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START MAKING ELECTRONIC MUSIC:
You’ll have to be bold to be heard at times, but pick your battles. And, always try to plan ahead, especially when touring!