Process is Create Define Release’s new programme helping to develop women, non-binary, trans and gender minorities into confident music makers. Unfortunately, the music industry still has a long way to go in order to truly embody inclusivity and dismantle the disparaging discrepancies between men in the industry and women, trans, non-binary and all gender minorities. 

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The sessions intend to foster the confidence of our music producers, equipping them with invaluable knowledge from our session mentors – Mel Uye-Parker, Pops and Ruby Savage – inspiring the cohort with a tripartite Create, Define, Release process. 

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Our attendees were divided into three groups, focusing on the three essential elements. Create seeks to teach the foundations of music production, intended for beginners looking to learn and start their production journey. Define, then proceeds to enlighten the cohort with all the elements necessary to put on an incredible live performance for those wanting to learn how to take their craft to the next level. Lastly, the Release section focuses on finding your artistic voice and unleashing your music potential for existing producers who want to enhance their way of releasing music. 

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The workshopping series, spanning across a month, culminated in a phenomenal showcase of music from the cohort. It was a pleasure to witness the hard work that had gone into these productions, which ended up sounding amazing on the PA and moved us all. A cathartic moment where nerves transcended into euphoria –  and everyone got the opportunity to share the fruits of their labour over the past month. 

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The diversity of sounds, style, genre inspirations, fluctuations of BPM were simply mesmerising. Electrifying and moving sounds all sheltered in a safe space. Productions included a heavy hitting house inspired instrumental, with incredible build up, from Rabia; avant-garde floaty productions accompanied with poetry performed live from Cath; dreamy sounds and vocals in a live performance by Niix and the wonderful finesse of keys by Karen in her electro-funk inspired composition. 

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“This has felt like a safe space… which I don’t usually experience in other courses.”

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Feelings were expressed during the final sessions. Before the music showcase, everyone had a chance to reflect on the process of Process with some truly phenomenal feedback - the idea of the programme feeling like a continual safe space was a reassuring sentiment shared by many. 

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Other reflections included being proud of themselves “for showing up”, as well as feeling a sense of community and belonging as “it can be isolating being a producer, working behind the screen”. One described Process as “mind opening” while another shared that “I believe in myself more again”.

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The Process finale included an immersive and important ‘Money Mindset’ workshop session from Remi Harris where everyone left with a copy of her new book ‘Easy Money?’ In addition to providing invaluable tips for managing one’s craft as a sole trader or starting up a Limited Company, the session also reflected on the narratives that we hold about money and how they might be impacting our ability to enhance and invest in our careers as musicians and producers alike. 

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A prominent takeaway of the session was perhaps the question posed to everyone  “what are you worth?” A rhetorical question which opens up as many questions as it provides answers.
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One thing is certain however, that Process is happily succeeding in its ambitions – to enrich, inspire, empower, esteem, celebrate and champion marginalised communities, equalising the playing field so that trans, non-binary people and women are all able to find even footing in this convoluted, expansive space we call the music industry. 

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We want to thank our amazing debut cohort, our brilliant mentors and Kacherelle Brown for leading the programme. We’ll be running this programme again so keep your eyes peeled for new announcements. Join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.