The Resonator Awards, spearheaded by the non-profit We Are Moving the Needle, are spotlighting the persistent gender disparity within the music industry's production and engineering sectors. This initiative strives to acknowledge and uplift female talent while actively working to dismantle barriers through education, mentorship, and vital financial support.
Amplifying Female Voices: A Movement for Equity in Music Production
The Resonator Awards: A Growing Platform for Recognition
Two years ago, the music non-profit organization, We Are Moving the Needle, initiated its inaugural Resonator Awards. This event was conceived to honor prominent figures such as Alanis Morissette, Caroline Polachek, and Corinne Bailey Rae, drawing attention to the severe scarcity of women working as producers and engineers in the music industry. Despite a previous postponement due to local wildfires affecting Grammy Week events, the Resonator Awards have triumphantly returned for their second iteration, quickly evolving into one of the most prestigious gatherings of the week, featuring an array of renowned artists and presenters.
The Driving Force: A Mission Beyond Awards
Emily Lazar, a Grammy-winning engineer and the visionary founder of We Are Moving the Needle, attributes the rapid success and star-studded participation in the Resonator Awards to the profound importance of its core mission. She clarifies that the primary objective was never simply to create an awards show, but rather to highlight a critical issue within the industry and to celebrate individuals who are actively contributing to positive change. Lazar emphasizes that the Resonator Awards are fundamentally about acknowledging and uplifting creative individuals, reflecting her own passion as a creator to support and showcase meaningful and impactful talent.
Fundraising for Future Generations: Investing in Talent
The awards ceremony, hosted at the newly christened Charlie Chaplin Studios in Hollywood, serves as a crucial fundraising event for the foundation. While specific fundraising targets for the evening were not disclosed, Lazar proudly shared that the organization has already successfully raised an impressive $875,000 solely through scholarships and grants. These funds are instrumental in fostering the next generation of female talent in music production and engineering.
Addressing the Imbalance: Why Stars Are Aligned
When questioned about the rapid accumulation of celebrity support for the Resonator Awards during an already demanding Grammy Week, Lazar pointed to the powerful sense of community and shared purpose among peers. She articulated that the stark imbalance within the industry is deeply troubling and largely unaddressed. The shocking statistics regarding the underrepresentation of women compel individuals to strongly advocate for and support this event until meaningful change is achieved, making it easier to gather widespread support.
The Core Issue: Gender Disparity in Production
Lazar unequivocally confirms that the imbalance she refers to is the severe lack of women in roles as music producers and engineers. She firmly believes that fostering creative excellence necessitates a diversity of voices in the creative process, which in turn enriches culture, making it more authentic, powerful, and truthful. Lazar stresses the urgent need to reveal and confront the reality of the situation, citing alarming statistics: for instance, only 3 percent of Grammy-nominated projects this year included any women in technical roles, from assistants to album producers. Even more strikingly, among the 58 producers and engineers credited for Album of the Year nominations, only three were women, with two also being nominated as artists, leaving just one woman, Laura Sisk, solely credited as an engineer. Furthermore, no women were nominated in the Producer of the Year category.
A Persistent Problem: The Industry's Shared Responsibility
Lazar acknowledges that the dismal statistics regarding female representation in music production have persisted for many years, leading to a sense of desensitization. However, she asserts that rectifying this issue requires the entire industry to assume responsibility and actively participate in finding solutions. While We Are Moving the Needle has made significant progress and offered concrete suggestions, more collective effort and widespread commitment are essential. Their 'Fix the Mix' report revealed a staggering 19:1 ratio of men to women in production and engineering credits on top songs, underscoring that this is not merely an issue of inequality but a profound loss of creative potential, as half of the population's artistic contributions remain unheard.
Hope on the Horizon: Scholarships, Mentorship, and Youth Programs
Despite the challenging landscape, Lazar shares positive developments. Since its inception in March 2021, the organization has successfully secured $875,000 for scholarships and grants. A key aspect of these scholarships is the pairing of each recipient with a mentor from their 'soundboard'—a network of industry titans, artists, engineers, and producers who volunteer their time. These mentors, affectionately termed 'fairy godmothers,' guide the next generation of women, connecting them with invaluable opportunities. Additionally, the organization has established 22 college chapters at institutions like Berklee College of Music, Howard University, USC, UCLA, and Northwestern University of Michigan, further extending its reach and impact.
Creating an Inclusive Environment: Early Intervention is Key
Lazar emphasizes the critical importance of creating welcoming spaces for women engineers and producers, noting that individuals need to see representation to believe in their own potential. She explains that aspiring music producers are not born with this ambition, and without visible role models, young women may not even consider such career paths. This underscores the necessity of early intervention, which We Are Moving the Needle addresses through its Amplitude Youth Program. Lazar believes that the solution is not complex, but rather involves educating, mentoring, supporting, and providing necessary equipment to individuals through their education, followed by genuine hiring opportunities.
Beyond Performative Gestures: Valuing Talent Authentically
Lazar points out that starting recruitment efforts only at the college level can be too late, as young professionals may have already committed to other career paths. She believes that late-stage interventions often feel performative rather than genuine. She expresses her disinterest in being chosen for a project simply because of her gender; instead, she desires recognition for her skills and excellence. This highlights the aspiration for a future where talent is judged on merit alone, rather than fulfilling diversity quotas.
The Future Vision: A World Without the Need for Resonator Awards
Considering the future of the Resonator Awards, Lazar expresses a paradoxical goal: ideally, the awards would eventually become unnecessary. While she hopes the celebration of excellence continues indefinitely, her ultimate vision is for the awards to evolve into a broader celebration of everyone's accomplishments. This future would negate the need to specifically highlight underrepresented voices, as they would be fully seen, heard, and integrated into the industry, achieving true equity.
