Addressing the gender imbalance within the music industry

18 April 2018 - Press release

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR 2018 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
LAZY DAY, TAMZENE, MAYA KALLY, THE VAN T’S, MAGICK MOUNTAIN

NEW REBALANCE OFFICIAL PARTNERS;
MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM, RECORD OF THE DAY, SIMKINS LLP

Festival Republic together with PRS Foundation have announced the second-round of successful candidates for the pioneering ReBalance programme, which are doom pop Lazy Day, singer-songwriter Tamzene, soulful Maya Kally, 90’s grungers The Van T’s, and Leeds favourite Magick Mountain, who have all been selected by industry experts Melvin Benn (MD, Festival Republic), Lucy Wood (Talent Booker, Festival Republic), Vanessa Reed (CEO, PRS Foundation), Yinka Bokinni (Capital Xtra), Sammy Andrews (Deviate Media), Rachel Bollard (Transgressive), and Hayden Thorpe from (Wild Beasts).

We are also pleased to announce new partners on board with the campaign – including The Music Managers Forum (MMF), Record Of The Day (RotD) and Simkins LLP will partner with ReBalance offering specialist support to all candidates.

This three-year programme provides 5 day’s recording time in Old Chapel studios to a UK based core female band, female musician or female solo artist each month in 2018, 2019 and 2020, as well as accommodation and travel, all covered by Festival Republic. Alongside this, PRS Foundation has confirmed a pool of high profile female producers who will work with the artists and the team at the studio, which includes Helen Collins, the recipient of our apprenticeship programme. Within two-years of their studio residency, these successful acts will gain a slot at a Festival Republic or Live Nation Festival.

Music Managers Forum and ReBalance have announced their partnership, which moving forward will provide all ReBalance candidates access to a network of informal mentors, with each act specifically getting one to one contact with industry specialists in music publishing, artist managers, and a spot on one of the coveted MMF Essentials of Music Management’ training days.

Diane Wagg, MMF Chair commented;
"This is a fantastic initiative from Festival Republic and we are delighted to add our members' support. The ethos of ReBalance chimes completely with proactive measures that the MMF is already taking to increase our 35% of female membership, and ensure our board is fully inclusive and drawing on the most diverse range of talent and expertise possible."

RotD are pleased to partner with ReBalance, and artists involved in the campaign can expect editorial support on the daily music newsletter and website upon announcement, with exclusive track of the day spots offered to many ReBalance acts a year.

Paul Scaife, RotD commented;
“We had no hesitation in offering our support for this initiative, which we’re sure will help deliver long-term results.”

Simkins LLP is a leading media law firm with unparalleled expertise in the music and entertainment industries and counts some of the world’s most prominent artists among its clients.  Jessie Merwood, a lawyer in the music team, is excited to support the ReBalance programme and will be offering each candidate a free, one-to-one overview of recording, publishing, and management deals.

London’s Lazy Day have a sound to get excited about. The four-piece released heartbreak sensation EP Ribbons last year which was premiered on Noisey, and they’ve already supported the likes of Alex Lahey. Once a busker at the age of 14, Tamzene is making a name for herself through her powerful, but tender vocals making her place within ReBalance indisputable. The same could be said for the London born Maya Kally, who’s smooth yet gritty vocal style was inspired by the likes of Nina Simone and Otis Redding that she heard on road trips with her father. Also joining the next round of candidates are 90’s grungers The Van T’s who have also been added to the Community Festival bill, and multi-instrumentalist Lins Wilson who’s rep fronting Magick Mountain has not gone unnoticed.

After the successful first round earlier this year with candidates Æ MAK, Mary Miller and Projector, both Æ MAK, Mary Miller have been announced for The Great Escape, and Æ MAK will also be performing at this year’s Latitude Festival.

2018 Programme Second Candidates

Lazy Day
Tilly, Beni, Jonny, Liam

Tamzene

Maya Kally
Maya Kally, Lewis Downs, Kieran Halpin, Emil Karlsen

The Van T’s
Chloe Van Thompson, Hannah Van Thompson, Joanne Forbes, Shaun Hood

 
Magick Mountain


Previous Candidates:
Æ MAK, Mary Miller, Projecto