The music industry can be an exhilarating, creative and deeply rewarding space to build a career — but it’s also an industry that hasn’t always been welcoming to women and gender-expansive individuals.
For those of us carving out a place in this male-dominated field, the journey comes with unique challenges. Yet, despite the barriers, women are shaping the future of music, from the stage to the studio, from the boardroom to the festival grounds.
If you’re a woman looking to enter the music industry, here’s the advice I wish I had received earlier in my career.
Women in music — whether artists, producers, engineers or executives — are often underestimated. The industry assumes men are the experts by default. Don’t wait for permission to claim your space. If you know your craft, own it. Speak with authority, trust your skills, and don’t downplay your expertise to make others comfortable.
Early on, I noticed that when men walked into a studio, people assumed they were in charge. When I walked in, they assumed I was someone’s assistant. I quickly learned that confidence is a language the industry understands — so speak it fluently.
Owning your expertise doesn’t mean pretending to know everything. The smartest people in the industry ask questions, stay curious and admit when they don’t know something.
Early in my career, I was afraid to say, “I don’t know,” because I thought it would make me look inexperienced. The truth is, no one knows everything, and the people who act like they do are often covering up their own insecurities.
Admitting when you need help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Surround yourself with people who are willing to teach you—and then pay that knowledge forward.
The music industry runs on relationships. Who you know — and more importantly, who trusts and respects you — will shape the opportunities that come your way. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards; it’s about building real connections and proving your value over time.
Seek out mentorship and surround yourself with people who actively support women in the industry. And if you don’t see the community you need, build it. Organizations like We Make Noise exist to create spaces where women and gender-expansive individuals in music can connect, collaborate and grow together.
A lot of people enter the industry focusing solely on their creative skills — whether it’s songwriting, production or performance. But if you want longevity in this business, you have to understand how the business works.
Learn about contracts, publishing, royalties, sync licensing and intellectual property. Know the difference between a record deal and a distribution deal. Understand where the money flows so you can advocate for yourself and make informed career decisions.
Women are too often underpaid because they aren’t given the same financial education or transparency as men. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong in conversations about money. Your art has value. Your work has value. Know your worth — and demand it.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that not every opportunity is worth saying yes. Women are often conditioned to be accommodating, but success isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the right things.
Set boundaries, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to walk away from situations, relationships or projects that don’t align with your values. This is especially important in an industry where power dynamics can be exploited. You don’t owe anyone access to your time, talent or energy.
The best way to shift the culture of the industry is to actively support and uplift other women. There’s a false narrative that there’s only room for a few of us at the top — that another woman’s success somehow threatens our own. That’s nonsense.
The more we advocate for each other, the stronger our collective presence becomes. Hire women. Work with women. Recommend women for gigs, panels and leadership roles. Speak their names in rooms they’re not in yet. That’s how we change the industry — not by fighting for scraps, but by demanding a bigger table.
The music industry is evolving, but real change doesn’t happen without action. If you’re a woman entering this business, own your expertise, stay curious, build your network, educate yourself, set boundaries and lift others as you rise. There is no singular path to success, but the more we support and advocate for each other, the more doors we open for the next generation of women in music.
The industry needs us — not just as artists, producers and executives, but as leaders, changemakers and architects of the future. Step up, take your place and don’t wait for permission to create the career you deserve.
Editor’s note: Erin Barra-Jean is director of the Popular Music Program at Arizona State University. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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