INTRODUCING GOLD HAND GIRLS: WOMEN AND MUSIC PODCAST
Kayla connected with Alexa Ace and Micayla Chandler of Gold Hand Girls about their latest music-industry venture: the Women and Music podcast.
Tell us a bit about yourselves! What spurred you to start Gold Hand Girls, and your new podcast Women and Music?
AA: I founded Gold Hand Girls in 2016 as a means to connect women in the music industry! After living in London, I got a taste for the lack of diversity within the industry. Something had to change. So, I started Gold Hand Girls as a blog to build awareness around other women in the industry. We quickly grew to a team of 30, and were sending girls all over the world to gigs and events in hopes of furthering their career. It didn’t stop there. After years of having the blog, and helping to encourage young women to pursue music, Micayla joined the team. We both knew we had to monetize our passions, and it took about a year to figure out what that meant while still staying true to Gold Hand Girls’ mission. By starting a podcast, we’re able to not only share women’s stories, but share their stories on a mass scale, and slowly but surely, support our own dreams as well.
MC: I’m Micayla, aka Mic. I never considered having a career in the music industry until I went to a music festival and it completely changed my life and opened my eyes. It soon became a burning passion that I couldn't ignore and started looking for opportunities I could involve myself in with a focus in music. During college I landed an internship at a music venue in OKC and that's where I met Alexa, backstage at a Young Thug concert. We started having these deep conversations about why there was a lack of women in positions of power, and she shared her mission with GHG and how she founded a company to inspire others to take action. I knew after that talk, Alexa and I could fight for change and uplight the voices of women in positions of power within the music industry. Cue, the Women and Music podcast.
What is the main concept you want listeners to take away from Women and Music?
Every story is different. People come from different backgrounds, with different challenges, opinions, and opportunities. We want the podcast to be a reminder that no matter your story, you can reach your dreams. In fact, maybe you don’t know what you want to do specifically in the industry, but you just know you want to be in it. With Women and Music by Gold Hand Girls we aim to spotlight different career opportunities in hopes of inspiring our listeners to make their passion a reality.
I was thrilled when your most recent episode dropped and it was with K. Flay! How are you going about selecting individuals to feature on the podcast?
Thank you! That episode meant so much to us. In terms of artists, we reach out to women/ non-binary/ men who lyrically encourage power and equality. K.Flay is a fucking powerhouse, and to be fair we sent a cold email with sincere intention. It worked, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Who in the music business do you look up to as role models?
AA: Clive Davis is my ultimate!
MC: I really respect Alli Hagendorf, she’s the head of rock at spotify. A true icon for women in the industry!
What advice would you give to those starting out in the industry?
AA: Stop fucking waiting for an opportunity to happen and make it happen. Stop waiting for someone to tell you what to do, and persist with your gut feeling even if you fall. The music industry is about rebellion, and to rebel against anything traditional makes you stand out. Stand out. Use your voice. Stand up for yourself, and what you believe in. Do what scares you most.
MC: Dream! Dream as big as possible then don't let anything or anyone stand in your way of accomplishing your goals. For us, that dream is to shine a light on individuals who are leading, uplifting and challenging the music industry. Having a career in music doesn't have a singular path, so we're here to celebrate and explore the music profession as a whole. We hope you find the spark to chase after your own dreams along the way.
Who are some up-and-coming bands you found during quarantine that you're excited about?
AA: Absolutely adore this question. I’m super into a musician called Royal & The Serpent's right now. I think one of her songs just also went viral on Tik Tok (as they do) and I really believe her sound will prosper! Rina Sawayama, Sylvan Esso’s new album “Free Love,” and Angie McMahon are also definitely worth following.
MC: SO MANY!! The art that has been developed during quarantine blows me away. Abigail Barlow is someone I've really been digging during this time. I found her on Tik Tok and love how vulnerable and witty she is in her songwriting.
In each episode, you ask interviewees about a "gold moment" or proud memory of theirs. What has been a "gold moment" for you since starting the podcast?
AA: Since starting the podcast.. Hmm. There have been many moments of embellishment, but not yet a Gold Moment! Except for maybe having Gurj Bassi on the podcast, who’s an absolute FORCE when it comes to the success of the music industry. Talking to someone who’s as well established and accomplished as Gurj not only inspired myself, but is an inspiration for listeners. xx
MC: A really special moment was when Alexa and I first heard our podcast intro. It was a rewarding and emotional moment because everything we had been working months to produce was finally coming to fruition.
There has been an abundance of helpful information about navigating the music industry shared in the episodes of Women and Music. What is one piece of knowledge you've learned from these interviews that you'll be keeping in mind going forward?
Learn to go pivot. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and make the most of situations. As we mentioned before, there are so many different paths you can take within the music industry, so don’t be afraid if you go “off the path”--embrace it.
What other projects do you have in the works at the moment that we should keep an eye out for?
AA: Well, we actually just announced last night that we’re completing our first season of Women and Music in a few weeks! There will be 10 episodes total this season. I’m a big believer in pausing, reflecting, and restructuring. The future is bright as shit, and we want to help be the light that powers the business.
Where can your audience follow you for updates?
Follow @goldhandgirls, and you can reach us at @alexaaace & @mic.chandler! You can also sign up for our newsletter which gives more information on our guests, behind the scenes, and how-to’s at the Women and Music website. xx