Hello Everyone, we live in a strange time, a time which has proven troublesome for many of the creative industries. Musicians are reduced to live streaming and other creative ingenuity. No doubt there will be a flood of tours and new releases when this is all over.
My band Symbols IN soundS debut will be out within the week. We are no strangers to long periods of introspection and isolation, as it is part of our modus operandi. Our debut Think is all about this current covid climate, next blog will be dedicated to that. Please enjoy the latest in the Women Who Rock in Music Series for 2020- I am Woman Watch me Roar
Symmetrix from Melbourne
Briefly describe your role in Music? (eg songwriter producer dj, radio, manager, engineer, all rounder etc)
Marita Ryan, I play under the name Symmetrix. Songwriter, musician, producer.
How long have you been engaged in your musical journey?
I would say since around 1997
In what ways has unconscious bias (sexism or other) affected you personally?
I probably thought when I was a child that rock music was mainly a ‘man’s domain’ and that women were ‘the singers’ not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it wasn’t until I saw The Bangles that I realised that women could sing AND play instruments as well and I know now that sounds kinda stupid today, but I grew up in the 80’s and you just didn’t see women playing instruments and singing in bands, unless it was the piano, for me The Bangles was the first time I remember seeing a female drummer and I thought that was SO cool! Then I as I got older I discovered L7, Babes in Toyland and Hole and that made me realise I could do it, especially L7 because those women were to me, the real deal, take no shit from anyone and guitar solos! I didn’t see a lot of women doing guitar solos back in the 90’s, so that was a big deal to me.
What do you feel women need the most to thrive in the current social and musical climate?
I am certainly no expert, but to thrive I guess I would say they need to try and find their ‘tribe’ people who genuinely like what they do and nurture those relationships.
What has been the greatest obstacle you have had to overcome on your musical path?
I think that the obstacles I have faced have changed over the years. In the early days it was, “can I actually get up in front of a crowd and do this”? Over different stages it’s been writer’s block or getting bored with the sound so transitioning it to another style and also these days with all of the free music that’s available now, it gets very hard to get heard sometimes.
Why you are sharing this video?
This is my latest song, Night Falls released in May 2020. (Instant ear worm, very retro, love it CM)
What is unique about a women’s voice, and approach that is so desperately needed in music today?
Women’s voice and approach is important, women have a way of telling stories that I think is just different to males, I think both are great, but I want to hear a womans take on many of the situations that we often all experience, in our lives.
Do you have any advise for young women or others in the early stages of their musical exploration/ journey?
I think that obviously things are better now for women in the music industry than it was in the past, but in saying that, the music industry is very male dominated and I’m not sure why. Is it because more males are interested in making music than women? Or is it something much deeper about women being more fearful to ‘give it a go’ than men and if so, who is making them feel that way? I would tell any young women who is in the early stages of their musical exploration/journey to just go for it! Don’t be intimidated, don’t worry if you don’t feel as ‘competent’ as other musicians out there, the only way you learn is through trying. (Yep, along the road, you gotta walk it Cath)
All the best Symmetrix with your new release and future works, thank you for sharing your thoughts. You can catch Symmetrix playing around Melbourne when not in Covid lock down.
Website URL
https://www.symmetrixmusic.com/
Social media Links
https://www.facebook.com/SymmetrixMusic/
https://soundcloud.com/symmetrixmusic
https://twitter.com/symmetrixbeats
https://www.instagram.com/symmetrixmusic_/