The X Factor
‘She’s Speaking’ tour celebrates women in music
By Gretchen Ammerman
Oregon Coast TODAY
All are welcome to celebrate women in music at “She’s Speaking - LIVE,” hitting the road in March to commemorate Women’s History Month. Eight singer-songwriters, backed by a great band, will present this dynamic and joyful new show at the Lincoln City Cultural Center on Saturday, March 18.
“’She’s Speaking - LIVE’ celebrates women’s artistry; the power of women’s voices and stories,” said co-founder and Portland-based singer-songwriter Bre Gregg, who fronts the band Red Bird. “It’s a rare opportunity to experience this diverse group of artists: jazz, R&B, indie, gospel, Americana, folk, blues — coming together for a performance that inspires and connects us, lifts us up.”
Gregg and fellow Oregon songwriters Beth Wood and Kristen Grainger were frustrated with the longstanding underrepresentation of women in key aspects of the music industry, as well as recent news that algorithms for major music streaming platforms and radio airplay favor male artists.
According to Gregg, women currently represent roughly 22 percent of general musicians, 13 percent of songwriters and a mere three percent of engineers and producers.
Though heartened by the work being done by both genders to improve those demographics, she said there is still plenty more to do.
“It takes time to change something that has been occurring for so long,” she said. “So even though people are working hard on this issue, the algorithms will take a while to shift.”
In the midst of a global pandemic and overcoming geographic challenges — Grainger lives in Salem and Wood in Sisters — the three began brainstorming ways to help women succeed in an industry not intended for them. They decided to start by creating a YouTube channel dedicated to elevating women’s songwriting, promoting “songs written by women, about women, for everyone.”
They dubbed the project, and the channel, “She’s Speaking” a nod to Vice President Kamala Harris’ now-famous line, “I’m speaking!” from the 2020 vice presidential debate.
In addition to live shows and workshops, they used social media platforms to promote women artists and raise awareness about underrepresentation and discrimination, including harassment and assault, in the music industry.
“You see venues and festivals really trying to include more women,” Gregg said. “But even now if you Google music festivals, you still don’t see many women leading the bands.”
Gregg, who plays guitar, experienced the disparity early.
“The first time I went to buy a guitar at a music store, I saw not a single woman shopping or working there,” she said. “I looked on YouTube and still didn’t see very many. It wasn't that I was being treated poorly, it was just that I wasn’t seeing myself being represented.”
Gregg said Grainger had a similar experience.
“When Kristin first started out and would meet with disc jockeys they would say, ‘I’m sorry, we’ve reached our allotment for female musicians.’”
The She’s Speaking YouTube channel currently hosts songs from more than 60 female artists from all over the country, including Lady A, Washington; Susan Gibson, Texas; Natalie Jean, Washington DC; Cosy Sheridan, Utah; Anna Tivel, Oregon; and Gabrielle Louise, Colorado. The artists were invited to contribute music videos — often created on smartphones due to pandemic constraints — of the songs they had written about women who inspired them. New videos are added regularly.
From blues to folk to jazz to indie rock, these songs celebrate grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and daughters as well as public figures such as Jane Goodall, Georgia O'Keefe, Bessie Smith, Amanda Gorman, Governor Kate Brown, Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We’re trying to create something so that the next generations can have a different experience than what we have had,” Gregg said.
Joining Gregg, Wood and Grainger on stage will be Arietta Ward, LaRhonda Steele, Lisa Mann, Liz Chibucos and Naomi LaViolette — all backed by an incredible band that includes, in the spirit of inclusion, a few good men.
“These are songs by women and about women, but written for the enjoyment of everyone,” Gregg said. “This is not a male versus female thing at all. We are all working together to make this a more equitable experience.”
Saturday’s concert begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $25. The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information and ticketing, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994. For more information about the project, go to shesspeakingsongs.com.