MAMA View
By Middagh Goodwin
Entertainment has always been a male dominated world, on stage and behind the scene. Gender should not be an issue when it comes to Rockin’ in the Free World, especially in the 21st Century and in the 209 we are starting to see a visible change. No longer do we just see women as the singer of the band, as a member of the street team, as a merch girl or working the door. We see them filling out the band , some playing multiple instruments, promoting the shows and doing production. With the increase in women in the “business” we have also seen an upswing in audience and I for one think this is great.
Some of my favorite acts have had a strong female presence from Joan Jett, The Go Go’s, Groovie Ghoulies, Skankin’ Pickle to just name a few and now I can count many local players to that list. Last year at the Modesto Area Music Awards we saw women in the heaviest bands win MAMAs Perfect Nightmare (Youth) who also performed and Brutal Innocence(Metal); while the singer songwriters(Patty Castillo Davis) and Americana(Cottonwood Creek) categories were dominated by the ladies. I expect to see even more representation in the years to come.
Inspiring the next generation is what Joey Rose Darling(Bassist Dying Image) hopes too do. “I think it is very empowering to see more women out there, it sends a good message to the next generation. Women can do it too.” Her 8 year-old daughter wants to sing and play guitar in a band someday. Mattea Overstreet (Singer Songwriter) is a great talent but has found “Being a female musician is Modesto is just as relative to being a female in any line of work. You’re talented, you work hard and you make money, but you are always on edge, trying to keep your career and integrity out of the hands of the men that don’t want to see a young female ahead in the game.”
Pammy Von Duke (Pamsterdam Promotionz) has seen the ups and downs of being a female in a field fueled by testosterone. “female artists seem to be more comfortable talking and booking with a female promoter and I am honored to have been able to bring so many female artist to the area.” No longer is it a surprise to see female multi instrumentalist says Rose Pablador(Guitar/Vox/Mandolin/Bass for BrokeNote UnderTone) “In every passion women tend to be stereotyped. From assuming all we can do is sing or being shocked when they find out we play instruments.”
Things are changing and women musician and artist are banding together. The Northern California Women’s Music Festival founded by Victoria Boyington(Call Box) “Creating a community means embracing each other’s talents and helping each other along the way.” That is exactly what NCWMF is doing building a community beyond the stage. “The support and positive encouragement is ever growing and from us, we can continue to inspire girls everywhere to comfortably exceed expectations and accept no limitations” Rose Pablador. Get involved, mentor or just show your support by going to and buying merch from the 209 Women in Rock.
Catch some great local ladies rocking Valley Stages in April. You can see Perfect Nightmare, Dying Image, Royal Order and more April 11th at the Legends Battle of the Bands in Manteca. April 23rd Victoria Boyington’s band Callbox will be joining funk trio from Michigan Downtown Brown at Deva Cafe. On April 25th catch Perfect Nightmare at the Ripon Inn with Hit&Run (2012 Rock) or head up to Stockton to Catch The Polyester Wags(formerly The(Secret)Hitchers) with The Screaming Bloody Marys at Rebels Whiskey House. Pamsterdam Promotionz is promoting a show at the Gypsy Shack in Jamestown on April 17 with 17Ten and Mutiny.
Music 101 Tip-Getting heard on the Radio. It may be near impossible to get your song played on commercial radio it is not so with college, internet and community radio. With a little research you can find stations not just willing to but wanting to play your music in the area and across the world. KCSS(Turlock), KWDC and KUOP(Stockton), KDVS(Davis), KFSR(Fresno), KSSU(Sacramento) to name just a few. Google these and any other stations to find out who are playing your genre. If you are going on tour ask about who would be willing to play and promote your shows. Build your network and with a little work you will see much greater returns.
Remember that that the local Venues, Promoters and Bands are only as good as the crowd that comes to the show(does a band Rock if no one is there to hear them play?) Friends don’t let Friends Miss Great Shows.
Victoria Boyington Vocals Call Box/Founder of the NCWMF
Creating a community means embracing each other’s talents and helping each other along the way
Rose Pablador Guitar/Vox/Mandolin/Bass Broke Note Under Tone
In every passion, women tend to be stereotyped. From assuming all we can do is sing or being shocked when they find out we play instruments. Now more than ever women are emerging as multi-talented musicians, toting multiple instruments on their belts and showing the music scene what we’ve got. The support and positive encouragement is ever growing and from us, we can continue to inspire girls everywhere to comfortably exceed expectations and accept no limitations.
Mattea Overstreet Singer/Songwriter
Being a female musician in Modesto is just as relative to being a female in any line of work. You’re talented, you work hard, you make money, but you’re always on edge, trying to keep your career and your integrity out of the hands of the men that don’t want to see a young female ahead of the game.
Middagh Goodwin
Beat Happy! Music
209-981-2311
beathappymusic@aol.com<mailto:beathappymusic@aol.com>
