_____ mood. Keychange Pledge
I'm happy to report that _____ mood. met its Keychange Pledge goal for gender-conscious programming in 2023.
Keychange is a global network and movement working towards a restructure of the music industry in reaching gender equality. They aim to accelerate change and create a more inclusive industry for present and future generations via career development programmes, a gender balance pledge and a Manifesto to influence policy.
_____ mood. is a signatory of the Keychange Pledge, an international campaign for gender equality. The _____ mood. pledge commits the show to gender-conscious programming, aiming for at least 50% of songs featured to be the work of artists who identify as women or gender minorities.
As part of my Keychange Pledge, I also commit to report on progress towards the goal. In 2023, _____ mood. published 12 episodes that included a total of 97 songs. Of the 97 songs, 64 (or 66%) were the work of artists who identify as women or gender minorities.
I understand this is a drop in the bucket towards the issue(s) at hand. It's still important to me to act on it in some way.
I also realise that a lot of you don’t listen, but instead read. Interestingly, talking to women for the blank mood blog has been a far greater, and unexpected, challenge than meeting a 50/50 gender goal for songs.
Of the 28 Q+As on the blank mood blog in 2023, just 11 (or 39%) were with women artists. This is not for want of trying. I reach out to many more women than men for the blog. So far, women are less likely to respond.
For me, this is a bit disappointing as talking to artists is the most interesting aspect of the project. I have my theories as to why this difference exists, and have asked some of you too. Maybe I’m just a schmuck that people don’t wanna talk to? I'm open to your constructive feedback on how to feature more women musicians on the blank mood blog in 2024.
I’m a fan. I buy each piece of music that is included in the _____ mood. mixtape. I’m genuinely interested. I don’t make money from this - I only spend on it. If that changes anyone’s mind, please get in touch. I appreciate your music, the opportunity to learn more about it and to share with others.
Thanks for following along.