blank mood's Keychange Pledge
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.
blank mood is a signatory of the Keychange Pledge, an international campaign for gender equality. My pledge commits the show to gender-conscious programming, aiming for at least 50% of songs featured over the year 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 my goal. Although 2024 is not yet over, I thought it would be good to check in on this year’s progress.
So far this year, blank mood has published nine episodes that included a total of 66 songs. Of the 66 songs, 46 (or 69%) were the work of artists who identify as women or people with gender-expansive identities. In 2023, 66% of the year’s programming was the work of women or gender minorities.
As for blank mood Q+As, men seem to dominate. It’s a pattern that was identified last year and which has been difficult to alter. Of the 26 Q+As so far in 2024, just 10 were with women. Even so, there are also plenty of men out there in music who simply don’t answer my enquiries… but we keep on keepin’ on.
The year is not over and there are lots of music things to look forward to, including the 20th anniversary Sonic Cathedral shows in London, a new Trentemøller album and EU tour, and heck, even a Kranky Records Showcase in Detroit with Windy & Carl (!!!). And things don’t quit in the early months of 2025 with the Automatic Noise Festival in Amsterdam and Grauzone Festival in The Hague. See you out there?
I’ll end this by mentioning a couple of people and shows out there that I appreciate and keep me going at some points with new and different things - give them a listen or look if you have time:
Shortcuts Radio by Laurent of dive and drown
Purpl Mac Music Session by Sophie
Modern Jetset by Iris
Unknown Gothic Treasures by DJ Dragnet
//wendy