As a long-time advocate for women in music and an avid reader, I’ve encountered many books on the topic over the years. So, when I heard about Candid: Conversations on Women in the Music Industry, my interest was piqued.
In Candid, Sammy interviews over thirty women across various genres and instrumental backgrounds, along with thirteen men, to share their experiences with women in music. This balance is one of the book’s strengths: while the women provide first hand accounts, the men offer outside perspectives, presenting a broader, unbiased look at industry dynamics.
The book opens with a foreword by composer Bushra El-Turk, followed by an introduction from Sammy, where she reveals unsettling statistics from surveys, polls, and reports on gender discrimination, harassment, and under representation in music. The facts are staggering: women continue to face discrimination, harassment, and exclusion from leadership roles in A&R and production. Reading this, one can’t help but question how far we’ve really come in 2024—and all this even before diving into the powerful first hand narratives.
Before the main interviews, Sammy introduces us to each of her interviewees. The diversity here is impressive; we meet everyone from B of Briz, a feminist, masked rapper, to Dame Evelyn Glennie, the trailblazing percussionist. Not everyone featured is a musician—there are also managers and advocates who actively work to promote women in the industry. This variety gives readers an eclectic, well-rounded cross-section of voices.
Each chapter starts with a thought-provoking question, such as, “Do you believe your career has been affected because you are female?” Quotes from interviewees are interwoven with research, providing both personal insight and a well-documented view of ongoing industry challenges.
One of the book’s standout elements is its inclusivity. It features perspectives from women who have faced sexism and others who report no negative experiences, though the latter are in the minority. A notable example is Saskhia Menendez, a trans woman who has experienced the industry from both gender perspectives and notes the marked difference in how she was treated.
Candid is refreshingly thorough, balancing personal testimonies with broader social context. Unlike other books on women in music, which often focus on either genre or gender, Sammy’s work merges both topics and covers a highly diverse range of voices. The cross-section of people she chose to interview was especially impactful for me, as I hadn’t heard of many of them and am now inspired to learn more about them.
Though the accounts of sexism are disheartening, the book is ultimately hopeful, acknowledging that progress, albeit slow, is being made. Candid is a vital read for anyone interested in understanding the music industry’s current landscape from an inclusive, multifaceted perspective.
‘Candid’ is out now and you can buy it on Amazon
You can find Sammy Stein’s Website here
Review written by Hayley Foster da Silva
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