Music

A Woman's Woman

ROCKRGRL's Carla DeSantis

by Jennifer Maerz

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Alice Wheeler

Carla DeSantis - Rewarding women.

ROCKRGRL Music Conference

Thurs–Sat Nov 10–12, see www.rockrgrl.com/conference for more information.

ROCKRGRL editor Carla DeSantis is at a crossroads of sorts. Her magazine ("Supporting a woman's right to rock") published its final issue the same month as her second (and largest) ROCKRGRL Music Conference kicks off in Seattle. With over 200 artists performing in 19 venues over three days, the event aims to network female musicians from across the country through shows, panels, and keynote speakers—including Patti Smith. In the midst of running one of Seattle's largest DIY music festivals, DeSantis discussed the gray areas where music, gender, and festival construction collide.

How has the climate changed over the years for women in the music industry?

When I started the magazine, we were on the tail end of the Riot-Grrrl curve and it was easy to find a lot of women prominent in music. We are fortunate in Seattle to live in a community where independent rock is respected—but most other cities are not like this. Across America, Ashlee Simpson is the biggest rebel you'll find on the air. That's troubling.

What's the concept behind the ROCKRGRL festival?

I want to bring female musicians together to find out how we can create more opportunities for ourselves and to ensure that teenage girls who want to play rock find role models. Right now, the role models are all in the underground.

This event is specifically geared to musicians. The goal is to facilitate discussion on how we can increase our numbers and chances for success—however you define that word. Having Patti Smith, Johnette Napolitano, Ann Wilson, and Bonnie Raitt join in the discussion doesn't hurt, either. They have much wisdom to impart.

I've always wondered how an artist like Patti Smith—someone political, not traditionally beautiful, and not an American Idol type—could ever get signed today. I worry that the Patti Smiths of current and future generations will never have the kind of opportunity Patti had (she was the first punk artist signed to a major label—not the first "female" punk artist) because what is expected of most female artists in the major-label world—to be a karaoke Barbie doll—is completely the opposite of what she has always been about.

How did the decision to work with atypical venues come about?

We want people to be able to walk between the showcases, and Capitol Hill seemed like a natural choice. We thought it would be fun to create club environments in places like the Green Papaya and Caffe Vita. Ironically, the two larger clubs in that area didn't want to take chances on acts they didn't already know. Of course, helping these artists get better known is the entire reason for the conference!

We've discussed before that there are women (myself included) who focus on music without a gender focus, who feel that sectioning out women "ghettoizes" female musicians or can sacrifice the quality of the music championed.

I agree with your point of view 100 percent. I loathe the ghettoization—but [antifemale bias is] real and we need to find ways to address and dismantle that. The major-label system is broken, but as artists we still need to get organized and find ways to mentor the next generation. We have to have the discussion before we can subvert this ancient caste system. Paris Hilton has a record deal! That is just wrong!

The stories I have heard over the years would curl your hair. For example, some radio stations have an actual policy to not play two female artists in a row because they believe people will turn the dial. That's just crazy, but it explains a lot.

What have been some of your toughest challenges over the years?

Convincing gear manufacturers to support female artists. Take a look at the drum magazines. You may see a couple of women in ads, but it is always the same two. And they never write about women as if they are "real" drummers.

And your greatest rewards?

There is a band called Hazard County Girls who are coming from New Orleans to play the conference. Their practice place was destroyed in Katrina. They have lost so much, yet they are coming all the way to Seattle for this event. I know it means a lot to them to have the support of other artists and it means a lot to me that they want to participate.