Women Making Records
is proud to present
Production Playhouse connects women and gender-expansive individuals in songwriting & music production with meaningful access to environments that support career and personal development.
The need for grassroots initiatives like Production Playhouse is underscored by sobering statistics. Women and gender non-conforming producers, songwriters, artists, musicians, and engineers face significant, institutionalized obstacles to success—particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Consequently, they're vastly underrepresented in the recording industry, making up only a fraction of the industry workforce despite their talent, innovation, and ability.
In a culture where stakes are so high, those who've had to work disproportionately hard to be in the room will often hesitate to take risks or push themselves forward. This lack of confidence undermines their ability to improve and advance – and it's a major problem for women and gender-diverse people.
Production Playhouse offers fun, real-world experiences and a chance to explore, ask questions, make adventurous mistakes, collaborate, and build community.
To bring Production Playhouse to your city, facility, or school please contact us at womenmakingrecords@gmail.com
07/28/24: We had the pleasure of hosting the first PRODUCTION PLAYHOUSE at SPELLBOUND RECORDERS studio retreat in Lebanon, TN. Our gathering was comprised of a dynamic group of singer-songwriters, musicians, producers, and engineers from all over the country.
We bonded over shared experiences, wrote new songs, and collaborated on group assignments against the backdrop of gentle summer thunderstorms and the occasional crow of a cranky rooster. It was a magical three days of learning, teaching, laughter, tears, curiosity, discovery, and inspiration. We passed the aux around in the evenings, sharing work in all stages of progress and cheering each other on late into the night. We spent time on the mic with producer/engineer Liv Lombardi, had an audio and vinyl masterclass with Piper Payne, received amazing gifts from our sponsors (including multiple pairs of monitors from Kali Audio, interfaces and mics from SSL, and software from Slate Digital), and built thoughtful friendships and artistic connections that will last a lifetime.
Deepest thanks and love goes out to each of our brilliant attendees and facilitators. We had a blast and can’t wait to do it again!
the experience
"At the end of the workshop, a younger engineer said 'When we worked together, that was the first time I had ever looked up from the console for help and seen someone who looked like me.' Hearing that was so meaningful. I'm forever grateful to Ainjel and the entire Production Playhouse team for facilitating that kind of valuable interaction." - Marena H.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe how transformative my week at Production Playhouse was… To be in a space so purely created for the purpose of supporting female musicians and engineers is something I wish every woman in this industry could experience. These sessions redefined my meaning of community.” – Cat Evers
“Production Playhouse mended things I didn’t know needed mending. Thank you for making this awesome opportunity to grow as a producer, artist, engineer, and person possible!” – Leivi Angelin
“Production Playhouse was a culmination of the most incredibly beautiful, talented, and open artists I have ever gotten the honor of working and communicating with. I am forever changed by the love that was fostered with each and every person.” – Faith Simone
“My newfound sisters’ songs echo in my head and their laughter rings in my heart. Everything I create now I know that even when I am alone, I will never be lonely, that my songs will always have a home and so will I.” – Pearl Holly
“I haven’t been feeding my creative spirit much these last couple of years… but this weekend was something magical. I got so much out of watching young upstart fierce women making music fearlessly from the bottom of their souls (and absolutely killing it).” – Alfa
“Truly an honor to be in the same space as these extremely talented women in music, writing together and listening to each other’s songs. I am moved. I see, hear, and believe that the future is now.” – Claire Gohst of Paper Citizen
event photography by
meet our july 2024 hosts
ainjel emme (she/her) is an independent musician, songwriter, record producer, and engineer based in Joshua Tree, CA. An intrepid polymath with nearly 30 years in music, Ainjel's discography features projects from acclaimed artists such as John Legend, Kim Gordon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Charli XCX, Lil Yachty, David Bowie, Aly & AJ, and Amanda Shires, among others. Passionate about artist development and fostering inclusivity in studio environments, she established Women Making Records / Production Playhouse as a way to support artistic and technical growth through enriching creative and collaborative experiences.
nettie freed (she/her) is an artist and creative director who carries a profound music industry legacy. She holds a wealth of experience in various fields including studio recording, set production, and business management. In 2020, she founded Spellbound Recorders, a recording studio and creative suite just outside of Nashville, TN. Nettie's knack for business drives her passion to nurture the working creative. She draws inspiration from her family's deep musical roots, which include her grandfather Alan Freed (recognized for coining the term "rock 'n roll") and her father, esteemed music publisher Lance Freed.
rie daisies (she/her) is a Michigan-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and aspiring producer / engineer. Her personal journey, notably explored in an article published by The Journal of Research in Music Education, delves into the intersection of music and her experience as a transgender student. Her orchestrally-informed work has been performed by multiple esteemed college choral ensembles and was featured in the Emmy-nominated show "Her Story." In 2021, she secured an apprenticeship at Troubadour Recording Studios, where she is currently employed as an assistant engineer. For her most recent single, "Resilience," she lead the production team and put together a choir and ensemble of all trans and nonbinary musicians.
with very special guests
piper payne (she/her) is a reknowned mastering engineer who relocated to Nashville in 2019 after a decade in the Bay Area. With a prolific background in music and extensive industry leadership roles, including former National Trustee of the Recording Academy and Co-Founder of AES's Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Piper is a beacon in her community. She prioritizes both feel and technical precision in every project, evident in an impressive roster that includes Janis Ian, Dolly Parton, Third Eye Blind, and Fritz Montana. In 2022, she founded Physical Music Products, a modern vinyl manufacturing plant producing quality records for a range of clients and project sizes all over the world.
liv lombardi (they/them) is a Nashville-based mix engineer, producer, singer, songwriter, and storyteller with a strong commitment to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices. In 2020, Liv launched the podcast “My Gay Playlist,” fostering dialogue about music's role in personal identity and community. Transitioning from a decade of performing and producing their own work, Liv pivoted to audio engineering, driven by a desire for freedom of expression and more collaborative creativity. In their daily studio practice, Liv focuses on creating safe spaces for women, gender non-conforming, and LGBTQ artists, emphasizing authenticity. Additionally, Liv serves as Technical Director for Nashville Public Radio's "This is Nashville," striving to advance equity and inclusivity in the music industry.
andrea wittgens (she/her) is an alt-pop artist living in NYC. Originally from Nova Scotia, Andrea is a sonic shapeshifter who grew up on old jazz vinyl and 80s synth pop, training as a classical pianist before cutting her teeth in the dive bars of grunge-era Seattle. With over 150 songs released, her music has been placed in network TV, indie films and Disney movies. Andrea is an adventurous collaborator and has been a core member of the Holiday Music Motel and Goffin-King Foundation songwriting communities. She was recently invited to record as a guest artist at the Clive Davis Institute of NYU. Beyond her career as a performer and writer, Andrea is a member of the Recording Academy and a passionate music educator.
faith simone (she/her) is a Los Angeles-based artist, producer, and audio engineer in training. A classically trained musician with an educational background in Marketing, Faith has a passion for intentional creative processes and often finds her work exploring the intersection between audio and visual communications. A recipient of the She Is The Music Scholarship, Faith is a recent graduate of The Blackbird Academy Studio Engineering program. She formerly interned at Nashville's Addiction Sound Studios and currently serves as an Assistant Engineer and Social Media Manager for a private studio in Silver Lake.
our july 2024 attendees
Jul!et
@soundslikejuliet
Seattle-based JUL!ET’s catchy melodies, bouncy beats, and satisfyingly sassy lyrics assert her as an irresistible new voice in indie pop. After earning an engineering degree from Stanford University and moving to Seattle to pursue a career in technology, the real life Juliet Daniel ached for the creative outlet she'd always dreamed about. Her new EP EGOMAN!A marks the realization of this dream and unlocks a new era of pop girl confidence.
Alfa
@alfa_music
Alfa is a singer-songwriter, musician, and educator who's been writing and recording since she was 13. She has released 3 LPs, 2 EPs, and several digital singles, including "Alindahaw," which won Grand Prize in the World category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2020. "Alindahaw" was co-produced with Ainjel Emme in Los Angeles. Alfa currently resides in the Hudson Valley of New York.
G E M Z O N E S
@gem_zones
By sonic sequence, the artist G E M Z O N E S thrives in the multiverse. By trade and timing, they are an Engineer & composer, a glimmer in the cosmos, & an effervescent friend to all who know them.
Kayla Blackburn
@kayla.blackburn
Kayla Blackburn is a California-born singer-songwriter and audio engineer based in Boston. She works at Plaid Dog Recording and Club Passim, freelancing as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer. She has engineered for artists like Keyon Harrold, Biitchseat, and Kendrick Ryan. With a background in songwriting and classical voice, Kayla is passionate about choral music, vocal production, and technology.
Suzy Husner
@suzyhusner
Suzy Husner is a singer-songwriter best described as sultry folk with a hint of blues. She has performed at festivals, coffee shops, bars, and house concerts across America and Europe. She works as a vocal artist and songwriting educator. Releases include her debut album "Stay," the 2018 album "Reunion", and her latest EP, "All That’s Left To Give," released in 2021 with Suzy & The Whiskey Dogs.
Aisha
@yay.aisha
Aisha is an audio engineer and aspiring punk songwriter in beautiful Portland, OR. Recording, mixing, and producing is her perfect dream combo of creativity and technical detail. Aisha works as Studio Assistant at a commercial studio, while completing a degree in Music Performance & Technology, as well as recording classmates' EPs, going to lots of sick shows, playing guitar badly, meeting musicians, and screaming along to midwest emo pop punk songs in the car.
Cat Evers
@catevers
Originally from Malibu, Cat Evers moved to New York in 2016, where she studied Vocal Performance and Literary Studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. When not performing, she works as a recording engineer and recently opened her own recording and rehearsal space with her partner. Cat is currently celebrating the release of her debut self-titled EP, which came out on May 24th.
Claire Gohst
@papercitizen
Claire Gohst is a LA-based guitarist, violinist, singer-songwriter, educator, and music producer. She has been laying roots in the local music and queer scene, playing across Southern California with her indie-rock project, Paper Citizen, as well as writing, recording and producing music with other local artists. Her alt-rock debut LP is currently in production.
Pearl Holly
@pearlholly
Pearl Holly is the witch of Beachwood Canyon. Summoning sonic spells from her array of synths, she finds inspiration in the liminal spaces and dances between the shadows and the light. When she is not conjuring songs at her piano, she can be found running her therapy practice, reading one of the books from her forever-expanding "to read" pile, or wandering in the hills in her hometown of Los Angeles.
Leivi Angelin
@leiviangelin
Leivi Angelin is an indie-pop singer-songwriter and audio engineer from the lush mountains of Asheville, NC. On the very same day she earned her degree in Music Technology, she self-released her debut EP “Noirette,” a thoughtful collection of songs that delve into the dark, complex emotions that inspire her.
Molly Mothball
@mollymothball
Molly Mothball is an introvert who writes unflinching, confessional grunge pop with a poison candy edge. She makes lofi music videos with dark, morbid, and vintage themes using a laptop and a cell phone. She's currently hard at work self-producing her first official LP.
Bailey Rezman
@bailey_rezz
Bailey Rezman is an indie-pop singer-songwriter hailing from Chicago. In 2023, she graduated with a degree in music with a focus in songwriting from Columbia College Chicago. With inspirations from the great likes of Carole King and Dolly Parton, and more contemporary artists like Lizzy McAlpine and Sara Bareilles, Bailey blends the art of storytelling with music to express herself in the most raw and authentic way.
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