Send us a text

Have you ever been kept up at night with this aching dread that you might never reach true success as an artist? It’s a common worry and a lingering sense of failure and shame can often follow as a result. But what if reaching massive success is as rare as being hit by a bus? And, how do we square not living up to our early ambitions as musicians with the reality of making art across a whole lifetime? These are questions that journalist Rosie Millard sought to explore in a three parts series for BBC Radio 4, and that she and Isobel discussed when they sat down to record this episode too. Ooooh, it’s a juicy one!!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:35} The life and work of Rosie Millard
{11:52} Celebrating British Art & Culture
{15:59} What happens if the story doesn’t go your way?
{34:10} The importance of exposing children to Art & Culture
{43:36} Finding joy in the process
{48:50} Letting go of expectations and embracing change
{58:44} Who else are you creating for?
{01:03:48} Summary & next week’s teaser

Rate and review the podcast here >>

Listen to Rosie’s three parts series The Dream of Success HERE >>
On BBC Radio 4’s One to One programme, HERE >>
Find out more about Rosie and her work HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

There’s never been a time in history where we have as many opportunities to really play with musical texture in such diverse and powerful ways and yet, texture isn’t often mentioned much when discussing electronic, or even popular, music. But texture is vital to making music that is truly engaging, emotive and meaningful and effectively communicating your own intention within your music. Inside this episode, Isobel not only shares how we can build a deeper understanding of musical texture but also practical tips on how to experiment with texture in your own music too.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:48} Why does texture matter in music production?
{05:44} What is texture anyway?
{14:18} 3 common texture misconceptions
{20:15} How to start experimenting with texture in your music
{22:56} Summary & next week’s teaser

Find out more and join the Female DIY Musician Tribe >> 

Texture in Film by Lucy Fife Donaldson >>
Examples of ‘The Ophony’s’ >>
‘The DAW and the End Of Time’, blog post on Brian Daly’s Harmonic Distortion blog >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

Inside part 2 of 2, Isobel continues her fascinating conversation with musician and creative NikNak, AKA Nicole Raymond, this time delving into the concepts behind her album Bashi, which blends turntable improvisation with field recordings. Nicole also shares her experience as a black woman in music tech and how we can make the field more inclusive, moving forward. Ultimately, Nicole’s music and her message inspires a sense of brave experimentation and creative integrity; qualities that are so worth cultivating as musicians.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:44} How NikNak created her album ‘Bashi’
{07:00} Why taking time-out made her more creative
{10:50} The art of performing
{16:05} Creating your world with sound
{22:28} Tackling diversity and accessibility in music
{49:53} Summary & next week’s teaser

Download your FREE 3 Step Sound Treatment Guide here >>

Find out more about NikNak’s work HERE >>
Check out Laurain James’ music here >>
Listen to Episode 17 with Neeta Sarl on Sample Packs here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

NikNak is a true renaissance lady spanning turntablism, radio presenting, live performance, sonic arts and more but underneath everything she does is a playful approach to sound. Inside part 1 of 2, Isobel chats with her about how she got started DJing and learning turntable techniques, how she’s learnt to trust her creative intuition and why she believes it’s best to let go of the word ‘should’ when it comes to music tech.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:37} Introducing NikNak
{06:12} What is ‘Turntablism’?
{14:40} The top 3 turntable techniques you need to know!
{20:55} How dyslexia has influenced her music creation
{30:09} Having confidence and embracing your uniqueness
{47:12} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Rate and review the podcast >>

Find out more about NikNak’s work HERE >>
Pam the Funktress DJing with her breasts >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

Much of the time, music recording and production takes place inside the studio, which we’ve covered a lot on the podcast already. But inside today’s episode, Isobel shares why field recordings - recordings made outside the studio - became so important to her own production style and how you can get started with these more experimental recording techniques to transform your sound in multiple, exciting ways.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:33} What is field recording?
{09:53} Women pioneers of field recording
{17:18} How and why I use field recordings in my music
{20:19} How to get started with field recording
{26:51} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Download my FREE PDF Guide, 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music, Right Now HERE >>

REFERENCES
America Over the Water by Shirley Collins >>

The World Soundscape Project >>

Environments, Irv Teibel >>

Chris Watson >>

My Words Trace A Path: encounters with place through voice, performance and field recording, PhD Thesis, Isobel Anderson >>

Kit’s Beach Soundwalk, Hildergard Westerkamp >>

Thought Experiments in F# Minor, Janet Cardiff >>

Know Your Heart, Isobel Anderson >>

CHALK / FLINT, Isobel Anderson >>

Cold Water Songs, Isobel Anderson >>
Virtual Barber Shop >>

In The Field, Angus Carlyle & Cathy Lane >>


EQUIPMENT MENTIONED
Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder >>

Rycote Portable Recorder audio Kit Zoom H4N >>

Jez Riley French Contact Microphone >>

Roland CS-10EM Binaural Microphones/Earphones >>


Listen to the episode

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

In modern music technology, we take for granted our ability to and appreciation of hearing sound spatially. Stereo recording and reproduction has been especially embedded in our listening practices, whether it be through headphones or speakers. But inside this week’s episode, Isobel chats with Prof. Gascia Ouzounian about her new book, Stereophonica, where she explores how this wasn’t always the case and that how we hear sound spatially is constantly evolving and changing.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:34} What is Stereophonica?
{17:04} Spatial awareness in the Battlefield
{27:54} Experimenting with electronics to control human emotions with sound
{35:56} How sound is used as an aesthetic component in art
{45:41} Recognising the work of Yoko Ono
{49:05} The Isobel Map
{53:08} Creating soundart for urban spaces
{01:08:25} Summary

Download your 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music HERE >>

Stereophonica is out now! Find out more HERE >>

Gascia on the NYE Special episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

Creativity is undoubtedly an innate human process. We exist because we were created, we are perpetually making new experiences, stories and even cells, and even when we die our matter goes into new creations, whether animal, mineral or vegetable. But a creative practice? This involves some kind of intentional commitment, and sharing this work? This involves opening a dialogue with others around our creative practice. But what if no-one’s paying attention? Inside this week’s episode, Isobel asks whether it’s all ‘still worth it’.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:33} Why I’m Recording This Episode
{08:59} How My Own Motivations For Creating Have Changed Over Time
{19:38} The Noble (But Nearly Impossible) ‘Cliche’
{20.58} The Value Of Making Art, For Art’s Sake
{27:40} When It’s Not Just ‘Art For Art’s Sake’
{32:56} Why It’s Not All Just About ‘Getting Attention’
{34:10} ‘Getting Attention’ Vs 'Paying Attention’
{37:43} What Does This All Mean?
{39:13} Summary & Next Week’s Teaser

Rate and review the podcast >>

REFERENCES
The Person Behind the Mask, Linda H. Hamilton >>
David Bowie on making your best work >>
Why We Make Art, UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Centre >>
Kate Nash on Instagram, ‘Woke up feeling BITTAH about my industry’ >>
Rebecca Solnit, Recognitions of my Non Existence (2020) >>
Katy Waldman on Recognitions of my Non Existence in the New Yorker >>
Rebecca Solnit, The Mother of All Questions (2017) >>
How craving attention makes you less creative | Joseph Gordon-Levitt >>
Girls Twiddling Knobs NYE Special with Gascia Ouzounian >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

Composer and producer, Hannah Peel, is fast becoming one of the most inventive, multidimensional and prolific artists in UK electronic music. Inside this episode, Isobel sits down to chat with Hannah about her creative practice, her new album Fir Wave and the realities of being a contemporary, independent musician working in experimental music today.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro & episode overview
{03:14} How Hannah began her journey into music tech
{10:27} Music tech didn’t always come easy
{14:37} Finding your unique sound world
{17:32} How a project in Library Music led to her new album 'Fir Wave'
{31:30} Hannah's '7P' rule for success
{34:35} Should you have a manager?
{45:31} Hannah's top tips for releasing music
{49:21} Dealing with insecurity, self-doubt and 'workaholism'
{56:50} Summary & next week's teaser

Pre-order Hannah Peel's new album 'Fir Wave' here >>
Go to hannahpeel.com to check out all of Hannah’s exciting projects >>

Discover your female producer spirit guide here >> 

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

There’s a part of the recording process that can often feel overwhelming to musicians, and that’s self-releasing music. For a totally DIY artist, Isobel’s success with sharing her music is impressive, but she’s also had to learn everything through trial and error. Luckily, you can side-step three of the most common mistakes Isobel has made herself and observed from other musicians with her invaluable advice for self-releasing your own music right here in this week’s episode.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro & episode overview
{03:39} What is self-releasing music?
{05:40} Self-releasing mistake No.1 and how to avoid it
{09:19} Self-releasing mistake No.2 and how to avoid it
{12:22} Self-releasing mistake No.3 and how to avoid it
{18:11} The most important thing to remember when releasing your music
{19:13} Summary & next week’s teaser

Check out the funding wizard on Help Musician UKs website to find some funding pots you could apply for if you’re based in the UK >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us a text

In this week’s episode Isobel chats with post-production audio engineer Emma Butt about a fascinating piece of research she published recently into lack of diversity within the field of  post-production sound in UK television. Emma shares why and how she took on this important project, her career to date and her ambitious plans for creating more diversity in her industry moving forward.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:52} Emma recalls experiencing sexism in her first job in live sound
{12:10} Not conforming doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong
{21:43} Studying sound engineering and beginning her career in TV post-production
{37:38} Emma explains her research findings into diversity within post-production roles
{55:26} Using her findings to launch a new scheme to ensure diversity in the industry
{01:01:28} Top tips for getting started
{01:04:23} Summary & next week’s teaser

Emma Butt Website >>

Emma’s article ‘Diversity in Post-Production Sound Roles in UK Television Production’ in Reprezentology (2020: 12-21) >>

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.