The Democratization of Sound: How Protecting Your Hearing Can Enhance the Power of Music

In our latest episode of Goddess of Queens presents: A New Voice in Music, I sat down with two incredible industry leaders—Sarah Yule, MD of Orange Amps (ex KEF), and Manny Esparza, President of Nexus Radio™. We dove deep into the future of sound, why protecting our hearing is more important than ever, and how poor audio quality can actually dampen the power of music.

We also shared some wild stories from their raving days and unconventional career paths, proving that the road to success in music isn’t always a straight line.

Key Highlights:

Ready to level up your sound and hearing health? Hit play now!

Responsible AI, and can we/should we trust Big Tech with AI at all? 

This month on Goddess of Queens Presents: A New Voice in Music, we're pulling back the curtain on AI and exploring its growing influence on the music industry. I sat down with two amazing artists, Sandra St. Victor and Tos, for a candid conversation about the ethical dilemmas and exciting possibilities that AI presents for musicians and music lovers alike.

Meet Tos: 

TOS is a groundbreaking queer artist from Amsterdam, electrifying the music scene with an innovative mix of neo-soul, R&B, hip hop, and jazz. For him, music is an act of unconditional love and vulnerability, inviting us to connect and embrace our true selves. Get ready to feel the energy and authenticity of TOS!

Meet Sandra: 

Sandra St. Victor, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of R&B, rock, and jazz has earned her the respect of peers like Prince and Chaka Khan (who've recorded her songs!). A founding member of The Family Stand and is part of SoulMusic.com Hall of Fame. Sandra's powerful voice and undeniable stage presence have captivated audiences worldwide.

What I’d love to share with you is that we had an amazing conversation that led into some questions we are all curious about:

• Can AI be used to ethically recreate the voices of legendary artists? 

• What happens to an artist's voice and likeness after they're gone? 

• Will AI democratize music creation or further concentrate power in the hands of tech giants?

  
  

  Find out more in our conversation!

Have you ever felt held back by the need for everything to be perfect? This month's episode of "A New Voice in Music" dives deep into the perfectionism trap and how it can hinder personal and professional growth.

Our guests Kobi Ampoma, Head of Talent Acquisition NL at Heineken and Yolan Post, an experienced Freelance Strategist who’s worked at top brands and agencies, share their key takeaways and advice on the good, the bad and the ugly side of perfection and how music can help us regulate our emotions and how cultural influences, life purpose, community and personal growth are all part of their story.

What’s your story with perfectionism??

From New York to Amsterdam, via London! 

"The most dangerous place for creativity is feeling like you know everything, you've seen everything, or feel like an expert." - Steph Morrow

"Understand your worth. In the creative industry as a whole, it's very easy to be taken advantage of in many different ways." - Jadyn Briggs

These are just two of the top tips that were shared in the latest episode of A New Voice in Music. 

Our theme this month was… MUSIC! Find out more about Steph Morrow (Natbed & Studio Worrom) & Jadyn Briggs (Model and singer in band, EKO) - these two talented musicians from different corners of the industry share their life’s purpose, their love of music and insights into the music and creative industry. 

Curious to learn more about Technology & Music and how we can use our voices as a Living Manifesto? Then look no further!

In this episode, we find out what a Media Activist is from J. Bob Alotta, VP Global Programs at Mozilla and learn more about Songs of the Living from the inspirational Toshi Reagon, a multi-talented and versatile singer, composer, musician, curator, and producer. Both hailing from Brooklyn, New York, they are global activists urging us to connect and to break oppression through joy, through song, through technology and share a message of support and a 'new' way of living.

There’s too much to say about this conversation so you’ll just have to listen and experience it! 

A short and powerful talk, this conversation isn't just about baring our souls; it's about embracing the beautiful messiness of being human. They share their top tips on being your authentic self and how to give yourself the grace you deserve. 

But what does that mean to get vulnerable? We share our thoughts on: 

We're getting out of our comfort zones and talking about everything from comedy and cultural education to art and of course, MUSIC.

Find out how 90s music, Bjork and Janet Jackson feature in this podcast episode and join the conversation!

In this episode, I’m so excited to bring two extremely wonderful people together who have an amazing story to tell!

DJ Paulette: A Manchester legend and house music royalty with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a new book, "Welcome to The Club," exposing the industry's exclusivity and celebrating the women who keep the beat going… AND, we’re so excited as she’s just WON the DJ of the Year Northern Music Awards 2024!! Congratulations Paulette! 

Joy Gregory: An award-winning photographer whose work tackles identity, culture, and Black/POC womanhood. Her book,“Shining Lights: Black Women Photographers in 1980’s-90s Britain” highlights overlooked Black women photographers – a cause close to our hearts! Check out her Instagram!

In this episode, you'll get:

Resilience & Creativity Hacks: Learn how to stay inspired and overcome challenges in your creative journeys.

Insider Tips: Get DJ Paulette's insights on the music industry and discover hidden gems from Joy's photography world.
A Conversation You Can't Miss: Feel like you're eavesdropping on an intimate chat with friends!

This time, we dive deep into mental health and the music industry with amazing guests,Sharri Morris from Ableton and Isabelle Ho Kang You from Radion & Eerste Communie.

Get ready for:

Plus, we share our personal top tips & hacks to help you through tough times.

This podcast is your new crew. ️ It's where we get real about music, our stories, and what inspires us.  Consider it a late-night chat with your best friends – but with killer music recommendations thrown in!

In our new episode, we had the pleasure of talking to Liam Osbourne (Business Lead at creative agencies) and Nina Kong (Head of Strategy at Highsnobiety)! - where we dive deep into "Intersectionality and Privilege". 

We break down these complex topics in a relatable way, acknowledging the anxieties that often arise. Through personal stories and lived experiences, we share genuine insights to help us navigate these crucial dialogues. 

We talk about: :

The creative industry and how to shape your ideas

What are your soft skills and hard skills (or just skills!) 

Mental health 

How we, as key holders, have the power to share access to others

and so much more!

But what about the music I hear you ask! 
Well, get ready for an engaging, thought-provoking, and downright inspiring conversation that will leave you feeling motivated and connected! We dig into artists such as Whitney Houston, George Michael, Aphex Twin, Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor), and Rihanna - tune in to find out how they have influenced our lives and more.

Welcome to the Goddess of Queens monthly Podcast series ‘A New Voice in Music’.

We are excited to share with you the inaugural episode where we are joined by none other than Cece Wyldeck, Director of Creative Development and Sergio Roberts, Creative Development Manager, both hailing from the esteemed MassiveMusic, an international creative music agency, headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 

In this episode, we explore the profound question, "What is your life's purpose?" We navigate the beautiful world of songwriting and share insights on how to craft powerful lyrics. But that's not all – we peel back the layers to discuss vulnerability in the workplace, forging connections both with each other and their clients.

Get ready for an engaging, thought-provoking, and downright inspiring conversation that will leave you feeling motivated and connected! 

As the conversation unfolds, we mention emotional stories around Matt Corby - Brother and when Cece saw Poliça at Banquet Records in London. 

Not only do we discuss music, we discuss films that have made an impact on us like Romeo + Juliet by Baz Lurhmann and the soundtrack featuring artists such as Garbage with “Crush”, Desiree’s “Missing You”, Candi Staton, Radiohead and many more. Plus we have a bonus film choice that everyone should see - Young Soul Rebels. This episode is not just an auditory experience; it's a journey through the soundscapes of life, love, and purpose.

Welcome to the revolution – welcome to ‘A New Voice in Music’!