Sisterdjs in the House: Electronic/Dance Music and Women-Cent

We’re excited to have Sisterdjs in the House with us today! They’re a dynamic duo specializing in electronic/dance music and women-centric events. In addition to being skilled DJs, they’re also passionate about empowering women and celebrating diversity.

We asked them to share some of their insights on the music industry, and they were more than happy to oblige. If you’re looking to get into the electronic/dance music scene, or just want to learn more

Introduction

The global Electronic/Dance Music (EDM) scene is male-dominated. From producers and DJs to executives and media, women are often outnumbered and underestimated in the industry. But in recent years, a number of female DJs and producers have begun to make their mark on the scene.

Some of the most popular EDM artists in the world are women, and they’re using their platform to empower other females in the industry. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most successful women in EDM and what they’re doing to support other females in the industry.

So put on your dancing shoes and let’s get started!

The History of Sister DJs

Sister DJs are a group of women who have made their mark in the electronic/dance music industry. These women have been spinning records and producing beats for years, and have helped to shape the sound of the genre. Sister DJs have been working to break down barriers in the music industry, and to create opportunities for other women in the industry.

The Early Days: 1990s – 2000s

The Sister DJs began in the early 1990s, as a way for women to connect and support each other in the male-dominated world of electronic music. The group was founded by Alicia “DJ Alicia” Steinberg and Stephanie “DJ Steph” Castonguay, two Canadian DJs who were living in Toronto at the time. The Sister DJs quickly grew to include women from all over the world, and their parties became legendary for their eclectic mixes and positive vibes.

In the early 2000s, the Sister DJs decided to take their party online, and launched the website sisterdjs.net. The site became a hub for female DJs and producers, and featured mixes, interviews, and articles about the electronic music scene. The Sister DJs also started hosting events in cities all over the world, giving women a chance to connect and network with each other.

Today, the Sister DJs are still going strong, with parties and events happening all over the world. They continue to be a powerful force in the electronic music scene, working to support and promote female artists.

The New Wave: 2010s – present

By 2010, women DJs were no longer an anomaly and their skills and talents were more widely known and appreciated within the electronic/dance music community and beyond. In the past decade, we have seen a new wave of sister DJs making their mark on the industry.

Artists like Nina Kraviz, Peggy Gou, Triad God, and Honey Dijon are just a few of the many women DJs who are dropping dope tracks and putting on incredible performances all over the world. They are also using their platforms to speak out about social and political issues that affect women, people of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sister DJs are here to stay and we can’t wait to see what they do next!

Why Are There So Few Sister DJs?

If you ask anyone in the electronic/dance music scene why there are so few sister DJs, you’re likely to get a variety of answers. Some people might say that it’s because women don’t have the same opportunities as men, while others might say that it’s because women are not as interested in electronic/dance music. Let’s take a closer look at this issue.

The “Old Boys’ Club”

The “Old Boys’ Club” is a term that has been used to describe the tendency for men to form exclusive groups and networks in which they help and promote each other, while excluding women. This “club” mentality exists in many industries, and unfortunately, the electronic/dance music industry is no exception. While there are more women DJs/producers now than there ever have been before, they are still vastly outnumbered by their male counterparts.

One reason for this is that the industry itself is still very much dominated by men. Many of the biggest clubs and festivals are run by men, and they tend to book mostly male DJs. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle: because there are fewer opportunities for women DJs, they are less visible, which in turn makes it harder for them to get booked.

Another reason why there are so few sister DJs is that the electronic/dance music scene can be quite misogynistic. Although it is certainly not true of all dance music fans, there is a significant minority who believe that “real” electronic/dance music should be made by men and that women DJs are somehow lesser than their male counterparts. This attitude serves to further marginalize and exclude women from the scene.

Despite these challenges, there are more and more women breaking through into the electronic/dance music world every day. We hope that someday soon, sister DJs will be just as common as their male counterparts!

The “Bro-Choice” Movement

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the lack of diversity in the electronic/dance music scene. One group that has been disproportionately absent is women DJs. Some have attributed this to the “bro-choice” movement, which argues that the best DJs are chosen based on their skill, not their gender.

This argument misses the point. The problem is not that women DJs are not good enough; it’s that they are not given the same opportunities as men. When it comes to bookings, festival lineups, and media coverage, men are still overwhelmingly favored. This disparity is even more pronounced for women of color and trans women.

The good news is that there are many talented and hardworking women DJs out there fighting for visibility. Organizations like Sisterdjs in the House are working to create inclusive spaces for all electronic/dance music lovers. By increasing representation, they hope to create a more diverse and vibrant scene for everyone.

The Rise of the Sister DJs

In the world of electronic music, women DJs are on the rise. They are playing at some of the biggest clubs and festivals around the world and are becoming household names. Sister DJs are not only breaking barriers in the music industry, but they are also changing the face of electronic music.

The 2010s: A New Decade for Women in Electronic/Dance Music

The 2010s have seen a significant increase in the number of women in electronic/dance music, as DJs, producers, and promoters. This is due in part to the rise of social media and the increasing visibility of women in the industry.

In 2010, Mixmag’s cover featured a woman for the first time in years – Maggie Horn, also known as DJ Miss Maggie. This was seen as a landmark moment for female DJs, and since then, more and more women have been appearing on the cover of the world’s biggest dance music magazine.

The number of women playing at major festivals has also increased significantly in recent years. In 2014, Magnetic Fields Festival in India had an all-female lineup for the first time. This was followed by Sónar Istanbul in 2015, which also had an all-female lineup.

In 2016, Boiler Room – a global online platform that showcases underground music – launched its first ever all-female lineup, featuring DJs such as Peggy Gou, Nina Kraviz, and Ellen Allien.

This increase in visibility has led to more opportunities for women in electronic/dance music. In 2017, Red Bull Music Academy announced that their Tokyo program would be 50% female-identified or non-binary. The following year, they did the same for their Berlin program.

As we move into the 2020s, it is clear that there is an increasing appetite for female-identified and non-binary DJs, producers, and promoters across the globe.

The 2020s: The Future of Sister DJs

As we move into the 2020s, the future of Sister DJs looks bright. With more and more women taking up DJing and producing, we can expect to see even more amazing music being created by women in the years to come.

There are already a number of hugely successful women DJs who are making a big impact on the world of electronic music, and it is clear that they are inspiring a new generation of female DJs to follow in their footsteps. With their hard work and dedication, there is no doubt that the sisterhood of DJs will continue to grow in strength and numbers in the years ahead.

Conclusion

It is evident that there is a need for more women in the electronic/dance music industry, and that we as women need to support each other in order to make this happen. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference. If you are a woman who is passionate about electronic/dance music, consider DJing, producing, or getting involved in the industry in some way. Be sure to check out our resources page for more information and ways to get involved. Thank you for reading!