Media release: Documentary explores what it’s like to be a woman in the music industry

A NEW BBC ALBA documentary has exclusive interviews with some of Scotland’s most talented female music stars to discover what it’s like to be a woman in an arguably male-dominated music industry.

God Save the Quine presenter, Fiona MacKenzie, discovers just how hard it was for their voices to be heard when she interviews some of the country’s most-revered female musicians and new talent.

There are interviews with Annie Lennox, Barbara Dickson, Sharleen Spiteri, Eddi Reader, Clare Grogan, Lorraine McIntosh, KT Tunstall, Emma Pollock, Amy Macdonald, Lauren Mayberry, Be Charlotte and newly emerging talent Kitti.

Presenter, Fiona Mackenzie, said: “Scotland has a wealth of formidable female singers, songwriters and musicians who have made a huge impact on the music industry, both at home and around the globe.

“This heart-warming documentary, featuring a host of Scotland’s finest, celebrates the female global superstars, national treasures, local heroes and newly-emerging talents of the country’s music scene.

“It charts the stories of these female trailblazers as they overcame adversity to achieve huge success.”

Scottish folk hero, Barbara Dickson, recounts the transition from folk hero to pop star and the rise to fame that followed.

International megastar, Annie Lennox, talks about her life on the road and reflects on the challenges behind her incredible career.

Eighties pop heroes, Clare Grogan and Lorraine McIntosh, reflect on the excitement and thrill of life as a music star during this great period and the pressures of maintaining image and style. While Sharleen Spiteri describes her rise to stardom through the 90’s.

Scotland’s female ‘bard’, Eddi Reader, recalls her fascinating career path, KT Tunstall describes her path to fame and Amy MacDonald considers the image pressures, while Emma Pollock shows just what it takes to not conform and run your own label while surrounded by the powerful major record companies.

Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry reveals the challenges of social media where women are often unfairly put under the microscope.

Producer, Helena Gallagher, said: “God Save the Quine reveals life as a woman in the music industry, considering the extra pressures that they felt to not only sound the right way, but to also look and dress a certain way.

“They talk about everything from their early days of starting out, first gigs, joining bands, record deals, struggles, juggling life at home, including their role as a mother, with life on the road and managing global success and consider if things have changed today.

“God Save the Quine rightly celebrates the spirit and attitude of these strong women who have overcome adversity on the road to success. With tales across the decades, this upbeat documentary examines the shared experiences they all have in common and reflects on their collective battle to be heard.”

HG Productions made God Save the Quine for BBC ALBA, and it airs on Friday, January 1 at 9pm and is available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.

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Contact: Laura Sturrock

Email: laura@electrify.me.uk