Shows
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#110: The Final Episode: Goodbye Girls Twiddling KnobsSend us a textWhat does it mean to keep making, caring and staying human when everything feels like it’s falling apart?In this final episode of the Girls Twiddling Knobs podcast, Isobel Anderson speaks directly and unfiltered to you, the listeners, with honesty, clarity and care.This is not a neat goodbye or a highlight reel. It is a reckoning. A permission slip. And a series of parting truths offered to women in music, male allies, music organisations and colleagues in higher education.Isobel reflects on the wi...
2026-01-2846 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#109: Why I'm Closing Girls Twiddling Knobs: Isobel spills the tea with special guest Rosie BansSend us a textIn this deeply honest and reflective conversation, Isobel Anderson is joined by musician, educator and Radical Songwriting founder Rosie Bans to talk openly about the full journey of Girls Twiddling Knobs, from its beginnings as The Female DIY Musician to the decision to close the project after five years.This episode exists because this story was too complex, emotional and important to unpack alone. Rosie has been part of Girls Twiddling Knobs as a student, collaborator, team member and peer support, making her uniquely placed to hold this conversation with care...
2025-12-261h 44
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#108: 'Ask Me Anything': Isobel answers ALL your questions live on the podcastSend us a textn this Ask Me Anything episode of the Girls Twiddling Knobs podcast, Isobel Anderson answers listener questions spanning music careers, collaboration, production, business sustainability, sound art, and gender equity in the music industry.Recorded as one of the final episodes before Girls Twiddling Knobs comes to a close, this conversation is candid, thoughtful, and deeply reflective. Isobel shares hard-won insights from five years of running a feminist music tech platform, alongside practical advice for artists, producers, educators and organisers working at the grassroots.Topics covered include:How to...
2025-12-171h 01
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#107: Music Tech & Gender Today: Live from Strongroom StudiosSend us a textThe room glowed with warm orange light, a full house gathered to celebrate five years of Girls Twiddling Knobs and to witness a bold closing chapter. We brought a live panel to the stage to ask a deceptively simple question: are music technology skills truly crucial for women and gender-diverse artists? What followed was honest, funny, and disarmingly practical—stories about safety in studios, DIY learning, pricing your worth, and the power of choosing collaborators who actually listen.Karen Sutton (Oram Awards) mapped the tough terrain of funding and why mentoring fi...
2025-11-131h 19
Drowned in SoundHow to Start a DIY Music Business Before You Feel Ready - Girls Twiddling Knobs on Mission Driven Music CareersWhat if the very thing that makes you feel like an outsider in the music industry could become your greatest business advantage? How do you build something meaningful when you're convinced you're not qualified? And why might starting before you feel "ready" be the secret to creating lasting change?
This week, Sean talks with Isobel Anderson - founder of Girls Twiddling Knobs, one of music tech's most important feminist voices. Following on from the Mary Spender episode about converting online reach into sustainable income, this conversation explores a different path: how small, mission-driven businesses can create industry...
2025-07-2259 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#106: Documenting Time Loops with Shiva Feshareki & Sarah Angliss {S06 Finale Special}Send us a text🎧 Listen on headphones 🎧 Some of this episode is recording in binaural audio.What does it really take to compose a work for a 12-piece post-minimalist ensemble—using vintage synths, robotic bells, and tape echoes?In this immersive episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we go behind the scenes of Time Loops, a bold and experimental project for Science Museum Group. Follow Isobel as she documents Shiva Feshareki and Sarah Angliss' compositional journey writing new commissions for Icebreaker Ensemble and vintage instrumen...
2025-04-091h 03
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#105: Looping, Improv & Breaking The Classical Rulebook with Rebekah ReidSend us a text🎙️ What if classical music wasn’t meant to stay in its box?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we meet violinist, composer and loop pedal artist Rebekah Reid, who’s pushing the boundaries of what classical performance can be.Blending classical, jazz and electronic music, Rebekah uses live looping and improvisation to create layered, genre-defying performances that feel both ancient and futuristic.🎻 We explore how she carved out her own artistic identity, the joy and vulnerability of solo performance, and how to stay...
2025-03-261h 12
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#104: Music PR Made Simple: DIY Strategies for Independent Artists with Rachel WhiteSend us a textIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by music PR, you’re not alone! In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel chats with Rachel White, music PR expert and founder of BRIC and House of DIY, to break down the real, actionable steps independent artists can take to promote their music effectively—without the stress.🌟 Inside You’ll Learn: ✔️ What PR actually is and why it’s different from advertising ✔️ The biggest mistakes DIY artists make when pitching their music ✔️ A step-by-step guide to building your own music PR campaign
2025-03-121h 04
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#103: What Makes Something Jungle? With Jungalist Historian, Julia ToppinSend us a textWhat happened to jungle music? How did a genre born from Black British culture, reggae sound systems, and 90s rave scenes become dominated by white, male audiences—and where are the women who helped shape it?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel explores these questions with Julia Toppin, a lecturer, music entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “Junglist Historian.” Julia takes us through jungle’s vibrant origins, its evolution into drum and bass, and the systemic challenges that sidelined both women and Black voices in the scene.They discuss trailblazers like DJ...
2025-02-261h 11
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#102: Co-Producing An Album With Fran & FloraSend us a textWhat does it really mean to be a producer, and why do so many women hesitate to claim the title?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we sit down with Fran & Flora—an innovative violin and cello duo blending Yiddish, Romanian, and Transylvanian folk music with improvisation, electronics, and sound experimentation. We dive into their co-production journey on Precious Collection, navigating self-perception as producers, and the evolving landscape for independent artists. Expect candid insights on gender in music, creative collaboration, and the art of crafting immersive soundscapes. A must-listen for mu...
2025-02-121h 06
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#101: How to Press Your Music on Vinyl: Expert Tips from Women in Vinyl’s Jenn D'EugenioSend us a textAre you an artist or music producer dreaming of releasing your music on vinyl? In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel Anderson sits down with Jenn D'Eugenio, founder of Women in Vinyl, to uncover the fascinating process behind pressing music onto records. Jenn shares expert insights on preparing your audio and artwork for vinyl, tips for selecting the right pressing plant, and how to make your vinyl release more sustainable.Whether you’re an independent artist exploring physical formats, a vinyl enthusiast curious about the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship, or someone considering a...
2025-01-151h 06
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of Girls Twiddling KnobsSend us a textCelebrating 100 episodes of empowering women in music, Girls Twiddling Knobs host Isobel Anderson takes listeners on a reflective journey through the evolution of the podcast, revisiting its top five most popular episodes, including conversations with Kate Nash, Orla Gartland and Victoria Witjeratne. Featuring listener Q&A, insights into key challenges for women in music technology, and plans for the future, this milestone episode highlights how the Girls Twiddling Knobs community has become a vital voice for diverse creators in music. Tune in to celebrate and explore what's next!...
2025-01-011h 42
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#97: Burnout, gender and music technology with Denise DevenishSend us a textLuckily, there’s far more conversations happening about musicians’ mental health these days. But how might gender impact our experience of things like depression and anxiety? And how might this differ in a music technology setting, specifically? Because, while this is something that’s often touched upon in wider conversations around gender and music technology, it’s rarely fully explored in its own right.Inside this conversation, Isobel chats with musicians’ therapist and counsellor, Denise Devenish about the intricacies and complexities of being a woman or gender minority in music tech spaces and...
2024-11-201h 14
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#96: The Art Of Authentic Production In A Post-Internet World: In conversation with Maria UzorSend us a textIn a world that’s always online, how do we stay true to ourselves as artists? This week on Girls Twiddling Knobs, we tackle this question with the fiercely original electronic music producer Maria Uzor.Growing up as a Black artist in a predominantly White area of the UK, Maria often felt like an outsider. But she turned that feeling into a sound that’s bold, raw, and unmistakably hers. Join us as we explore how Maria channels her unique experiences into a blend of basement grittiness and cosmic vision.
2024-11-061h 00
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#95: Pushing the Boundaries of Sound: Oram Awards SpecialSend us a textWhat unique facets of our existence and identity does sound allow us to explore as women and gender diverse artists? This is one of the big questions that emerges inside this conversation with three of the five 2024 Oram Award winners.Whether it be through choreography, performance art, hacking or design, Lola De La Mata, xname and The Silver Field are all artists who have come to sound through alternative pathways. Inside this episode, you’ll learn about the role that sound and experimental music plays in their practice, how they harness te...
2024-10-2358 min
“Things I Never Thought I'd Say” with Sam CraneEpisode 2 - Isobel Anderson. Musician and owner of Girls Twiddling Knobs and Home Recording AcademyWelcome to the second episode of the exciting new podcast, 🎵Things I Never Thought I'd Say🎵 with your host - singer, songwriter, performer and producer Sam Crane. It's all about women in music and their mindset.On today's episode, Sam is interviewing Dr Isobel Anderson, a successful self-producing and self-releasing musician who has online companies teaching women to produce their music at home.Isobel answers these three questions ...Who she is?What things she never thought she'd say that she is now saying?What challenges she is facing now and how she can apply that w...
2024-03-2835 min
Transform Your BirthIsobel - straight forward vaginal birth, power of mindsIsobel and Justin prepare for birth using the 'Transform Your Birth,' course. She makes a decision that she wants to get through the process of birthing without the use of the drugs and commits to the practices in order to train her mind. Her and Justin have a good conversation on how he can support her to do this. She is facing induction at 42 weeks and labour starts spontaneously without too much need for help. She goes so deep within herself she doesn't even think about the drugs. She feels completely calm and focused. Her partner was an a...
2023-11-0845 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#93: {Binaural S05 Finale} Embodying Electronic Music with NYX at Hidden Notes FestivalSend us a textReady for a binaural sound adventure?We’re wrapping up S05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with an extra-special episode where, together, we take an immersive binaural deep dive into the ecosystem that is NYX.NYX are often described as an electronic drone choir and are a group of women and non-binary vocalists and non-vocalists who use music technology to create dense, musical creations and performance experiences with artists such as GTK alumni Gazelle Twin, amongst many others.Recorded live at Hidden Notes festival in September, Isobel accompanied th...
2023-11-081h 02
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#91: How to Choose the Right DAW for You (+ Isobel’s personal top 3 picks)Send us a textFeeling overwhelmed by all the recording software choices? Been using the same DAW for a while and feel like it’s time to switch it up? Haven’t started recording your music because you don’t have the right gear? If so, this episode is a MUST LISTEN because we’re breaking down the pros and cons of a variety of recording softwares and demystifying this often overwhelming decision.If you’re curious what software Isobel uses, you also won’t be disappointed because inside you’ll learn her top favourite 3 DAWs and why...
2023-10-1142 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#89: The Art of Music Mastering w/ Katie Tavini & Izzy McPheeSend us a textIf you’ve ever wondered what music mastering is, how to get your music mastered or even get into mastering yourself, this podcast episode is for you because Isobel is joined by Weird Jungle mastering engineers Katie Tavini and Izzy McPhee. Between them, they’ve racked up credits with We Are Scientists, Bloc Party, Frankie Morrow, Ash, Waverly, Arlo Parks and so many more. But what’s also interesting about Katie and Izzy is that they met through the amazing Saffron studios’ mentoring scheme. So, not only will you hear them demystify...
2023-09-201h 06
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#88: Why Community is More Important Than Confidence for Women Learning Music TechSend us a textIt’s common to hear people make the case for initiatives and spaces that help women become more confident with music tech. And many women will say they wished they had more confidence when it comes to music production, mixing and the whole recording process. But what if this pursuit for more confidence was actually further sabotaging the progress of women with music technology? What if, instead, we need to be questioning the whole focus on confidence itself?In this solo episode, Isobel explores some of the reasons she doesn’t focu...
2023-09-1320 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEp#85: How I Use 'Assignments' to Take Imperfect Action and Make Music with Limited TimeSend us a textDo you struggle with perfectionism? We totally get it - it can be easy to put off recording your music out of the belief that every single element of it needs to be perfect. It can also be tricky to find time to dedicate solely to making music; so perfectionism combined with limited time can make it really difficult to actually sit down and get the music made. Inside this episode Isobel discusses the importance of taking ‘imperfect action’ when making music, and explains how using the ‘assignment method’ helped her ditch the...
2023-08-2320 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#82: {S04 Finale Special} Binaural Sea Ice at UCL’s Bartlett Sch. of Architecture w/ Emma-Kate Matthews [Headphones Advised]Send us a text[Headphones Advised] Listen to the shifting, singing Antarctic sea ice in mesmerising binaural audio to mark the end of another incredible season of Girls Twiddling Knobs. For this Season Finale, Isobel travels to University College London’s Bartlett Sch. of Architecture to meet composer and lecturer Emma-Kate Matthews. Follow Emma and Isobel on a binaural tour of this incredible hive of architectural and engineering exploration and deep into The Sound Lab. There, Emma shares her journey into sound, music and academia and gives us a binaural sneak peak of her incredible ne...
2023-03-151h 44
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#80: 3 Steps To Establishing More Respectful Music CollaborationsSend us a textWhether you’re in a band, have a team or are a totally DIY, solo musician, you’ll likely need to work with other people from time-to-time to get your music out into the world. But it doesn’t always feel easy or rewarding and, even worse, sometimes – especially if you’re a woman in music – collaborative relationships can be disrespectful. So, inside this episode, Isobel shares three steps you can take to ensure your collaborative relationships are respectful, rewarding and successful. Isobel also shares her own past experiences of disrespectful collaboration...
2023-03-0143 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#79: The Oram Awards: Celebrating Women in Electronic Music & SoundSend us a textThere have never been so many initiatives fostering marginalised talent in electronic music and sound, and one such platform is the UK’s Oram Awards. Established in 2017, the Oram Awards is a partnership between The Radiophonic Institute, PRS Foundation & The Daphne Oram Trust, and elevates the work and voices of women, Trans and Non-Binary music creators working in sound innovation, music and related technologies.Inside this episode, Isobel gets the chance to chat with 2022 winners Kelly Jayne Jones and Amble Skuse to discuss their artistic practice and what winning an Oram Aw...
2023-02-221h 02
Girls Twiddling Knobs{BONUS EPISODE} Teaching Women Music Technology [PART 2]: My Unique ApproachSend us a textWhat culture would enable women to learn and thrive with music technology? And how might this be fostered in music tech learning spaces? Inside this BONUS podcast episode Isobel shares the unique teaching approach she’s developed over the past five years, and why it's set over 400 women (and counting) up to win with music technology.This practical discussion continues on from last week’s BONUS episode all about how music technology education has (so far) been failing women. But inside this episode, Isobel gives some progressive and helpful tips for cult...
2023-02-0529 min
Girls Twiddling Knobs{Bonus Episode} Teaching Women Music Technology [Part 1] Why Have We Failed (So Far)?Send us a text“Surely if women *really* wanted to record and produce music, they’d just get on with it like their male peers, right?” Well… Sadly it’s not that simple. Today in 2023, women still are considerably outnumbered on music production programmes and in recording studios and are less likely to learn through free online resources, like YouTube, compared to their male contemporaries.It’s true that women, in theory, aren’t banned from taking part in these spaces. So, inside this BONUS podcast episode Isobel explores why the problem might not be lack of access...
2023-01-2918 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#73: Forging An Artist Identity & Embracing Music Tech w/ VOLTA HYMNSend us a textThere’s nothing more frustrating than being creatively restricted by the skills and tools at your disposal, and oftentimes this leads to musicians being overly-reliant on others to get our music out into the world. But this week’s podcast guest, VOLTA HYMN (AKA Delali Zevon-Aniakwah), decided to develop her music tech know-how in order to forge her own artist project and become fully independent.Inside this conversation, Delali shares how attending one of Isobel’s 5 day recording challenges helped her record her new release, INCOGNITO MODE, and we get the chance...
2023-01-1146 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#72: 5 Strategies To Home Record Your Music Like A ProSend us a textIf you want to make 2023 the year you finally have amazing recordings of your music without breaking the bank, this episode is for you. Inside, Isobel shares 5 Key Strategies to Home Record Your Music Like a Pro!Even if you’ve worried that recording your music at home will automatically make it sound amateur in comparison to paying for commercial studio time, this episode will show you how amazing sounding tracks are in fact, well within your grasp. All you need is a little insider know-how, and Isobel is pulling back th...
2023-01-0421 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#70: What to do With Other People's Advice as a Woman in MusicSend us a textHow many times have you been given advice on your music, recording or production, even though you didn't ask for it? Or perhaps you’re always looking for advice rather than trusting your own internal resources and instincts? For many women in music, getting advice can feel like a tricky terrain to traverse without getting mansplained at, stereotyped or thrown a unhelpful red herring.So, inside this episode, Isobel examines the types of advice we might receive as musicians, if women really are more likely to receive unsolicited advice than their ma...
2022-12-2223 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#67: Making Time For Your MusicSend us a textNowadays, pretty much everyone feels busy, but for musicians this can really start to eat into vital music making time. Urgent tasks can seem to dominate your schedule, and before you know it, the day’s gone and your music’s been left to the bottom of your to-do list. Inside this episode, Isobel shares how she’s managed to make time for her music, even though her diary seems busier than ever. Between running a business, holding space for (literally) thousands of other women in music and all the usual day-to...
2022-11-3025 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Using Social Media As A Form of Creative ExpressionSend us a textOne of the biggest drains on many a musician’s time, self-esteem and mental energy is social media - you’ve probably found yourself both loving and hating it in equal measure. So today we’re going waaay back to episode #44 where Isobel shares her best tips for getting more intentional about how we use social media so it stops being a vanity scale and starts actually adding to our creative self expression - I know WHAT a novel idea, right?!And Isobel will be walking you through a mini a...
2022-11-0305 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: The Analogue Recording Process with Julie McLarnonSend us a textPeople always wax lyrical about how much warmer or better analogue technology sounds, but what are the practicalities of recording in this format as opposed to digital?Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#07 when she chatted to engineer and owner of Analogue Catalogue recording studio, Julie McLarnon about how preparation really takes on a whole new meaning in an analogue studio. Even if you’re working mainly or solely with digital software, there’s a lot we can still take from Julie’s approach.EPISOD...
2022-10-2714 min
Soul Singer Coach PodcastSoul Singer Coach Interviews Singer, Producer & Educator, Isobel AndersonThis is Episode 8: An Interview with Singer, Producer and Educator, Dr. Isobel Anderson.
Dr. Anderson is a powerful, dynamic woman who has swathed her own path through the jungle of the recording industry by becoming a self-produced musician. Her four solo albums have amassed over 25 million Spotify streams, and her sound works have been performed on international stages. She has been published in journals such as Organized Sound and the Journal of Sonic Studies. Between over 20 years making, performing and producing music, a PhD in Sonic Arts; and a passion for creating music tech education spaces for...
2022-10-2355 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Starting A Studio With MajelenSend us a textEver fantasised about starting your own recording studio? Wouldn’t it be so cool to pick out all the gear you want, decorate it exactly to your tastes and make it feel super welcoming for other women in music?Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#35 when she chatted to musician, producer and studio owner Majelen about how she and her partner set up their own studio and the DIY approach she embraced doing so. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{01:55} How Majelen found her st...
2022-10-2010 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Are Women-Only Music Spaces Necessary?Send us a textEver found yourself having to argue the toss over whether women-only music spaces are necessary? Or if feminism is even an issue anymore all together? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#16 when she described a very tricky debate that unfolded in one of her facebook post’s comment thread, why she believes in women-only music tech learning spaces and how she drew her boundaries on this discussion. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{01:46} The backlash received from men about female-only music tech spaces{04:39} Wh...
2022-10-1315 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Overcoming Music Tech Self-DoubtSend us a textHave you ever wished you felt more confident with music tech? Perhaps self-doubt stops you sharing your ideas in the studio or even completing your home recording projects all together? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#03 to dismantle some of the most insidious music tech myths that keep women second-guessing themselves and shares how to, instead, cultivate a confident, growth mindset with recording and production.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{01:49} Recording and production misconceptions{03:31} How this affects our recording process & output{08:51} A...
2022-10-0612 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: SJae's Production Tips (Incl. Pro Vocals) [EP#05]Send us a textProducing amazing sounding vocals can feel like a bit of a mysterious art. How do you make sure they sound punchy, but warm? Delicate, yet crisp? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re going all the way back to EP#05 to hear LA based producer SJae’s top music production tips, including using delay instead of reverb on vocals.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:10} Streamline your setup{04:26} Treat compression like a friend{05:52} Think about your panning{06:16} SJAE's bonus tip!{11:57} The difference between built-in and add-on plug...
2022-09-2913 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Taking an Artist Retreat with Nik Nak [EP#27]Send us a textEver thought about taking some time away with JUST your music? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re travelling back to EP#27 to hear how musician and DJ Nik Nak did exactly that. What came out the other side was a collection of recordings from Turkey and a whole new methodology of DJing with environmental sound. Maybe an artist retreat could be the beginning of new creative horizons for you too?EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:08} NikNak's creative process{04:57} What initiated NikNak's retreat?{07:31} Repurposing sounds in a li...
2022-09-2209 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Funding Your Music Making With Sam Crane [EP#58]Send us a textAre you worried about financing your music making as we head into the next few months? Listen up because this Golden Nugget episode has some amazing advice inside. We’re going back to a conversation Isobel had in EP#58 with one of her students, Sam Crane, about how she was able to access £3,000 of support to record her music all thanks to her newly acquired home recording skills. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:27} How applying for funding can give you clarity as an artist{05:46} Sam's top tips for a s...
2022-09-1508 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsGolden Nugget: Changing Your Musical Direction [EP#46]Send us a textThinking of making a musical change of direction? This Golden Nugget episode is for you. Inside, Isobel takes you through a powerful exercise from EP#46 to get clarity on whether this is the right thing for you as an artists and what a musical change-up might look like for you as an individual.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:02} When would you change direction in your music? {03:40} Why would you change direction in your music?{05:18} What happens next? {06:25} A simple, powerful exercise to help you change musical...
2022-09-0809 min
The Amy Porterfield Show#494: {Student Success} From Deleting Her Email List To Doubling It During Her Launch with Isobel AndersonWhen you make a BIG mistake, pull up your bootstraps, get scrappy, and use it as a learning experienceHave you ever made a careless mistake in your business that could have potentially been catastrophic?I know I have. In fact, back in my Tony Robbins days I accidentally canceled a Masterclass the night before it was supposed to start. I was absolutely mortified, angry at myself, and had no idea how to recover from it.But here’s the thing that I couldn’t see at the time: Making big mistakes, like the...
2022-09-0155 min
#494: {Student Success} From Deleting Her Email List To Doubling It During Her Launch with Isobel AndersonListen on… When you make a BIG mistake, pull up your bootstraps, get scrappy, and use it as a learning experience Have you ever made a careless mistake in your business that could have potentially been catastrophic? I know I have. In fact, back in my Tony Robbins days I accidentally canceled a Masterclass the […]
The post #494: {Student Success} From Deleting Her Email List To Doubling It During Her Launch with Isobel Anderson appeared first on Amy Porterfield | Online Marketing Expert.
2022-09-0100 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#65: Music Careers Without The Fear: In conversation with Vanessa ThreadgoldSend us a textThe role of a music manager can be pretty tough; not only do you have all the hopes and dreams of your artists wheying heavy on your shoulders but you also do all the hard-ball industry negotiations and career strategising too - none of which you can ever be sure will actually work out.But as well as this, today's guest, Vanessa Threadgold, was also faced with an even bigger challenge throughout her career: how to make sure her female artists were protected against studio environments that, at worst, were unwelcoming...
2022-06-291h 37
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#64: Navigating Nuance in Music Production: in conversation Melissa Uye-ParkerSend us a textAfter dropping out of studying drama and visual art, Mel Uye-Parker started picking up multi-track recorders, recording vocals in studios, writing songs for other artists and eventually studying recording and composition. Now, she’s an artist with over two decades under her belt and programme leader of ICMP’s Creative Music Production MA. Inside this episode Isobel gets to hear about all of this as well as how Mel’s identity as a black, gay woman has shaped her experience of the wider white-hetero dominant culture of music production. Mel also shared...
2022-06-221h 07
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#63: Signal Flows & Signal Chains: all you need to knowSend us a textThe terms signal flow and signal chain are widely used in music production and audio engineering. But unless you’ve formally studied this area or spent time learning the ropes in a recording studio, you may not be as familiar with what they mean or how they work.Inside this episode, Isobel breaks down the basic components of both and how they relate to making music inside a DAW at home. You’ll also find out the three most common issues you can stumble across in your signal flow and chain and...
2022-06-1514 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#62: A Day In The Life of A Music Producer: In conversation with Charlie Deakin DaviesSend us a textNot many producers enter into the industry at quite the rate or age that this week’s guest did, but at just 21 years old, Charlie Deakin Davies was already producing countless artists, winning prestigious awards and producing the audio for Balcony TV. Fast forward to now, and after two years working as one of Gary Barlow’s in-house songwriters and producers, Charlie has an established career working with some of today’s hottest musicians and bands. Alongside this, Charlie has co-founded the Trans Creative Collective, drawing from their own experience as gender...
2022-06-081h 20
MetaPodIsobel Anderson of Girls Twiddling Knobs"Women making music with technology"Girls Twiddling Knobs is a "feminist tech podcast" filling the gap between conversations about music gear and the human experience of creating music with that gear.Produced by Isobel Anderson, a UK-based musician, recording artist and producer, the podcast developed as an extension to music tech resources that Anderson was sharing with other women. It's also part of Anderson's Female DIY Musician platform, an online educational community for women learning to record and produce their own music."I definitely am seeing that the podcast is having...
2022-06-0836 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#61: Art, Activism and Music Production: in conversation with Rookes / Jenny BulcraigSend us a textWhen Rookes started making music, she didn’t have a clear plan but over the course of the last few years she’s not only forged an impressive career as a music producer, but co-founded a thriving community of other women in music tech too.Inside this episode she talks to Isobel about how she started learning to self-produce as an artist and the allies that helped her cut her music production teeth. She also shares how her awareness of gender inequalities in the field led her and friend, Kate Tavini, to f...
2022-06-011h 14
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#60: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Recording & Production SkillsSend us a textHow might imposter syndrome affect your ability to record and release your music? Well, that’s probably pretty self explanatory. But inside this week’s episode actually looks at how recording and production skills may offer women a way of overcoming this tricky phenomenon.Isobel also unpacks what Imposter syndrome is, how it might affect people in the creative Industries and, more specifically, women in music too. FInally, Isobel tackles the biggest Imposter syndrome trap you still might fall into, even after getting some much needed recording and production know-how. ...
2022-05-2521 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#59: Vibrators, Pauline Oliveros and Queering Sound: In conversation with Senem PirlerSend us a textSenem Pirler is a New York based, Turkish born, sound artist and academic whose practice is all about connection; Whether it's humans, plants or seemingly inanimate objects, Senem has a knack of finding ways to question profound ideas around identity, belonging and being present in the world. Inside this week’s episode, Isobel gets the chance to hear how Senem started training as a classical pianist, then worked as a sound engineer and, eventually, studied for a PhD in electronic arts at Rensselaer under none other than the late Pauline Oliveros. In...
2022-05-1848 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsBONUS EP: What’s New Inside Home Recording Academy?Send us a textIn 2020, Isobel launched one of the first and only music technology courses designed exclusively for women in music, focussing not only on the technical processes involved in recording, producing and mixing music from home but also the mindset blocks and societal pressures women face when embarking on such a task. In it’s fourth round of enrolment, Isobel has added some exciting new updates and features and inside this episode you’ll get the whole inside scoop on exactly what you can expect to find inside. If you’ve been frustrated at a l...
2022-05-1435 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#58: 3 New Revenue Streams Recording and Production Skills Will Open In Your Music: Meet Sam, Sandy and Annie.Send us a textUsually when we think about recording our music, we think about all the outgoings: the new recording gear we’ll need to invest in, or even the studio time we might have to book. But what if having recording and production skills actually opened up new revenue streams in your music and gave you more freedom and independence as a musician?Well, that’s exactly what happened for this episode's three guests Sam, Sandy and Annie. None of these musicians have been recording music for a long time, but after learning to r...
2022-05-111h 23
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#57: Taking Back Control Of The Creative Process: in conversation with Flaming JuneSend us a textHow many times have you said to yourself, “I’d love to have the freedom to record my music where and when I want, but won’t it just sound amateur if I do it myself?” It’s a common thought for many musicians that can leave you feeling totally reliant on other people to get your music out of your head and into the world.But inside this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel speaks to musician Flaming June, AKA Louise Eatock, about the incredible journey she’s been on learning to...
2022-05-041h 05
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP.56: Being Assertive in Music Tech SpacesSend us a textAsk some women how they feel in music studios, music tech classes or dealing with live sound technicians and many will say they’ve had to work hard to feel confident. Many others will say that asserting their needs, opinions and boundaries in these spaces is still an ongoing struggle. And this can significantly influence not just how women creatively contribute and collaborate in these settings, but if they even enter them in the first place. The result? Less women recording music, learning to record music and even performing music. So, in t...
2022-04-2732 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#55: Are you a Music Producer?Send us a textNow, what is a music producer? I mean what do they do? Or maybe most importantly, when have we earned the right to call ourselves one? Surely there’s some way we know for sure we’ve graduated from music tech dabbler to full blown producer, right?Well, not really, which may be one contributing factor to so few women being represented in this profession. And, that’s why inside this episode, Isobel draws from women in music production and one of the most respected producers of all time, Brian Eno, to bet...
2022-04-2023 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#54: Broadway Theatre Sound Design: In conversation with Jessica PazSend us a textIn this week’s episode we’re jumping into the fascinating, complex and playful world of theatre sound design with Tony Award winning Broadway sound designer, Jessica Paz. With years of experience under her belt designing complex sound systems, sound effects and audio experiences for acclaimed productions like Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen and Little Shop of Horrors, there isn’t much Jessica hasn’t seen or done when it comes to theatre sound design.Inside her discussion with Isobel, she unpacks exactly what makes theatre sound design unique, her...
2022-04-1351 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#53: From The Tantalising To The Grotesque: in conversation with Gazelle TwinSend us a textNever one to take the conventional path, UK experimental electronic composer and producer, Elizabeth Bernholz, AKA Gazelle Twin’s back catalogue plays with and subverts a variety of identities. Inside this episode, Isobel has the chance to hear all about her journey into music making so far, her evolution as an artist, where she’s at now (including being a fulltime musician and mother) and the reissue of her first album, The Entire City / The Wastelands, which is coming out on April 8th, 2022.Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isob...
2022-04-061h 29
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#52: Why you don't need fancy gear to record your music (and what you DO need instead).Send us a textMany musicians think they need all the ‘right’ gear before they can start recording and producing from home, which can massively stunt their skills and careers. But guess what? You DON’T need fancy gear to get started! The thing you really need to invest in costs hardly anything and you probably have it all at home already. This week's episode dives into acoustic treatment and how you can use it.Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a...
2022-03-3017 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#51: Deep House & Techno Beats: In conversation with DJ & producer Emily NashSend us a textWelcome back to another season of Girls Twiddling Knobs! At 20 years old, our first guest of the season, Emily Nash, is perhaps the youngest guest we’ve ever had on the podcast. But don’t let that fool you because this DJ & producer is currently setting the EDM world on fire. When she didn’t get the grades she needed at school, she was encouraged to do a Music Production course at her local college. Little did she know that within just a couple of short years this would lead her to sig...
2022-03-2335 min
The Musician's Journey Podcast#39 - Isobel Anderson. Musician, producer, podcaster.Are you reading the shownotes? Cool. You lived to see the light of another day, despite the world.I wish I knew exactly what you're looking for. Alas, I'll have to guess. Let me know if there's something you're missing from here.And here comes some info about this episode, followed by relevant links. ----------------Isobel Anderson wears many hats: singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, as well as producer of music and her own podcast: Girls Twiddling Knobs. 00:00 Introduction00:51 'Feed Me' by Isobel Anderson03:00...
2022-03-0353 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#50: 90 Years of Abbey Road: Studio Walkthrough w/ Marta Di NozziSend us a textInside this very special 50th episode of the podcast and the Season 02 finale, Isobel takes a trip to the most famous recording studios in the world, Abbey Road, to celebrate their 90th Birthday. Join her and in-house Assistant Engineer, Marta Di Nozzi, for a binaural walking tour of this historic building’s three main studios and the amazing music that’s been recorded there. Whether it’s Amy Winehouse’s time recording in Studio 3, The Beatles’ love of Studio 2 or the many large scale film scores that have come to life in Studio 1, Abbey Road...
2022-01-041h 30
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#49: What’s Delay? And How to Use It.Send us a textDelay is one of those plugins that can be deceptively tricky in music production: use too much and it can sound gimmicky; use it without knowing what you're trying to achieve and it can sound silly, and;, not understanding all it's capabilities beyond something that makes things sound... 'echoey' 🤷♀️ can mean you miss a music production trick.But have no fear, because inside this week’s episode, Isobel is helping us get to grips with what delay is, when you might use it in your tracks and also how to practically apply it in...
2021-11-1716 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#48: Reactivating Memories of Beirut: In conversation with Nour SokhonSend us a textIn this week’s episode Isobel chats with the fascinating artist Nour Sokhon about how she uses sound as a medium to share and witness memories of Beirut, the city where she lives and works.Beirut has a troubled recent past with sectarian violence making ‘normal’ life feel increasingly difficult. Nour was born in this vibrant city, and upon returning to Lebanon’s capital city, something fitted into place and she was immediately inspired by the ever shifting soundscape. A prolific artist, Nour has created a host of audio and...
2021-11-1054 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#47: What is Sound Synthesis?Send us a textInside this week’s episode, Isobel examines the fascinating process of sound synthesis, including what it is, how it was developed, the women who have played a vital role in this technology and then, lastly, how you can start incorporating it into your own music too.Isobel also highlights two contemporary female artists doing interesting things with sound synthesis right now, and all of the music mentioned in this episode of the podcast will be added to our fab new Girls Twiddling Knobs playlist too!Girls Twiddling Knobs is ho...
2021-11-0321 min
The Process of ProductionEP17 - Isobel Anderson - "Girls Twiddling Knobs"This week we talk to the amazing Isobel Anderson. After a career as an artist which has amassed over 25 million Spotify streams, Isobel set up the online community the Female DIY Musician, which helps female-identifying aspiring musicians and producers to find their confidence in an arena that has always been male-domianted. Last year, she started the podcast Girls Twiddling Knobs, which she describes as brining a "feminist perspective to all things music tech", and in our opinion is a nourishing and refreshing listen for any creative, male or female.
Isobel also has an MA and PhD in...
2021-11-0159 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#46: Making A Musical Change of Direction: When, why and how to do it!Send us a textInside this week’s episode, Isobel explores how to make a change of direction with your sound. There’s lots of reasons we might hit this fork in the road with our music but how can we get clear on the new direction to take moving forward? Isobel draws from contemporary artists who have made big changes in their music and looks at what’s worked for them and also when there’s been some backlash too.Finally, you’ll be walked through an exercise you can do at home to get cleare...
2021-10-2725 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#45: Retro-future Sound Worlds: In conversation with Kayla PainterSend us a textInside this week’s episode, Isobel is joined by experimental artist and producer, Kayla Painter, who’s immersive, ever-evolving AV performances figure into the earliest stages of her music and have taken her to stages, such as The Great Escape, Camp Elsewhere, Bluedot, and the inaugural edition of Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here festival. Isobel got to sit down with Kayla and hear all about how she started making music, her experiences as a woman in music technology, how she’s stayed true to herself as an artist and much, much mor...
2021-10-201h 22
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#42: How Ditching Perfectionism Lead to A Self-Recorded Album and Healed Past Wounds: Asha’s StorySend us a textEvery now and then as a teacher, one of your students shares something with you that truly takes your breath away. That’s exactly what Isobel felt when she first heard multi-instrumentalist Asha McCarthy’s new album Epitaph, which she recorded, produced and mixed from home after completing Isobel’s digital course, Home Recording Academy.But it wasn’t just the fact that Asha had produced something of such technical quality and delicacy, but also the sheer depth of emotion and meaning within it. Unsurprising once you learn this album came out of b...
2021-09-2355 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#33: Why I'm Not Releasing Another Album... kind of!Send us a textIf the thought of self-releasing your music feels a tad overwhelming, you’re not alone. It’s a daunting prospect for many DIY artists. But, as Isobel shares in this week’s episode, even veteran DIY musicians can have their own self-releasing wobbles because there are many disruptive factors that have changed the process of releasing music over the last 10 years. Isobel explores exactly what these are and, crucially, what she intends to do to shake up her own music releasing strategy and still love the process of sharing her music.EPIS...
2021-06-2431 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#25: Using Field Recordings in your MusicSend us a textMuch 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 fiel...
2021-04-2929 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#24: Sensing Sound In Space: Prof. Gascia Ouzounian shares her fascinating new book StereophonicaSend us a textIn 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 ...
2021-04-081h 10
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#22: Weaving sonic tapestries with recycled epic sounds: In conversation with Hannah PeelSend us a textComposer 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 Mu...
2021-03-2558 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#21: 3 Mistakes I Made When First Releasing My Music (and how you can avoid them!)Send us a textThere’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-re...
2021-03-1821 min
Izzy & Gina in stitchesTo blog or not to blog? (8)Welcome to a new podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles.
Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine embroidery, but we’re still figuring it all out! We chat about combining the creative process with running a business and hope that you will find inspiration and support for your own creative journeys.
As it was through following each other's blogs that we first met, it seemed appropriate to take a...
2021-03-1150 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#20: Tackling Diversity in Post Production Sound: In conversation with Emma ButtSend us a textIn 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
2021-03-111h 06
Elevate Music PodcastManaging Tinnitus with Isobel Anderson and Nic WrayWhat can musicians do to understand, prevent and manage their hearing issues? In this episode, artist and producer Isobel Anderson shares how tinnitus halted her career, caused a breakdown and what helped her to a place of managing living with the condition, and Nic Wray of the British Tinnitus Association tells us about the different types of tinnitus, how it affects musicians and discusses BTA's latest research, as supported by the charity Help Musicians, into this topic.
Isobel Anderson - https://bit.ly/2MrLN14
Nic Wray – https://bit.ly/2NzWrne
Music Minds Matter - https://bit.ly/2O1mB1M
British...
2021-03-0825 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#19: The Dyslexic Experience of Music Tech: a personal accountSend us a textThe link between dyslexia and creativity is widely agreed, so it’s no surprise that many musicians are dyslexic. So far, so good. But could this form of neurodiversity change musicians’ experience of music tech, both in negative and positive ways? This isn’t a widely explored area of research, but inside this episode, Isobel explores if and how her dyslexia may, in fact, have had a profound impact upon her own music tech journey and why this might be the case for other musicians too.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{0:00} Intro...
2021-03-0442 min
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#17: Experimenting with Sample Packs with Neeta SarlSend us a textWhen I mention sample packs, who do you think they’re made by? Are you picturing a male producer, busting out some beets in his LA studio? Just me? This week, Isobel speaks with composer / producer Neeta Sarl about her work making sample packs for major music software brands, like Ampify, and how you can get started using these powerful, creative tools in your own music too. The best bit? You can start on your phone and you DON’T have to be an expert.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{0:00} Intro ...
2021-02-1848 min
Peak EnduranceGeorge Dyer and The Great Train RunEpisode 93 is an interview with George Dyer.
Over 11 days in June 2020, George ran over 560km to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. He started with a 100km run at Knox Athletics Track on 7 June and recently completed a ‘Great Train Run’, which saw him run the entire length of the metropolitan train network. The effort was inspired by the early passing of George’s mother, at age 60, from breast cancer. George decided to dedicate the month of June to fundraising, with his two daughters, Ashley and Taylor, who dyed their hair pink. I first heard about George through a friend...
2021-02-161h 13
Girls Twiddling KnobsEP#16: I Did A Jackie Weaver (and it felt gooooood!)Send us a textIt’s hard enough being an underrepresented group within any field. It’s even harder when your creation of alternative spaces for these groups to come together is questioned, or even trolled. Inside this week’s episode, Isobel shares the overall backlash to the premise of her recent free live, female only, workshop from a small minority of strangers on the internet, and why she even had to ban one of them all together. She also shares why she believes femxle-only spaces are crucial in making music technology more inclusive in the long-term.
2021-02-1034 min