Saffron Sessions: Empowering change in music
Watch a series of inspirational performances from female producers and artists at Real World Studios.
The music industry remains heavily male dominated. In fact, it’s thought that women currently make up less than 5% of working music producers and engineers. There are many factors behind this gap, including a lack of support for gender minorities, experiences of sexism and harassment, the motherhood penalty, and a shortage of visible role models.
Since 2015, Bristol-based non-profit Saffron has been working to empower change and advance gender equity in the sector by creating safe spaces for learning, community and progression — including through courses, technical training, artist development programs, and a digital community platform open to women around the world.
In recent years, Focusrite and Novation have partnered with Saffron several times notably by sponsoring workshops across the 7 Days of Saffron project and the organisation’s 10-year anniversary celebration.
We recently worked with Saffron once again on an exciting project that highlighted emerging artists in a series of raw live performances at the iconic Real World Studios near Bath. This series produced eight powerful, creative and exciting performances covering a wide range of genres from up-and-coming artists across the South West, with each one showcasing their talents and bringing their personal visions to life in an intimate live setting designed to help them thrive.
The series highlighted not only artists from underrepresented groups, but also those working behind the cameras and behind the scenes in audio production and sound engineering. It was also an opportunity for those at the start of their careers to get experience in a safe and encouraging space through apprenticeships and Saffron’s partnership with BIMM University.
The series captured a wide spectrum of sound and identity, from the experimental club energy of Yushh, to the activist dub-punk of Grove, the soulful pop of Holysseus Fly, ambient-electronic textures from Manami, and the wild neo-classicism of Sarahsson. It also featured the raw indie-tronica of Seb Waters, the intricately layered sound of t l k, and the swirling vocal electronica of My Midnight Heart.
Holysseus Fly
A singer, songwriter and pianist, Holysseus Fly debuted a mix of new emotional, upbeat and pop-driven songs. Exploring this high-energy pop with powerful yet emotional piano ballads alongside her band, Holysseus Fly commanded the studio space as if this were a headline gig. Her set took us on an intimate journey through her personal story of hope and empowerment across three unique songs.
Grove
Grove, a Bristol-based producer and vocalist known for politically charged and queer-focused tracks, brought raw, high-energy music to the studio. Fusing dancehall, punk, bass and jungle influences, their set was bold, uncompromising and full of movement.
My Midnight Heart
My Midnight Heart transformed the studio into something personal and intimate. Surrounded by colourful, cascading lights and seated on a white sheepskin rug, the set felt less like a traditional live performance and more like being invited into her bedroom while she created music in real time.
The atmosphere was warm and immersive, blurring the line between artist and audience and drawing everyone in.
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Yushh
Creating music across the spectrum Yushh is an artist, DJ, a teacher of music production for Saffron, as well as running her own label: Pressure Dome. From being the only woman learning to DJ in here classes, to growing with Saffron by teaching the next generation Yushh is a great example of how Saffron has impacted change. Her music features Dubstep and atmospheric inspired wonky textures that integrates effortlessly with Bristol’s underground music scene.
Manami
Multitalented artist Manami, a DJ and producer, created a soothing soundscape inviting the audience, sound engineers included, to close their eyes and enjoy. She took us on a meditative experience of a piano-driven ambient set, building a state of calm. The set ended with most of the audience laying down in the centre of the sound studio.
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Sarahsson
Sarahsson is a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and performance artist, who explores acoustics and materiality in sound. During their set they took us through an experimental composition using unconventional and self-created instruments, crafting a unique session exploring sound.
Seb Waters
Featuring a mix of classical piano, beats and indie vocals to bring a raw yet upbeat fusion. In an honest and intimate performance Seb Waters’ lyrical storytelling brings open personal expression, reflective of spoken word poetry. This Welsh born artist brought this series to a empowering close against the legendary backdrop of Real World Studios.
T l k
T l k also performed and recorded a video, featuring an eclectic band offering a cerebral multi-instrumental, immersive experience. They are a vocalist and producer, who describes their work as rooted in “choral polyphony, blended with soundscape composition, electronics and audio collage”. T l k meticulously built the tracks, orchestrating the journey from start to finish. Directing the sound engineers and band in minute detail as they went, t l k performed two mesmerising tracks. This video is yet to be released and features new unreleased music by t l k, coming out next year.
The sentiment of the project and the time spent at the studios, was one of unity and positive progression, not only for the artists but for the industry as a whole — and hopefully a taster of what may be to come. Saffron and Real World Studios created a space of incredible positivity and encouragement across all the skillsets showcased — a rare thing in an industry that doesn’t always feel this way for everyone. From grassroots artist development in Bristol to world-class studio environments like Real World, Saffron continues to demonstrate that meaningful change in the industry is not only possible, but essential.
“Studios like Real World represent the pinnacle of recording in the UK,” said Saffron Founder, Laura Lewis-Paul. “For our community to take up space there, on their own terms, feels powerful. We’re not just showcasing talent; we’re working to reshape the whole creative ecosystem in which music is made.”
We hope to further support these artists and Saffron as they continue to make strides in the music industry and beyond.