NE REPRESENT: DU BLONDE

Welcome to our brand new monthly spotlight feature NE Represent – promoting the work of the women and gender minorities leading the North East’s music industry.

For this month’s spotlight, we are so excited to welcome artist and local DIY record label owner Du Blonde. Du Blonde founded Daemon T.V as a queer DIY platform for local creators to manufacture and sell their work to audiences who love to engage with and support artists outside of the mainstream, while allowing the artists involved to retain 100% of their rights. They have their first Daemon TV live event on Saturday 27th May at Pop Recs featuring one of the DTV family pop princess girli.

Check out our interview with Du Blonde below!

Tell us about the work you do in the North East music scene 

As well as making my own music, I run an ethical, independent, physical-only record label and clothing brand called Daemon T.V. I run the label with Pippa Morgan and together we work to release cassette tapes, CDs and zines by predominantly female and LGBTQIA+ artists. In my 18+ years in the industry I’ve been through the record label machine several times and the power dynamic and financial hold that labels have over artists always struck me as incredibly unjust. At Daemon T.V we provide the services needed in order to create a physical release for an artist that they will profit from, while also enabling them to keep 100% of their master rights and digital income.

What advice would you give to a woman or gender minority who’s looking to work in the music industry?

I guess one of the most important things to remember is that other people benefit from your self-doubt, and they know it. You and your skills are worth something. For every person who tries to convince you that you’re lucky to work with them, consider what you are bringing to the table. You are there because you have skills, time and energy to offer. Don’t allow people to undervalue you and your work, as this only serves to benefit them. Believe in yourself and fight for your seat at the table, fair pay and a safe working environment. 

What would you like to see change in the music industry around gender equity?

Everything! But personally, alongside the obvious need for more opportunities given to female and LGBTQIA+ artists, I’d love to see more women and gender non-conforming individuals in technical positions like production and mix engineering. When I was in school, I was told I could be a singer, while my cis male classmates were told they could be producers. While discrimination is rife in adulthood, it begins in childhood. I wish every kid who was interested in the music industry would be taught not just about song-writing, but about production, engineering, management – every aspect of the industry. 

What are your future plans for Daemon TV? / What do you have coming up?

Last year was a big year for us. We released over 10 EPs and albums with both local and international artists and grew our roster. This year we have a few releases lined up already (Gabi Garbutt’s amazing EP ‘The Creation of Birds’ is released this month), as well as our first live event on Saturday 27th May at Pop Recs in Sunderland providing a platform for local and national queer artists.

We’re also focused on growing the clothing side of the label, our clothing line includes both re-worked vintage and pieces created from recycled fabrics. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and 10% of our income from the sale of our clothing goes to different causes we want to support each month, be it charities supporting LGBTQIA+ folks, global majority individuals and people with disabilities, or individuals in need of mutual aid at short notice, i.e – a person in need of gender affirming care or person in immediate need of safe housing.

Give a shout out to a woman or gender minority doing mint work in the North East music community!

I’m biased, but Pippa Morgan is doing incredible work for women and gender minorities in the North East. I’d also like to shoutout Rachael Whittle from Pave The Jungle (musician, songwriter, graphic designer and sound engineer), Lisa Murphy from Blank Studios (music producer, recording and mix engineer) and Katie Ryall and Robyn Walker of bigfatbig (musicians, songwriters and performers) for their contributions to the North East music scene. It’s so good to know that we don’t have to look far to find women and gender minorities absolutely crushing it in the local music scene and I hope they all get the credit and exposure they deserve.