Category: IWD 2021

IWD 2021 – Kara Brown, Tiny Changes

Posted in IWD 2021, Music Charity

Tiny Changes was founded in memory of much loved and respected  musician and artist Scott Hutchison. Best known as vocalist with Frightened Rabbit, and involved in numerous other projects, Scott inspired many people with his music, words and illustrations; the charity takes its name from his lyric in the song Heads Roll Off, “While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth”. His family launched the charity to support initiatives that improve the mental health of children and young people. For our final feature this for International Women’s Day, it’s been a pleasure to speak to the newly appointed CEO of Tiny Changes, Kara Brown…

How are you, where have you been spending lockdown?

I’m ok, but this past month has been tough and sure I’m not the only one feeling like that. I’m based in Edinburgh, Scotland and I feel very grateful to have the sea, hills, forests and rivers on my doorstep. Being outside has made life in a pandemic easier.

Tiny Changes is such an important project, how did you get involved?

I’ve been involved in Tiny Changes for over a year now. I worked with Bon Iver as a charity partner on the Scottish leg of their 2017 tour, met Jaye Hutchison at one of the gigs, and we stayed in touch. She’s great at spotting people’s potential and supporting other women, which is how I first got involved in Tiny Changes. I’m one of so many inspired by Scott Hutchison, his art and music, and his family’s vision to help young minds feel better.

Can you tell us a little about your role as CEO?

As we’re a small team, I do a little bit of everything – from writing our annual budget to chatting with our funded charities about their work. We’re building a community of tiny change makers and trying to raise half a million pounds for young people’s mental health over the next couple of years.

What have been the most satisfying achievements so far for you at Tiny Changes?

The online music festival we ran in lockdown was my 2020 highlight. Tiny Gigs was a huge amount of work and it was also one of the most fun, moving things I’ve ever been part of. We raised over £20,000 for young people’s mental health. It was important to us to have a diverse line up; so many music festivals don’t. We worked with artists from around the world, different ages, genders and music genres and over 70,000 people watched Frank Turner’s closing gig. Tiny Gigs was a rare time of ‘togetherness’ in a difficult and disconnected year.

And what’s the hardest part of your role?

I’d like to show that it’s possible to be just as productive and creative, if not more, in less than five days a week. Being a CEO in four days is hard; I’m challenging the status quo, there’s always more work that can be done, and social media is bubbling away 24/7.

You’re also a part of the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, what does that involve?

I’m one of 17 women appointed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to form an independent Advisory Council to help drive forward action to tackle gender inequality in Scotland. We’ve met a few times a year since 2017, listened to over 1,200 people and organisations, and published three sets of recommendations for the FM. One example of how we’ve influenced change is the Scottish Government’s new Equality, Inclusion & Human Rights Directorate and appointment of Madhu Malhotra as the first ever Director.

Who would you shout out as strong female influences in your life?

The closest strong woman to me is my Mum. I’ve learned so much from her knowledge in art psychotherapy and just the way she is too. My early feminist mentors were Ranjana Kumari, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda and Fatou Baldeh – key figures in the women’s movements in India, Africa and on a global stage. I owe so much to them and they continue to light the way for younger women. They’re worth a Google!

Top: With Fatou | Bottom: With Nyaradzayi

And lastly, what’s the best advice you could give to young girls with business ambitions?

Take your own advice. What would you tell your friends and people you love? The answers you’re looking for are already within you and you know yourself better than anyone.

************************************************************

You can find more about Tiny Changes on their website and follow their socials here: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

12th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Jennifer Mullins Photography

Posted in IWD 2021, Photography

Header shot: Love

Over the last year, we’ve featured photography, reviews and interviews from Phoenix based Jennifer Mullins. Her contributions are always from the heart and show her love of the worlds of music and photography. And so, it’s lovely to have her involved in our International Women’s Day series, passing on the poignant story of how she ended up behind the camera and the solace it has brought…


Serenity

The Transformative Power of Photography

I began my journey in photography when I met my future husband.  Mike had a lot of camera equipment and tremendous patience as he taught me how to shoot with film and the right settings to use. I soon developed a passion for expressing myself creatively through this medium, even placing second in a northern New York competition. I continued exploring photography after our marriage, but it waned once I had my kids. Then it was more focused on family photos.

On March 13, 2012, Mike died of an accidental opioid overdose, something he’d been struggling with for a long time. I was absolutely devastated by his death and realized that the world was no longer solid. I discovered the Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ), a place where I had some serenity, and I could breathe again. I soon bought a digital camera and began taking it with me when I would go there. Photography gave me respite from the grief that I was walking through, even if it was the short time that I was looking through the viewfinder.

Desert Botanical Garden

Over time, I began to spend more time photographing nature, discovering Arizona’s beauty, and learning techniques through online courses and videos that helped me become a better photographer. I learned from my mistakes, such as setting my ISO too high on a bright day while hiking and having nothing but blown-out shots to show for it.

Top: Solace in the Woods
Bottom: Fire on  the Mountain 

My focus in photography took a 180 degree turn when I began photographing my son, Alex, who is a musician. Suddenly, I was shooting in low-light venues without a flash and learning how to shoot with a high ISO. I was very fortunate to meet wonderful young women photographers who encouraged me to shoot in manual mode, showed me which settings to use, and gave me tips for editing the finished photos. Soon I was traveling to different venues around Phoenix to see my son and other local bands. I also became the photographer for the Phoenix Film Festival four years ago, which brought me into the world of indie films and filmmakers.

Alex Mullins

Sydney Sprague & Danielle Durack harmonizing

First Aid Kit

Coyote Tango

Since Mike’s death, my world has expanded so much. I’ve met so many wonderful musicians, photographers and enjoyed the intimacy of hearing live music in clubs. One night when I was driving home from a show, I realized how full circle my life had come. I met Mike when he played a coffee-house at Syracuse University and felt connected to him through his original music. Now I’m using the gift of photography that he gave me to capture the world of music and many other subjects and growing in creative ways that I never dreamed of doing at this stage in my life. Photography proved to be a pathway to healing.

Hands at Work

Words and photos © Jennifer Mullins: Website | Instagram 

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

12th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Ali Comerford

Posted in IWD 2021, New Music

Continuing our series for International Women’s Day, we’re pleased to introduce singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ali Comerford. Having studied in London and New York then played in orchestras around the world, Ali is now back in her native Ireland and has released her debut solo single He Knows this week, with an album to follow later in the year. Join our conversation here to find out more…

How are you doing, what’s kept you going through lockdown?

Honestly as with most people, there are good days and bad days. I think it’s hard to remain positive 100% of the time but what I will say is that with a little bit of grace (for myself and the people around me) and a whole lot of music, this has turned into a very transformative time. The lockdown forced me to stop moving and to come home and really it’s been a blessing to spend more time with my family even if it’s through social distanced walks or chats through a window. Also it gave me the agency to actually release my music for the first time which is really exciting.

You’ve been playing music since you were really young, who or what got you started?

My Mam was adamant that all of her children would play music and thank God for that! I was in a primary school that promoted music, everyone played something. Regina O’Leary was the driving force and champion of music lessons for all. I’m extremely grateful to her for her patience and persistence. Imagine running an orchestra of 50 6 year olds?!

What are your early memories of listening to music with family or on the radio and TV?

Earliest memories are probably dancing with my sister Lori to whatever was playing and feeling completely exhilarated, like you are in the exact right place at the exact right time. The idea that music could not just enhance but effect or change your mood was clear to me from a very young age. As the youngest child of 4, I was a giant people pleaser so I think as soon as I found out I could make people happy through music, I was hooked.

Your debut album is set to be released later this year – what can we expect?

Lots of strings, lots of emotion. I think this album is just my heart wrapped up in sound waves, that’s why it’s been so scary putting it out into the world. I played everything myself so its all acoustic.

Has it felt strange moving away from making purely classical music?

Not really actually! I’ve always played many different types of music. When I was a kid me and my brother and cousin used to sit outside a local bookshop every week and busk playing and singing Beatles songs and anything that was within the 4-6 chords we knew. We were occasionally paid to stop but I can’t blame them. When you’re on to the third hour of hearing “It’s been a hard days night” from a group of 10 year olds, I think it’s the right decision to pay them off. But even while in college, I took a pop song writing course at the Royal College of Music as an elective while I was doing my masters in violin performance and I loved it so much. Every Friday morning we would gather in one of the towers and listen to pop very loud while analysing lyrics. It felt so liberating to enjoy that music in such an intense classical environment, it was the best part of my week. In New York I played violin in a few bands on the side for fun. I have never subscribed to the idea that music has bounds and that includes boxing yourself in to one genre. The beauty of music is that it transcends any barriers that we as humans usually like to enforce so it is possible to have Debussy and D’Angelo on the same playlist.

Your single He Knows showcases your vocals beautifully – how does it feel taking centre stage when you’ve been surrounded by people in an orchestra previously?

It’s a little nerve wrecking I’m not going to lie but it’s also extremely exciting. I want to be the most authentic performer that I can be and I think for me right now that means I have to showcase this other side of my musicianship that till now I kept for myself.

Are there any female artists who you’d cite as influences?

There are so many female artist that I massively look up to: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Tabea Zimmermann and Martha Argerich are absolute giants in their fields and I have been greatly influenced in different ways by all of them. Be it their stage presence or musicality or lyrics, each of them has moulded me as a musician and I am truly grateful for that. There’s also artists like Yebba, Lizzy McAlpine, H.E.R and Celeste that are doing really beautiful and exciting things right now and they definitely inspire me to create every day.

You’ve spent time in London and New York, will Kilkenny always feel like home?

Definitely, my family is mostly here and I think in that way even when I leave I know I will always have a place here. It offers that sense of comfort that only home can bring.

What’s your favourite venue that you’ve played?

I think that anywhere that someone asks you to come and play, it’s a privilege. It’s more about the vibe of the audience and the energy you can create together. There have been a few special stages though that I can’t deny were highlights, the Royal Albert Hall and the National Concert Hall in Dublin were really great but the big one was in Carnegie Hall, it was one of those moments where I thought ok this is why this is hyped so much!! I felt the amazing energy there and it made me want to give my all.

And what are your hopes for the coming year?

This year I want to release my music, create as much new music as possible and commit to being a good human. If I can manage those things in this crazy time I will feel like I have accomplished a lot.

Ali Comerford: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

Photos © Shane Hatton

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

11th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Petra Eujane Photography

Posted in IWD 2021, Photography

Header shot: Lisa Canny for Sofar Sounds

Today, we’re delighted to share some favourite images from Petra Eujane Photography in our International Women’s Day series. Petra has contributed to Breaking Glass a number of times before and always brings an original take on the styles and genres she covers. She tells us more about her work here…


Charlotte East performing for Nora Productions

I am a performance and portrait photographer based in South West London. I have been developing my skills as a gig photographer for twelve years and took the leap two years ago in becoming a full-time freelancer.

Top: Amy Fitz Doyley performing at Upstairs at The Ritzy
Bottom: Call Me Unique for Sofar Sounds

My passion for photography developed through my passion for live music and the desire to capture the magic of a single moment in one image. I am still pursuing that ultimate goal and that perfect photograph… but it is an ongoing journey that has allowed me to meet some incredibly talented women and witness so many phenomenal performances over the years.


Susan Jane Dunford – Visual Artist

In celebration of International Women’s Day I have selected images of some of the wonderful female artists it has been my privilege to photograph and meet over the years.

Left: Emma Kitchen of Emma & The Fragments
Right: Nualas Music for Live Expressions

I have predominately worked with musicians in my photography, but more recently I have also enjoyed shooting for spoken word performers, visual artists, dancers and actors.

Winnie and the Rockettes

Words and photos © Petra Eujane Photography, you can find more of her work on the following links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

11th March 2021

 

IWD 2021 – Slyboots

Posted in IWD 2021, New Music

Continuing our series for International Women’s Day, we took a virtual trip across the water to have a chat with Tiffany Lyons, vocalist with melodic rock band Slyboots. Join us below to find out about how Slyboots came to be, life in New York and their love of literature… 

Introduce us to Slyboots, who’s involved and how would you describe your music?

Slyboots is a melodic dream. Our band family is made up of our lyricist and guitarist, KG Noble; bass player, Margaret LaBombard; keyboardist and harmony wizard, JayJay Lozano; drummer, Ted Marcus (of Meat Puppets fame, and also Margaret’s husband); and me, Tiffany Lyons, on vocals. Our music speaks through nostalgia, an unapologetic gaze into current events and a hopeful voice for the future.

So how did you all meet?

We met through a bit of kismet. I was invited to perform in Joe Hurley’s All-Star Irish Rock Revue in Rockaway Beach, NY at an annual Irish Festival in 2019. Through that opportunity, I was fortunate to meet so many talented artists, one of them being Sal Maida (who was the bass player for Roxy Music, Sparks, and Cracker among others). After the festival, Sal reached out and asked if I wanted to be introduced to a band that was looking for a new lead singer. After meeting with KG and Margaret, I felt the universe opening and I jumped right in. We hit it off and we began our journey finding our footing as a reimagined band called Slyboots. We started rehearsing intensely for our first round of gigs which began about 3 months later. The rest is ‘Bootie history.

The New York scene has spawned so many important artists, any favourites for you?

New York, it has been an honor to grow up here after moving up from South Carolina when I was 12 when my mom retired from the military. I can say with complete confidence that my view of music expanded from my first day in Brooklyn. There are so many genres that exist in this city. Before we even get to artists, I have to say I heard music that I never even knew existed. As a teenager, I started singing in school and at the local church. My mornings before school were scored by the likes of Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, and the incomparable… my personal idol… Barbra Streisand. In my heart I am a bit of a crooner, and in my everyday existence I am a ‘Funny Girl’. Barbra Streisand has been a constant throughout my teens, college and beyond. There hasn’t been a period of my life for which she hasn’t had some advice.

How have things been affected there by quarantine, can you see light at the end of the tunnel?

New York City in particular, the city of opportunity for so many musicians, has taken a huge hit from the COVID-19 crisis. Historic venues have shuttered their doors and we worry about whether they will ever open again. As a band, we have not been able to rehearse in person since March of 2020. All of us have had some traumatic experiences in the past year that we never thought we would ever have to encounter. But, in true New Yorker fashion, we are persevering as best we can. We are looking towards the future, taking individual responsibility to rehearse and practice independently in the interim. We are hopeful that by the end of this year we will be back on the stages we long for so much.

Who or what influenced you to become a musician?

I don’t know if anyone ever influenced me to be a musician. I have always loved musicals ever since I was a child. One day I just started singing along and I never stopped. There is music in my heart. Have there been people in my life who have given me opportunities to sing? Absolutely, too many to name. Growing up in Rockaway Beach, NY, music is Queen. I was fortunate to have met musicians who had been playing for decades who were willing to take a chance on someone who had never been on a stage other than in choirs and high school musicals. It’s about how open you are to being a novice, an amateur, being the least knowledgeable person in the room and becoming a sponge for all you can take in.

There are more and more women in the music industry now but it’s by no means a level playing field – how hard is it to get the same opportunities as men in bands?

Within all industries there is engrained sexism. I have played shows with other bands that wanted to see my outfits before the performance to make sure I was “attractive enough for the passers-by”. At the end of the day it’s about knowing your worth. Through their years of insight from being in the industry Margaret and KG have emboldened me as a female musician to leave the table when it’s not for me. Will there always be inequality? Absolutely. Will it stop us from world domination? Never.

Who’s on your list of great female musicians?

Barbra Streisand
Nancy Wilson
Florence Welch
Patsy Cline
Erykah Badu
Joni Mitchell

What else do you get up to outside of making music?

SLYBOOKS! This band is full of book babes! We love a good book – any genre. We started #slybooks to share our passion for reading and connect with our community. Our goal is to build it further by feeding the need for creativity and art through literature. Plus, we’ve had some pretty stellar authors join us for the discussions! When not creating music, I work as a consultant for Lord Cultural Resources, a woman-owned consulting firm that works exclusively with arts and cultural assets. And I am the proud dog mom of an adorable Yorkie named Louis.

Any words of advice for girls whose dream is to get into the music business?

First, a piece of advice given to me when I was just starting out: “Find your band.” To add a caveat to that, do not be surprised if your band finds you. Be open to the universe and be honest with yourself about how much you want it and how much you are willing to work for it. Second: Love yourself. You cannot create authentically if you don’t take time to listen and hold space for yourself. Authenticity is what draws all of us to what we love.

And lastly, what’s on the horizon for Slyboots?

Slyboots is recording music in May and we are hopeful and waiting with baited breath for the world to open up again. We can’t wait to get back out there with our community and to share in making and performing some beautiful music again.

You can catch up with Slyboots via the links below and drop into a live performance with them here.

Slyboots: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

10th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Illustrated by Cate la Starza

Posted in Art, IWD 2021

Header image: Pink Moon ‘64

For this morning’s International Women’s Day feature, we’re looking at the artistry of Cate la Starza. With a clear talent for mixing hand-crafted art with technology, Cate’s illustrations are delicate and challenging at the same time, with a subtle dash of humour on top. Her prints cover a variety of subjects and incorporate elements of surrealism against more traditional linework. If you’re looking for an original piece of art for your wall, do check out Cate’s Instagram (link below) to see the range of her work. Supporting independent artists is especially important right now, and supporting female creatives is very much on our agenda this week.


Fairy Trees


Heat Stroke


Peafowl

Bio: Cate is inspired by the endless vibrance and creativity within the Nottingham community, working up a weird collage of both digital and ink-drawn illustrations mostly revolving around her love for people and nature with the occasional bit of nudity.


Untitled Artwork 

 

 

Left: Moon in Boots    Right: Chillin’ Moon

Wxmen

************************************************************

All images are © Cate la Starza – Instagram

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

10th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Tasha Jeffs Photography

Posted in IWD 2021, Photography

For our latest International Women’s Day feature, we’re sharing the work of photographer Tasha Jeffs. With a mix of subjects and styles, Tasha’s images show creativity, versatility and flair. Here, she shares some of her favourite shots…

Tasha Jeffs:

I am a Music, Portrait and Documentary photographer, based in Manchester/ the north west.

I recently finished my Masters degree in Music Photography and before that I completed my BA in Photojournalism. My favourite thing to shoot is live music and this is what I want to do full time eventually.

However, I also do portraits, landscapes and documentary photography. I am currently freelancing and also continuing to build up my portfolio in the hopes that after the pandemic ends and gigs come back properly again, I can shoot for a magazine or agency. For now, I am mainly focusing on landscape photography and will soon be opening a store where I will be selling prints of my photographs.

Words and photos © Tasha Jeffs Photography. You can see more images and information on her website and follow her new projects on Instagram.

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

9th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Sunflower Thieves

Posted in IWD 2021, New Music

Building a reputation for tranquil tunes with haunting harmonies, Sunflower Thieves are without doubt on our wish list to see live when it’s safe to do so. A duo made up of Amy and Lily, the band have just released new single Don’t Mind the Weather, another accomplished feather in their musical cap. Its message is about finding the place you feel safe with the person who will keep you safe, something we can all relate to right now.

The track is available to stream now and will also be released on ​7” vinyl on ​19th March via Come Play With Me, pre-order here and listen/watch below.

As if this wasn’t keeping them busy enough, as part of our of International Women’s Day features, Amy and Lily have put together their top 10 tracks by female artists for us – check them out below; its a great selection and there might just be a new favourite in there for you too. As they say in time honoured tradition, here’s the list in no particular order…

I Know The End – Phoebe Bridgers
The lyrics just make us feel so many things, especially the second half, it’s hard to choose just one song by Phoebe but this is definitely up there.

More Like You – Orla Gartland
A new favourite of ours, we’ve been grooving to this one since it was released, and the video is boss.

Me & My Dog – Boygenius
Another one for the lyrics, we relate to this song so strongly we almost feel like we should have written it (we wish!)

Seventeen – Sharon Van Etten
Sharon is one of my favourite artists I’ve had the pleasure of working a gig for (Lily) and this song is just magic – we listen to this in the car a lot.

Number One Fan – MUNA
This song just makes us want to MOVE and it’s a great reminder to love yourself.

Heroes/Dying – Charli Adams
A song I wish I’d written (Amy) – this song carried me through a really difficult time and also really helped me fall in love with songwriting again after struggling to know what I wanted/needed to say for a while.

Shiver – Lucy Rose
One of the songs that has had the most impact on our songwriting – everything about it is just right and we’ve loved Lucy for a long time since.

Alaska – Maggie Rogers
A song that showed us how beautifully folk and pop could be blended, by a powerhouse gal who gives THE biggest live performance.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow? Carole King
Queen Carole – this will always always be a favourite and the most beautiful love song.

Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish
We’re huge Billie fans, and her vocal is just so beautifully showcased in this song, without losing the hard edge her songs deliver so well.

What’s that – you’d love to listen to these songs all in one handy playlist? Well, happily the helpful elves have put this together just for you and they’ve added Don’t Mind the Weather for good measure… enjoy!

Sunflower Thieves: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Header shot © Alice Ashley

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

9th March 2021

IWD 2021 – Tish Murtha Film Kickstarter

Posted in Film, IWD 2021, Photography

I’ve heard people ask, “What’s the point of street or documentary photography, as surely you’re simply taking a photo of what’s in front of you?” It feels like a clear cut case of the answer being in the question. What’s in front of you is a snapshot of real life, as it is at that exact moment in time, never has been before and never will be again, not exactly. I think often that this style of photography really comes into its own over time, when you can look back at an image and see a similar scene in your memories, when it reminds you of the social, economic and even fashion differences between contrasting groups, and when its accuracy makes you smile.

The most effective social documentary imagery comes when the subjects are comfortable with the photographer and the pictures are natural rather than posed. With a keen eye through the lens and an obvious respect for her community, Tish Murtha leaves a beautiful legacy in her pictures documenting the highs and lows of her north-east working class neighbourhood.

Her daughter, Ella, has taken on the task of ensuring that Tish’s work gets the recognition it absolutely deserves, and is working with producer Jen Corcoran  and director Paul Sng on TISH, a feature length documentary celebrating her work. A Kickstarter campaign for this has just launched with a view to production starting in April; the trailer below will give you an idea of how good this promises to be.

The Kickstarter link is here with details of rewards available including tote bags, premiere tickets and limited edition Tish Murtha photo prints and illustrations. There is more information from the press release below.

KICKSTARTER LAUNCHED FOR DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATING PHOTOGRAPHER TISH MURTHA

‘British photographer Tish Murtha’s images of those on the margins of society challenged and documented the inequality faced by working-class communities, and in equal measures celebrated what it means to be working-class. Unlike many social documentary photographers, Tish was from the same streets as the people she photographed, lending a poignant intimacy to her stark yet tender black and white images. However, despite early acclaim for her work and undeniable talent, she struggled to make a living from photography and lived in poverty until her death at the age of 56.

Tish’s brilliant eye, unswerving ethics and constant empathy are present in her photographs, yet little is known of the artist herself. In this new feature documentary, Ella sets out to uncover why her mother’s work wasn’t fully appreciated in her lifetime, through unseen archive materials, personal notebooks, correspondence, and interviews with the people who knew her. By digging into the past, will Ella come to terms with her own grief at her mother’s passing?

Ella, who also runs the Tish Murtha Archive, says, “We are living through incredibly divided times, where working-class people have been manipulated, just like the class warfare that my mam warned about in the essay for her exhibition Youth Unemployment. There has never been a more relevant time to go back, meet the people from these photos and really try to understand how their generation were exploited and devalued. I want to make an honest, celebratory film about my mam and her life, and hope it will be moving, tender and also uplifting. I’d like people to know who Tish Murtha was and for her character to jump out of the screen the way her photos do. She was an incredible woman: determined, kind and fierce, but also incredibly sensitive. She had to learn to be tough from a very young age and fight for everything; she was extremely principled, always stood up to bullies and was frequently labelled ‘difficult’. But Tish was a beautiful, simple soul and I wouldn’t want to come from any other womb.”

TISH will be produced by Jen Corcoran through her Teesside-based company Freya Films and Paul Sng’s Velvet Joy Productions.’

************************************************************

Please, if you are able, consider contributing to this project or sharing the link. Tish Murtha was an extraordinarily talented photographer and we’re very happy to be able to include her in our International Women’s Day features. What’s the point of street photography? Take a look at the Tish Murtha website here for your answer, and follow the film’s progress on Twitter and Instagram.

Words by Siobhan (excluding press release excerpt)

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

8th March 2021

International Women’s Day 2021 – A Celebration

Posted in IWD 2021, Photography
Model in red jacket looking over sunglasses

Today marks what is technically the 110th International Women’s Day, after first being recognised in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911. Since the United Nations started marking the event in 1975 it has become more established and, in more recent times, has cemented its place as a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

All this week for IWD 2021, we’ll be celebrating the talent of women creatives from the worlds of art, music, photography and the charity sector. At the risk of some self-directed trumpet blowing, this is a great series and we hope you’ll join us each morning and afternoon to see the latest feature.

As it says on the International Women’s Day website, ‘We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world’.

The images shown here are taken by Milan based photographer Oriana Spadaro, whose work we have had the privilege to feature previously. Check out her website and Instagram below for a wonderful mix of music, portrait, fashion, street and reportage photography.

Photographer: Oriana Spadaro – Website | Instagram
Model: Loretta – Instagram

The rest of our IWD 2021 series can be viewed here

8th March 2021