Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
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her time out Zealand holding court next to some of the biggest boys in the business, I knew that if I was truly good enough, my gender shouldn't matter. Over the next 10 years I released four albums, countless singles and toured the world extensively, playing shows and festivals in countries as far flung as Azerbaijan, Mexico, Japan and Costa Rica. I won the 'Best Female MC' award three times running, but the truth of the matter is I had no real competition. I am baffled as to why there are not more women inspired to work in the Electronic Dance industry, especially when I see young girls at raves, loving the music and chatting in depth about producers and tunes they are inspired by with as much enthusiasm as some women talk about clothes and shoes. Where are the female MC's, DJ's, sound engineers, and producers? I know there must be some out there, but why not more? I have recently relocated back to New Zealand and I am on a mission to engage and inspire, and I want to put these questions to young women and find out. Perhaps it is a lack of role models, or opportunities as advantageous as the one I was given, but I also know that inspiration and imagination can be found and stirred up anywhere. When you are on your way to achieving your goals it can be all too easy to be dissuaded into 'giving up and going home'. It is much more challenging to carry on, unsure, insecure, often feeling it's like following a pipe dream. It is only when you reach that dream and realise you are living it every day to the point where it is normality, that you are finally able to see the challenge was worth it, and that given the chance, you would probably do it all again. I know I would. Natalia Sheppard FIVE TOP TIPS TO MAKING IT IN THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC INDUSTRY. • The saying 'knowledge is power' is true! Make sure you garner as much knowledge as you can about your particular field. As a woman you will be expected to be better than average, and having that knowledge, and understanding the 'etiquette' of your scene will serve you well. (In saying that, good old fashioned passion and enthusiasm also goes a long way too!) • Always be humble and considerate of all you meet, regardless of how big or small their name is. You can never be sure who it is you're meeting, but guarantee they will remember you if you are presented well, polite and obliging. • Do not be put off by criticism and hearsay, especially that of a sexist nature. I quickly learned that those who want to put you down in this way are often threatened by your talent, and usually their criticism is mere insecurity. • Find out what is your unique and special attribute that will make you stand out from the rest, whether it's having expertise in one particular field, or being versatile enough to cover many • areas within the scene. • Be open to new experiences and cultures. Travelling within the music industry you will be lucky enough to meet and integrate with some fascinating people. Your life can only be enriched by this. • At times while travelling and on tour you may be put in testing conditions outside your comfort zone. How you react is imperative. Stay calm, be positive and try to make the best of situations. Sometimes the best adventures (and stories!) can be found this way. 98 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE