www.elle.com: This year, Emily Lazar became the first woman to be nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. That means that Lazar's work as mastering engineer on The Bird and the Bee's album Recreational Love marks the first time in 58 years we've had a female nominee in the category. It's not the first time that Lazar, who owns and runs New York-based mastering studio The Lodge, has made history for women during the Grammys, however: She's previously been the first female mastering engineer nominated in two other categories, which is both impressive and concerning. (There's such a dearth in the industry, in fact, that Grimes recently namechecked Lazar as the only mastering engineer on record.) Lazar, who has worked on over 2,000 albums, with everyone from David Bowie and Sonic Youth to the Foo Fighters and Madonna, spoke to us about her experience, and what it means to make Grammy history.
3 comments:
The grammy's this year were a complete mess in terms of diversity and inclusion, so it's nice to hear that there is one shining gem in the rough. I cannot believe that she is the only female mastering engineer thats been nominated for so many of these awards, but I also can totally believe it. The Grammy's are the most white male favoring of almost any other award show. It can be likened to a Hollywood movie that has been whitewashed, and also entirely replaced with men. People of color are just barely considered when it comes to award shows in general, and then throw in a bit of sexism and you've got the perfect white male cocktail, sure to bring about high ratings and a trending twitter topic. I'm continually lost about how award shows can be so behind in comparison to general public awareness, because I feel as though consumer thoughts and feelings have been undergoing drastic changes in terms of diversity and inclusion awareness.
Going with Brennan's comment, I feel that this amazing woman's inclusion in the Grammy's this year was one of the very few things that went right. However, the magnitude of this woman's accomplishments deserve more than just an Elle article, or even this comment. When asked how many other female mastering engineers exist in the world, (let's be very clear that she's talking about an international pool of record industries) Emily Lazarus can answer that she knows of only two others, both of which she has personally trained. To be so alone in such a competitive, high stakes field is certainly something to admire, but adding incredible talent and success like Lazarus' into the mix creates something truly incredible. Of course, all of this side-skirts the elephant in the room, the Grammy's this year criticized for their lack of diversity. This adds even more depth to the fact that Lazarus was even nominated this year. Add that to her previous Grammy nomnations (and wins), and Houston, we've got a BAMF. In summary; you go, Emily! Kick ass, take names, and take down the patriarchy one seminal, well-mastered album at a time.
This year was the first time in 58 years that a woman was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non Classical? And that same woman was the first female engineer to be nominated in two other categories? That blows my mind. I always think I have a full and complete understanding of how sexism has permeated and continues to permeate our society, until I read something else like this that totally proves me wrong. It’s also so crazy that she knows only 3 or 4 other female sound engineers in the music industry, and that 2 of those women are ones who she trained herself. A few of us were talking earlier today in studio about how young girls need to become women much earlier in life than boys need to “become men” since they are so often told that they can’t do something, either blatantly or subliminally. This reminded me a lot of what Emily Lazar was quoted to have said; “In all aspects of the industry, it’s a difficult road for women. It’s not that appealing when something sexist happens to you”. Although it’s definitely sad to know that the technical and artistic fields are so lacking in female representation, it’s inspiring to read about someone who fought her way to the top of her field (while being a mother, nonetheless!).
Post a Comment