Women's History Month: Misogyny in Live Sound and Audio
Alexis Raneses is a 21-year-old who recently graduated from the audio program at Camden County College. She is an audio and live sound freelance worker based in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Alexis Raneses through the music program at school. For Women's History Month, I wanted to look at misogyny through the lens of different women working in the industry. Often, we are overlooked, ignored, or spoken down to. Alexis offers a unique perspective as someone who works behind the scenes, so getting her insight was especially important to me. So let's get into it!
This interview took place on March 13th, 2024.
Did you have a strong musical upbringing? Or was music something you found on your own?
I guess I didn’t really have a strong upbringing with music. Well, growing up, music was around me. [My family] is Filipino, so we sing a lot – we love karaoke. Every family party I have ever been to, we all do karaoke. But music-wise…everyone has that passion for it, but nobody pursues it. Most of my cousins were forced to play piano growing up, but they all gave it up eventually. I’m one of the youngest, so when it got to me, [my family] gave up on trying.
So, it was like a mix of both?
Yeah, when I was in middle school, I did not have much to do. I didn’t have many friends, so I would sit inside and just look through YouTube. Through that, I found a lot of people doing covers – a lot of them were leaning toward that emo scene.
Who were your favorites from that emo cover era?
I believe the first band I found was Against the Current. What I liked a lot about them was how their band was female-fronted. They were from Poughkeepsie, New York, so not too far. They did a lot of covers of pop-punk, you know like Warped Tour, songs.
It’s funny cause I feel like a lot of famous pop-punk bands are always from California.
Right! But yeah, from that point on I became more invested in music. I always wanted to be in a band growing up. It's funny though because I don’t really play any instruments.
Well, you play a little guitar now, right?
Yes. A little bit of bass and drums too. It’s funny I actually started on drums.
Ok nice! When was that?
So, I started being interested in the drums around seven years old. It’s a little embarrassing…but do you know the Naked Brothers Band?
Oh my god, not embarrassing at all. I have an Instagram account I don’t use much anymore, and the username is @mrsalexwolfff. I am a super fan of him.
Oh, haha! He is the reason I wanted to start playing drums. Once I expressed interest, my dad got me a little starter kit. I have this vivid memory of the Kid’s Choice Awards being on one year and [the Naked Brothers Band] playing “I Don’t Want To Go To School.” My dad made me sit in the dining room for I don’t know how many hours with the kit and just keep playing along with them.
Okay, but he was supporting the dream!
Yes! I think my dad was in a band growing up, but he kind of gave that all up. He was a doctor in the Philippines and is now a medical coder here. We’re really that like “medical” Filipino family, but I did not want to go down that path.
What pushed you to make that switch to audio and sound?
Something in me just told me to do it. Throughout high school, I was in all AP/honors classes and hated it.
Did you think you were going to study something STEM-based in high school as a result of that?
Honestly, I knew it would never work for me. I just tried convincing myself I would because that’s what my parents wanted. But when it was time to look for colleges, I wanted to go to Full Sail University for their recording program. I didn’t know what I was doing though. I just knew I wanted to work in live music and production somehow. I loved concerts growing up – they’re one of the only places where I feel like myself. My sister was kind of the only person supportive of taking this path though. She sort of broke that tradition of being in the medical field. After seeing her do that I decided, “I can do that too!” But Full Sail ended up being way too expensive anyway.
Yeah, it sucks that schooling in America is way too expensive; especially when it isn’t guaranteed to secure you a job anymore.
Yeah, it is rough out here.
A lot of music schools throw these new specific programs out too. Then after you blow all your money, they’re like, “Oh we actually can’t help you get a job.” So, I think it is for the better we chose the community college route.
Yeah, I agree. The teachers and connections made through Camden County’s music program are so helpful. I have met/worked with so many people who are currently working in the music industry because of school.
What is your favorite aspect of working in live sound?
I honestly think it’s just connecting with new people. Whether that is with people in the bands or people in the audience, it is very fun.
I made this series of interviews to highlight the rampant misogyny within the music industry. I am not on the audio end of music, so correct me if I am wrong, but it seems much more male-dominated than every other aspect.
Yes. I think most of my audio classes were with guys. I remember one of my first semesters there was another girl in my class. I was happy, but she ended up leaving the program.
In school and outside of school, have you had any bad experiences at gigs where you could tell you were treated differently because you weren’t a man?
Yes.
Is it that feeling of being ignored or talked down to in comparison to the men you are working with?
Yes, and it honestly feels like that the majority of the time. It always starts with the person being uncomfortable around me. They have such an uncomfortable energy when speaking to me specifically. They never know what they “should” be asking me to do. But in return, they never struggle to give tasks or answers on “what to do” when a guy is asking.
Yes, I know what you mean. It feels dismissive. It's like when you are a little kid trying to hang out with an older sibling and their friends and they fake include you.
Yes! When asking what I can help with, they hesitate so hard. I end up getting put off to the side.
Do you have any specific situations you want to talk about?
Honestly, there is plenty. I am just trying to think of which one I should share.
Whatever you feel comfortable sharing!
There was a screamo music festival in Philly I volunteered for. I’m not going to share the name haha. I was volunteering as one of the lead sound engineers, so when I got there I was getting everything set up and prepared. This specific venue had actual technicians working to oversee everything. I introduced myself as the sound engineer, and there was another guy with me who was there to kind of just help. I don’t think he knew what he was doing. Immediately after, every question and comment got directed towards that guy. Whenever a problem would happen, he would only consult with the other guy. I was literally at the board doing sound too. Issues were happening with speakers, and I was ignored and never really spoken to at all. Every question went to the guy with me, and he didn't know how to help or answer.
Maybe if he had spoken to you first and taken two seconds to make eye contact, you could have helped fix the issues ten times quicker. I also think a part of that is that it is hard to speak up/out without being ridiculed.
Yes. I am very introverted too, which does not help.
Even if you aren’t introverted, it is hard to go up and just be like “Hey dude, I am the person who knows how to do this. Why aren’t you speaking to me?” They make you feel like you are crazy.
Yes, yes. I am doing this for YOU, so why can’t you just give me the respect of speaking to me?
You mentioned liking live music and going to shows a lot…what is your favorite band/artist you’ve seen live?
Well, in the last few years, one of my favorites to see live is a band called Dino Gala. They are from Boston, MA, and were a big part of the underground DIY scene. They are an indie-rock and post-punkish band.
Okay, nice! Are there any others?
I would say The Aces. I am really close to my sister. She found their music and then showed me. It's something we both share. I like them because they are very openly queer, and two members are POC. When we found their music, my whole life changed.
That’s when you knew, "I want to be in the music scene."
Yeah, because I was like, “If they can do it…I can too.”
Well yeah! It is important to see people like yourself represented in what you want to do. That is part of the reason I wanted to speak with you too. You offer the perspective of someone who is a woman and someone who is not white. Misogyny against white women gets spoken of the most. It is important to highlight the struggles WOC face.
Yes, and I can never tell if it is a race thing or a gender thing in these scenarios. There is no way to truly tell. I have so many things working against me – woman, POC, and I’m short!
Rapid-Fire Closing Questions
Who is your favorite artist at the moment?
I am really into K-pop. I love TWICE. My sister, cousins, and I always go to K-pop concerts together.
What is your favorite album right now? What have you had on repeat lately?
LOVE IN STEREO by MAX. I have been listening to that a lot lately.
And finally, what is your favorite song right now?
This might be all over the place with what I have been answering. I’d probably say it is “Pluto” by Xdinary Heroes.
Do you have any new gigs or projects you are working on?
Honestly…no.
So basically guys, hire Alexis!
Yes! Please hire me. I am honestly trying so hard to find work.
Well, thank you for meeting with me! I am glad I had the chance to talk with you because you have a unique perspective on this issue. Often, we see misogyny within music talked about with vocalists or musicians. Not that those stories aren’t equally as important, but the women working as technicians, sound engineers, and behind the scenes in general just get overlooked.