Eva Davies is a songwriter, works for a label that creates development opportunities for young artists and offer mentoring, and head up GRRLS DO THAT TOO. We spoke to Eva about her musical journey to date.
Tell us about your background, your upbringing, and your introduction into the world of music.
My journey into the music industry started when I began playing guitar when I was 5. I was busking in city centres and started playing gigs with friends, which enabled me to explore my songwriting. This was also when I started tagging along with my mum to go to conferences (not all music related, I went with her to a Green Party conference when I was about 12!). I never really expected to get much out of them but listening to people all across the industry from such a young age helped me build an understanding of the industry.
How did you get into label management? What are some of the highlights?
I was offered an internship at Come Play With Me in 2020 after helping them to deliver a Women and People of Marginalised Genders in Music Conference. It was at the height of lockdown, and it was my first ‘proper’ music job. I was able to work on release planning, artist development, and I learnt how to pitch tracks to streaming platforms.
What were some of the barriers you experienced, or still do experience, as a ‘female in the music industry’?
I’ve been lucky enough to work within organisations who have been supportive and wanted to create opportunities for underrepresented people in the music industry. But, as I started playing in bands, I’d often be the only non-cis guy and we’d be offered gigs because I played bass. It was frustrating.
There was also one time that is really prominent in my head… I went to a Uni open day and had a tour around the campus. There was me and my mum, and then a guy with his two parents. The lecturer leading the tour completely disregarded that we were there and ignored us when we had any questions so we just left.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen over recent years in regards to the attitude towards being a woman in music?
Over the past couple of years it feels like there’s been a lot of focus around allyship and educating people with privilege about how they can use that to uplift and support others. That’s sparked having conversations with male friends about it, because most of the time I’ve found they do just want to be doing better and learn.
You’re the founder of GRRLS DO THAT TOO. How did this come about, and what does your average day-to-day look like?
I studied Music Technology and being 1 of 3 girls in my class it inspired me to start up GRRLS DO THAT TOO. I wanted to create a space for underrepresented people in the local scene to feel comfortable performing and being in the audience.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self about being a woman in music… what to expect, the difficulties, the excitements?
It’s sad to look back on, but I was pretty aware of what the difficulties were as a woman in music from a fairly young age. There have been so many exciting opportunities over the past couple of years that wouldn’t have happened without 16-year-old me putting on that first gig, so I guess it’s the cliche thing of doing what’s going to make you happy is the most exciting thing.
What can we look forward to hearing from you in the next few months / year from your creativity?
We have a load of releases coming up for Come Play With Me over the next 6 months, the Long Division monthly gigs and the festival itself in June. I’d love to see the return of GDTT this year at some point, and my band are going to be releasing our next singles.
