Scream! Spit! Sing! is the title of Shiragirl’s 2010 album, and it’s the kind of spirit that embodies the impact that Shira Yevin, singer, and founder of Warped Tour’s Shiragirl stage, has created during her career.
In January 2020, just before the pandemic altered our lives forever, Yevin launched Gritty in Pink, a new kind of venture dedicated to highlighting women and non-binary people in the music industry. Gritty in Pink also focuses on promoting gender equity in the industry, and its founder is no stranger to the fight for equality. As the Shiragirl stage founder, Shira Yevin is responsible for the iconic pink RV that crashed Warped Tour and carved out a much-needed space for female musicians and bands. The Shiragirl stage went on to host legends like Joan Jett, catapult artists like Paramore at the beginning of their careers, and alter Warped Tour forever. Yevin’s mission is a bright spot in an industry that has a stark reputation for imbalance.
Historically, the music industry has been male dominated. And while it’s easy to be lulled into a sense of false security with seemingly empty promises from music execs and declarations of support from the biggest names and companies in the industry, the reality is, representation of women in the music industry is still frustratingly low. In a New York Times article published in March, it was reported that in 2020, women represented 20.2 percent of the songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, down from 2019’s 22.5 percent. And of the thousands of people behind those songs, there were 3.6 men to every woman. So, despite the pledges from industry higher-ups to fight the longstanding underlying issues in music, this disparity is still overwhelmingly, glaringly clear.
And yet, women in the industry are continuing to prove they have more tenacity than ever. There have been many initiatives launched in favor of fighting for women in the music industry to create actual, meaningful change and force the industry to take accountability. As we move toward a brighter, more transparent future (re: the elimination of the Grammys’ secret committees), Gritty in Pink is one of those initiatives taking real action.
Pre-pandemic, beginning with LA’s legendary venue, The Satellite, Gritty in Pink burst onto the scene with live shows crafted specifically for showering all women in the industry in well-deserved starlight. Not long after, as doors were forced to close during the worldwide pandemic and quarantine, Gritty in Pink soldiered on, barely missing a beat in switching over to an online format. They have since hosted over 100 musicians and performers who are women or non-binary and partnered with several Equal Rights organizations and charity fundraisers. Every Tuesday, Gritty in Pink hosts the Instagram Live show “Gritty Rocks Live.” This Tuesday, on June 15, all proceeds from the Livestream supported the LA LGBT Center in honor of Pride month. The Pride edition of Gritty Rocks Live featured artists who epitomize the explosive, the offbeat, and the valiant including Whitney Peyton, Jess Bowen, Destroy Boys, Lisa Heller, Maya Karli, Kaleena Zanders, and Plasma Canvas.
Hosted by Shiragirl along with musicians Constance Antoinette, Katie Cole, and Lex Wolfe, the stream showcased the artists in raw, open conversations and intimate performances. Framed like a FaceTime call with friends with rainbow backdrops and outfits for Pride, fans were able to comment live and actively participate during the stream. A sense of palpable community was woven like string friendship bracelets stacked on your arm. Although virtual, there was still the electricity of singing along to a song with thousands of people pressed against you. It’s the kind of community that the world has been missing since the pandemic shuttered all live music. Being able to create it through virtual platforms is something special, and even just a taste of that energy is infectious, as evidenced by the sheer joy in everyone’s faces and comments during the stream. The energy was electrifyingly radiant, a true testament to the mission of Gritty in Pink, and to the power of Pride. The Livestream showed how people are still coming together, despite the obstacles the world has thrown at us, and fighting for change with love and light and a little bit of punk. The full show can now be seen here.
The Pride stream followed their two-part Mental Health live series and continued their mission of highlighting important and underrepresented voices in the music industry. Yevin said, “We are unbelievably proud to partner with such a pivotal organization as the LA LGBT Center. With so many Gritty artists identifying as queer and based in the Los Angeles area, there could not be a more relevant and supportive charity partner for our Pride show!”
Following this month’s streams, Gritty in Pink will be diving back into in-person shows with a pop-up show at Pitfire Pizza NoHo on July 8.
Keke was able to learn more about the Gritty in Pink mission and Shira Yevin’s history as a champion for women in music from the icon herself.
KEKE: How did the idea for Gritty in Pink form over the course of your career? What are some of the most important moments or experiences that led to its creation?
SHIRA YEVIN: I discovered the Brooklyn riotgrrrl scene in the early 2000s and being exposed to Bikini Kill, feminism, and zine culture changed my life, and the talent of my friends. When I went on Warped Tour and noticed no women musicians on stage, my band and I crashed the tour and created an official Shiragirl Stage for female musicians. When Warped Tour ended, we wanted to continue our mission of providing a platform to empower women in music.
K: As a champion for women in music, what gives you the motivation to keep pushing forward and creating change in a male-dominated industry?
SY: Honestly, it’s just always been a crusade. When you look at the stats and realize not much has changed in 30 years or so, we have made some progress but not enough, with men still owning the majority of the business. Moreover, women suffer sexual harassment, ageism, homophobia, and objectification. Our mission is to achieve gender equity and diversity in the industry.
K: What did you learn from starting the Shiragirl stage at Warped Tour?
SY: I learned that the people at the top will support this mission.
K: What’s the best part of your job?
SY: I don’t even think of it as a job. It’s my life’s work. It’s what keeps me up at night and gets me out of bed in the morning! And I love our team. I work with so many amazing women that inspire me.
K: How has the music industry changed over the course of your career in terms of inclusion and equality?
SY: There have been more women breaking through and getting the credit they deserve. But we are still nowhere near equity and equality, so as I say in some ways, it hasn’t changed much.
K: What advice would you give to young women and non-binary people in the music/entertainment industry?
SY: Carve your own path. Personally, I prefer to take my destiny in my own hands. Don’t wait around to get permission from someone else to do your thing. Just do it!
K: What does the future look like for Gritty in Pink as the world slowly returns to normal and live music is revived? What are the next big goals for Gritty in Pink in the next few years?
SY: We cannot wait to return to live in person events! Our first event back is July 8 in LA at Pitfire Pizza NoHo. At the same time, we will continue livestreaming to broadcast to a larger audience. In the future we plan to launch an online platform that’s a network and marketplace for women working in all aspects of the music industry. We would also love to have stages at major music festivals.
K: How do you think listeners and fans can contribute to continuing to improve gender equity and inclusion in the music industry?
SY: Support women, hire women, honor diversity.
K: Lastly, who are some of your favorite feminist icons?
SY: Kathleen Hanna, Joan Jett, Madonna, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barbara Kruger, Kamala Harris, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Susan B Anthony.
Follow @grittyinpinklife and @shira_girl on Instagram or visit the website grittyinpink.co for more info.
Learn more about the LA LGBT Center at lalgbtcenter.org.
