Issue 11: Daisy Carberry of The Name Game
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, we do this by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with or for independent artists. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
It doesn’t take working in the music industry to know about its longstanding diversity problem.
Onstage and off, in nearly every possible facet, our industry is disproportionately dominated by men (and, as we all know, this primarily consists of white cisgender men). This has become an increasingly frustrating reality to reckon with as the world has gradually developed its awareness regarding the importance of diversity and inclusion. While this awareness has beautifully embedded itself within several pockets of society, the music industry has remained largely stagnant in this context. It’s disheartening and far past the point of being remotely justifiable. While the prevalence of the music industry’s status as a perpetual boys’ club is certainly easy to feel jaded about, one woman is playing a role in changing and challenging that.
Meet Daisy Carberry.
Daisy is the founder of The Name Game, a nonprofit organisation that helps female, non-binary, and trans people navigate the music industry. While newly-launched, The Name Game will undeniably go on to play a pivotal role in levelling the playing field for gender minorities. In just over a month since its launch, for example, The Name Game has already shared countless industry job vacancies and career development advice. The former is particularly significant because it serves to underscore that office culture in the music industry is starved for diversity as well — something that tends to be little-known unless you are or have been a part of it.
The creation of The Name Game is simultaneously a breath of fresh air and a comfort. Anyone would get a hall pass for feeling cynical about the music industry’s homogenous nature, but the work Daisy is doing makes envisioning a better and brighter future feel more tangible. With changemakers like her working to push the needle in the right direction, the iron-clad walls of the boys’ club could finally break down once and for all.
What moved you to create The Name Game?
Having spent my life dreaming of working in music in some capacity, I genuinely feel so lucky to have made a career for myself in the industry. However, along the way I've come to be very aware of the industry's flaws - its inequality, sexism and elitist 'its all about who you know' policies that so often give white men a leg-up into the top positions.
The Name Game was born as a means of levelling the playing field, offering female, non-binary and trans individuals the support, advice and connections they need. It comes from a place of wanting resources and opportunities to be accessible to all, no matter their background, gender or sexuality! I also hope people can view it as a safe-space and community they can turn to in what can be a lonely and isolating industry.
It's no secret that our industry is notorious for being male-dominated, both in the context of the past and present. Why do you think it has taken so long for proper gender representation, both onstage and off, to begin to take hold?
Extensive change comes from the top down - as, still to this day, many spaces in the highest level of the industry are taken by men, it's difficult to push through any initiatives that could threaten that. Thankfully it feels as though this is shifting and major companies are being held accountable for a lack of diversity - artists are calling out their labels, festivals are being questioned for their male-heavy line ups and pay-gaps are being published for all to see! If a new generation of gender diverse individuals can be encouraged and supported on their journey into music, hopefully we'll see extensive change in the coming years!
In your opinion, what are key ways in which our industry can strengthen the levels of support and care shown towards its gender minority workers?
Firstly by introducing a wider range of programs, internships and courses targeted at gender minorities and those who may usually feel the industry out of reach, we can create more gender diverse spaces in which people feel supported and represented. Also by celebrating the incredible work of those already in the industry - its not enough to just have the Women In Music awards once a year when amazing things are being achieved daily!
Lastly and more obviously, the industry desperately needs government financial support in order to invest in these schemes and create real change - the arts are being shunned by our government, making music an even more uncertain industry to work in for those starting out. We need support NOW.
4. Do you have any favourite networking tips?
My main piece of networking advice would be that its a marathon and not a race. Reaching out and socialising with strangers can be daunting and doesn't come naturally to everyone - take baby steps and don't put too much pressure on yourself to be the life and soul of the music industry! If attending a networking event feels too frightening, start smaller and reach out to an individual you feel could advise you - go for a coffee, jump on a Zoom, or even just drop them an email!
What's in store for The Name Game in 2023?
I'm hoping 2023 will be filled with new friends, news connections and new jobs for our community! We have panels, events and mentorship opportunities lined up with pros across the industry in all fields, there'll be something for everyone. We start next week with our first panel - Take Your Shot, an IG live Q&A with Phoebe Fox and Aysia Marotta, two incredible female photographers. Join us!
Lastly, which "commandment" would you like to leave behind in The Band Bible?
Thou shalt not be a dick. The industry is so very small and you will cross paths with people repeatedly - make sure the name you make for yourself is a positive one.
A huge thank you to Daisy for taking the time to do the interview. To keep up with The Name Game, click here to follow on Instagram.