This is Distorted: Facing the Gender Bias
- Oct 5, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 25, 2022
At Distorted we’re deeply passionate about our work in the music and audio industry and feel that our programmes and projects can be a real force for good in the world. However, truly representative output will only be achieved if the teams behind them are authentic and representative.
Women have been historically underrepresented in the music industry but statistics like “ONLY 5% OF MUSIC IN UK DANCE CHARTS IS FROM WOMEN OR NON-BINARY ARTISTS” showcase the inequality that still pervades the industry. This is just one of many shocking statistics to come from the recent report commissioned by the Jaguar foundation.
The Jaguar Foundation report takes a “deep dive into the gendered representation of artists within the UK electronic music scene” and as part of that scene, we want to use our position and influence to initiate positive and inclusive change. We have examined the impact our business can have, looking at immediate change & effects of longer-term goals.
While dance music was spearheaded by marginalised, underrepresented groups, the scene has done a full 180 and is now predominantly white and male.
There are many layers, levels and politics that impact representation, from socio-economic and training to education, recruitment and more.
We have looked at the various ways in which Distorted can make a difference and make sure our impact on the dance music scene is positive and inclusive - as one of the biggest providers of music programmes in the world, we have a responsibility to do this.
We have made a commitment to:
Work with more female clients, upping this to 20% by the end of 2023.
Increase the proportion of female-produced tracks in our shows where programmes are produced in-house & push for the same for shows made outside our team.
Appeal to labels & record companies for more female-produced tracks.
Recruit consciously, with a focus on bringing underrepresented groups into the audio and music industry.
Work with charities & organisations who are dedicated to addressing the gender imbalance.
As our company continues to grow, we will ensure that these commitments are rooted in everything we do and are reflected in our actions.
“It has been shocking to see just how little progress has been made in the dance music industry towards equality. At This is Distorted we have a deep connection to the scene and are serious about using our impact and influence towards closing the gender gap ensuring the dance music scene is the inclusive and safe space it began as.”
This post really hits on something that often goes unnoticed in everyday life. Gender bias can be subtle, but its impact is very real and long lasting. I have seen similar patterns even in outdoor communities, where topics like Hikes Near Glacier are sometimes framed in ways that unintentionally exclude or stereotype certain groups. Conversations like this are important because they push people to reflect and do better. Change starts with awareness, and awareness starts with honest discussions like this one.
It’s refreshing to see a platform openly acknowledge the gaps and actively work toward more balanced representation. Conversations like this matter because they push awareness into action. It also shows how thoughtful storytelling, sometimes supported by manuscript help in New York, can amplify important voices and drive meaningful change across creative spaces.
The Jaguar Foundation report highlights how women and non-binary artists continue to be significantly underrepresented, revealing Pokepath TD that progress toward equality has been slow and uneven. This imbalance is not caused by a single factor but by a complex system involving access to education, training, socio-economic barriers, and industry recruitment practices. As influential organizations within the scene, platforms like Distorted carry a clear responsibility—and opportunity—to challenge these structures.
This topic really made me reflect on how deeply gender bias affects daily life and opportunities. Reading This is Distorted felt eye-opening, especially when discussing equality in education. Support like nursing essay writers UK can also help students express these complex issues clearly and confidently.