FEATURE:
For Those at the Back
IMAGE CREDIT: The Trouble Club
Why The Trouble Club Has Had a Hugely Positive Influence on Me
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ONE am aspect of my writing…
IMAGE CREDIT: The Trouble Club
is its feminism. I am not strictly a ‘feminist journalist’ (as I fear it could be perceived as me wanting to feel special or like it is a bigger deal if a man is a feminist journalist) - even if I do think that it is vitally important for more men in the music world and men to vocally and creatively join in discussions and change. One aspect of my website is that I do concentrate on female artists and often discuss themes around gender equality, women’s rights, and darker an urgent issues like the continued cases of sexual assault, harassment in the industry. From discrimination to imbalance at festivals, I am always eager to help add to the conversation around issues concerning women. On social media, I see so many posts from women in the industry. In 2023, we are still in a position where there is a massive divide between men and women in terms of opportunities and acclaim. Women are – and have been for years! – producing the best music around. They are not being rewarded with festival slots and headline opportunities. I often hear some distressing stories about women being sexually harassed, bullied or in receipt of such toxic abuse. Most of this, unsurprisingly, is from men. I do as much research as I can when it comes to features. It is important to have facts and words from others whilst also adding my own impressions and thoughts. I am not a musician myself, though I can write lyrics and music (to a basic degree). I often think, whilst we are seeing many women in the industry raise concerns and highlight how there is inequality and issues, not many men are joining them. They have literal platforms and stages where they can raise their voices and show their anger at the continued ways in which the industry overlooks and hinders them. I thought of a song, For Those in the Back Rows, which is about gender inequality and women being under-represented at festivals and on radio playlist. You do not see many men writing songs about women’s rights and calling for equality!
Anyway…this is a bit of an introduction and preamble to the main point of this feature: discussing why The Trouble Club has been so important to me since I joined. You can connect with them via Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and their YouTube channel. In terms of context, here is what The Trouble Club is about:
“You were looking for Trouble, and now you've found us.
Welcome to a rather special members' club: we are here to enliven your mind, to expand your circle of friends, and to build a society of smart and engaged people who share the same interests.
We have a rich programme of talks, debates, dinners, private evenings out at cultural openings and foreign jaunts. We work with some of the finest venues in London - currently The Groucho Club in Soho and Mortimer House in Fitzrovia. For what's on, see our schedule.
A bit of history: Trouble first started in 2014 running pop-ups club and evenings in and around Soho. We've had evenings on everything from politics and economics to art, film, gaming and sex, and also drunk a fair amount of gin. There have now been several thousand people through our various doors, many of whom have become friends, done business together and keep nagging us to do more events.
There's a few things you should know about Trouble. It is led by women, founded by Joy Lo Dico, moonlighting from her day job as a freelancer for the Financial Times and broadcaster at Monocle as well as speaking and presenting. Its mission is to get great women speakers on stage and to build the bonds across the group.
You are probably by now asking how to join? We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, rather than exclusive, club. Whatever walk of life you come from, you are welcome to apply. Men are also absolutely welcome - indeed we'd love to have you share in this goal. Just be aware you might be outnumbered”.
Groucho Marx said he would not want to be a member of any club who would have him as a member – making his first name quite appropriate and his surname quite ironic, as he has a club named after him. I think clubs or societies are incredible things. It is not about elitism and excluding others. In fact, it is about inclusion, discussion, community and togetherness. I joined, aside from being messaged a while ago suggesting I might be a good fit, because I still think the music industry is a bit of a boys’ club – certainly in terms of the power dynamics and the fact most influence lies in the hands of men. I am going to end with a thought and angle: whether there are many male music journalists who are proactive feminists – in terms of them being feminist, though also writing issues around women and activating their thoughts. I am going to go on a slight diversion before getting to the crux and core of this piece. There are important podcasts out there like The Story of Woman, for anyone who wants to engage more with discussion and themes about the world seen through the female gaze. It is clear that, in all areas of society, women are still hugely underappreciated, discriminated against and ignored! I have been moved and inspired by Hollywood’s #MeToo movement. There are activists and women leading campaigns and organisations that look to make the industry safer, fairer and more inclusive when it comes to women. Those demanding change and progression.
@thetroubleclub Poorna Bell on cutting friendships that no longer serve! #troubleclub #shorts #membersclub #womenempowerment #friendships ♬ original sound - The Trouble Club
Again, there are not many men adding their voices to the debate – but more on that later. The incredible Eleanor Newton is the Director of The Trouble Club. She also hosts most of the discussions/events that take place. She is a brilliant interviewer, too. Able to get so much fascinating insights and revelations. A nod too to Francesca Edmondson, who is the Marketing & Events Coordinator. Her role and work is crucial when it comes to staging The Trouble Club’s events. Basically, around various London venues, amazing women from various fields and walks of life talk about different things. They may be talking about their book; a politician or activist discussing deep and important issues. It is an inspiring club to be a member of. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in what The Trouble Club are about to apply for membership. They host great events for very reasonable (ticket) prices. They are at wonderful locations. There is always this amazing atmosphere. You come away more informed, enlightened and moved. I have not been a member long, though I did attend, on 16th May, She’s in CTRL with Computer Scientist Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon. it is a book about women wresting back control of tech. How to do that; the challenges that might be in place. The problem of women being under-represented in tech. Decisions being made by a small group of people, mainly men. On 25th, I was at Mortimer House in attendance when award-winning author Holly Smale on Neurodiversity and The Cassandra Complex. As someone who has neurodivergence and struggles a lot in various settings and situations, it was not only illuminating and comforting hearing Smale discuss living with neurodivergence and her wonderful book, The Cassandra Complex. Many members of the audience also were neurodivergence – with someone in the Q&A at the end positing the fact that most people are neurodivergent.
Many see neurodivergence as abnormal. It is misunderstood and not embraced or discussed enough. Holly Smale’s experiences and tribulations resonated with me – especially when it came to the subject of dating (being a single man who finds it hard to find someone like-minded) and interacting with others. I also attended Sophie Haydock on The Flames. She talked about Egon Schiele, a world-renowned painter, whose work was praised and noted for its intensity and raw sexuality. His story is told and explored, but the women in his art whose bodies were shown in intimate detail, were forgotten. Haydock centred her book on the women in Schiele’s artwork. It compelled me because, as a music journalist, you do not often hear the women in songs – horribly and archaically called ‘muses’ – spotlighted and discussed. In a wider sense, many women in music are ignored in favour of men. It made me think about the industry in a different way. The brilliant Poorna Bell was hosted by The Trouble Club on 28th June. She talked about her debut novel, In Case of Emergency. Bell is an award-winning journalist and author of more than twenty years, former Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She won Stylist's Rising Star award for 2019, Red magazine's Big Book Award for 2019 and a Sunday Times Sports Books Award last year. I was very moved and stunned by her talk! Her book is amazing too. I can see her releasing so many more acclaimed novels. She is a wonderful and vital mental health advocate and inspiring person who many were entranced by when she spoke at the Trouble Club event.
Whilst I did not go to the I KILLED MY EX x Q&A with Emilie Biason, I did go and see the play in London at the Rosemary Branch Theatre the night after its opening. Biason is a wonderful talent and inspiring person. She discussed the female-empowerment behind the show. I have other events at The Trouble Club to look forward to. Included are Vogue's Annie Lord & Actress Rebecca Humphries on Love, Heartbreak & Toxic Relationships on 16th August, and tonight’s (9th August) A Celebration of Black Womanhood with Catherine Joy White. The most recent event I attended was Gina Martin and Charlie Craggs discussing Martin’s phenomenal and must-read book, “No Offence, But…”. Martin’s book tackles “…20 of the most enduring conversation stoppers, the new collection by Gina Martin, No Offence, But… equips readers with the knowledge, tools, and context to respond with confidence. Today two of the book's contributors, Aja Barber and Ben Hurst, join acclaimed gender equality campaigner, speaker, and writer Gina in an event that helps us unpick frustrating phrases, understand why they are harmful, and feel empowered to change the conversation”. A gender equality campaigner, speaker and writer whose work focuses on gender, misogyny and sexual violence. Martin is the ambassador for UNWomen UK and Beyond Equality. This was a jam-packed event at The Trouble Club where I learned so much. I am reading her book at the moment. So much of it can be applied to the music industry.
So why mention these events? Well, for one, events like the one with Gina Martin and Charlie Craggs were so emotional, often very funny, and thought-provoking. I can apply much of what I heard – and what I read in the book – to my journalistic work. The same goes for all the other events. Not only am I become more awoken and informed as a feminist. So much of what I have already heard and seen at The Trouble Club has gone into my features. A lot that is relevant to the music industry. Despite the fact I am sometimes the only man in attendance at events (and outnumbered by women) is not intimidating or strange. It is natural that women are the prime and majority audience in a club where the focus is on women and their stories. There are events where one or two (or slightly more) men might be in attendance, yet it is a majority of women. It is wonderful, though for any men wondering whether they should apply for membership or follow The Trouble Club, I would say that it is one of the warmest, most inclusive and welcoming spaces I have been in! As Holly Smale might also be in the same position; I do find social events sometimes stressful and alienating. That is not the case here. In addition to talks, The Trouble Club also host social events like picnics and coffee mornings. Slam poetry, and book clubs – in fact, the inaugural book club meeting happened last night: Trouble Book Club: Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield. I will definitely go to the next book club meeting. A big thanks to Ellie, Francesca, and everyone at The Trouble Club for creating such an inspiring (a word I use a lot, but it seems appropriate) and varied calendar of events. The Trouble Club is definitely, to contradict Groucho Marx, one that I am very pleased and proud to be a member of!
In addition to highlighting them, I can apply it to music. I shall come to that. I am also an avid (or wannabe) screenwriter - especially the comedy genre. I, like millions, have been captivated by Barbie and the incredible work by its director and co-writer Greta Gerwig. The film inspired so much conversation around feminism. I am a massive Gerwig admirer and she, with her partner Noah Baumbach, created one of the best comedies in many years. It is such important film that will be discussed for years. Gerwig became the first solo female director to make $1bn at the box office. I think the film will be nominated for several Oscars (including Best Director for Gerwig). I wonder whether The Trouble Club will invite women in film to one of their events. I have suggested Margot Robbie (one of Barbie’s stars) would be a great speaker. Greta Gerwig too! Maybe their fees might be a bit high. Although the power and tidal wave that Barbie has created, tied to my experiences with The Trouble Club, have made me think more about incredible women in film. I am a music journalist, so I wanted to end with a theory or suggestion. As I have found out where reading Gina Martin’s “No Offence, But…”, there are plenty of men who are feminists. Wanting a fairer society and equality for women. Wanting to see change and progression happen. That is feminism. I think there is an assumption that most men aren’t feminists. They might not say the word themselves but, if they are among those who want a just and fair society where they want political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes, it is the case they are feminists.
IN THIS PHOTO: Poorna Bell/PHOTO CREDIT: Poorna Bell
In music, there are artists and journalists who are feminist. By definition if not vocalisation. I said how many musicians have stages and opportunities where they can talk about feminism, inequality in music and the need for change. You find most feminist music journalists are women. I asked the question on the then-Twitter a while ago: if there are any male feminist journalists. I wanted to read their work and interview them. I did not get much response! In fact, those who did reply said that they highlighted great songs and albums by women. I was thinking more about those who write articles relating to feminism and equality. It is important supporting female musicians’ work. My question was around active and sustained features around equality and issues affecting women in music. There are not many out there. Maybe Robin Murray at Clash. Is someone who does fit into that. Perhaps also Drowned in Sound’s Sean Adams. The fact that the Google question and search term does not yield clear results. If you look for ‘feminist male music journalists’, you do not really get anything. The vast majority of article written around women’s rights, discrimination and sexism are from women. It does feel a bit strange that I might be one of a very small number of male music journalists who are writing about equality and sexism. Maybe some would see it more as a duty than feminism - which makes the fact that it is largely women writing about this quite weird and galling. I do think that male music journalists, like artists, need to use their voice and websites to write about sexual harassment and discrimination.
IMAGE CREDIT: The Trouble Club
To highlight all the brilliant women in music, and also call for parity and equality. That is why I think that The Trouble Club is so awesome and relevant. I have learned and taken so much from the events I have been at! Making me thinking more widely, deeply and more critically about many of the problems in the industry. From Gina Martin and Charlie Craggs discussing their experiences, which have gone into features I have written about sexual assaults and the safety of women, to Holly Smale’s The Cassandra Complex being a jumping-off point for another feature. Poona Bel’s words resonating in different ways also have compelled me. I do think that the Trouble Club would consider/welcome any men in music that want to hear stories and talks from amazing women. That would motivate them more and reframe and redefine women’s roles and importance in music. I have already seen the benefits of being in such esteemed and welcoming company. With every connection I make at The Trouble Club, there is a connection of a connection that provides this new opportunity for learning and enrichment. That is one of the big draws of being in the company of inspiring and powerful women. The more I learn and discover something important regarding feminism and my understanding of women’s experiences in the world, the more rounded and better it makes me as a human. That is why I would encourage everyone - not just men - to either apply for membership of The Trouble Club, or at least follow them on social media, visit their website, and see what I mean. From a personal motivation standpoint, I do hope that more men in the music industry will seek out and be inspired by The Trouble Club, so they can not only better understanding and contextualise women’s strengths and struggles in the industry, but also take action and become more incentivised to write about it in an educated and nuanced way. I go away from each event enriched, informed and moved. It is a wonderful club that has…
MADE a huge difference in my life.