Clubs / women in music
BBY GOOSE: ‘As a woman, you get questioned constantly’
Eight years into her DJ career, BBY GOOSE is still encountering challenges.
She overcame the odds in a male-dominated industry to learn the skills and hone her talent. Now she’s working to carve out a space for herself in a South West club scene that has yet to fully embrace trance and hard dance. But she’s determined to stay true to herself and her sound.
Before taking to the decks for her Boiler Room session in Cardiff, BBY GOOSE spoke to Bristol24/7 about the realities of club culture for women and what she’d advise others following in her wake.
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She will be performing at at the afterparty of Bristol24/7’s International Women’s Day celebration on March 8.
Can you share your experience as a woman in the music industry, which is often seen as male-dominated?
“I find it difficult being a woman in the industry. You have to prove yourself twice as hard to be on par with your male counterparts, who are more easily accepted.
“As a woman, you get questioned constantly: ‘Oh, she can’t possibly actually know how to DJ, she’s using sync, she used her connections to get here.’ Men have a community where it’s easier for them to get into it because they’ve got that support from the start. It’s hard to fight against that.”
Do you feel that the scene is becoming more inclusive?
“Honestly, no. People fight against inclusion because they think it’s already happening. But it’s not. Some argue talent shouldn’t be judged based on gender, but inclusion is crucial.
“So many talented people go under the radar due to a lack of representation.”
She’s made her own way in the industry, and BBY GOOSE says she’s not worried about how others perceive her – photo: Leonor Guimaraes
So how did you learn the skills you needed to get involved in the industry?
“I’ve been a party girl for a long time. In uni I was always going on nights out, watching men DJ and thinking, ‘Why can’t I be in charge of the music?’ I was always the one setting the vibe at parties.
“A Cardiff collective, Bump and Grind, played hip hop and R&B and asked me to take over from someone leaving. I jumped at the chance. They taught me for years.
“I’ve been DJing for about eight years. Eventually, I didn’t want to take requests anymore. I wanted my music to reflect my personality, which is energetic and fun. I introduced BBY GOOSE two years ago, and I’ve been doing that ever since. It feels right.”
Has Bristol influenced you?
“I don’t think there’s much of a community where I am. It’s mainly for house music or drum and bass fans, whereas I play trance, hard dance and hard house. So I’ve had to go it alone quite a lot.
“The Cardiff scene is behind, or maybe up-and-coming. It’ll happen in a few years, but it’s not quite there. Bristol has more but even then the UK lags behind Europe, where trance is taking off. Here, people take time to embrace different genres.”
Do you have any favourite musical memories linked to Bristol?
“I opened for Marlon Hoffstadt in Bristol at Motion last March. It solidified that I was really doing this for myself. Things were starting to happen. It was the first time I played in front of a huge crowd, and it was just really exciting. I still think about it now – it was emotional.”
BBY GOOSE plays at the Bristol24/7 International Women’s Night party at Bristol Museum: it’s the first time the venue will open its doors for a late night rave – photo: Leonor Guimaraes
Are you at a point where you’re happy with your work now?
“If you stay authentic, things will happen. I’m fine if things don’t take off right away as long as I enjoy what I’ve made and stay true to myself.
“I’d like to put out my first musical project. I don’t know exactly what it’ll look like, but it’s something I want to do. As long as I stay true to myself and put out music I love, even if it doesn’t resonate with the mainstream, that’s fine. If you’re authentic, your audience will find you.”
Putting yourself out there can be daunting. How do you think others perceive you?
“To be honest, I don’t think about how others perceive me. It doesn’t matter. I express myself the way I want. If people enjoy it, great. If not, it doesn’t change who I am.”
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Can you tell us about your amazing outfit made from crime scene tape – how does your style reflect your artistic identity?
“I’ve been inspired by Gaga; how she’s always put herself out there, not caring what people think, pushing boundaries. It’s an homage to that: you don’t have to worry about others’ opinions.
“You can dress for yourself and look cool. If people like it, great. If they don’t, that’s fine too.”
What advice would you give to other women that want to enter the industry?
“I’ll give the most cliché advice: just keep going. The only thing you have is your perseverance. What sets you apart is your ability to push through. Most people give up when it gets tough.
“There are so many times when you feel like quitting because it’s too hard. You’re not getting anywhere, nothing’s happening. But pushing through is what will lead to success.”
BBY GOOSE will appear at the Bristol24/7 International Women’s Night party at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which runs from 6.30pm – 1am on March 8. The first time the museum will open up for an event of this kind, it’s an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a rave in this unique setting.
Also on the bill are dance and circus performances, and shows from A For Alpha, ALICE Project, Bitch, Please! and Pammy. Find more information and tickets, visit www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/e123092
Main image: BBY GOOSE
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