Brenda Kahn is an independent artist with a long history of great music. She has put out five CDs both with major labels, as well as by herself. FEMMUSIC was honored to find her also behind www.Womanrock.com. This website is a resource for any artist. FEMMUSIC was lucky to catch her for a few minutes. Here’s what she had to say:

FEMMUSIC: When did you first start playing music, and when did you decide to play professionally?

BK: I started playing music when I was a child, and guitar when I was 13. That’s when I decided to play professionally.

FEMMUSIC: You’ve gone from being signed to starting your own label. What made you decide to go independent?

BK: The industry right now doesn’t really support career musicians in general and especially not women artists who are focusing outside of the pop realm. After many years of trying to negotiate the “bigger industry”, I decided The only way for me to maintain some kind of dignity and focus in my art was to continue independently.

FEMMUSIC: Womanrock.com is one of the best websites I’ve seen for woman artists.  What motivated you to create it?

BK: Thanks! I feel the big stumbling block for artists are promotion and distribution. The internet affords the opportunity for both. So the motivation was the desire to fill that need and my personal desire to really connect with my peers, something difficult to do in such a competitive industry.

FEMMUSIC: What does womanrock.com offer to an emerging woman artist?

BK: A chance to see what’s out there. A critical voice regarding work that’s being done. A place to network with other artists. Music resources. Online radio play. It’s growing all the time.

FEMMUSIC: What are your goals for Womanrock.com?

BK: To create an organization that is built from the ground up with women in mind and artists in mind. So if that means growing into a big corporation, then it means putting day care into the employee benefits. If it means giving grants, then it means giving grants for practical things artists need; vans, supplies, equipment, publicity. Things like that.

FEMMUSIC: What have been your biggest challenges since you’ve been playing music professionally?

BK:I would say maintaining perspective on my work. And paying rent.

FEMMUSIC: How do you think women are treated in the music industry?

BK: Women are treated in life as they demand to be treated. If you respect yourself, people will respect you. If you work hard you will see results.   There is a lot more opportunity now for women, and it’s about taking advantage of those opportunities and working hard to acheive your goals. And reaching out to organizations or individuals and starting your own company Or your own website and making your own scene or label. Saying how hard it is, is really an old way of looking at difficulties.

FEMMUSIC:. What advise would you give to an artist just starting out?

BK: Buckle up. And tie your shoes tight. Act out of love not fear.

FEMMUSIC: What else would you like to say to FEMMUSIC’s readers about you, womanrock or anything else?

BK: I’d like to say a couple words about some upcoming events. We are doing New PLANET GIRL events November 6th in Philadelphia (which will be recorded for a live CD) and November 9th in Pittsburgh and hopefully in New York as well, although that date isn’t confirmed. And if you are a woman musician we are now programming for online radio and would love to have your submissions.

Please check the website for details!