Women in Pro Audio: Emma Andersson Women in Pro Audio: Emma Andersson...
Providing a platform to showcase women carving out their space in the pro audio and live sound isn’t just important—it’s essential. It’s about amplifying their voices, sharing the stories behind the soundboards and stages, and celebrating the diverse women shaping the industry. After all, representation spurs interest from future generations, and sharing these narratives fortifies a sense of community, can ignite inspiration, and offers a roadmap for women eager to make their mark in this growing entertainment field.
Meet Emma
Meet Emma Andersson, a sound engineer, video technician, and an entrepreneur running her own company. You’ll find her toiling away in sound in various settings, from the grandeur of concert halls to the energy of touring with bands and even in the corporate world. Based in Uppsala, Sweden, Emma’s work takes her throughout Uppsala and Stockholm, bringing her expertise to a range of events.
Like most other women in pro audio, Emma’s path to pro audio wasn’t expected. Her story begins with a passion for music itself. “When I was young, I dreamed about being a singer and a songwriter,” she shares. She even pursued this dream, studying songwriting for two years at university and continuing to record and perform her own music. However, life took an exciting turn during her third year at Örebro University. It was there that she was introduced to the world of sound engineering. “I got the chance to study sound engineering, and I realized I really enjoyed working with live audio,” Emma recalls, sparking a new direction for her passion.
Entering Pro Audio
Emma’s entry into the pro audio world wasn’t without its hurdles. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music production, she gained valuable experience working at a café, booking artists and handling their sound and gear every weekend. When she returned to Uppsala, she pursued her passion for sound engineering and landed a job at a PA company.
However, Emma faced skepticism early on. “Being very young and female made it hard for me to be trusted by artists and other technicians in the beginning,” she admits. Thankfully, she found crucial support from her boss and the Women in Live Music Foundation, which helped her navigate these challenges. Just as her career was gaining momentum, the pandemic hit, delivering a devastating blow to the industry. “Four months into working full-time as a sound tech, the pandemic hit, and all the jobs were canceled. That was a real struggle,” Emma recounts. Ever resilient, Emma adapted by diving into the world of live streaming, adding “video technician” to her skill set.
Navigating the Challenges: Women in Pro Audio
The challenges women face in pro audio aren’t always just about external events. Emma has also had to confront disrespect from other technicians and, notably, speakers at events. “I’ve been called names, and I’ve gotten inappropriate invites a lot of times from men, and whenever I’ve stood up for myself, they blame me for ‘not having a sense of humor,’” Emma shares, highlighting the sexism that, unfortunately, still exists.
Emma believes that the underrepresentation of women in pro audio is a multifaceted issue. “I think we face two challenges,” she explains. The first challenge, she believes, is a lack of early encouragement for young women to explore technical careers. “So, I think we need to start inspiring women from a very early age to make them interested and to get them to believe in themselves,” Emma emphasizes. The second challenge lies in retaining women within this field. “Because of the harsh climate with a lot of sexism, I believe a lot of women give up and can’t find their place,” she says. Emma emphasizes the importance of support systems and trust: “I think women need a good support system from other women and a lot of trust from male colleagues to have the strength to carry on.”
Overcoming Obstacles
When faced with obstacles, Emma explains, “I try to always speak to more experienced male and female technicians when I face challenges.” She understands the value of seeking guidance and building connections. “People want to be needed, so I always find people who can help me as long as I maintain good communication with them,” Emma says. Despite the challenges, Emma’s passion for her work has kept her going. “I’ve never really felt like giving up; the whole live industry is about facing challenges and solving them in the moment, and that’s what I really like about this job,” she shares. “I love what I do, so I’ve never wanted to quit, even when it’s been very hard.”
One of Emma’s career highlights was touring with the Swedish group Bolaget. “Initially, my role involved serving as a substitute for both the Front of House (FOH) and monitor engineers. As I became more integrated into the production, I also began assisting the lighting and pyrotechnics crews during periods when the sound department’s needs were met. I got to see the whole production from different angles and learned a lot the whole summer, and since I got to know every technician very well, we really felt like a family.”
Career Growth
For Emma, continuous learning and collaboration are key to career growth. “I think working with more experienced technicians is my way of growing,” she states. “I always make sure to learn something new at every gig and to get inspired by their tips and tricks.” Her willingness to step outside her primary role has also been instrumental in her development. “Working with other parts in a production than sound has also helped me grow and understand my colleagues better,” Emma notes.
If Emma could change one thing about the industry, she would address the prevalence of alcohol consumption at gigs. She has witnessed firsthand how it negatively impacts performances and professionalism, explaining, “I’ve worked in way too many productions where both artists and technicians can’t keep a schedule or do a good job because they are intoxicated, and that would not be accepted in any other industry.”
Advice for Women in Pro Audio
Emma advises women in pro audio just starting out: “Get out there and do it.” She believes that practical experience is invaluable. “You can learn a lot about sound, video, and lights by studying them, but working with them is something you need to do to understand and be good at them,” Emma advises. She emphasizes the importance of gaining experience through internships and hard work, ultimately leading to opportunities. The most impactful advice she has received is “fake it till you make it,” a reminder that confidence and a willingness to learn are essential. “Be honest about your competence, but a lot of this industry is also learning by doing,” Emma adds.
In Emma’s view, strong communication and understanding are paramount. “You can be great at mixing sound and doing the technical part, but if you can’t communicate and understand the artist, this job will be 100 times harder,” she explains. She also stresses the importance of asking questions and seeking help when needed. “If you don’t know what to do, ask someone who does,” Emma advises. “People want to feel needed, so I always get the help I need from other technicians.” Finally, Emma encourages women to trust their instincts and set boundaries. “Trust your gut and say no,” she urges. “We often believe that we will lose clients and our reputation when we put our foot down, but from my experience, you often gain respect when you follow what your gut tells you.”
Emma’s Passion for Sound
Emma’s passion for her work shines through when she talks about what she loves most about it. “I love to get creative with other people’s art,” she enthuses. For her, mixing sound is more than just technical skill; it’s about connecting with the music and the artist’s vision. “Mixing sound isn’t just about being a good technician, it is also about understanding the music and what the artists are trying to express and helping them achieve that,” Emma explains. One of her most cherished moments was mixing a Swedish artist in front of a massive audience in Malmö. “One of my favorite moments was when I got to mix a Swedish artist in front of an audience of about 23.000 people in Malmö,” she recalls. “To have control over the sound and reaching that many people at once is a really cool feeling.”
The Future of Live Events
Looking ahead, Emma hopes to see a resurgence in the appreciation of live music. “I hope we can bring back the love of live music,” she says. She’s concerned about the closure of live venues in Sweden and hopes to see this trend reversed. “In Sweden, a lot of live venues are shutting down, and it makes me really sad. I hope we can turn that trend around.” Emma also desires more live acts that incorporate live musicians rather than relying on backing tracks. “I also want to see more acts working with musicians and not just using backing tracks. It will bring more life to their music while performing live.”
You can follow Emma on Instagram and learn more about her work on her website.
Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here.