Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder Her Sound, Her Story Interview

The Time for Gender Equality in the Music Industry is NOW

Her Sound, Her Story is an unflinching take on the issues at the heart of the Australian Music industry. As part of the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, Her Sound, Her Story is an intimate conversation unveiling the personal experiences, histories and the significant social impact women have within the Australian music industry.

Her Sound, Her Story is a collaborative effort between independent art makers and long-time friends, filmmaker Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and photographer Michelle Grace Hunter. Hot off the heels of a photographic exhibition hosted in Melbourne last year, the film provides amplification for the bold voices of the female musicians making waves in Australia and abroad.

Featuring conversations with the likes of Tina Arena, Sampa the Great, Julia Stone, Mama Kin and Mojo Juju, the documentary exists to celebrate, empower and educate future generations who aspire to be artists and art makers themselves

"Through these conversations I observed time and time again the exquisite quality that every woman possesses. That is their flawless capacity be beautiful, broken, graceful, courageous, vulnerable and messy all in the same breath," says Dalimore, "It's a bold and frightening time to be alive right now. I feel the stakes are high, and more than ever it's crucial that women's voices are heard and listened too."

www.hersoundherstory.com

Interview with Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, Producer/Director/Editor and Michelle Grace Hunder, Producer

Question: How would you describe Her Sound, Her Story?

Michelle Grace Hunder: I would describe Her Sound, Her Story as an incredibly collaborative, multi-dimensional art project with the main aim of throwing a big spotlight to celebrate women and contributing to the conversation about what it is like to be a women in the Australian Music Industry.

Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore: Her Sound, Her Story as a whole has really become about cultivating and nurturing community, giving women that greater sense of wellbeing just from being connected to each other. The film it's self is about giving a platform for women's stories to be shared and herd. Telling a female narrative, from a female gaze, a film made by women for women.


Question: What inspired the creation of Her Sound, Her Story?

Michelle Grace Hunder: Her Sound, Her Story was inspired by noticing a constant discussion about gender disparity, and wanting to explore that deeper, rather than constantly hear surface level statistics.


Question: Why was it important to premiere Her Sound, Her Story at the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival?

Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore: We are at a very bold time right now in the world where women rights and equal rights are really at the fore front of a lot of media stories. I look forward to the time were we can get rid of that terminology and recognise that that's it's all human rights. Man or women. In that sense I'm so excited that Her Sound, Her Story have come on board to premier the film. Really acknowledging that it's far greater than just a conversation limited to the Australian music industry, it's a universal conversation. A conversation that is really important to be amplified at the moment especially in the hopes of taken a step in the direction of change.


Question: Which Australian female musician's stories are included in Her Sound, Her Story?

Michelle Grace Hunder: We tried to be as inclusive as possible across as many genres and pockets of our really beautiful and vibrant music industry. We wanted to highlight the pioneers as well as the incredible up and coming women making amazing music at this current time. It's really an exciting time to be a woman in this industry right now.

Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore: Beloved artists like Tina Arena, Jen Cloher, Mojo Juju, Julia Stone, Mama Kin, Banofee and many more where all so generous in sharing their stories and experiences with us.


Question: What do you hope to achieve from Her Sound, Her Story?

Michelle Grace Hunder: It would be amazing for me personally if there was a new found level of understanding of the complex nature of a multitude of issues facing women in the industry as well as sparking a conversation about how to move forward.
Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore: Like Michelle said just raising awareness through conversation whether that be in industry or in everyday life. Nothing changes in society if only one group of people consider something a problem. Just watching the film is really an exercise in listening, really listening, and being open to others people's journeys and taking that on board. As a result perhaps questioning your own values or pre- existing ideas of someone, generally having more empathy for one another. I would also hope that young women aspiring for bigger hope and dreams of career in any creative industry walk away from seeing the film feeling inspired.


Question: What's next, for you?

Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore: It's celebration time! Then sleep... Then back to the drawing board. We have some exciting things planned for the future with Her Sound, Her Story.


Interview by Brooke Hunter