We Are Listening is a platform, event series and mentoring programme from the Toolroom Academy.
Our aim is a simple one – to encourage and develop new female/non binary talent in electronic music.
And it’s already working. Since launching in 2018, we’ve signed music and artists directly through this project, and we’ve connected a group of people – who might never have otherwise met – resulting in collaborations, residencies and club bookings.
Rising star Maxinne, who got her break from the initial #WeAreListening sessions along with Pheobe d’Abo who both had tracks signed to the ‘Ibiza Vol.2’ compilation. After officially signing to the Toolroom label in 2019 with her debut single ‘Something In Our Life (feat. Niki Darling), Maxinne has gone on to release a string of hits with the label, as well as her debut album ‘Red Alert’ in 2021.
Sophia Essel is another artist to emerge through the #WeAreListening initiative. The Liverpool–based artist is the latest Toolroom signing with her debut single ‘The Way’ appearing on the ‘This Is Toolroom 2021’ album which dropped in January.
The people attending WeAreListening events are female/non binary producers who want to gain a better knowledge of the music industry and learn how to produce Tech-House. These days usually cover such things as marketing and business with Toolroom’s in house experts, a Production session with a well known artist from the Toolroom roster and live A&R feedback from our label managers. At the end, everyone is encouraged to network and meet members of the Toolroom team.
The idea is to create an intimate space where ladies can come and comfortably share their knowledge and experiences. These days act as a small taster day of the Toolroom Academy and what we offer. The overall aim is to show that Toolroom are here to encourage females to be apart of the label, as well as The Toolroom Academy. The long term goal is to have more female producers send us music and start to sign up to The Toolroom Academy.
Want to get involved? Email us for more information.