International Women's Day Spotlight- Outstanding women in the music industry

Oppression and inequality are real problems we are still dealing with in the 21st century, and they are particularly pressing issues in the music industry. In 2023, the percentage of women working in the music industry jumped to 35 percent, which is a big step. That statistic only covers musicians, and it is important to consider the women who are working hard behind the scenes as well; photographers, tour managers, songwriters, and many other roles. Women are on the rise, and on this International Women’s Day (and every day), Off The Record would like to recognize some of the many talented women in the industry who are rewriting history and are role models for women everywhere.

Anna Lee - Photographer

Anna has spent the last ten years as a photographer touring with many different artists around the world. Not only is she a touring photographer, she also does promotional, behind the scenes, and social media photography as well. Anna’s work has been published in many magazines and online publications like Billboard, GQ, Modern Drummer, and iHeartRadio. Anna is currently nominated for an iHeartRadio music award in the category Favorite Music Photographer and being recognized for the content she has created for rock band Coldplay.

Claire Murphy - Guitar Tech and Tour Manager

Claire is a tour manager and guitar tech, having worked with artists like Lord Huron, Vance Joy, and Elle King. She has toured all over the world working with artists in several different countries and music festivals. But that’s not all that Claire does, she has owned a successful company as well as mentoring women with an organization called SoundGirl.

Alana Ann Lopez - Photographer and Assistant Tour Manager

Alana has toured with bands like Turnstile, Bad Omens, and Knocked Loose, creating a name for herself in the metal scene as a photographer and assistant tour manager. 

Rachel Ryan - Front of House and Monitor Engineer

Rachel Ryan aka Mr. Soundlady has toured five continents over the years with several different artists working as a front of house and monitor engineer. Rachel has also worked for several venues across the U.S.

Courtney LaPlante - Singer and Songwriter

Singer and songwriter for metal band Spiritbox, Courtney LaPlante is taking over metal music. Spiritbox is only the second female fronted band to be nominated in the ‘best metal performance’ Grammy category since it was created. The band’s album Eternal Blue also peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200.

Amanda Belawski - Photographer

Amanda is head of photography for a media agency called Respective Collective. Amanda has covered several different artists' performances including Ice Spice, Trippie Redd, and Lil Uzi Vert. Amanda has a broadcast channel on her Instagram called Hot Photographers Don’t Gate Keep where she answers questions relating to photography and starting in the industry. 

Grace Bowers - Guitarist

At only 17 years old, Grace Bowers has taken over the music scene in Nashville with her killer guitar skills. Grace has played alongside other artists at several charity events she has organized. She is also set to play at Bourbon and Beyond, Bottlerock, and Levitate Music Festival. 

Ali Tamposi - Songwriter

Ali Tamposi has been writing hit songs for over ten years. Ali has worked with pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer for quite a few songs featured on their fourth album Calm. 

Kristen Pittman - Photographer

Kristen is a music photographer and is the founder of online publication Euphonic Mag. She has covered artists like The Velveteers, Greta Van Fleet, and Taylor Swift. 

Stephanie Siau - Photographer 

Stephanie is a Nashville based music photographer and has worked with Alec Benjamin and covered artists like Jessie Murph and Tyler Hubbard. 

Raven B. Varona - Photographer

Raven is a music and brand photographer and is currently nominated for Favorite Fan Photographer for the iHeartRadio Awards. She has worked with artists like Adele, Beyonce, and Cordae. Raven’s work has been featured in Teen Vogue, LA Times, and New York Times. 

Wondagurl - Producer

At just 18 years old, Wondagurl produced her first hit song ‘Antidote’ by Travis Scott which is 4x platinum. Wondagurl also produced the hit song ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ which is 2x platinum

Off The Record Editorial Staff

Lastly, us! OTR is a woman-owned publication and is proudly run by a team of all-women editors.