DIVA sat down with the founder of Songteller to learn more about creating spaces in music for the trans+ community
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY @MORGANPUGHPHOTOGRAPHY
In November, Transpose brought together a number of trans+ creatives on a songwriting camp like no other. With the aim to transform the music industry by equalising opportunities for trans+ creatives, Transpose is showcasing the power of trans+ storytelling in music.
DIVA sat down with Joshua ‘Satch’ Satchell, founder of Songteller and Transpose, to learn more about why these spaces are so important.
Why did you decide to create Songteller and Transpose? Was there a moment/interaction which inspired these initiatives?
We launched SongTeller as an organisation to champion songwriting. In my work as a songwriter I’d been writing on a lot of camps that weren’t necessarily always organised in a way that would enable the best creative outcomes. My wife is an Events Manager and I’m a songwriter so we felt between us that we could do camps better!
As a Trans man I have first hand experience of the barriers queer people can face working in music. I also know that trans people are creative by definition, having had to envision futures, adapt, and world-build! Also, The margins are a pretty unparalleled training ground to teach observational skills. I knew a bunch of trans creatives who would thrive given a chance to work with great artists, and we did!
Transpose is such a uniquely exciting and inspiring idea – what were some of the standout moments you saw?
We had multiple artists express how refreshing it was to work with people who made them comfortable enough to be super vulnerable in the creative process. All any of us really want is people to relate to our songs, and that only comes as a direct response to vulnerability. However, the music industry being both a hostile and synthetic place doesn’t always make it easy to be vulnerable. I like to think the artists were mirroring the authentic people they were in the writing room with that day. Then playing the songs at our wrap party to allies from across the UK music industry, really felt like a stand out moment!
Why is it important that we celebrate days like Trans Music Awareness Day?
My big hope is that even though TMAD is for one day a year, it inspires labels, publishers, and other music organisations, to be inclusive all year round.Of course it’s important to equalise opportunities and expose great trans music and creatives to industry, but days like TMAD also remind those creatives that they belong. Sans Soucis – an incredibly talented songwriter we had on Transpose, voice noted me after the camp to say that the best part was just that we all got to be the majority in our place of work for once!
What do you hope to see change in the music industry to become a more inclusive space?
Philosophically, I hope that all creatives who face barriers due to any form of prejudice or structural inequalities get the opportunity to thrive. Commercially, I hope to see organisations supporting initiatives like Transpose, ensuring EDI, and supporting songwriters on the whole. Practically, I hope to see the government better funding the arts, and protecting us from A.I.
What message do you have for trans creatives who are struggling to break into the industry?
Write. Your. Heart. Out. In every sense! Write as much as you can to get better at your craft. Write with as many people as possible to build your network. Write vulnerably – what makes us different is how we add value.
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