In celebration of International Women's Day, we caught up with Charla Green, a WaterBear tutor and Sheffield-based producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter specialising in drum & bass, jungle, and dubstep. 

Since 2018, Charla has released music across several labels, including UK Jungle Records, Drum & Bass Arena, Deep in the Jungle Records, and Function Records. She has also performed at festivals and venues across the UK, such as Fabric and Boomtown, and has received radio play on stations including BBC Radio 1, Rinse FM, and Kiss FM. In 2020, she was selected as a mentee for the flagship EQ50 Mentorship program, pairing with Mantra (Rupture) and Digital (Function Records). 

Charla shares her creative life and how it has informed her career. 

Can you tell me about your journey into the music industry? What initially drew you to pursue a career in music?  

I've always been creative. I have always painted, spray-painted, sung, and practiced contact staff (a kind of martial arts), so music is just another avenue for releasing built-up creative energy. I think of them all as using the same brain muscle. Whether it’s building layers on a canvas/wall or building layers of sound, the goal is to communicate a feeling or expression. It’s also a meditative type thing for me. Like when I’m using my contact staff, I go into ‘flow’ when I make music. It’s like I switch off, and instinct kicks in. 

What would you say has been the most rewarding aspect of working in the music industry for you personally? 

Aside from teaching, I’m a full-time producer and DJ, on the Hotcakes agency, part of Function Records, and was part of the flagship EQ50 mentor scheme in 2020. The first event I played was at a night called Eclectic Funk at Beaver Works in Leeds. That venue has a special place in my heart and is a must if you’re looking for nights in Leeds. There are some great venues in Sheffield too like Dryad Works, Hope Works, Plot 22, Sidney & Matilda, and South Bank Warehouse. Some highlights have definitely been playing Sun and Bass festival in Italy and having music out on Drum and Bass Arena as I used to collect their CDs when I was younger. 

Can you share any memorable experiences or highlights from your career to date? 

Some highlights have definitely been playing Sun and Bass festival in Italy and having music out on Drum and Bass Arena as I used to collect their CDs when I was younger. 

How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments? 

I’m always looking for new music/artists to play and new sound design, mix down and general music techniques, but as far as the industry goes, I tend to keep my head down and just work on music a lot. If people like it, they like it, if they don’t, they don’t. 

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing professionals in the music industry today? 

I think one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today is the events scene, which has taken a massive plunge since Covid-19. It seems fewer people are going out, and more venues are really feeling the hit or having to close. This comes at a time when there are more DJs than ever before, which is great, but without small venues and promoters being there to give people a start, I worry the music scene will go even more online. This then leads to things like the loss of actual community and real human connections and experiences, which is one of the most powerful things about raves... coming together and dancing. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in the music industry? 

"The advice I'd give to someone starting out would simply be to hone your craft and discover your own sound. It takes time, so dedicate yourself to mastering whatever it is you want to do, and do it for yourself. Because if you truly believe in and are passionate about what you do, chances are someone else will be too." 

In your opinion, what skills or qualities are essential for success in this field? 

The skills and qualities which I think are necessary for this industry are resilience. You might face rejection, feel defeated, and fall at hurdles, but if you can pull yourself up, stick a smile on your face, and crack on, I'd say you’ll be fine in the industry. Another skill is self-discipline. This encompasses putting in the time and hard work, not drinking every weekend just because you are out playing a gig, and time management. 

Who would you say are your greatest female role models in the music industry? 

“There are so many amazing women who have paved the way for us in the music world. Some people who’ve had a massive impact on me personally are: 

Mary Shipman Howard, who was one of the first female recording engineers; Delia Derbyshire, one of the early sound design wizards; Ann D, a Sheffield-based DJ and Headcharge resident; and Kemistry and Storm for being the First Ladies of drum and bass. 

Of course, I can’t overlook the EQ50 founders (EQ50 is a collective of women working towards fairer representation within drum and bass) - DJ Flight, the first woman to have a drum and bass radio show on Radio 1; MC Chickaboo, one of the first female drum and bass MCs; Sweetpea, an amazing producer and DJ with releases on labels such as Ako Beats and Dispatch Recordings; and Mantra, co-founder of the London-based event and record label Rupture. 

If any of these names are new to you, go check them out!” 

WaterBear – The College of Music  

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WaterBear is a College of Falmouth University, a pioneer in creative industries education, entrepreneurship and innovation. Run by musicians for musicians WaterBear is about smaller class sizes, flexible course delivery, bespoke one-to-one mentoring and exclusive work experience and career development opportunities.