Anna MacDonald

Anna is an Audio Technology University student from Scotland. She is the bassist in the Glasgow-based band, SkyLounge. I interviewed Anna about women's equality within the music industry.

Photo by Callum Gibb

Growing up Anna was constantly listening to and being introduced to new music. Throughout school, there were many opportunities to pick up, play an instrument, and get involved. In primary school, she started getting lessons for the Alto saxophone which she then continued to play through high school.

Anna also attended a music festival called the Fèis, where you would go along and learn to play different Scottish instruments. Through this, Anna started playing the accordion, and in high school, she decided to save up my money and get herself a bass guitar, which is what she still plays up to this day!

Anna said, "So far in my music career, I have been fortunate enough to not come across any setbacks. I feel I have been treated the same as the next person no matter their gender or sexuality". 

Photo by Callum Gibb

Although she has never actually been told, she mentioned that there have been a few occasions where she would get the feeling people didn’t take her seriously as a female artist, however, she, was confident enough within herself and her abilities. Anna would use this to push herself to become a better player, this way if anyone was ever to question her abilities she would happily and easily prove to them that she knew what she was doing. 

"I feel that any progress I make is all from the effort that I have put in and also whether the opportunity has arisen. I believe it to be the same for any of my male music friends. I believe it’s down to the person themselves as to what they want and can achieve."

Advice from Anna:

"From my experience, I would just advise that you take any opportunity that you can and try to get involved as much as possible. You will never know how it could go unless you try and the majority of the time it is more than likely to go well! Keep pushing yourself to be a better musician too as it is very easy to get comfortable within your abilities and from there make no progress. But there is always room for improvement and you may surprise yourself with what you are capable of."

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