02/09/2026
MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER-DIRECTOR LISA PATTERSON
Harmonious greetings to all!
I sincerely hope everyone is able to prioritize wellness over hustle in these upside-down times. Self-care and community matter more than ever.
It’s taken me longer than intended to resurface with this message.
Since late December I’ve been on hiatus working on my long held dream project (details in last slide).
Despite being immersed elsewhere, I continue to bathe in the sweet reward and high vibration from our most recent producer showcase, Edition #8 December 15, in Toronto at Art Haus.
I’m here to express my gratitude for our remarkable community, let you know about cool things on the horizon and share some thoughts on the future of advocacy ...
> THE PRODUCERS <
First & foremost, my heartfelt appreciation to the 16 featured producers for blessing our ears with your stellar work. Post coming soon with featured producer names, tags and links.
No matter how many times we present this unique collective listening & exchange experience, it’s always immensely rewarding for me.
Just as the music industry would not exist without those who create the music, this showcase series would not exist without you producers submitting your work and accepting our invitation - so thank you niawen merci gracias shukran miigwech + all languages of all peoples.
With each subsequent showcase, the sonic quality of producers’ work rises ever higher. Mark my words: the day will come when women and gender diverse talent will crescendo past the gate keeper threshold, slam the amplitude needle, and ride that payoff bridge over those bias barriers! :)
If our surging grassroots energy force was matched by all industry leaders and men-led organizations we’d be unstoppable.
> THE EXCHANGE <
Event attendees also played a huge role in making the showcase one of the most successful yet - what a wonderfully diverse audience of music fans, colleagues, friends, artists, multi-media creators, industry and media. A warmly receptive, curious, and attentive audience has a powerful effect on producers who aren’t used to being in the spotlight.
One of my greatest pleasures is witnessing the immediate visceral impact of an audience’s real-time reaction to the music on the producers - who most often listen to our work alone or sequestered in private studio environments.
Being seen is powerful - being heard is game changing.
I love listening to producers speak eloquently & passionately about their craft, sharing BTS anecdotes and generously offering up tricks and tips.
I love seeing collaborations and gigs manifest right before my eyes during the post showcase networking. This is a major raison d’être of The Listening Party Music Producer Showcase Series.
Because it’s true ... “you can’t hire a producer you don’t know exists”!
> THE TEAM <
Perla Jaurji - our priestess of perseverance wove many months of multiple threads into a seemingly effortless and gorgeous event tapestry.
→ Marketing Director. Experience Curator. Community Builder. Actor. Founder THX The Human Experience.
Anastaysia Petrova aka Ocevnside Clvb – our audio engineer’s top shelf skills & chill attitude helped my shoulders drop knowing the sonics would land beautifully.
→ Producer. Songwriter. Engineer. Artist. Manager.
Scharliina Eräpuro – our inter-galactic SM siren who sprinkles fairy dust on everything & everyone she touches.
→ Artist. Songwriter. Producer. Musician. Social Media Marketing. Child Protection Advocate & Speaker.
Yep, together we could run the world better than billionaire dudes
> THE HIGHLIGHTS <
First-evers that made Edition #8 so special!
→ Laila Biali, co-producer of her Grammy nominated album ‘Wintersongs’, sent an inspiring audio message from her Banff writing retreat to encourage producers. Her words touched hearts and an enthusiastic collective audio response was sent in return.
→ Generous giveaway door prizes of UA plug-in packages offered by ally Tim Condon elevated event excitement.
→ An overwhelming number of event attendees approached me post showcase about volunteering for the next one; a moving display of organic solidarity in community.
→ CARAS JUNO guest speakers Christophe Couttolec & Katy Venneri demonstrated alignment in aims.
→ At end of eve I looked up from conversations to see that the venue tables & chairs were stacked, floor was swept and recycling done. This spontaneous community care in action refueled my advocacy engine at a key moment.
→ By a show of hands, 60 percent of the room were first timers indicating interest and numbers continue to grow exponentially.
> THE FEEDBACK <
“a phenomenal evening of music, connection and diversity”
“so honoured to have my song featured alongside so many talented producers - shout out to Lisa and the team for all their hard work creating such a beautiful supportive space”
“I truly enjoyed the evening and listening to so many talented women”
“Both inspiring and humbling, every presenter was incredibly talented, and it was amazing to connect with so many artists from Toronto! Already looking forward to the next one”
“absolutely killed it with the playlist & event space - just all around great vibes. Looking forward to more in the future! Thank you for doing what you do for this community.”
> UPCOMING <
INTERNATIONAL – Presenting Canadian and Mexican Women Producer discussion panel for FIM GDL International Music and Sustainability Fair, Feb 25 - 28 in Guadalajara. Thank you Gracias to FIM and Trish at CIMA.
JUNOFest – Presenting “Behind The Board” producer roundtable conversation & audio track features. Hamilton, March 2026. Details TBA.
MIX LAB - Same Stems. Different Ears. Signature Outcomes.
A fun and interactive afternoon exploring the human variables of taste, technique & preference through a new workshop concept. Art Haus, Spring 2026. More details TBA.
PRODUCER PLAYLIST #8 – Public sharing of producer tracks from the December 2025 showcase will be online soon. Streaming alternatives to Spotify are under consideration. Because Daniel Ek.
> THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF ADVOCACY <
While our grassroots community work to elevate women and gender diverse producers is having positive impact, for a truly sustainable future we also need to be amplified by men creator allies and industry leaders.
For some time The Listening Party has been brainstorming ways to practice what we preach and model alternatives to patriarchal systems of exclusion. We’re exploring re-defining “inclusion” to include men allies.
The showcase series will always prioritize underrepresented women+ and IBPOC producers. However we don’t wish to be silo-ed on the sidelines. Our aim is to be more integrated into the mainstream industry alongside our men colleagues. So how do we get there? We believe men need to play a more direct role in helping to improve the situation. We’re all in this together after all.
Like it or not, the production sector is still dominated by men. Workplace gender bias and safety continue to be issues. An actionable start would be men-led companies and industry leaders joining us on the front lines, and men producers and artists championing and referring women+ for work opportunities.
UK production equity activist Isobel Anderson recently closed down her 8 year advocacy project , writing: “I really do not see a future for gender equality initiatives that do not include men. We’re beyond raising awareness. Everyone knows that there is a gender equality issue and misogyny issue in music, we’re at point where it’s not going to change unless we get men involved”. We agree.
Over the past year our showcases have included a small percentage of men producers and it’s been good vibes all round. It remains to be seen that if we make space for everyone, will everyone make space for us?
We welcome conversation!
> DREAM PROJECT HIATUS <
I’m sharing with the hope this serves as inspiration for those perched on a precipice wondering whether or not to leap.
Slide one photo is me standing in the bare bones of my dream: a production studio on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Building the studio is harrowing, complicated, expensive and has a daunting learning curve, but I’m truly my father’s daughter - tenacious, focused, and definitely up for a once in a lifetime adventure.
I grew up near the Pacific Ocean on Canada’s west coast. I whispered the dream of a coastal studio into my Godmother’s ear when I was a teen. A response came on a Caribbean breeze 3 years ago. Though I’d come to Isla in 2012 in pursuit of a love that ended up smashing my heart, over the past decade this island - imbued with the power of Mayan women - has been my place of healing and serenity.
Despite the setbacks, fear and inherent risk, there’s no turning back now. The fragility and mystery of our existence propels me forward.
So for whomever needs to hear it: take the reins, take the wheel, take the road less traveled, take the leap of faith and fly in the face of all that tells us that we can’t or shouldn’t. Even in precarious times we can and we must.
“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum"
With love, LP
