PRS for Music, the membership organisation that represents over 155,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers including the likes of singer-songwriters Arlo Parks and Little Simz, is partnering with Birmingham-based organisation, GIRL GRIND UK, to inspire the next generation of musical talent.

As part of PRS for Music’s educational outreach programme, two exclusive ‘How To Advance Your Career’ webinars, presented in collaboration with GIRL GRIND UK, will take place online on Wednesday 18 August and Wednesday 25 August, at 6pm and 7pm respectively.

The free webinars are aimed at women, girls and non-binary songwriters, composers, producers and artists at any stage in their career. PRS Foundation funded singer-songwriter, Cariss Auburn, will join PRS for Music and GIRL GRIND UK on Wednesday 18 August. The second workshop will focus on mothers in music, with Mary Leay, whose writing credits include Cher and Becky Hill, joining the session on Wednesday 25 August. Leay is co-creator of Mamas in Music and is passionate about helping and inspiring other mothers in the music industry.

Now, more than ever before, musicians are taking a DIY approach to creating, releasing and exploiting their art. Some are self-releasing music with hope of securing a future record deal, while others see it as a long-term strategy for their careers. In these webinars, PRS for Music’s Outreach team and GIRL GRIND UK will discuss what creators need to know in today’s complex world of music, funding available to help advance their careers, and ultimately, how to succeed in the music business.

As a membership society, PRS for Music represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the UK and beyond, championing their rights and helping to make sure that they are paid whenever their music is streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed or played in public. GIRL GRIND UK’s mission is to pioneer a movement for Black and Asian Ethnic Minority communities. It inspires, rejoices, and cultivates women, girls and non-binary people along their personal and professional grind.

Claire Rose, PRS for Music Outreach Manager, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Girl Grind UK and hope these events will be inspiring and empowering. These evenings are designed for music creators at all points in their careers – whether they have just written their first song or juggling being a mum and a musician. As a membership organisation, we don’t just distribute royalties. We’re also here for our members to turn to for advice and education.”

NAMYWA, Founder of GIRL GRIND UK, added: “What a time to be a woman in music; a woman with self-agency and a woman with a strong sense of her career direction. This partnership between Girl Grind UK & PRS supports up and coming and established women in music to thrive, be educated and own their sauce. More often than not, the West Midlands gets a bad rep, but together we are closing the regional gaps, and showing face!”

To reserve a free space, book a ticket online:

PRS for Music and GIRL GRIND UK presents: How To Advance Your Career

Women in Music – Wednesday 18 August 2021 at 6pm

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dws_dhijRnWQo9Aun6QG1w

PRS for Music and GIRL GRIND UK presents: How To Advance Your Career

Mothers in Music – Wednesday 25 August at 7pm

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Emry1JjHTxWU_H9WjGuoqQ

While the events are free, tickets are limited, please ensure to reserve a ticket online if you wish to attend. Both non-members and PRS for Music members are encouraged to attend.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, images and further information, please contact:

Siobhan Collins, PR and Communications Executive, PRS for Music

020 3741 4777 / siobhan.collins@prsformusic.com

Cariss Auburn biography

Cariss Auburn’s alt-R&B pop is genre-bending and confessional. A singer-songwriter and self-taught producer from Wolverhampton, UK, Cariss released her first single of 2021, Float, to praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, COLORS and gal-dem magazine, spins on BBC 1XTRA & BBC6Music, and official play-listing across Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music. Follow up single, Daydream, or as Cariss calls it “my own little 3-minute holiday” solidified her status as a newcomer to watch on the UK alt-pop scene, earning her first Radio 1 spin courtesy of BBC Introducing’s Gemma Bradley. Supported by PRS Foundation Women Make Music, Cariss’ EP, Refraction, is out now.

Mary Leay biography

South London based songwriter Mary Leay is perhaps best known for her top 40 co-write for MK / Becky Hill, Piece of Me – now reaching over 120 million streams on Spotify. She has co-written hits for artists including Cher and X Factor’s Union J alongside releasing her own music and gaining significant recent support from Spotify featuring on its Songwriters Hub as a ‘one to watch’ new writer and various editorial playlists. She is also co-creator of Mamas In Music and says the juggle of being a mum and having a career in music is an on-going challenge. She is passionate about helping and inspiring other mothers in the music industry.

About PRS for Music

PRS for Music represents the rights of over 155,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK and around the world. As a membership organisation it works to ensure that creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2020, 22.4 trillion performances of music were reported to PRS for Music with £650.5m collected on behalf of its members, making it one of the world’s leading music collective management organisations.

PRS for Music’s public performance licensing is now carried out on PRS for Music’s behalf by PPL PRS Ltd, the joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music.

About GIRL GRIND UK

At GIRL GRIND UK, our mission is to pioneer a movement for Black and Asian Ethnic Minority communities, grounded in gender and racial equality rights history and principles, through our projects, campaigns, and mental well-being advocacy. Ambition in girls starts at a young age, GIRL GRIND UK works to support girls aged 12 up to young women and non-binary people aged 30, through our GROWNISH and WOMANISH development arms. We inspire, rejoice, and cultivate women, girls and non-binary people on their personal and professional grind.