Music,
Matrescence &
navigating
career crossroads
My name's Kelly. Since the early 2000s, I've worked as a touring musician, collaborating with major label artists on global tours, album promotional campaigns, and studio recordings. This experience has given me a unique perspective on the inner workings of the music industry and the intricacies of successful campaigns. ​
The road
crossroads
Last year, I reached a major life and career crossroads when I became pregnant with my first child. I was entering a whole new phase of life and faced a huge shift in personal & professional identity. It should have been an exciting time, but the path ahead felt so uncertain.
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Who would I become as a result of this transition?
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How would I balance motherhood with my creative career?
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To make matters worse, shortly after becoming pregnant, I faced blatant discrimination when I was fired from a major tour because of my pregnancy.
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I felt lost.
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Not knowing which way to turn, I sought guidance, role models, and relatable artistic expression to help me figure out what was on the other side of this crossroads, but I found none. The absence of visibility and support made the journey even more challenging, leaving me to navigate this significant life transition on my own.
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This experience highlighted the challenges women face when navigating career transitions during motherhood. The notable gap in resources validates the need for a project that not only offers creative inspiration but also practical guidance to help women successfully navigate their own career transitions. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
navigating crossroads
With no role models for guidance, I had to create my own blueprint, which I discovered through fostering career independence and diversifying my skills.
Learning to independently produce, write, and record my own music transformed my creative business, giving me the tools to take control of my career path.​
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Removing the need for external validation, I became self-sufficient and built multiple income streams.
For others in similar situations, mastering the skills to independently produce, write, and record their music can provide the same level of creative freedom and financial sustainability, enabling them to pivot quickly, maintain momentum, and confidently navigate their music careers with autonomy.
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"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations"
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Below are some examples of my work as a music producer and songwriter.
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Here is an example of my music production & songwriting
Lose My Head is written & produced by Kelly Appleton featuring vocalist JJ rosa, Bassist Sara Farina & Drummer Sara Leigh Shaw
As a music producer & songwriter I often explore themes related to the experience of being a women. Lose My Head is a liberating anthem, encouraging listeners to shed societal expectations and norms. It invites individuals to embark on a transformative journey where authenticity reigns supreme. The music becomes a guiding force, propelling the listener into a space where self-expression and genuine identity take center stage.
Press play above
Here is another example of my music production & songwriting
In Body is written & produced by Kelly Appleton featuring vocalist The Pearl Harts
Through its defying chant “I’m not any bodies” In Body becomes a rallying cry for women, urging them to break free from societal norms and embrace their authenticity. It carries the weight of a larger narrative, challenging the status quo and advocating for a redefinition of a woman's worth, both in her personal identity and her professional pursuits within the music industry. Through it I hope to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the empowerment of women, challenging stereotypes, and reshaping the narrative for a more inclusive industry.
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the map
Project Manifesto
Education, Visibility, Relatable Creative Expression, Creative Vision
These values form the foundation of the project, guiding it to offer practical resources, showcase diverse experiences, provide a voice through relatable creative expression, and continuously push creative boundaries by seeking new & innovative approaches to music creation.
Relatable creative expression
Guiding principles
Creative Vision
education
visibility
The Album
creative vision
This project aims to achieve world-leading quality and demonstrate creative vision through its work. I’m committed to pushing artistic boundaries and leading projects that empower others to explore their potential.
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Recording a full-length album will provide opportunity for in depth creative experimentation and reimagining of creative possibilities.
As a music producer, I specialize in blending organic instrumentation with modern electronic production techniques. This fusion allows me to create a dynamic, textured sound that bridges the traditional and contemporary.
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Time to engage in specific areas of experimentation, creative risk taking and learning have been identified throughout the album creation process to aid in skill development, deepen creativity & allow the continuous pushing of boundaries within mine & my creative partners practices.
Areas for experimentation include:
The blending of acoustic & electronic instrumentation
Sound design & sound manipulation
Synthesis
Creative use of sampling
Modern vocal production chains
Creative use of Auto Tune
Creative use of effects
Experimentation with different approaches to Studio Recording Techniques
Experimentation with Tempo, Instrumentation & Complex verses sparse Musical Arrangements
Genre clashes & intersection of influences
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This process of experimentation along with the insights it reveals, will be documented for inclusion in the masterclass series inspiring others to push boundaries creatively.
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"Creativity helps build self-esteem and validate a woman's perspective. It also brings the often hidden nature of motherhood into the open"​
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To reflect the profound shift that occurs when a woman transitions into motherhood, the album will be titled:
WORLD TILTED.
​It will highlight the complexities and challenges of the matrescene journey.
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Themes will encompus:
Shifts in identity, relationships, and responsibilities
Feelings of change, loss of control, hope, growth
Conflicting & confusing emotions, sadness, anger, grieve, fear, joy, love. hope, excitement, laughter
The process of becoming lost, craving community, belonging, finding your way, find purpose, being reborn anew
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themes
Relatable creative expression
SONG Demo ideas for the album
project partners
visibilty
Research shows there is still a long way to go before gender disparity in the music industry is eradicated.
​This explains, in part, why there are so few role models available to guide women through the complexities of transitioning to motherhood while managing a career. This lack of role models perpetuates a cycle where women are left without the mentorship and encouragement needed to navigate these dual roles effectively.​​​​​​​​​​
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I've carefully chosen project partners not only to ensure the highest quality output but also to highlight role models from within the community. Each collaborator brings exceptional skill, experience, and a unique story of navigating their own career crossroads, making them perfect examples of leadership and resilience in the music industry.
The project partners cover a diverse range of creative music industry careers. By working with these talented individuals—whether they are musicians, producers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, studio engineers, PR or artist management—the project will showcase their journeys and provide visible role models, offering inspiration and practical guidance to women facing similar challenges. Their involvement will elevate the project's creative output while reflecting its core value of visibility.
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"If you can't see it, you can't be it"
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the master class series
education
Since 2022, I’ve been featured as an educator on Gibson's tuition app, one of the leading platforms for guitar education. The role has sharpened my ability to teach effectively, communicate complex concepts clearly, and connect with learners from diverse backgrounds. This experience has equipped me with invaluable insights into how students engage with online content, allowing me to craft lessons that are both engaging and accessible. Working with a globally recognized brand like Gibson has also helped me understand industry standards in educational content delivery, which I will bring into the master class series, ensuring it is both professional and impactful for participants looking to navigate their own creative paths.
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To further strengthen the delivery and content of the masterclass series, I will partner with PGCE-certified educator and music technologist Sara Farina. Their expertise in structured curriculum design and advanced music technology will enhance the educational quality of the series, ensuring that participants receive a well-rounded practical experience. This collaboration will allow us to blend hands-on technical knowledge with proven teaching strategies, giving participants the skills and confidence to navigate their own creative careers effectively.
By documenting a true to life album creation and release campaign from the ground up, the master class series will empower women to leverage their existing abilities, pivot into new areas, and build a body of work that showcases their talents, helping them sustain their creative careers.
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“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
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"If you really want to master something, teach it"
Presenting on Gibson Guitar's educational App, where i write & present courses
The master class - in more detail
The masterclass will highlight leadership roles fostered through independent music creation and the process of writing, recording & releasing music.
Leadership Roles that will be spotlighted include:
​Songwriter/Composer
Music Producer
Project Manager
Creative Director​
Audio Engineer
Mix Engineer
Master Engineer
Musical Director
Label/Independent Artist Manager​
Distribution/Publishing
Educator/Mentor
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These roles demand a blend of creativity, business acumen, and leadership. Understanding the skills inherent in these positions will empower women to independently manage their music careers while acquiring valuable industry expertise.
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module outline
Empower your creativity, embrace your leadership, and take control of your career journey.
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Project management & planning - Learn how to formulate plans, budgets & teams to support the release of your music
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​​​Songwriting & finding your creative voice - Everybody can be creative given the correct tools and structure. Creative expression like any muscle can be strengthened through dedicated practice and repetition. In this module, we will look at exercises to help participants find their own unique creative voice and express it through music & songwriting.​​​​
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Grass Roots into Music Production & Creating the Demo (Record from home with minimal equipment) - Using footage from the writing phase of this project I will demonstrate how to make high-quality recordings on a minimal budget, participants will learn the basics of music production and home recording.
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Finding Your Voice & Using It In The Recoding studio - It can be hard for women to use their voice assertively in the male-dominated world of the recording studio. Thus their ideas are often disregarded. Knowledge & empowerment are key to change here. Using footage from the recording studio phase of this project I will demystify studio jargon & demonstrate methods for assertive communication.​
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Deep Dive Into The roles of Music Producer - What does a music producer actually do? A more in-depth examination of the role of music producer. Including key technical elements and an examination of various routes to entry. Learn how to work with musicians to convey your ideas. Develop key music technology skills to aid in the creative process.
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​Making a music video & The Creative Director - To cater for the modern appetite of music consumption in which data shows that music paired with visuals performs significantly better than audio alone, using footage from the video creation phase of this project, in this module participants will learn how to organize a video shoot. The module will detail the processes from storyboarding to the importance of location & hiring a team. It will explore varying methods of video creation from ideas for low-budget videos to more upscale projects. ​
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​Promotion & The Release Strategy - Often viewed as a complicated and confusing part of making your own music, this module will demystify the release process. The module will show all aspects of marketing from digital to press & radio. Fostering independence and negating the need for costly marketing agencies. Using this project as an example, and highlighting strategies from House Of DIY, it will demonstrate how to put together a detailed & effective release strategy for your music.
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Building a Live Show and Musical Direction - Once your music has been released playing live is a critical method of audience building & promotion. As a specialist in combining music technology with live instruments this module will show how to use music tech methods to enhance a live show. Once you are aware of the frame work to music direct your own show participants can hire their skills out to 3rd party clients
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The Eco System of an Artist - Once you have created your music what’s next? This module will show participants methods to monetize thier work. From song publishing & Sync to selling merchandise. An awareness of possible income streams is vital to strengthen & build longevity throughout your career.​​​
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Distribution of the master class
To maximize accessibility, the masterclass will be distributed across various online platforms. It will be hosted on a dedicated website for easy access and promoted through video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, where viewers can access the content for free. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok will be utilized to share short clips, teasers, and behind-the-scenes footage, driving traffic to the full masterclass series.
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To further enhance accessibility, I will create audio-only versions of the masterclass for podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, allowing those who prefer listening on the go to engage with the material.
Additionally, downloadable PDFs and transcripts of the lessons will be provided to cater to different learning styles. Partnering with women-centric music blogs, online communities, and educational platforms will expand reach and provide diverse entry points for people to access the course.