Women Behind the Boards: THEESatisfaction

For every male music producer that becomes a household name, there is a female counterpart who deserves the same notoriety. Despite producers like Patrice Rushen and Missy Elliott who are recognized as musical pioneers, others like Angela Winbush and KING who are just as adept behind the boards are still wholly underrepresented in media and on the Billboard charts. In recent years however, women producers have made folks sit up and take notice. No longer willing to bide their time waiting for major label backing, these musical architects are taking matters into their own hands by creating and releasing music on their own terms. This class of fearless women, including Jack Davey, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Gwen Bunn and THEESatisfaction, know exactly what they want. Parlour reached out to discover how these ladies began, what they’ve learned and how they exist in the music industry. Since Parlour talked to THEESatisfaction back in August, Catherine “Cat” Harris and Stasia “Stas” Irons have been hopscotching across the globe with shows in the U.S., Australia and Barcelona. Between gigs, the outspoken duo continues to work their afro-futuristic magic in the studio, lending their remixing talents to fellow indie darlings like The Internet, touring with Shabazz Palaces and finding inspiration in the music of Anita Baker on their EP, THEESatisfaction Loves Anita Baker.Parlour: What instruments do you play and when did you start?Cat: I’ve been singing and songwriting since I was a little girl. When I was in middle school I got into piano and guitar and I’ve continued playing those instruments.Stas: I played the viola in the third grade. I fuck around with piano. I hate the idea of reading music, so I play by ear.Would you or have you produced for other artists?Cat: Anytime, but I produce just for us right now. I would like to make a jam for Rucyl and Yukimi from Little Dragon, or Kendrick Lamar. Dude’s got a nice voice.Stas: It’s hard for me to part with a beat because I make them for Cat and me. We collaborated with Shabazz Palaces on a song and did a remix for The Internet. Recently, I’ve been making shit that I think other people could be on, we’ll see.Is there a new increase in female producers, or is it just a matter of these women gaining more visibility on the Internet?Stas: More visibility has sparked the increase in female producers, we’ve always been around.Cat: Preach.How has the industry reacted to your production talents? Have you had to prove yourself?Cat: We’ve had good energy all around, [but] it definitely still shocks folks.Stas: Everyone loves that we make our own beats, they are amazed. I love seeing the surprise and the joy.Their Sound: A musical gumbo of afro rhythms, R&B, hip-hop and futuristic sounds provide the backdrop for this tag team duo. Check out "Sweat" below: