2% Rising: Meet Eve Horne

Audio Media International is delighted to present the first in an ongoing series of engineer and producer interviews as part of our partnership with 2% Rising. Here, we catch up with London-based producer and songwriter Eve Horne…

Launched earlier this year by artist and producer Rookes and mastering engineer and AMI columnist Katie Tavini, 2% Rising was founded in response to the widely reported statistic that female producers only make up two per cent of the industry. The hub, which is currently 250 members strong (and still growing), is intended to serve as a safe space for women and non-binary producers and engineers to converse, share opportunities, ask questions and network. Sound designer Suze Cooper recently joined Rookes and Tavini as one of the group’s core staff members.

The partnership between AMI and 2% Rising will see us posting monthly spotlights on some of the most exciting new talent emerging from the network, while providing regular updates on its latest developments and activities.

Here, Eve Horne tells us about her career to date, the biggest challenges facing studio talent and her ambitions for the future…

Can you tell us where you’re based and what you do in the pro music and audio industry?
I am based in South East London. I am a singer, songwriter and producer, as well as a Native Instruments Certified Specialist, engineer/producer at Fitzrovia Post, founder of PeakMusicUK and co-founder of M@LO & The Magpie.

How did you come to work in music and audio production?
My journey began at the BRIT School in the early ‘90s. I went on to be signed to Polydor UK as part of a girl group trio and then joined girl group JUICE, signed to EMI Medley In Denmark. I then Graduated in 2003 as a sound engineer and founded my first company, which won a National Business Award and an Enterprising London Award for supporting young people and promoting female producers.  

What’s been the job you’ve most enjoyed in your career so far?
It’s a tough one as they have all been great for different reasons. Being an artist enabled me to travel the world, understand different cultures, live in another country whilst doing one of the things I love, which is performing.

Of which achievement do you feel proudest?
I have multiple. Graduating as a sound engineer and winning a National Business Award for promoting female producers and working the community and young people with my first company, to name a few.

What’s been the most difficult or challenging aspect of your job?
I think because I do so many different things and am constantly having new ideas, I can’t focus on just one thing, but I wouldn’t want to either because if I don’t feel like I have something constantly to work on or towards or have someone to help then i start questioning my reason for being here!

What do you want to focus on in the future?
I want to help increase the percentage womxn, BAME and LQBTQ+ communities in songwriting, production and sound engineering. Plus, releasing more music as an artist and score a TV series or film.

How do you feel the pro music and audio industry has changed (or not!) since you started to now?
I feel it has changed massively. Everything was categorised and had its place when I started out. If you were an artist, you were an artist. If you were an engineer, you knew your job was behind the mixing desk, micing up equipment, getting levels and a good recording etc. Now, if you are an artist, you are a website designer, promoter, manager, stylist, make-up artist, record label, art director, etc etc. Engineers are also producers, mixers, masterers, too. The world has become like different coloured pots of play dough after a two-year-old has played with it for a month!

Have you ever been star-struck by anyone you’ve worked with?
Jemaine Dupri and Andrea Martin. Oh, and maybe Backstreet Boys!

Which artists and producers are you listening to right now?
I love listening to the Colours YouTube playlist. It is amazing and has beautiful, international artists. The track production and vocals are just gorgeous. There are too many artists to name.

What do you feel that being a member of 2% Rising has given you?
2% rising has been integral to helping me believe in my ability as a creator. As well as constant communication with amazingly talented women, it is a place where I can feel accepted and the 2% ladies give their members great opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t a member.

www.peakmusic.uk