Meet the MusicWorks Panelist: Joanne Pollock

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Joanne Pollock

We're partnering with artist and producer Joanne Pollock for Equalizer, a new series of audio production workshops designed to offer a safe and encouraging environment to women and non-binary people who are interested in learning the ins and outs of audio production. Curated by Pollock, the Equalizer workshops build on her existing work to share her expertise to encourage and inspire women and non-binary artists to get into the behind-the-scenes production work, whether it’s for their own music or to develop skills to support the work of other artists. This season will offer hands-on fundamentals of synths and drum machines, facilitated by Pollock.

We'll kick off the series on September 28 with a beginner synth session. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of basic synths, using the affordable Roland JU-06 as a guide. Producer/artist Joanne Pollock will be offering hands-on experience about oscillators, filters, envelopes, and how to get the sound you want from your synthesizer.

Originally from Toronto, Pollock now makes electronic music from her home studio in Winnipeg. She began dabbling in production in 2010 when she downloaded her first DAW. In 2012, she released her first EP, December. That same year she met Aaron Funk, and together they formed the band Poemss, whose debut album was released on Planet Mu in 2014. After another EP release and touring throughout Canada and Europe, she released her first solo full length album, Stranger, on Timesig in 2017. She has since produced and mixed music for other artists throughout the city and beyond.

Get to know her better with our little Q+A...

Q: If you could only listen to one record for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: I really couldn't choose!

Q: What is your favourite material object that you own and why is it special?

A: That's tough. I'd have to say either my grandmother's jacket that I inherited from her, which was bought and worn by her in the '60s, or the jacket that my partner bought for me for my birthday a few years ago, also from the '60s. Firstly I love them because they're aesthetically beautiful and keep me warm, but also because they're imbued with the love of the people that gave them to me. I also love the '60s era, the music was so beautiful and the designs were out of this world. 

Q: If you could spend a day with anyone in music, who would it be, and what would you do?

A: I have so many friends who are musicians, I'd choose to hang out with them and go for a long walk in the woods and maybe swimming in a lake.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about being a touring musician?

A: Meeting people from around the world, who often speak another language, yet joining together to experience and participate in something that has the potential to be transformative.

Q: What is the most challenging?

A: Absolutely the grueling schedule. Being in airports every day, being on planes every day, waking up early every day.

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