SHOTTI

Erin Barra

The music industry — whether one is a performer, producer, booker, instructor or in the category of countless other jobs — is difficult and challenging to be a part of. The challenges are magnified if you’re in a lower-level position or just starting out. And a new report called "Women in the Mix" indicates all of that is made even harder if one is a woman or gender expansive.

The report’s author is Erin Barra who, among other things, is director of popular music at Arizona State University.

The Show spoke with her and began the conversation by asking whether she was discouraged by the results that showed how hard the music industry is on women.

More Stories From KJZZ

• Young Sonoran composer aspires to write music for the big screen
• Phoenix Symphony's mix of Brahms and Radiohead is more than a mashup