We are so excited to introduce to you our Manitoba-based grassroots organizing team at the Good + Plenty Producer's Club! These folks have all stepped forward in the last few months as willing and able to help guide the collective with their wisdom and experiences. Each one of them represents a different phase in the production journey, and that's exactly what is needed--real people, on real journeys, that represent each of you and where you're at.
If you are looking at this group and thinking hey, what a good looking bunch, I could see myself looking good next to them, then please send us an email or connect here on our website! We would love to expand this team with more folks who are passionate about women and gender diverse folks in audio in Manitoba, whether you'd like to be on the organizing team, volunteer at an event, or facilitate/teach a workshop or field trip!
MEET: THE LOCAL ORGANIZING TEAM
Veronica Blackhawk (Tinge)
THEY/THEM/SHE/HER
My name is Veronica Blackhawk and I am 2-Spirit & Anishinaabe creative. I am the lead for the band Tinge, create art through Blackhawk Boutique and operate Blackhawk Creative as a means to help other upcoming artists, musicians and entrepreneurs within the entertainment industry. I’m just starting out in my production journey! I’ve had a love for writing music & different instruments for 10+ years, but it was through the Good and Plenty Producers’ podcast that I gained the confidence to start my journey in working with others. Within the next year I’d like to hone in on the technical process of mixing and mastering, as well as learning about others’ careers and how to achieve long term goals in the music industry.
ILA BARKER
SHE/HER
My name is Ila Barker and I’m am Indigenous and Settler singer-songwriter in the Folk Soul scene. I am the founder and facilitator of AIRsessions, a 4-year old music mentorship program that connects Indigenous emerging musicians with established Indigenous artists and industry professionals. I've been learning basic production in Logic Pro X for the last couple years, and love teaching the basics to youth. I co-produced my upcoming record! Within the next year I want to push the envelope creatively for myself and experiment with new sounds. I want to become a better facilitator and be able to pass on as much skill and knowledge as possible to others coming up behind us.
LAURA SMITH (DAGGERSS)
SHE/HER
My name is Laura Smith and I am a music educator/mentor, a self-produced solo artist as Daggerss (alt pop), Ollorjya (ambient instrumental on Flood Tide Records), producer for other artists, and I play drums in Vancouver based pop/rock trio Hot Soup. I spent 2010-2018 touring, writing and recording several albums with the indie pop rock duo Rococode. I am Irish, Scottish, British, Danish, Norwegian, and my ancestors immigrated to Turtle Island between 3-5 generations ago. My main instruments are voice, keyboards, drums and Logic Pro X. Currently I produce out of my home space Sprkl Studio–I'm 5 years into my production journey and just getting started! I have lots to learn but I have a good set of skills at my disposal. Within the next year I want to become expertly skilled with the instruments and tools I already have. I'd also like to learn techniques from other producers and practice experimentation and playfulness in the studio more.
AMBER NEUFELD
SHE/THEY
My name is Amber Neufeld, and I’m a Queer Mennonite™ from Winnipeg/Treaty 1! I've dabbled as a background vocalist for solo artists in both live shows & album recordings, sang in symphonic choruses, & performed in musical theatre projects since high school! When it comes to my production journey I'm a baby beginner, learning as much as I can about production & audio engineering through different workshops. Within the next year I would like to learn…anything & everything, but would love to shadow & learn about sound mixing for live shows!
HERA
SHE/THEY
My name is Hera and I’m a Queer Filipino born and raised in the Phillipines, and now living on Treaty 1! I am an actress, musician with my own solo project, and a youth mentor with Just TV. I have written original music for theatre productions as well as acted in various film and television roles. So far in my production journey I feel confident with the most basic recording process with a DAW! Within the next year I want to learn what it takes to be a good audio engineer and more about technical aspects of production and their functions.
LANA WINTERHALT
SHE/HER
My name is Lana Winterhalt and I’m an indie-pop artist, producer, songwriter, and arts administrator living and working on Treaty 1 land. My cultural heritage is German, English, Irish, and Métis. I am one of the founders of Good + Plenty and also host the Good + Plenty Producer’s Club podcast, as well as do live sound for a few different venues in Winnipeg. I have self-produced/engineered 4 of my own projects as well as produced for a few other artists across Canada, and would say that I’m confident in creating a good sounding track with the current tools I have. My goal for the next year is to widen my expertise with recording and mixing live instruments like strings and percussion, as well as optimize my physical studio setup.