Girls Twiddling Knobs
The #1 feminist music tech podcast, featuring deep-diving episodes into all things music production and home recording and fascinating guest episodes with women making music with technology, hosted by Isobel Anderson.
Girls Twiddling Knobs
Ep#97: Burnout, gender and music technology with Denise Devenish
Luckily, there’s far more conversations happening about musicians’ mental health these days. But how might gender impact our experience of things like depression and anxiety? And how might this differ in a music technology setting, specifically? Because, while this is something that’s often touched upon in wider conversations around gender and music technology, it’s rarely fully explored in its own right.
Inside this conversation, Isobel chats with musicians’ therapist and counsellor, Denise Devenish about the intricacies and complexities of being a woman or gender minority in music tech spaces and how this can contribute to burnout specifically. They also discuss what the industry can do better to prevent these challenges, how Denise works specifically with musicians in her private practice and how you can access support if you’re affected by any of the issues we discuss in this episode.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
Therapy & Counselling Support
- Mind Charity >>
- The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network >>
- British Association of Performing Arts Medicine >>
Sexual Harassment & Abuse
- Women’s Aid >>
- Help Musicians’ Bullying & Harassment Helpline >>
- Musicians’ Union Safe Space Scheme >>
Musicians’ Mental Health
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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.
Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026.
We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.
Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.
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