Vans and Record Store Day join forces to celebrate women in music by releasing Portraits of Her, a 16-track limited-edition vinyl album featuring tracks by groundbreaking female artists on April 23rd. Rooted in empowering and uniting women from across the world, the album features a striking array of artists spanning different genres including Taylor Swift, BANKS, Princess Nokia, Laura Jane Grace, Julia Michaels, Girl In Red, Julien Baker, Bully, Mariah The Scientist, Girl Ultra and more – full tracklisting below. Additionally, Vans has made a donation of twenty thousand dollars to We Are Moving The Needle, a nonprofit organization that supports female music industry professionals including audio engineers and producers. The songs on the album speak to the challenges that women continue to face in male dominated spaces such as the music industry, serving as a labor of love with hopes of inspiring women to overcome adversity and triumph.
In celebration, Vans releases three powerful videos that capture the journeys of female artists and key powerplayers in music. They showcase deeply moving stories by artists featured on the album such as Alice Longyu Gao and Leyla Blue along with groundbreaking music industry professionals. Full credits below. Additionally, the cover of the album was created by beloved artist Sofia Enriquez, honoring the dynamic spirit of the project.
The album arrives in tandem with a stunning and intimately crafted zine delving into lived experiences and empowering advice from these inspiring women. Created by Jordi Ngd, the zine sees artists sharing their stories about self confidence, individuality, mentorship, and more. For more information on the partnership with Record Store Day, visit the Vans homepage for the project HERE.
Portraits of Her will be available at independent record stores on Record Store Day, Saturday, April 23rd, which is the 15th anniversary of the global celebration of the independent record store, a timeless and beloved symbol of music culture and consumption.
Bringing the project to life, a special Record fair will be hosted by Wax Trax! Records (female owned label by Julia Nash) at the House of Vans Chicago on April 30th. The celebration will feature performances by Boyish and K.Flay and DJ sets by Laura Jane Grace, Julia Nash (of Wax Trax! Records), Jill Hopkins (of The Metro and Vocalo Radio) and DJ Patrixa Goth
There is still more work to be done in the music industry for women. Women make up only 21% of all artists, 12% of songwriters, and 13% of music industry executives, according to the 2021 report by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at the University of Southern California. Behind the boards, only 2% of music producers and 3% of engineers across popular music are women.
“Women are an incredible asset to the music industry, yet they are underrepresented across the board, but particularly in recording studios,” says Grammy-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar, who founded We are Moving the Needle. “To close the vast gender gap in this industry, we must all work together to empower women on and off stage, behind the music, in the studio, and everywhere else in this business. We are grateful for the support from Vans, Record Store Day, and these amazing female artists.”
“This album celebrates generations of women who have overcome barriers to representation, recognition, and opportunity in the music industry,” says Tierney Stout, Director of Global Music Marketing at Vans. “Brands, record labels, musicians, and other organizations including Record Store Day and We Are Moving The Needle, are working together to give female talent more visibility, support and opportunities.”
“The music that women make, as musicians, as songwriters, as producers, engineers, or executives, has always had a place in record stores, both in their bins and on their Now Playing shelves. As we see more and more female faces on both sides of the record store counter, it only makes sense to spotlight that, and this compilation, with an emphasis on newer, younger artists is a great way to do it. It’s also wonderful to continue our partnership with Vans, and to work with a group like We Are Moving The Needle, whose mission we’re fully behind,” says Record Store Day co-founder, Carrie Colliton.
VIDEOS:
Melissa Logan (Senior Manager of Amoeba Music) Meets Lottie Moore (DJ, DubLab Curator, and Co-Founder of SOS Music) // Episode 1: https://youtu.be/tMX8KRlSBKQ
Leyla Blue (Musician) Meets Ericka J. Coulter (Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Records and Founder of TheBasement) // Episode 2: https://youtu.be/UpOoAw3CfzE
Alice Longyu Gao (Musician) Meets Alexis Rommel (Director at Live Nation) // Episode 3:https://youtu.be/7XEFrkL98mE
PORTRAITS OF HER TRACKLISTING:
Side A:
Taylor Swift – The Man
K.Flay – Nothing Can Kill Us
Joy Oladokun – i see america
Julia Michaels – That’s The Kind Of Woman
Leyla Blue – What A Shame
Asiahn – We Can
Laura Jane Grace – Ice Cream Song
BANKS – I Still Love You
Side B:
Princess Nokia – Sugar Honey Ice Tea
Alice Longyu Gao – Never Coming Back
Bully – Never Needed
Julien Baker – Hardline
Girl In Red – Serotonin
Boyish – Superstar
Mariah The Scientist – 2 You
Girl Ultra – Pena
INDIVIDUALS FEATURED IN VIDEOS:
Leyla Blue – Musician, featured on Portraits of Her
Alice Longyu Gao – Musician, featured on Portraits of Her
Melissa Logan – Ambassador – Senior Manager of Amoeba Music
Alexis Rommel – Ambassador – Director at Live Nation
Ericka J. Coulter – Ambassador – Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Records and Founder of TheBasement
Lottie Moore – Ambassador – DJ, DubLab Curator, and Co-Founder of SOS Music
About Vans:
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans® authentic collections are sold in 97 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans® has over 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concession and partnership doors. The Vans® brand promotes creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports, art, music and street culture, and delivers progressive platforms such as the Vans Checkerboard Day, Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, Vans Custom Culture, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.
Vans, “Off The Wall” Since ’66
Follow Vans Music on Spotify HERE
