As one of the first female A&R executives at major labels, Kate has shaped music history through her work with the Flaming Lips, Moby, the Cranberries, Aimee Mann, and countless others. In this riveting conversation, she pulls back the curtain on the music industry's male power structure and how she navigated it with unflinching honesty.

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Sarah talks with Lachi, a world-touring recording artist, dynamic media personality, and award-winning social entrepreneur known for her charting collaborations with global brands and top names in dance music. Recognized by the Shorty Awards, Ad Age’s Leading Women, and AfroTech’s Future 50, her groundbreaking advocacy has been featured in Billboard, Forbes, The New York Times, and USA Today, which named her a 2024 Woman of the Year. She was also named Innovator of the Year by ADCOLOR.

Lee Dannay is a veteran A&R executive whose career spans over 30 years across labels, publishing, and television. She’s worked with artists like John Mayer, Brandi Carlile, and the Oscar-winning duo from Once. Currently head of A&R at Thirty Tigers, she also teaches at NYU and Hofstra and serves as president of the Recording Academy NY Chapter.

Sarah Nagourney sits down with Shira Gans, Senior Executive Director for Policy and Programs at the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. She discusses ‘ New York Music month’ the New York City Mayor's office initiative started by Gans. Shira also elaborates on how government initiatives are strengthening New York's $21 billion music industry ecosystem.

In the She Creates Noise debut episode, Michelle Fantus discusses her two decades of experience across publishing, distribution, and streaming, offering a rare insider’s view of the evolving music industry. From her start as a receptionist at Sony ATV to co-head of A&R at Killphonic Rights, her journey underscores the power of relationships, initiative, and innovation.

Michelle shares how she helped launch Spotify’s Equal program and Created by Women playlist, amplifying the voices of female songwriters and producers. She demystifies the complex world of music publishing, reflects on booking early showcases for future stars like Lana Del Rey and Dan & Shay, and offers practical advice for those looking to break in. From the rise of AI to the push for gender equity, Michelle’s insights are both timely and inspiring.