On episode two of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Katy Jackson, the lead singer of rock band Tigress.
The Chelmsford-based band are approaching their fourth birthday later this year but have already gained significant traction for their music and have played all over the world.
But earlier in 2019, on International Women’s Day, Katy shared an email the band had received from a radio station.
The email in question was a response to Tigress saying that – while the song was good – the vocals didn’t match up to other female singers they were playing at the moment.
For Katy that highlighted the inherent sexism in the music industry that has hindered other rock bands with female lead singers.
That prompted a real debate with the band expressing how tired they were at their lead singer being judged on the basis of gender.
As Katy says, it’s fine if they don’t like the song or the music - just don’t bring gender into it.
But away from the love/hate relationship with the music industry it has still given Katy so much - it’s her life, job and career all rolled into one. 
She takes us through the highs and lows, how the band were handpicked by American band Green Day and just what music scene is like in the city of Chelmsford right now.
Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.
Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.
Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.
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