The Australian music scene is vast, diverse, and endlessly creative — but for decades, it has been dominated by male narratives, male gatekeepers, and male faces on the biggest stages. In this landscape, Her Sound Her Story emerges as a groundbreaking and deeply necessary documentary.
Directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder, the 70-minute film showcases over 40 women from across five decades of Australian music, combining celebration with a clear-eyed critique of the industry’s inequities.
From chart-topping artists to behind-the-scenes powerhouses, Her Sound Her Story doesn’t just chronicle success — it exposes the systemic barriers women have faced and continue to navigate. The result is a film that is at once inspiring, thought-provoking, and essential viewing for anyone with even a passing interest in Australian music.
More Read: Gig Review: Kira Mac – Spring UK Tour 2024 at Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
The Story Behind Her Sound Her Story
Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder spent three years bringing this project to life — a genuine labour of love that began as a photographic series and evolved into a feature documentary. Their shared vision was to capture the voices, faces, and stories of women who had shaped Australian music but often found their contributions sidelined.
The filmmakers understood that representation matters — not just for the women already in the industry but for young girls deciding whether they can belong there. This understanding is woven into every interview, every archival clip, and every frame of Her Sound Her Story.
A Rich Tapestry of Perspectives
One of the film’s strengths is its scope. Instead of focusing solely on the most famous names, Dalimore and Hunder cast their net wide, ensuring a true cross-section of the industry. We hear from artists like Montaigne, Vera Blue, Julia Stone, Meg Mac, Ecca Vandal, Sampa The Great, Coda Conduct, Stella Donnelly, and Nai Palm — all of whom bring unique perspectives shaped by their careers, genres, and personal histories.
But the film goes beyond performers. It also spotlights producers, broadcasters, label executives, and managers — the people working behind the curtain who are equally vital to Australia’s cultural output. This broad representation makes the film a living archive of voices that might otherwise be forgotten.
Celebrating Achievements, Confronting Inequities
While Her Sound Her Story celebrates creativity, resilience, and innovation, it doesn’t shy away from hard truths. The documentary confronts the stark reality that, even today, men dominate the Australian music industry — from festival line-ups to executive positions. This imbalance is not just a statistic; it shapes the experiences, opportunities, and self-perception of women in music.
Interviewees speak openly about sexism, ageism, body image pressures, the “confidence gap,” and the scarcity of role models. They highlight the lack of balanced representation across all parts of the industry — on stages, in boardrooms, and in the creative process itself. These conversations give the film both emotional depth and political urgency.
Themes That Resonate Beyond Music
Sexism and Structural Barriers
The documentary situates personal experiences within a wider context of gender inequity. It draws on years of public discussion, media reporting, and grassroots movements calling out the music industry’s biases. The result is a nuanced portrait of how sexism manifests in everything from hiring practices to radio airplay.
Ageism and Image Pressures
Several women share candid reflections on how aging impacts their careers differently than it does for men. In a culture that often prizes youth and conventional beauty over artistry, female musicians face pressure to maintain a certain look rather than simply deliver quality music.
The Confidence Gap
The “confidence gap” — the tendency for women to underestimate their abilities while men often overestimate theirs — surfaces repeatedly. For some interviewees, this gap was internalised from a young age due to a lack of visible role models. For others, it was reinforced by industry gatekeepers.
Role Models and Representation
Her Sound Her Story makes a compelling case for the importance of visibility. When young women see others like them thriving in diverse music roles — from drummers to sound engineers to label bosses — they’re more likely to imagine themselves in those positions.
Visual Style and Emotional Impact
Visually, the documentary blends candid interviews with archival footage, performance clips, and intimate behind-the-scenes moments. The cinematography is warm, unpolished, and real — reflecting the authenticity of the conversations. This aesthetic choice strengthens the sense of connection between viewer and subject, making each story feel personal.
The pacing is deliberate but never slow, allowing space for reflection while keeping the narrative momentum. Musical interludes are woven throughout, reminding viewers of the immense talent at the film’s core.
Why Her Sound Her Story Is Essential Viewing
It’s a Cultural Record
For future generations, this documentary will serve as a time capsule of Australian music’s female voices in the early 21st century — their challenges, triumphs, and the social climate in which they worked.
It Sparks Conversations
The film isn’t content to simply inspire; it challenges audiences to think critically about gender equity in music and in other creative industries. By amplifying lived experiences, it encourages broader dialogue on systemic change.
It Showcases Diversity
The film’s commitment to representing a wide range of genres, career stages, and cultural backgrounds makes it an unusually inclusive portrait of Australian music.
Reception and Impact
Since its release, Her Sound Her Story has been screened at festivals, music conferences, and community events across Australia. It has sparked panel discussions, inspired mentorship initiatives, and been used as an educational resource for music students and industry newcomers.
Critics have praised it as “urgent and celebratory,” “unflinching yet uplifting,” and “a love letter to the women who shaped the soundtrack of our lives.” Viewers often describe leaving the film feeling both validated and motivated to push for change.
The Broader Context: Women in Global Music
While Her Sound Her Story is distinctly Australian, its themes resonate globally. The challenges faced by women in Australia’s music scene mirror those in the UK, US, and beyond. Gender-balanced festival line-ups, equitable pay, and fair media representation are still works in progress worldwide.
Internationally, initiatives like Keychange (in Europe) and Women in Music (US) echo the documentary’s message: equality is not just fair, it’s beneficial for creativity and the industry’s long-term health.
How to Watch Her Sound Her Story
The film has been shown at select screenings, festivals, and on digital platforms. Viewers should check official channels for availability, including streaming services, community cinema events, and educational institution screenings. Supporting the film by purchasing or renting it directly from the creators ensures more projects like this can be made.
The Takeaway: Will Not Be Silenced
The most striking message of Her Sound Her Story is that women in Australian music are not a niche group, nor are they simply victims of a flawed system. They are innovators, leaders, and storytellers whose voices are essential to the country’s cultural identity.
Far from being silenced, they are speaking louder than ever — and this documentary ensures those voices will echo for years to come.
Key Highlights of the Film
- 70 minutes of interviews with over 40 women from five decades of Australian music.
- Genres represented: pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, folk, R&B, and more.
- Interviewees include Montaigne, Vera Blue, Julia Stone, Meg Mac, Ecca Vandal, Sampa The Great, Coda Conduct, Stella Donnelly, and Nai Palm.
- Behind-the-scenes voices: producers, label reps, broadcasters, and industry advocates.
Frequently Asked Question
What is Her Sound Her Story about?
Her Sound Her Story is a 70-minute Australian documentary directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder. It features over 40 women from five decades of Australian music, celebrating their achievements while addressing gender inequality in the industry.
Who appears in Her Sound Her Story?
The documentary includes artists such as Montaigne, Vera Blue, Julia Stone, Meg Mac, Ecca Vandal, Sampa The Great, Coda Conduct, Stella Donnelly, and Nai Palm, alongside producers, broadcasters, label representatives, and other industry professionals.
Why is Her Sound Her Story considered essential viewing?
The film is both a celebration of women’s contributions to Australian music and a candid examination of the sexism, ageism, and representation gaps that still exist. It’s a powerful cultural record and a catalyst for change in the music industry.
What themes does the documentary explore?
Key themes include sexism, ageism, body image pressures, the confidence gap, lack of female role models, and the underrepresentation of women in both performance and behind-the-scenes roles.
How was Her Sound Her Story made?
The documentary was a three-year labour of love for Dalimore and Hunder. It began as a photographic project before evolving into a full-length film blending interviews, archival footage, and performance clips.
Where can I watch Her Sound Her Story?
The film has been shown at festivals, community screenings, and on select digital platforms. Viewers can check the official website and social channels for updates on streaming and purchase options.
How has Her Sound Her Story impacted the music industry?
Since its release, the documentary has sparked industry-wide discussions, inspired mentorship programs, and been used as an educational resource for students and emerging professionals in the Australian music scene.
Conclusion
Her Sound Her Story is more than a documentary — it’s a rallying cry, a celebration, and an archive of voices too often left out of the mainstream narrative. It reminds us that while the music industry still has far to go in achieving gender equity, the women within it are already making history every day. For music lovers, industry professionals, and anyone invested in cultural equality, this is essential viewing. Not only will it deepen your understanding of the Australian music scene, but it will also leave you energised to support the artists and professionals who keep it vibrant.
