She Writes Songs
She Writes Songs - Be Part of the Revolution!
She Writes Songs - a pioneering new Not-For-Profit dedicated to championing female songwriters – will host a launch event, partnering with the Monterey-based Just Jazz on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Wendi Kirby Music, LLC in Old Monterey. Founded by songwriter, producer and artist Sarah Gillespie, it provides mentorship, workshops, networking and live showcases to champion and elevate women songwriters in an industry where they remain drastically under-represented.
This intimate May 3 event will mark the first of two electrifying launch events, the second taking place at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on May 25th.
Through education, community, and opportunity, we are aiming to ensure that Women’s Voices Shape the Sound of The Future. She Writes Songs launches in the U.S. with an exclusive event at Wendi Kirby Music LLC in Old Monterey.
Partnering with Just Jazz, this unmissable evening will feature live performances from local artists Anne Sibley, Julie Capili, Jeni Keszler ,and Wendi Kirby with critically acclaimed singer songwriter and SWS founder: Sarah Gillespie plus special guests!
🎶 Music. Wine Partner: Talbott Vineyards. Canapés. Networking. Change. 🎶
As a part of the evening, renowned long term songwriter manager and music executive Stephen Budd will host a Q&A session, pulling back the curtain on how the music industry really works - and why now, more than ever, women’s voices need to be heard.
Join the Movement:
While women’s singing voices dominate the airwaves, their songwriting contributions remain vastly underrepresented. A recent study estimates that 90% of songs in the public domain were written by men.
Co-founded by renowned singer-songwriter/producer Sarah Gillespie and UK music industry veteran Stephen Budd, SWS aims to turbocharge the careers of female songwriters through mentorship, artistic development, contacts, promotion, and Music Industry access—perhaps the hardest barrier for many aspiring women songwriters.
She Writes Songs is calling on music lovers, industry professionals, and advocates for gender equality to join this groundbreaking initiative. Whether you’re a songwriter, a patron of the arts, or simply passionate about music.
Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to She Writes Songs (select She Writes Songs) and click here to learn more about the Just Jazz Foundation.
About Sarah Gillespie : British-American singer-songwriter Sarah Gillespie is renowned for her poetic lyricism, fearless storytelling, and genre-defying fusion of jazz, folk, and blues. With multiple critically acclaimed albums under her belt, she has toured internationally, collaborated with legendary musicians, and headlined festivals and venues all over the world. A passionate advocate for artistic integrity and a mentor to women creatives and songwriters, Sarah co-founded She Writes Songs to amplify the voices of women songwriters and dismantle the barriers they face.
About Co-founder Stephen Budd : Stephen Budd is a renowned music executive, artist manager, and producer advocate, with decades of experience shaping the global music industry. As the founder of Stephen Budd Music, co-founder of Africa Express and music festivals around the globe and a former chairman of Music Managers Forum, he has worked with some of the most legendary artists and producers, including Madonna, Santana, The Cure, Dido, Paul McCartney, Damon Albarn, Tony Visconti and Brian Eno. A driving force behind major industry initiatives, Stephen is dedicated to empowering new talent and creating meaningful change. As co-founder of She Writes Songs, he is committed to championing women songwriters and ensuring they get the recognition, opportunities, and support they deserve.
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the change!
*Wendi Kirby is an artist on Sarah Gillespie’s label, Pastiche Records.