Cara Hammond Reminds Us That “No Means No”

Cara Hammond is a young and talented singer/songwriter from North Wales, currently based in Leeds. She is a woman after our own hearts, with a deep passion for women’s rights and equality in the music industry. We were lucky enough to secure an interview with Cara, where we could dig into some details about her latest release, “No.”
SSS: Your new single “No” is a great anthem for women everywhere, and is so relevant right now in the male-dominated music industry. What inspired you to write the song?
CH: Well at some point, me and all of my female friends have experienced different levels of gender inequality. Whether we’re out in the street and getting cat-called and whistled at, or getting felt up when we’re out trying to have a good time. The specific reason I wrote this song was after an experience in a nightclub where these guys asked me and my friends back to theirs, we refused and they suddenly became quite hostile. That really annoyed me and so I began writing ‘No’. Since releasing and performing this track I’ve noticed the audience really respond to it and it’s started a healthy discussion into gender equality and respectfulness of all genders.
SSS: When did you start making music? What drove you to pursue music?
CH: Well I’ve been singing since I was little, I was one of those annoying kids that always wanted to perform! I started writing my own music when I was 11, after I had my first guitar lesson and I just loved that I could create a song that was 100% me. I was driven to pursue music because of this and still to this day I love seeing how people react to my own original music.
SSS: Who are your greatest inspirations, either within the music realm or otherwise?
CH: Music wise: Amy Winehouse, Lianne La Havas, Paolo Nutini, Carole King and Ben Howard. Otherwise: My amazing family for supporting my career choice as ‘pop star’ haha!
SSS: ‘No means no’ is sadly still a message that needs to be re-iterated. Your song does a fantastic job of making that point. How else do you think women in the music industry can continue to effectively spread this message?
CH: Thank you! Well I think the world is slowly changing towards a gender equal future but yes, unfortunately there is still a long way to go. I think by continuing to make women’s voices heard by continuing to write fantastic songs which ask for more for women and question gender equality. Within the music industry women only make up 30% of senior executive roles and so I think more discussions about gender equality are really important too.
SSS: What has your journey been like while breaking into the industry? As a young woman I think its sometimes harder to break through and grasp the attention of high-level music industry executives. Have you experienced any particular difficulties?
CH: I think for any musician it’s a struggle. You need to have done so much for organisations to notice you. For example you may have performed at a ton of music festivals but if you haven’t got enough followers on Twitter then they’re not bothered. Fortunately for me this is what drives me to be heard because I’m someone who wants to be heard
SSS: Is there anything else you’d like to add or share?
CH: I’m due to do a songwriting session in London with Mick Lister at the end of August, and am supporting the Undercover Hippy at Hifi Club, Leeds on the 22nd October.
Check out Cara’s new single on all major platforms, and help spread her powerful message.
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