Gurlzilla Hosts Virtual Festival [Q&A]

“It’ll be just as fun as if a dude planned it!”

Katie Miller may not have created an all-woman music festival, but she helped keep it alive. Lost Compass Productions and Get Down Enterprises present, “Gurlzilla: Virtual Premiere.” The online music festival, hosted by powerhouse vocalist Mae Simpson, will feature musicians based in Minnesota, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Performers include Kate Dressed Up, Druzy Rose, Maggie Mae, Red Eye Ruby, The Foxgloves, Fawziyya Heart and one artist to be announced. 

What once was an in-person event is now virtual — but still live! The great thing about internet concerts is while attendees miss out on a live and intimate experience, they get to experience a multi-community collaboration with artists and production teams that operate in different cities. 

The festival will be held on Crowdcast music channel, Parallax TV, which brings together independent musicians and high-quality production teams in multiple states. Proceeds from Gurlzilla will go to Planned Parenthood and will benefit reproductive rights for all. Get tickets by clicking here.

Tune-in Saturday at 4:30 CST and 5:30 EST. The event is sponsored by The PS 14 Foundation and Change.stream. Other contributors include Shxt Happens and Daughterboard Audio. Check out this Q&A with organizer, Katie Miller. 

Des & The Swag: by Xinos Photography

Q: What was the inspiration to start Gurlzilla?
KM: The very first Gurlzilla was actually not my idea. In the spring of 2016, I had a show in Montclair, NJ where I met Rebecca Emont, who is an incredible artist herself and one of my dearest friends. She asked me if I would be interested in helping throw a women’s benefit show within probably 10 seconds of introducing herself. Rebecca moved away after the first Gurlzilla, and I’ve been doing my best to carry the torch since.

Q: How many years have y’all been doing Gurlzilla?
KM: The first Gurlzilla was in December 2016, so about four years now. Gurlzilla isn’t exactly an annual event though. I do them when I have space in my life and brain to coordinate and make them something really special, which this virtual premiere is shaping up to be. 

Q: How does Gurlzilla benefit your local music community?
KM: By showcasing all these non-male talents in roles on- and off-stage, we inspire other people to feel confident in their own artistic pursuits. We want that inspiration extends to areas of expertise outside music and entertainment as well. The hope is that Gurlzilla inspires not only artists, but also businesspeople, politicians, community leaders, scientists, and really anyone at all in our audience to go for their dreams full force, and don’t be afraid to take up space. The flipside of that is showing patriarchal thinkers what women and non-men are capable of (hint: it’s everything!). And then, of course, Gurlzilla is also a fundraiser. Until this virtual premiere, the beneficiaries have always been local nonprofits, because we want to make a direct impact in our local community as much as possible.

Q: Are there still opportunities for people to get involved?
KM: The best way to get involved is to donate and share. Help spread the word and tune in on 11/14!

Q: Tell me about how Gurlzilla came in contact with Parallax?
KM: We were introduced through Solar Circuit, a band that my company Lost Compass represents. When we met, the Parallax team was already working on a feminist benefit event on their platform. After hearing their ideas, I asked if they’d be interested in using the Gurlzilla branding and curating the event together. It’s been smooth sailing since and it feels like everything we’ve done already has far exceeded both our expectations.

Pamela Flores: by Xinos Photography

Q: What was the decision like to switch to a live stream format?
KM: It was an easy one, quite frankly. We had a tri-state series of three shows planned out this spring, which was obviously difficult to watch fall through. But thanks to Parallax, this opportunity to take it virtual feels really special and important. It feels like the right thing to do right now.

Q: Why did you choose Planned Parenthood as this year’s beneficiary? Who has it been in the past?
KM: Again, this was a pretty easy decision. Planned Parenthood is a place where everyone can exercise their reproductive rights without fear of judgment. They provide quality healthcare to people who otherwise would not be able to access that care. I’ve personally gone there several times. With reproductive rights on the chopping block here in the good ole’ US of A, it seemed apropos. We also wanted to choose something that spanned the geographic reach of the event, which is from New Jersey to Minneapolis, MN.

Little Hag fka Avery Mandeville: by Xinos Photography

Q: Anything else you would like viewers to know?
KM: I just want to thank everyone who has helped bring this together so far. Thank you to our amazing sponsors The P.S. 14 Foundation and Change.stream. Thank you to our promotional partners Daughterboard Audio and Embrace DIY Productions. Thank you to all the artists. And thank YOU, reader, for taking an interest in Gurlzilla. We hope you tune in on 11/14 at crowdcast.io/e/gurlzilla.

Graphic poster for event by MaK Art Productions – Melanie Kimple.

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