“We’re getting thrown crumbs in what are still hugely male-dominated spaces”: Bratakus unleash new single, Tokened

Bratakus have unleashed a new single and video, Tokened.

The Scottish Highland punk sisters – Brèagha Cuinn (vocals/guitar) and Onnagh Cuinn (vocals/bass) – address their challenges as female musicians in the industry on this latest banger, with an accompanying video featuring some of last year’s Girls Rock Glasgow participants (an organisation that worked with Amyl And The Sniffers back in November).

“It’s based on many experiences we’ve had as women playing music being thrown on first at gigs so that the cis male line-up appears more equal,” explains Brèagha of Tokened. “Also, festivals that put all the bands with women on the Thursday, before the actual festival starts, and bill it as a day to ‘empower’ us.”

“Acts like this feel like a massive cop-out to save people from tackling the real issues,” agrees Onnagh. “There’s some awareness of the need to address the gender gap in the music industry but so much of what’s dressed up as genuine attempts at progress end up feeling like you’re getting thrown crumbs in what are still hugely male dominated spaces. We’re then told we should be feeling grateful about it.

“It’s about wanting to be booked based on genuine recognition of what you’re doing as a band and the music you’re making, rather than feeling like your opportunities are coming from an empty form of box-ticking so that guys feel like they can pat themselves on the back for putting in minimum effort.”

Watch the video for Tokened now:

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