Two Denver business owners are attempting to level the playing field in music for
women, by producing an all-female/non-binary fronted showcase in Austin this March 15th - and
the lineup is insane.
Lauren Kashuk (Owner of Ideaison) and Cassie Cowan (Owner of Plus One Music Consulting)
came together at Denver’s Underground Music Showcase last summer with a mission - to help
form and start the Shesaid.so’s Denver chapter and create more opportunities for women in the
Denver music scene. Setting their sights on event production, the two owners realized that their
complementary skills, shared vision and goals, could be harnessed to create an opportunity to
showcase some of the best national and up-and-coming female/non-binary fronted acts.
“When we got the venue donated we knew we couldn’t pass up the
opportunity. It’s in the heart of 6th street during South By Southwest. We
decided to ask some of our favorite artists - even though we knew they
were technically out of reach for us financially - if they wanted to join.
When these artists starting saying “yes” because they believed in the
cause - we knew this was going to be an epic event” - Cassie Cowan
Elevated Taste, whose title came to as a nod to being 5280 feet “elevated” above sea level, and
taste to show the agency and dying art of true showcase/lineup curation without special interest
allegiance, will be free to the public (no wristband or passes needed - just an RSVP:
https://elevatedtaste.app.rsvpify.com/ ) and will cater to all sorts of music lovers. Headlining the
showcase is J.Phlip a female producer who has been blazing a trail for other women in her
genre.
“I first worked with J.Phlip with my previous cannabis music festival, which has since died, but it
was the catalyst by which I pursued Ideaison. Ideaison was born out of questioning the status
quo as a woman in the music industry. It’s only fitting that the first event that took a chance on
us had J.Phlip as talent, only for her to return to an event that we’re creating 2 years later. Since
she has grown and is now on the Movement lineup, and we’ve grown in confidence in our
abilities to curate and create these type of live music experiences.”
-Lauren Kashuk
Joining J.Phlip on the lineup is producer HAANA, Nordic/Icelandic inspired House producer,
Mom, from Mom N Dad (fka AViVA), Hip-Hop artist Jelie, Neo-Soul band Mama Magnolia and
alt-grunge band Senorita Sometimes.
For Lauren and Cassie, it was important to mix up the genres to show that women are
dominating every corner of the industry whether it’s nationally or in their markets. “This
showcase is about music, not just one genre. There are so many women out there doing
incredible things, we couldn’t just pick one genre to work with” Cassie explains. They hope that
people will come for the headliners and stay to see who is coming up on the horizon in their
respective genres.
“To us, this is about making a statement, as women in a male-dominated industry. Stats show
that there is still a 70/30 divide across the board, and it’s worse side stage/ backstage than it is
on festival/showcase lineups. We couldn’t stand aside and not stand up for what is right, and
walk the proverbial walk, as risky as it might be,” says Kashuk.
“Hopefully, this baby step will inspire other females/or non-binary folks who want to produce or
book talent to do so, and allow them to feel that they have that permission. I want to show them
that they don’t need to spend their 20’s like I did doubting my abilities or aptitude in the music
industry, just because I didn’t see anyone like me in a leadership role. This is how we progress.
This is how we move forward, despite what the numbers tell us and what others say.” -Lauren
Kashuk
Elevated Taste will take place at the Voodoo Room - 3rd floor in Austin from 2-8pm on Friday
March 15th. No wristbands or passes required. RSVP to get added to the list here.