“Sticky Business”: An Examination of Female Musicians in the Context of Perth’s Metal Community

Abstract

This study investigates and elaborates on the experiences of female musicians in the Perth metal music community, which has traditionally been identified as a male-dominated environment and even a hypermasculine space. This study serves to inform the growing research emerging from metal music studies and to contribute to the wider conversation about women’s experiences in male-dominated fields. To undertake this research, I used a mixed-methods approach that includes a survey questionnaire of thirteen women who have all identified as musicians interacting within the Perth metal community and one extended interview with a veteran metal guitarist.