Sara C. Domínguez is a 27-year-old Spanish professional. She works in event management and teaches at Microfusa, a school that is active in various areas of the music world. This enterprising young woman also had several experiences with Queenz Sounds, a non-profit project for women and the LGBT+ community in the British music industry. She follows her passion for music both by working in the events sector and producing music, although due to time constraints, she cannot devote as much time to it as she would like. Sara is a woman who, despite achieving milestones with dedication and success, continues to dream and tells us about it precisely in this interview. It is people like her who show us that everything is possible in life, as long as there is commitment and passion, but above all, never to be discouraged in the face of difficulties.
Can you tell us what a typical workday is like for you?
It depends a lot on the period and whether there are events that week but on a typical day I have fixed hours when I teach Music Industry or Live Performance. The rest of the time I organize to cover the needs of my role: meetings, social media management, contacting venues, artist scouting, scheduling coordination, logistics, contracts, collaborations, etc. If there are events, whether for Microfusa or external projects, I am present at the event and ensure everything goes according to plan (and if not, I find quick solutions!).
What do you like most about your job and what is the most tiring aspect?
What I like most is that it is a very dynamic job, especially the event part, with no days being the same. It constantly allows me to think of new ideas to implement for the next event and not get bored with a routine. On the other hand, the downside is not having a fixed 9-5 schedule and being able to disconnect. There's always something to do and the mind is always at work.
What did you study?
I firstly studied for a higher diploma in Music Business at ICMP in London and then a degree in Music Production at Point Blank Music School.
You studied music production. We’ve noticed that it is very rare to find female sound engineers. Have you noticed this too and, if so, why do you think this happens?
It is true that there is a noticeable shortage. Many jobs considered more technical tend to have greater male representation due to associations with traditional gender roles. Fortunately, I think this is something that is slowly changing. In fact, teaching at a production school, I can see a preview of the industry's future and we are seeing more gender balance in the classes each time.
Tell us a bit about Queenz Sounds, it sounds like a very interesting project!
It is! It's a UK-based music agency specializing in organizing events and supporting independent artists, working with female and/or LGBTQIA+ artists. Recently, I had to leave due to time and logistics issues, but it's a project I believe in 100% and will continue to support from the outside. Some of the artists I worked with deserve special mention for their commitment and talent: Felix III, Bentley Jones, Bella Gate, Evripidis, Emma Elizabeth... I encourage everyone to check out the agency's artists because they are really worth it!
Who are your favorite artists and the songs that have marked you? Do you think they motivated you to work in this field?
My favorite music project is PVRIS, closely followed by Bring Me The Horizon. They are truly motivating artists because they create very personal music, both in terms of sound and in participating in the production of their songs and in the lyrics that connect with me and my vision of life. If I had to choose a couple of songs, I would say Goddess by PVRIS and Seen It All Before by Bring Me The Horizon.
How would you describe the Spanish music industry?
I think all industries always reflect the population and its culture. In this case, I believe it is a culture where there is not a habit of going to enjoy live music as a form of entertainment, and this is reflected in the difficulty of finding support for the local scene. Festivals and already established artists work better because it is a mass culture. Therefore, there are quite a few limitations regarding the languages used, native to the country, and the musical genres (mainly urban music) to enter the market "easily." In an ideal world, I would like to see more promotion of the culture of going to concerts, exploring different musical genres, and appreciating alternative trends, and for more investment and education from the top in the music world.
Do you think being Spanish influences your career in terms of job opportunities in this industry?
Definitely yes. Having worked with agencies and artists from the UK, I could see that in other places it is easier to have a music career and be financially sustainable without having to break into the mainstream. However, I feel fortunate because I have found a way to work in this industry and it has shown me that there are really opportunities, you just have to work hard and be lucky enough to meet the right people and companies.
What are your future projects?
I have two great loves at a professional level in life and I would like to progress in both. On the one hand, I hope to grow and work more frequently and with larger events. On the other hand, I hope to have more time to work in production and also dedicate myself to music production. In fact, I have a couple of projects in progress, one with my partner and another with a friend, which I hope to finish soon and release during this year.
Do you have any advice for others who want to work in the music industry?
First of all, ask yourself if you really want to do it because it is an industry where you need to have absolute passion not to burn out, as, like I said before, it is very difficult to separate work hours from downtime. If you are sure that this is what you want to do, go ahead and give your best. It is very important not to wait for opportunities but to create them, not to be afraid of rejection and to work hard to make connections and persevere until all the effort pays off. And above all, have an open mind about what it means to work in music because there are thousands of roles in the industry that are super interesting and people sometimes don't know about them. I want to encourage all those looking for training in the industry to come to Microfusa where I work because it is a great place (I say this, but it is the truth) where students are supported and guided in the sector through the teaching of multiple disciplines.
Could you suggest a Spanish song to the readers?
I take this opportunity to recommend a band from Barcelona that I collaborate with. For listeners with more alternative tastes, I invite you to listen to The Noyrd, their latest single Verano en 4:3 is available on all platforms. They are fantastic people and work very hard on their music, creating a very special sound!
You can follow Sara here