Interview series sheds light on inspiring women in the music industry
Fernanda Tein didn't start in music, but life's paths led them there. She, with a degree in tourism, learned through experience that she is passionate about working with Brazilian music and events. "I had the opportunity to work on a traveling cultural project that covered various areas of culture - music, theater, cinema, art exhibitions, and educational programs for children. That's when I realized that 'this type of event' was what I wanted to work on. From then on, it was a matter of patience and continuous learning," says Fernanda.
Today, as the executive producer for Zeca Baleiro, she is the second interviewee in the "Women in Music" series, which shines the spotlight on inspiring women in the music industry.
Get to know a bit of Fernanda's story:
WP: How did you start working with music and why did you become interested in the field?
Fernanda: I have a degree in tourism, interned at a travel agency that had an events department, and soon realized that I wanted to work in this area. At 23, still in that company, I had the opportunity to work on a traveling cultural project that covered various areas of culture - music, theater, cinema, art exhibitions, and educational programs for children. That's when I realized that I wanted to work with "this type of event." From then on, it was a matter of patience and continuous learning.
WP: Since you entered the music industry, what has been your biggest challenge?
Fernanda: : I think it was (and still is) understanding how the whole chain works so that artists receive what is due to them, especially for recorded music (both authorial and related rights). The digital realm has made everything even more obscure; it's like the Wild West (still).
WP: So that people can get to know you better, what roles do you currently hold and have held within the music industry?
Fernanda: I've done a bit of everything. I started with pre-production and logistics, also did technical production, and now work as the executive producer for Zeca Baleiro. I manage the Ponto de Bala publishing house and work at Saravá Discos, a label through which we release projects from Zeca himself and some other artists as well.
WP: How did your initial contact with Zeca Baleiro begin, and what is it like working with the musician?
Fernanda: We met in 2012 when he started working at Fidelio Produções, where I had been working for some time on corporate events, in addition to cultural ones. A few months later, the director of Fidelio invited me to tour with Simone ("Cigarra"), which would last for 6 months, and at the same time, Zeca's then-producer was moving to São Paulo. That's when I started working on his production simultaneously, and it's been over 10 years since then. I often joke that I'm biased when it comes to Zeca, but he's truly a special guy, beyond the artist everyone knows and admires; he's an incredible human being, and that makes the work much lighter.
WP: What has been the most significant moment of your career so far?
Fernanda: It's hard to choose just one moment; each step or change that brought me here has its value. Accepting to manage the publishing house part at Ponto de Bala was a big challenge and, in a way, opened up other possibilities for my career.
WP: How do you see the presence of women in your area of work within the music industry?
Fernanda: In the areas I work, we've been seeing women for some years now, both in production and in administrative roles. But I've been joyfully noticing more and more women on stage - and I'm not just talking about musicians and singers, but also about roadies, lighting technicians, set designers, and sound technicians. It's great to see that talented professionals are gaining space in the areas where they really enjoy working.
WP: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a career in the music industry?
Fernanda: There's a saying: "if advice were good, it would be sold, not given away." But if there's one piece of advice, it's that there's no formula for success; it's about discovering what you really enjoy doing and pursuing it, never settling for something that doesn't bring you joy. The feeling of doing what you love throughout your entire working time makes the whole journey worthwhile.
WP: Finally, what have you learned the most from working with music?
Fernanda: In the music market, people tend to be snobbish, to look down their noses and be arrogant because they work with so-and-so or such-and-such. One lesson I've learned from the start is to treat everyone I work with well, from the director to the janitor (don't trust someone who mistreats a waiter). And in this regard, working with artists like Simone, Edson Cordeiro, Zélia Duncan, or Zeca Baleiro has only reinforced the importance of being a good partner to the people who cross your path.
WePlay is a Brazilian live streaming platform for shows that believes in the diversity of national music and in the importance of information and credits for artists. Learn more about the service at weplaymusic.tv.br."