“Having been in the music industry for 30+ years I feel that we still have a long way to go in terms of supporting women in the music industry and equal opportunities. Even though there are more women in the industry now than when I first started, it is still a staggeringly low percentage (especially in the managerial roles). This isn't just an issue for the music industry but in the workplace in general. I am so happy to be part of this community, even if it goes a small way to helping with positive changes”
Vinita Joshi
2018 marked the 20th anniversary of Rocket Girl, one of the most eclectic and resilient small independent labels in the UK, steered single-handedly by Vinita Joshi. To celebrate this milestone, in March 2019, Rocket Girl released a very special collection of music and literature compiled in a book.
Vinita’s teenage initiation into the music industry was managing The Telescopes, founding Ché with Nick Allport out of the ashes of Cheree, before finally going it alone and setting up her own label in 1998. It is both an inspiring and bittersweet tale. Vinita’s staying power in such a challenging industry is worthy of its own tribute: she has built a record label on her own terms from scratch, she has overcome the loss of loved ones, and survived a breakdown at the height of her label’s popularity - all in all her immense love of music. Her strength and positivity in the face of adversity is to be admired.
As an industry figurehead, Vinita had an episode dedicated to her on the BBC Wales documentary, Hit and Miss: An A-Z of the Music Industry. She was awarded one of four Young Music Professional Awards in 2001. Vinita has had many interns over the years, many of these being female. With her support and nurturing, they have often gone on to continue to work in the music industry or follow their own path knowing that it can be done.