Emerging Masterclasses: Platform & Identity Building w/ Marla Kether

As part of Saffron's Emerging Artist Development project in Bristol, we are hosting three in-person workshops, offering music creators the opportunity to connect and learn alongside our 2025 programme participants.

Hosted by Saffron graduates and mentors, these sessions provide a space for women, trans and non-binary people to come together and expand practice, sharing in the support we offer, whilst thinking about your work within a wider musical ecosystem.

In a world where artistry is all too often approached as an individual pursuit, come along to cross-pollinate and contribute to each other's growth.

WORKSHOP 1: PLATFORM AND IDENTITY BUILDING

Marla Kether will share insights into how she has developed her own musical world, sonically, visually, and collaboratively. She'll offer practical tips around building a network and contacts, and talk through how she has transitioned from doing much of this herself to assembling a team around her.

If you would like to attend this workshop but cannot afford a ticket, please email us at hello@saffronmusic.co.uk to request a bursary space.

ABOUT MARLA KETHER

Born in London to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a bassist, producer and DJ. Exceeding 40 million Spotify streams for her work as a session bassist (Loyle Carner, Yazmin Lacey, Oscar Jerome, and Obongjayar), Marla released All That We Have in November 2023 to widespread acclaim. The EP was championed by the likes of Crack Magazine, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova, Shanti Celeste and Gilles Peterson. Bandcamp Daily hailed the EP as among ‘The Best Electronic Music of November 2023’, and the closing track BTR2 was one of DJ Mag’s Top Tracks of the Year.

Winner of Youth Music’s 2024 Producer of the Year, Marla released the EP on vinyl in June 2025, featuring a masterful B-side of remixes by Gina Jeanz, Ikonika, Fiyahdred, Rose Holland, and Coco Em. Her jazz-infused UK Funky track featuring Naima Adams, Morning Light, was released the same month as one of the lead singles for Somewhere Soul’s ‘Rituals Volume 1’ compilation, out on RE:WARM Records. Marla will be releasing more music in the coming months, including a track on a compilation by the prolific house music label Toy Tonics.

Following performances at The Jazz Cafe, Shambala, London Jazz Festival and House of KOKO in 2024, this year sees Marla playing at The Roundhouse, Outlook, We Out Here, Glastonbury and Down The Rabbit Hole, as well as supporting Cymande in Europe. Marla recently announced headline shows in Brighton, London and Bristol on October 21st, 22nd and 23rd respectively. These will mark the debut of her 7-piece band, featuring a drummer for the very first time. She’ll also be joining Little Simz on her upcoming world tour, following her standout performance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

ABOUT SAFFRON

Saffron is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to advance gender equality in the music tech sector by creating safer spaces for marginalised people to learn, create and grow confidently through forward-thinking technological music creation, DJ and music industry experience.

Saffron’s work focuses on educational courses, online workshops, mentoring, a global members club and an artist development and label platform. We are building a future industry that is inclusive and diverse. Founded in Bristol UK in 2015, Saffron has grown from a one-woman operation to an initiative supporting thousands of people worldwide to find music education and community.

Saffron is part of the PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Partner Network and has been provided with funding to make this project happen.

Sign-up to the Saffron newsletter

Contact Saffron

Safffronmusic.co.uk