Grammy Week is always full of star-studded events, but the courtyard at the Chaplin Lot before the second annual Resonator Awards was the kind of scene that makes you feel like you’re in a documentary.
Olivia Rodrigo and St. Vincent are laughing together over there while Dave Grohl greets Thundercat with a bear hug nearby and there’s Nancy Wilson from Heart in an awesome vivid magenta outfit. There’s Fred Armisen and Bon Iver and Maggie Rogers and Anderson .Paak and “Excuse me we’ve got Joni coming through” as a security man parts the crowd for the divine Ms. Mitchell, who recorded some of the greatest albums of her near-peerless catalog in this legendary place more than a half century ago.
There are few more storied Hollywood locations than the 109-year-old Chaplin Studios, founded in 1917 by actor Charlie Chaplin, which became the home base of A&M Records during the 1960s — with a legendary studio where countless classic albums were recorded — and later the Jim Henson Company, until the lot was purchased by singer-songwriter John Mayer and film/TV producer McG last November and restored to its original name earlier this year (although the men’s and women’s rooms are still marked with Kermit and Miss Piggy signs).
The recording studio’s iconic history makes it a perfect site for the Resonator Awards, a female-forward event helmed by Grammy-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar and her foundation We Are Moving the Needle. The evening primarily honors female, trans and non-binary producers, engineers and others behind the scenes, and features a jaw-dropping list of top-shelf talent as well.
Honorees and presenters included Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Olivia Rodrigo, Doechii, St. Vincent, Haim, Laufey, Nancy Wilson, Addison Rae and collaborators Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, 2025 Grammy songwriter of the year Amy Allen and many more, with performances from Lalah Hathaway, Maggie Rogers, Sia, Flo, and Margo Price with Jim James, who covered the Christine McVie composition “Everywhere.” (Haley Williams and Lucius were scheduled to appear but did not, presumably due to travel complications in Nashville.) Chappell Roan’s touring musicians comprised the core of the all-female house band, which crushed it throughout the evening and earned multiple compliments from the honorees. (A full list of honorees and presenters appears below.)
There was an all-star auction in the middle where, among multiple other winners, Doechii won a trip to Mykonos as part of a raffle where a couple dozen $100 donors dropped their auction paddles into a basket collected by a staffer; St. Vincent had written her acceptance speech on hers and ended up freestyling a rambling, “Grey Gardens”-esque speech with several “I wish I had that fucking paddle!” interjections.
All of the above made for a very long night that, between the cocktail hour and ceremony, stretched from 5 p.m. until nearly 11. Anderson .Paak and Taylor Swift/ Gracie Abrams collaborator Aaron Dessner paid tribute to their beloved collaborators, respectively Grammy-nominated producer Alissia and engineer Bella Blasko.
Allana Haim, flanked by sisters Danielle and Este, recalled being “Valley Girls making the big drive over the hill” and riding past the lot, wondering “what amazing music was being made here, where the great Joni Mitchelll and Chaka Khan and Karen Carpenter and so many others recorded.”
She spoke of the sisters’ resilience in their early years. “Standing here, it’s quite surreal to be receiving this award because honestly we just feel like three sisters following our gut,” she continued. “But let it be known there were plenty of times people, especially in our early days, tried to drive us off of our path.
“We were told everything under the sun, such as, ‘No one wants to see girls play instruments.’ ‘Maybe you should dress as schoolgirls as a cute little fun gimmick’ — it’s true, it happened. Or ‘Why so many guitar solos? You should sound less rock.’ But because of our extreme tunnelvision, it was easy to stick to our path. And after being a band for almost 20 years, we get to stand here and say we are the first all-female rock band to be nominated for the best rock album Grammy.” She concluded by encouraging young women to pick up instruments, get in the studio and “always trust your gut.”
Rodrigo spoke of the vast influence that St. Vincent (aka Annie Clarke) had on her as a young artist — which was also demonstrated when Vincent presented Rodrigo with the Storyteller award at Variety’s Hitmakers event in 2023.
“There are moments in which the road you set out upon is forever changed,” in her case “that moment when 14-year-old you clicks on the video for the St. Vincent song ‘Cruel’ on YouTube.
“I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that video changed me,” she continued, “and in that moment needed to know everything about this artist.” She listed off several albums that featured “Some of the cleverest lyricism and most dangerous guitar riffs my young ears had ever encountered.
“I became particularly fixated on the song ‘Surgeon,’ which is inspired by a letter Marilyn Monroe wrote to her acting teacher Lee Strassberg. I know this story not because Annie told me, but because I chose the song as a literary text to analyze in my 11th grade English class, which is a very nerdy way to say I love you, Annie, but I mean it.”
St. Vincent thanked Rodrigo, saying “Olivia, you give me all hope for the future, and you are one of the best motherfuckers I have ever met” at the beginning of her five-minute, free-form acceptance speech, which was broken up with frequent digressions about the paddle, her wife and child, the lighting in the room, the award’s resemblance to a vase, and more.
After being introduced by Nancy Wilson, Chappell Roan walked onstage to accept the Harmonizer Award — honoring a creator who uses music to leverage social change — as her band played the crushing riff to Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade,” which made the singer burst into peals of laughter.
“I told them to pick a walk-on song to surprise me that would make me laugh,” she said, “and it did! That was awesome.”
She grew more serious as she continued. “It’s late and I cut my own speech to a fourth of the length, so… thank you Nancy Wilson, thank you We Are Moving the Needle for having me here tonight and recognizing me with the Harmonizer award.”
She put down her notes. “I feel very uncomfortable being told that I’m a good person — this isn’t in the teleprompter, whoever’s working that, just give up! — I think because of some type of Christian guilt or something. But it’s cool when people you really look up to think you’re a good person or think you’re doing good things. But I only know what to do because I see other people in my life doing good things, like listening to trans people who need representation, and money for health care and rent, and I think it’s an artist’s and anyone who has money’s duty to give it away.”
Referring back to the award’s name and the current climate in the country, she concluded, “I don’t really know what else there is to harmony other than giving, so thank you for recognizing me. I don’t really know what’s going to happen to women or gay people or people of color, or really anyone. But I think the only thing that matters is community and kindness and giving away what you have.”
The evening wound to its conclusion with Joni Mitchell, who spoke of her long friendship and collaboration with top honoree Chaka Khan and recalled an incident at what she said was an inebriated dinner.
“There was a night that we met in an Italian restaurant, there was a waiter there and Chaka was speaking German to him. I ordered some food but mostly we just drank. And suddenly Chaka said to me ‘Stand up!’ So I stood up and she dashed for the door so it was like dine and dash — that’s not my way, really,” she added with a chuckle. “So we stood across the street and the German waiter ran out after us and I said, ‘Chaka, I’m gonna go back and pay the bill!’ I’ve always enjoyed her company, every time we meet something spectacular happens.”
“Thank you Joni, you can sit down now, child,” Chaka said. “I started listening to her when I was in my middle teens, and she was one of my biggest inspirations… in fact, she sent me to the dictionary several times!
“I do love what I do,” she continued. “I do it because I have to, this is my calling, this is how I love the best, and I get to love en masse.” Holding up her award, she said, “This represents something deeply important to me. I’ve been blessed with a long life in music, and what I’ve learned is this: Longevity isn’t about staying the same, it’s about staying open, differently, every time that you can. Open to collaborations, new voices, change and the people behind the scenes, whose creativity helps everything you hear. Some of the most powerful moments happen in studios late at night, with the producers and engineers and songwriters who believed in the music before the world ever heard it.”
She concluded, “I’ve always believed that empowered women empower women. So thank you for this award, and keep moving the needle.”
The evening concluded with an all-star tribute to Khan with Sia singing “Tell Me Something Good” (with Danielle Haim expertly playing the song’s deeply complicated rhythm on drums), Maggie Rogers singing “Ain’t Nobody” and finally, “Through the Fire” by Lalah Hathaway, who was joined by Khan herself for some freestyling around the chorus.
Despite the length of the evening, the audience slowly trickled out, and as midnight approached, nearly as many luminaries were seen lingering in the courtyard as when the evening began seven hours earlier.
Luminary Award – Chaka Khan presented by Joni Mitchell
This award is presented to a creator whose profound impact has transcended the confines of the music realm to significantly change culture. A true luminary, their artistry is a beacon of inspiration not only to those within the industry but also to the world.
Harmonizer Award – Chappell Roan Presented by Heart’s Nancy Wilson
This award honors a creator who uses music to leverage social change. They are a voice of our collective conscience who pushes boundaries to powerfully articulate their message and challenge issues of our time.
Golden Trifecta Award – St. Vincent presented by Olivia Rodrigo
This award honors a top creator who is reinventing the rules: an innovator who breaks down traditional barriers to make magic happen on both sides of the glass. This creator is a triple threat, exerting prowess across multiple disciplines as a producer, engineer, and artist.
Disruptors Award – Haim presented by Rostam
This award celebrates visionary creators who are redefining what’s possible in music. Fearless and innovative, they shatter conventions and blur lines between roles—producer, engineer, artist—crafting sound that challenges norms and sparks inspiration. Their work doesn’t just follow trends; it sets them, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and proving that true artistry knows no limits.
Powerhouse Award – Gena Johnson presented by Jason Isbell
This award celebrates a visionary producer whose exceptional work has made a profound and enduring impact on music and culture. An unparalleled master of the craft, this creator’s artistic intuition and technical brilliance sets new creative standards in the recording industry. Their accomplishments are both an inspiration to peers across the industry and a driving force in popular culture.
Exceptional Ears Award – Bella Blasko presented by Aaron Dessner
This award recognizes a leading engineer whose technical prowess has made a noteworthy mark on the field this year. This creator’s acute sense of detail, unwavering commitment to sonic excellence, and mastery of the engineer’s craft have not only elevated their own work but have set a new standard for the industry. Blasko’s credits include: Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, The National, Ed Sheeran, Brandi Carlile, Florence & the Machine, Mumford & Sons, Laufey, etc.
Exceptional Ears Award – Jayda Love presented by Doechii
This award recognizes a leading engineer whose technical prowess has made a noteworthy mark on the field this year. This creator’s acute sense of detail, unwavering commitment to sonic excellence, and mastery of the engineer’s craft have not only elevated their own work but have set a new standard for the industry. Love’s credits include: Doechii, Janelle Monáe, Fana Hues, Coast Contra, etc.
Calliope Award – Amy Allen presented by Laufey
The Muse of Poetry and Storytelling, Calliope represents the voice of inspiration who gives words their music and songs their meaning. This award honors the songwriter behind the year’s most impactful music, celebrating their creative brilliance that has shaped both the charts and the cultural conversation. Their words and melodies have resonated across the industry—proving just how transformative great songwriting can be.
All-Star Award – Alissia presented by Anderson .Paak
This award is presented to an unstoppable force: a top-tier producer whose commitment to excellence and skillset knows no bounds. They are a catalyst, influencing and enhancing the work of a wide array of artists across various genres and disciplines.
In Stereo Award – Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser presented by Addison Rae
This award celebrates a duo of visionary producers whose creativity and partnership move music forward. Together, this pair embodies the fusion of craft, innovation, and instinct — creating work that transcends genres and generations. Their combined impact resonates far beyond the studio, shaping the future of sound and leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Breakthrough Award – Roselilah presented by Emily Lazar
This award celebrates a producer on the rise whose work has left a defining mark on music this year. Through innovation, precision, and fearless creativity, this creator is elevating the art of production—reshaping the sound of popular music and setting a new standard for excellence behind the console.
Transformer Award – Roger Davies Presented by Cher (via video)
This award celebrates an individual who is a true changemaker—a leader who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. This champion uplifts women’s voices across the industry, and inspires the music community to lead by doing.
This award celebrates an individual who is a true changemaker—a leader who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. This champion uplifts women’s voices across the industry, and inspires the music community to lead by doing.
Equalizer Award – Betty Bennett presented by Tony Berg
Presented to a company or group that is at the forefront of innovation in the recording industry. This award acknowledges an industry leader who pioneers change through their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
RESONATOR HALL OF FAME
The Resonator Hall of Fame honors legendary producers and engineers who pave the way and make significant contributions to the music industry over their careers. Previous inductees include Alicia Keys, Linda Perry, Ann Mincieli, Leslie Ann Jones, Marcella Araica, among others.
Allee Willis (In Memoriam)
Elaine Martone
Jaime Sickora
Judith Sherman
Mary Mazurek
Michelle Sabolchick
SOPHIE (In Memoriam)
English (US) ·