BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus: Deb Suckling

Organisation: SugarRush Music, Director

How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? I first started out playing in bands about 17 years ago. We set up SugarRush 10 years ago this year to release our own band and other local artists.

What's been the biggest change in the music business you've seen over the past 12 months? The rise of streaming and a reduction in income from sync and licensing. Also the nature of pushing acts has become much more online focused than ever before.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? Keeping up with new technologies and across all the platforms that keep coming almost everyday - and you have to keep up with it - but having the resources to do so can be difficult.

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Be across every single platform that you can be. What works for some artists doesn't work for others so you need to be as strategic and as creative as you can.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? I am facilitating the Indigenous pathways panel. We will be exploring existing opportunities and potential opportunities with the rise of Indigenous music in this country and internationally.

What are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel/interview? That Indigenous music and artists in Australia are gaining more recognition and as we as a country are growing more culturally aware - there is a huge amount of incredible talent that needs uncovering.

What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? BIGSOUND is that one week of the year where we can put names to faces of people we have been working with interstate and internationally, share our ideas, love and passion for music.

When and where is your panel/interview? 8 Sep, 3.35pm - 4.35pm, The Judith Wright Centre.