BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus: Tim Hollo

Organisation: Green Music Australia, CEO

How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? A group of us, as classically trained musicians, decided to enter our uni band comp, and attracted quite a bit of attention. It rolled from there, and kept rolling for 20 years...

What's been the biggest change in the music business you've seen over the past 12 months? From my perspective, the way musicians have suddenly once again started to stand up for what they believe in, writing and releasing music about issues they care about deeply, is brilliant to see.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? I would say this, but grappling with the environmental crises is number one. It might not be what we think of as central to the music business, but we all live on this planet together.

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Do what you believe in. Be brave. Take your role as an influencer seriously.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? I'm hoping to convince people from all parts of the scene that we must - and can - get those stupid, wasteful disposable plastic water bottles out of the music business once and for all.

What are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel/interview? That it's actually remarkably easy to stop using disposable water bottles. They weren't part of our past, so they needn't be part of our future.

What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? I hope to come away with lots of people to follow up - people who are keen to be part of this exciting and important drive to clean up our business.

Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? Heaps of them! As many as possible!

When and where is your panel/interview? 7 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre, 2pm.