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BIGSOUND 2019 Speaker Focus: Alicia Sbrugnera

Artist Submission

What you need to know about your BIGSOUND speakers.

Position/Title: Head Of Music Culture And Editorial at Spotify

How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? I studied audio engineering but got my start in the industry as radio and chart manager at TMN. I then moved into music programmer roles for Mood Media, Viacom (MTV) and Foxtel Music Channels. 

What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? Local music industries around the globe (including our own) returning to growth, largely credited to streaming, has been phenomenal to watch. The democratisation of music and change in accessibility for creators, big and small, has resulted in countless opportunities and success stories for artists in Australia and around the world.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? One important challenge for the future of the music industry is not trailing when it comes to diversity and inclusion – not just gender, but also ethnicity, disability, age and sexuality. We must create an industry that is truly representative of the people it serves, for both fans and artists.

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Never give up. Be the best at what you do and develop skills to give you an edge. I’m a big believer that diversity breeds creativity and innovation. Network and build relationships with people who you can share experiences, learnings, perspectives and opportunities with. Always stay true to yourself.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? I will chat through how the editorial team at Spotify works to help nurture artists and their music on platform through our playlist ecosystem. 

Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? Jeida Woods, yergurl, Stevan, Electric Fields and Hooligan Hefs are just a few acts that I am itching to check out. Diversity, across a range of musical styles, is so important to us.

What advice do you have for BIGSOUND first-timers? Get some rest beforehand. Organise your essential meetings, ASAP – the conference can get overwhelming. See as much music as you can but beware of first night fever.

What's your favourite BIGSOUND memory? And which artist was your standout performance? An iconic memory was Dave Grohl's mum giving a keynote at last year's conference... say no more. Kwame's performance was off the hook!

When and where is your BIGSOUND panel? 5 Sep, Platforms, Crystal Palais, Cloudland, 4.15pm.