BIGSOUND 2019 Speaker Focus: Dina Bassile

Position/Title: Access Consultant at Tibi Access

How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? Someone once said to me there are plenty of managers out there, if I wanted to push myself I needed to find the gap in this industry. That was a lightbulb moment for me, from that moment I created my access consultancy business specifically aimed towards the music industry.

What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? The music industry is opening its doors to people of all colour, races, sex, religion and ability, which is really exciting to see. People are becoming more aware of how to be as inclusive and educated as possible.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? One of the biggest issues is the lack of funding provided to venues and festivals to assist them in making their spaces accessible. I find that festival producers and venue managers want to make their spaces accessible but simply don't have the budget to do so. 

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? It's really important to be persistent and show people the importance of accessibility in the music industry. It's important to have an understanding of both the creative industries as well as the access consulting industry. They are two very different worlds but crucial to know in this line of work.

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 be discussing why it is important to make your space/event accessible and the impact one can make by opening their doors to the disabled community. In the panel we will touch on how this is done. I really want people to leave the panel feeling motivated and confident that they can make a difference within their businesses.

Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? Adrian Eagle is at the top of my list for BIGSOUND! He is such a soulful performer, I can't wait for him to share his talent with the rest of BIGSOUND.

What advice do you have for BIGSOUND first-timers? Ask people for their recommendations on who to see during the festival! It's a great way to find new and talented artists!

Assuming you've been previously, what's your favourite BIGSOUND memory? And which artist was your standout performance? My favourite BIGSOUND memory has to be seeing Total Giovanni perform. Everyone had recommended to see them and they did not disappoint! 

When and where is your panel? 5 Sep, Everyone Deserves Music, Moon Room, Cloudland, 11.45am.