Position/Title: Managing Director at Zebra Collective
How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? Started in original bands and songwriting. Built on recording experience to write and produce for commercial projects. Played lots of covers gigs, started a blues band (still going). Moved into tertiary arts education: wrote a book: Living With A Creative Mind. Started Zebra Collective online creative wellbeing. Finishing a PhD.
What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? The music industry is always changing - a lot of it because of technology, fashion and culture. The two most important changes: the beginning of a recognition of ingrained gender inequities, and the recognition that we need to do something about the mental well being of those work in it.
What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? Gender equity needs a LOT more work, as well as the mental health and well being issue. How streaming services distribute revenue to ALL stakeholders is still in the early days. Worldwide there is ongoing massive growth - the big issue for Aussie artists is getting access to new markets.
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? 1. Work hard. 2. Be professional. 3. Network, network, network. 4. Stay true to who you are. 5. Educate yourself about how the industry works - it's constantly changing. 6. Look out for your own well being. 7. Gender inequity is real - fight it. 8. Nobody likes bullshit.
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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/interview? My main thing this year is a panel on high output creativity. My hope is that if you come to this panel you never need to be creatively blocked ever again. Creativity is a process. Once you figure that out, you can figure out how to access it at any time.
Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? Rebecca Hatch, love the blend of influences. Outstanding new artist. Polythought, interested to see how all those influences work out. POPPONGENE, haunting vocals. Sunbeam Sound Machine, just because.
What advice do you have for BIGSOUND first-timers? Get to as much as you can. See and hear as much as you can. Network. Meet people.
Assuming you've been previously, what's your favourite BIGSOUND memory? And which artist was your standout performance? I think the conference is a standout. The variety of informed opinion is really strong. I also love connecting and meeting people. Artist: I Know Leopard in 2018. Oh my. Love them.
When and where is your panel? 5 Sep, High Output Creativity, Moon Room, Cloudland, 2pm.
