Position/Title: Music Journalist at Beat Magazine
How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? I started submitting music reviews when I was still at uni, then became the editor of The AU Review until I moved to Melbourne from Adelaide in 2017. Since the move I've been enjoying freelance life and sinking my teeth into some awesome projects.
What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? The goalposts for what can and can't be achieved for young people in the music industry have changed significantly. We're seeing more ideas and projects getting off the ground that aren't being squandered by gatekeepers, and we're seeing inclusivity across the board beginning to take more priority.
What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The conversation surrounding diversity and quotas will be one that will always remain an issue in the music industry as long as the original structure for success within it remains the same. The winds are changing, but how we dismantle and rebuild will dictate its strength moving forward.
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Take criticism, but ensure that it is constructive. Listen and share with your peers and never let your voice – whether it be creative, editorial or otherwise – be devalued by another who spends their day-to-day outside of your field.
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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 keynote? I'm excited for our keynote, Under Occupation, because there will be four distinct perspectives on indigeneity in music and how our cultures are represented (or under-represented) in primarily Anglo or settler-led industries. I'm looking forward to learning from my fellow speakers as much as I'm looking forward to talking about the experience of a Polynesian/Pacific Islander in the Australian scene.
Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? Keen to see Miiesha, Electric Fields, Hannah Blackburn, Kobie Dee, P-UniQue, Rebecca Hatch, among others. Such strong voices and identities – can't wait to see how they affect the audience seeing them for the first time!
What advice do you have for BIGSOUND first-timers? Don't go too hard, too early. Brisbane weather doesn't play around when you're hungover and schlepping it to meetings the morning after the first night. Stay hydrated and bring an open mind to develop some new connections!
What's your favourite BIGSOUND memory? And which artist was your standout performance? There have been so many (some I probably shouldn't put to publication!), but some highlight performances included Ceres in 2016, Electric Fields in 2017 and Marlon Williams in 2014.
When and where is your BIGSOUND keynote? 5 Sep, Under Occupation: Indigenous Perspectives On The Global Music Industry, Rainbow Room, Cloudland, 10.15am.
