BIGSOUND: Justin Heazlewood

Business: The Bedroom Philosopher

Position/Title: Artist

How did you first become involved in the music business? I won a competition called Heywire in 2001. I was invited to perform a song on triple j's morning show. From there, I picked up a weekly songwriting segment as The Bedroom Philosopher.

What do you perceive to be your area of expertise, and how did you gain experience in this field? I was an expert at taking the raw, dark, strange, odd, messy parts of life and turning them into snappy, thought-provoking, three-minute musical comedy songs. I gained experience in this field by gigging a lot and thinking a lot and living on the edge... of my bed.

Is this your first BIGSOUND? Yes.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? Life as an artist in Australia. I just published a book called Funemployed: Life As An Artist In Australia. It covers all kinds of hard-to-reach topics such as rejection, fame, depression, jealousy, workaholism and giving up.

What are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel/interview? That behind the hype and the press releases are real, vulnerable battlers deserving of empathy. There is much to unpack for artists in Australia. From poverty to anxiety to existential angst, what is our role, how are we to be respected and are we our own worst enemies? Discuss (with jokes).

What are you expecting to take away yourself from your visit to BIGSOUND? Promotional condoms from independent singers from Lismore. And a heart full of perspective and insight as I bask in the collective soulfire of my fellow art practitioners, all of us burning our hearts out for a glimpse of that diamond in the rough.