Name: Maggie Collins
Business: Fans Creative Management
Position/Title: Managing Director
How did you first become involved in the music business? My first role in the music world was volunteering at 4ZZZ. I volunteered on front desk and eventually got my own show and became Music Director.
What do you perceive to be your area of expertise and how did you gain experience in this field? I focus on a few different areas: radio, artist management and bookings. I can't speak for everyone, but I've found I need to diversify to stay afloat. Also I like the variety.
Popular culture tells us that the music industry is all about hedonism, drugs and partying - how true is this in your experience? People work in music for the love of it, not because it's safe. That being said, I work my ass off and probably spend more time in my inbox than at a party. But then again, work hard/play hard.
In this time of technological change how do you see the dissemination of music changing in the future? Is there still a place for physical product? Personally I haven't played a CD by choice in years. As a consumer, music streaming services are the best thing that's ever happened. The jury's still out on how good it is for an artist though.
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Some pundits espouse that the future of music is electronic-based - in your opinion is rock'n'roll passé? Rock is definitely not passé, but I do subscribe to the notion that electronic music is the bigger of the two and will continue to be for a long time. I can see this reflected in live music attendance numbers.
Do you think it's a good or bad time to be starting out as a musician? It's a GREAT time!... to start. To continue on, though, and have longevity will be the question.
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Have good taste. Be a decent human. Don't be lazy.
What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? My experience as an artist manager whose acts have spent a lot of time touring the UK and Europe.
What are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel/interview? That nothing is impossible, but you've got to do a lot of work to achieve your goals.
What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? I love BIGSOUND. Alongside Splendour it's my favourite event on the Australian music industry calendar. I just want to have a good time!
