PHOTO CREDIT: Lauren Connelly
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY JAXSTA, AUGUST 2018
1) Who are you in the music industry? What’s your story?
Where to start…my career in music journalism started around 2011 when I was living in Adelaide and halfway through an arts degree. I’ve written for a number of online publications, but most people will know me for my work with national music and arts publication, the AU review. I came on board as the site was entering its third year and in 2018, the AU turns ten; needless to say, a lot has changed in the Australian music media scene over that time. I’ve been lucky enough to help take the brand overseas during my time and cover some dream festivals, profile some incredible established and emerging talent both at home and abroad.
In recent years, my work has been featured in Rolling Stone Australia and Beat Magazine while on the more ‘industry’ tip, I’ve been part of the judging panel for the Australian Music Prize since 2016, as well as having served on other award boards including the South Australian Music Awards, NT Song of the Year, The Age Music Victoria Awards and the ARIA’s. I’ve also delved into music publicity this year as well and gotten back into community radio too, as a way to experience the other side and broaden my own experiences and skills.
Since moving to Melbourne in late 2017, I’ve been enjoying connecting with one of the country’s best music communities and finding new artists with stories that need to be heard.
2) If you had to give credit where credit’s due, where would that be? To who? And why?
In terms of kickstarting the journey to where I am now, editors who gave me a start early on, whether that be a free ticket to the first shows I reviewed or the musicians who have been behind me since the beginning; people including Ryan Winter, Larry Heath, Tobias Handke, Urthboy, Andy Bull, James Mangohig, Ali Hawken. Kathy McCabe, for being an early inspiration. In more recent years though, I’ve had a core network of industry colleagues whose support I have found invaluable; the Michelle Grace Hunders, the Leanne de Souzas, the Emily Cheungs, the Kirsty Rivers’, the Helen Marcous’…the list goes on. Passionate people who champion music and their causes wholeheartedly with honesty and intelligence. They’ve helped me a great deal over the years, particularly when navigating the politics of the Australian industry, that can often feel rather exhausting.
3) What are you most excited for this upcoming year? Who should we shine the spotlight on?
I’m excited to be tackling some new projects here in Melbourne. There’s one in particular that is in the baby stages that I’m really looking forward to seeing come to life over the next year. I’m keen to travel more and experience new types of music and artists I’ve not really had much to do with; I’m ready to be challenged and to ~hopefully~ thrive on that challenge. In terms of new music, I’m very keen to see where artists including Kaiit, Alexander Biggs, Tasman Keith, BIRDZ and Marlon Williams go as this year wraps up and 2019 kicks off. These artists, in particular, represent very different corners of music but the way they have captured the attention of a broader music fanbase (and industry base, too) over the last 12 months has been incredible. I’m very excited to see what’s coming next.