SHOWCASING & INTERNATIONAL TOURING IN 2022

Wednesday 3rd August


Dom Alessio

Sounds Australia

Dom Alessio is the Digital Export Producer for Sounds Australia. Dom's role is to drive the digital strategy of Australia's export office, as well as identify international opportunities for Australian artists and industry in the digital space. He's also a regular guest on ABC Radio, occasionally a DJ and partial to hosting a music trivia night.For eight years Dom was the host of Home & Hosed on triple j, Australia's national youth radio station. Starting in 2009, he presented and programmed the show, Monday to Thursday at 9pm, introducing audiences to the future of Australian music. 

Dom was an early supporter of artists such as Flume, Courtney Barnett, Boy & Bear, Methyl Ethel, Meg Mac, Julia Jacklin, Remi, Sampa The Great, D.D. Dumbo, Gang Of Youths, Alex Lahey and countless others. Dom's career began as a freelance music writer in 2005 before joining Sydney's weekly music street press magazine The Brag as their Arts & Assistant Editor in mid-2006. It was during this period that Dom co-founded the first music blog solely dedicated to Australian music, Who The Bloody Hell Are They.



Dan Crannitch

Wonderlick

Dan is head of A&R at Wonderlick Entertainment, a Sydney-based management company, record label and publishing company (the latter two being joint ventures with Sony Music) with a diverse roster including Amy Shark, Electric Fields, flowerkid, Holy Holy and Montaigne. As well as A&R, 

Dan has had experience in most areas of the industry, including being in a handful of critically acclaimed bands, booking numerous venues and festivals as well as managing a prestigious mentorship program in South Australia, the Robert Stigwood Fellowship. Dan is known for cultivating strong relationships with a highly focused lens on collaboration. 

Recent examples include being instrumental in securing a co-management partnership with Danny Rukasin (Billie Eilish/Finneas) and helping to cultivate a creative partnership between David Byrne and Montaigne for her forthcoming album.



MANE

Having not long returned from the US after playing SXSW in Austin TX earlier this year MANE’s explosive indie pop and haunting vocals make for an impressive and exciting live performance. 

MANE has penned booming, beautiful anthems that celebrate the people that mean the most to us, the love that those relationships represent and has a distinct lyrical vulnerability with listeners. With new music around the corner,  the remainder of 2022 is looking to be an exciting year for MANE.


Sian Walden

Big Oak Records

Sian Walden has experience across a variety of areas in the music industry. Founder of artist services business Little Acorn Music, where she manages global music careers, booking international tours and travel to various parts of the globe, since 2016. Focused on steering sustainable creative careers, building capacity and strategy with art central to the commerce. Little Acorn’s management roster currently includes a range of artists located in Australia and the US, currently guiding the careers of Wanderers, Youth In A Roman Field, Alfalfa and Marlon X Rulla. The awards and accolades of both the past and present roster is a testament to the determined, creative, tenacious and warm management approach Walden has.

Recognised as a budding manager at both state and national levels, Sian has taken part of The Seed Management workshop, received numerous nominations at the SA Music Awards and the inaugural AAM Awards, as well as being selected as an Industry Fellow for the Robert Stigwood Fellowship. The recipient of a range of grants for her business and those of her artists, as well as sitting on a number of industry consultation and advisory panels, and passionately vocalising support for South Australian industry. 

Most recently Walden has started working remotely as the label manager for Brooklyn, NY based indie label, Better Company. Bringing with it a new phase to Walden’s professional career, adding to the ever growing networks internationally that will enable her to build and guide global careers.



GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Meet the funding bodies

Wednesday 3rd August


Kirsty Rivers

Australia Council For The Arts

Kirsty Rivers is an experienced industry executive with over 30 years working in the Australian music industry. She is the Head of Music at the Australia Council previously working across critical industry development, policy, public investment and cultural change


Chloe Turner

Creative Victoria

Chloe Turner is a grants manager at Creative Victoria, specifically working on contemporary music programs. Previous to this, she has worked for Creative Partnerships Australia and Music Victoria, and has been involved in PBS FM, LISTEN, and has run two small independent record labels. She is also a musician and textile artist.


Elizabeth Reid

Music Development Office

As Program Manager for the Music Development Office (MDO; Department for Industry, Innovation and Science), Elizabeth Reid oversees delivery of key MDO grant programs including the Project Support Grants and Robert Stigwood Fellowship, as well as supporting funding programs for Organisations and Strategic Initiatives. Most recently she has played a key role in distributing the South Australian Government's new event and venue grants through the $10m See It LIVE music package. The front facing role sees her in constant communication with all facets of the sector, from artists and venues to promoters, labels, studios, publicists and more. 

Elizabeth has worked in the music industry for 18 years, first at non-profit peak body Music SA before joining the MDO in 2016. She started songwriting and performing in 2000 in former Americana act Brillig and remains an active musician in new indie pop rock outfit The Midnight Mares. 

Originally from the United States, PhD studies originally brought Elizabeth to Adelaide and she is now a proud dual citizen who appreciates the tight knit, supportive and talented South Australian music community.



John Oddy

Chair of the Create NSW

John Oddy is the Chair of the Create NSW Contemporary Music Artform Advisory Board, which reviews and assesses grant applications made to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program. To date, Create NSW has funded millions of dollars in Contemporary Music projects recommended by the Board.  John is also a lawyer and works as Legal Counsel at the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and holds a Masters in Intellectual Property Law. 

John is passionate about the music industry and is an independent musician, having played and recorded in several bands for decades.




Paul Mason

Paul Mason is an experienced music professional, who has worked in broadcasting, live music and government. From 2009 - 2019 he was the Director of Music at the Australia Council for the Arts overseeing federal funding for music. From 2000 - 2007  he established and managed the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) a federally funded initiative that connects broadcasters with musicians and record labels. He was a board member of Radio FBi 94.5 from its establishment to the year 2000 when the station was awarded its permanent broadcast licence. Between  2004 - 2007 he was President of Music NSW. 

Paul has also delivered technology projects for the ABC,  programmed live music venues and festivals, and worked as a musician. He currently consults to a group of government, commercial and not for profit clients, and manages artist David Bridie as well as advising a number of individual artists on strategy and funding. He is also on the board of the City Recital Hall Sydney and the Peggy Glanville Hicks House Trust, and the advisory board of the Electronic Music Conference.



RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE: 

Getting hired to compose music for Film and TV curated by Francois Tetaz

Wednesday 3rd August


Frank Tetaz

François Tétaz is a film composer and music producer who won the AACTA Best Original Score Award in 2019 and Best Soundtrack at the APRA Screen Awards in 2020 for Judy and Punch. 

He won 2 Grammys, including Record of the Year at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in 2013 for his work with Gotye and an APRA / Australian Guild of Screen Composers Award for his score for Wolf Creek in 2006. He is currently working with Gotye in his studio in Melbourne, Australia.


Jasper Leak

Originally from Sydney Australia, Jasper Leak moved to New York in 2005 where he established himself as an in demand touring/session musician. After working with a diverse range of artists including SIA, Tegan and Sara along with jazz greats Clark Terry and Billy Harper, Jasper moved to LA in 2014 to pursue songwriting and production work. 

In this time Jasper signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV and has songs he co-wrote appear on SIA's platinum selling "1000 Forms of Fear" and "This Is Acting" albums. 

He has also had songs appear in hit TV shows "Transparent" (Amazon) and "13 Reasons Why" (Netflix) and worked on film projects "The Intervention", "Keep On Keepin' On" and the  Netflix documentary "Quincy", which lead to a nominated for an Emmy award in the Outstanding Music Supervision category.



Alison Thorsteinsen

Recently featured on Elton John’s radio show Rocket Hour, Alison’s song Cowboy was described; “It’s so beautiful… Wow, now I absolutely love that, it’s one of my favourite tracks of the year… We will definitely be playing that again.” - Elton JohnAlison is an Australian musical artist and songwriter, focused on writing and recording music. She pulls together many styles and influences to construct her songs, her sound being an intersection of soul, pop and folk. An electric, super modern take on the traditional singer songwriter, lyrically and rhythmically driven. 

A strong element of Alison’s creative output is collaboration with different musicians and also across different art forms.Her first album Sometimes I’m There was written and recorded while living in Montreal in 2019, and her second album The Outside was recorded once she returned to Australia, and was released in February 2022.



Jemma Burns

Level Two Music

After breaking into the industry on Summer Heights High, Jemma Burns has now worked on over 100 productions. Regular collaborations with some of the world’s most renowned production companies and directors include: Plan B Entertainment on Bong Joon Ho’s Okja and multiple David Michod films; See-Saw Films on numerous productions including Oscar Nominated Lion and Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake: China Girl. And Justin Kurzel’s acclaimed Nitram to name a few.

Jemma is currently working with Ari Aster on his highly anticipated third film starring Joaquin Phoenix, Garth Davis’ sci-fi thriller Foe and the Netflix reboot of the iconic series Heartbreak High.


CATALOG SALES

Thursday 4th August

              

Maria Amato

AIR

Maria Amato is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association and runs its Women in Music mentor program aimed at empowering women in the Australian Music Industry to progress their career and leadership aspirations. Maria has worked in the Arts and not-for-profit sector for over 25 years specialising in finance and business management through her own consultancy firm, Results Management.Maria holds the position of the Chair of the board for the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), and is also a board member of the Adelaide City of Music and Anchor board for the Reeperbahn Festival. 

She has held former positions as Chair of the Creative Industry Advisory Board and member of the board of directors for the Australian Institute of Music, CEO/CFO of the Melbourne International Film Festival and board member and treasurer for Music Victoria.



David Vodicka

Media Arts Lawyers Pty Ltd

David is the founder of Media Arts Lawyers and Australia’s preeminent music lawyer. With over 25 years’ experience dealing in all facets of entertainment law, David represents many high-profile musicians, celebrities and entertainment companies. In addition, he oversees the firm’s general commercial practice and in the last five years he has concluded over A$100M in mergers and acquisitions including sales of entertainment businesses, festivals and sports tournaments. 

A passionate advocate for local music and creative industries, David chairs the board of Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), is a board member of Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA), and a past board member of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).



Tim Olynyk

Banks Group

Tim Olynyk is a tax consulting Partner at Banks Group and has 20 years of experience in providing specialist tax consultancy services.Tim is a qualified lawyer and commenced his career working in the legal profession. Prior to commencing at Banks Group in 2010, Tim worked at both top-tier and mid-tier accounting firms in their tax divisions.Throughout Tim’s career, Tim has specialised in providing tax advice to private family group structures. 

Tim has previously advised some of Australia’s wealthiest family groups through to mum-and-dad family businesses. Within his practice at Banks Group, Tim provides tax advisory services to several external accountancy and legal practices wanting specialist tax consultancy services. 

Tim also regularly provides tax presentations both internally within Banks Group and externally to various tax discussion groups within Melbourne.Outside of the office, Tim has two young children, which keep him very busy. He is a local resident and enjoys nothing more than watching his beloved Tigers playing footy on the weekend.



Jamie Gough

Native Tongue Music Publishing Pty Ltd

Jaime is Managing Director of independent music publisher Native Tongue Music Publishing, overseeing offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. He is Chair of the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Limited (AMCOS) and a Director of the Australasian Performing Right Association Limited (APRA) and the Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL).Jaime has a double Bachelor of Business degree (Marketing & Management - Monash University), and worked in artist management at Mayday Management and music licensing at Mana Music before joining Native Tongue in 2005.  

Jaime has served on the board for non-profit youth music organisation The Push, and is a co-owner of independent record label, Best & Fairest.



Tom Harris

White Sky

Tom Harris started out in the music biz in 2003 as the bookkeeper at Rubber Records.  From there he started helping a few bands on the side, all the while promoting himself under the name White Sky. White Sky is now the largest music accounting firm in Australia, with over 50 staff, working out of offices in Melbourne and Sydney, handling the finances for over 500 bands, record labels, festivals and various music businesses. 

Since 2006 Tom also began to establish himself as an artist manager, co-managing The Temper Trap from 2006 to 2011, and currently managing the ARIA Award winning children’s band Teeny Tiny Stevies. 

In 2010 Tom joined the Board of the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) and in 2012 took on the role of Treasurer.TourTracks is Tom’s most recent venture. Launched in 2019, TourTracks is a software platform that streamlines the tour budgeting process for artists, managers and tour promoters.


NFT CASE STUDIES

Thursday 4th August

              

Chelsea Wilson

Chelsea is a Melbourne based vocalist, songwriter, broadcaster and producer. Her debut album “I Hope You’ll Be Very Unhappy Without Me” was lauded #2 Album of the Year on ABC Radio National and nominated for Best Soul Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards. An internationally acclaimed live performer she headlined the Arts Centre Melbourne stage at the Australasian World Music Expo; and made her UK debut at Glastonbury Festival 2015, subsequently selling out the famous London Jazz Café. Her second album "Chasing Gold" was nominated for the Australian Music Prize. 

Behind the scenes, Chelsea is the Artistic Associate of Melbourne International Jazz Festival Congress, Creative Producer at Monash University Performing Arts Centres and Artistic Director of the Women of Soul Collective. She was a Board Director of Music Victoria for five years and chair of the MV Artists Advisory Panel. As a guest speaker Chelsea has appeared at music industry conferences such as NYC Jazz Congress USA and Bigsound and is a guest lecturer at Melbourne University and Monash University. The former Music Manager of iconic Melbourne radio station PBS 106.7FM she has presented radio programs for PBS, Mi-Soul Radio UK, triple j and Delite Radio London and produces the Control Podcast.  

Chelsea is also a grants consultant and assessor for organisations such as Creative Victoria, APRA AMCOS, PPCA, Australia Council, The Australian Music Centre, The Contemporary Music Office for the Arts and is a juror for the Australian Women in Music Awards. Chelsea has a Masters Degree of Arts and Entertainment Management, a Bachelor of Popular Music, a Diploma in Entertainment Business, and a Diploma of Leadership.



Stephen King

Media Arts Lawyers

Stephen practises in all facets of commercial and entertainment law; with a particular focus on music, particularly within the independent sector through his representation of the Australian and New Zealand label associations and numerous independent record labels within Australia, New Zealand and internationally. 

Stephen combines his legal knowledge with his vast experience in the music industry, including in private practice in the UK representing major artists, labels and industry bodies and in Australia as the Business Affairs Manager for Festival Mushroom Records. 

Stephen is a supporter of local music and provides pro-bono services to Music NT and Arts Law members. Stephen is the manager of the multi award winning artist, Georgi Kay and of ARIA Award winning producer, Dean Tuza and co-owner of Wilson Street Studios.


              

Deena Lynch (Jaguar Jonze)

There is nothing predictable about the remarkable rise of the artist Jaguar Jonze (Deena Lynch). Her success stems from hard work and her pure creative vision, with debut album BUNNY MODE the latest step in cementing her position in the cultural landscape. As the public artist voice of the Australian #metoo movement, Jaguar Jonze has appeared on The Project, triple j’s Hack, The Guardian and in numerous news pieces as she strives to create meaningful change in the music industry. 

A true advocate, JJ’s commitment to getting results for survivors in an industry which has ignored reports of harassment and assault has seen her join a working group of industry professionals to build and enforce behavioural guidelines and victim support strategies in the workplace. Her latest musical work will sit alongside her photography and visual art as another reason this truly unique and iconic artist cannot be ignored.




Jacob Lee

Lowly Labs

Jacob Lee is an Australia-based singer and songwriter, who has earned over 250 million YouTube views and 200 million Spotify streams as an independent artist. Having distributed three 4-track EPs, six full-length studio albums and 140 videos on YouTube, Lee is now putting the final touches on his third album, which he is looking to his fans to name. 

As the founder of Philosophical Records and Lowly Labs, Lee is also finalising a number of NFT projects, set to define the way artists interact with their fanbase.


Katie Brown

Serenade

Katie Brown is the Artist & Industry Partnerships Lead at Serenade, the eco-friendly music NFT marketplace. She leads the development of music NFT strategies for artists enabling them to generate new, sustainable revenue streams from engaging fan experiences. 

Katie has over 9 years experience creating and implementing creative artist partnerships in the music industry including roles at major labels Universal Music and Sony music and is passionate about harnessing new technology to nurture the artist-fan relationship.


TikTok ARTIST PLAY BOOK

Thursday 4th August


Govind Sandhu

TikTok

With over 10 years of experience working with artists in Australia, New Zealand & Internationally, Govind aka ""Gove"" has a proven track record of breaking talent and working with established musicians on multi-touchpoint campaigns.

In his current role at TikTok; Gove focuses on supporting artists whether that's overseeing the onboarding of new talent or helping to boost their music in-app through various content initiatives.

Before joining TikTok, Gove headed up the Global Artist Marketing Team for Red Bull Music out of their international headquarters in Salzburg where artists sat front & centre across the brand's various content, experiential & industry touchpoints.


INTERVIEW WITH LARS BRANDLE & ANT CELESTINO

Thursday 4th August


Lars Brandle

Billboard/The Brag Media

Lars Brandle has reported at the frontline of the international music industry for over 20 years. A former musician, Lars joined the American music trade “bible” Billboard in 2000 and went on to serve as Global News Editor, based in London. Lars relocated to Brisbane in 2008 and currently serves as Billboard’s Australia Correspondent and “Overnight Editor” for Billboard.com. He’s also Senior Writer with The Music Network, working across The Brag Media’s titles, which include Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. 

Lars has appeared on CNN, the BBC and ABC, and he has spoken at music industry conventions around the globe, including Midem in Cannes, Singapore’s Music Matters, Amsterdam Dance Event, Sydney’s Electronic Music Conference and Going Global in Auckland. 

His works have been published by Reuters, The Hollywood Reporter, Spin and many more outlets, and he has featured as a pundit in the Australian Financial Review, Business Review Weekly, and Britain’s The Independent.



Ant Celestino

Ant Celestino has had an evolving career in electronic music, over the last 20 years going from designer, DJ and producer, to creative director to artist manager, and A&R for some of Australia’s largest & best known electronic touring events and festivals. Head of A&R at ONELOVE (Australia’s independent globally recognised dance full service music brand), Celestino has uncovered mountains of dance focused talent and been behind releases for artists as varied as South Korean songmaker Park Hye Jin, Dom Dolla, LUUDE, and Melbourne Bounce icon Will Sparks among others.   Celestino overseas the direction and operation of a variety of labels including Hell Beach (responsible for 2021 billion streaming breakout hit “Love Tonight” by SHOUSE), and popular “lo-fi house” imprint clipp.art (Park Hye Jin, 1-800 Girls). He also manages local and international artists including SHOUSE, and Sophiegrophy.


ARTISTS AND A & R

Thursday 4th August

              

Lorrae McKenna

Our Golden Friend

Our Golden Friend was set up by Lorrae McKenna and her partner Skube Burnell in December 2015 as an outlet for their love of Labradors and years of experience and passion for the Australian Music Industry. 

In 2016 Lorrae resigned from her full time role with Remote Control Records as Marketing and Promotions Manager to put all of her time and energy into the daily running of Our Golden Friend and to focus her career on artist management in particular.



              

Sweetie Zamora

Pointer Recordings / Remote Control Records

Victoria Sweetie Zamora is Head Of Labels & Promotions at Remote Control Records / Dot Dash Recordings as well as the Founder of Pointer Recordings. Sweetie has managed campaigns for artists including Adele, Courtney Barnett, Queens of The Stone Age, The xx, The National, Donny Benet, Telenova and many more. She is the main point of contact for Remote Control’s local and international artists, managers and label partners (Beggars Group, Omnian Music Group, Milk! Records, Secret City + more) and also works with the full Remote Control team to organise release planning, strategy and PR campaigns. 

Since 2007 Sweetie has worked for the likes of Bossy Music, Laneway Festival, Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House and Warner Music Australia. She also plays bass guitar and is a Ken Done enthusiast.



Andrew Stone

Chugg Music

Andrew Stone is the Head of Chugg Music, an award winning management company, record label and music publishing organisation. Alongside Michael Chugg, he is the manager for Australian artists, Lime Cordiale, Sheppard, Mia Rodriguez, Mason Watts, Casey Barnes, and Teenage Dads. 

Andrew is also head and founder of City Pop Records.Chugg Music artists have received multiple #1 album and #1 single certifications, as well as Gold and Platinum sales in over 25 countries.Andrew is a current AIR Board member and executive member of the Association of Artist Managers.




Alice Young

Future Classic

Helping artists win has always been the mission for Future Classic Managing Director Alice Young. With a 10 year career spanning time in New York as Senior Director, Marketing at mtheory, Alice led global recorded music and tour marketing campaigns for numerous artists (Zedd, Flume, Porter Robinson, Andra Day). 

Moving to Spotify to gain product marketing expertise, Alice brought artist advocacy to all artist facing products, including Spotify for Artists, Canvas, Marquee & more. Now, overseeing a team of 18 between Sydney & Los Angeles, Alice runs Future Classic, working to advance the careers of developed artists Flume, G Flip & Flight Facilities, and break exciting new talent in Danielle Ponder, Sycco & eee gee.



Angeline Armstrong 


NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS

Thursday 4th August

              

Lynne Small

PPCA

Lynne Small has been with PPCA since 1996, and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).  

Prior to joining PPCA Lynne spent almost 7 years at Festival Records.  She is a CPA, holds an MBA from the AGSM, and also acts as COO for the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 

Lynne is also a Director of the Australian Copyright Council and the music industry benevolent fund Support Act Ltd. 


              

Susan Cotchin

Good Neighbour Rights

Susan Cotchin is a Managing Director, company owner, writer, musician, professional speaker, cancer survivor and single Mum.She was raised in Perth WA. Susan is the Managing Director and co-owner of The Mushroom Groups – Good Neighbour Rights. She founded one of the first ever neighbouring rights agencies, International Royalties Rescue (IRR) in 2003, and her companies have directly and personally represented global megastars the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Crowded House.  

Susan is indisputably recognised as one of the world’s most experienced people in the sector. She has featured and contributed to many articles for Music Week, Billboard and TMN in addition to peer reviewed journals. She shas spoken on panels across the world in relation to issues surrounding fair payments and reciprocity for musicians.  By day, in the UK in 1999 as Royalty Accounts Manager for neighbouring rights agency P@MRA (now merged with PPL), Susan would act on behalf of PJ Harvey and Muse whilst making tea for Joan Armatrading, then work nights in London’s tough original band scene as a singer songwriter trying to procure a label/publishing deal. 

Upon her return to Australia, she graduated with honours from RMIT University Bach. Arts Music Industry degree and commenced her Juris Dr.Susan is the founder of PAYER an advocacy group, which encourages all recording artists to be informed about equitable remuneration (ER) and is in the process of writing a neighbouring rights support book to assist musicians and industry navigate their way through this complex arena.


              

Noemi Planas

WIN

Noemí Planas is General Manager at WIN, the international organisation representing independent music trade associations worldwide. Previously she was a board member of IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, and a founder member and Executive Manager of the Spanish Independent Phonographic Union (UFI). 

She also worked at a record label, coordinated a music festival, did booking and tour managing, and founded her own music publishing company.



Rod Davies

Monash University

Rod Davies is a lecturer in popular music and songwriting at Monash University. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science (psychology and physiology) in 1995, Davies has since sustained a diverse career as a professional vocalist in the fields of live performance, studio recording, music theatre, music publishing, education and research. He has experienced firsthand the full breadth of live performance – as an independent solo artist, a commercial entertainer and a backing singer to Australian music icons John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Tina Arena and Mark Seymour. In 2004 Rod took his creative talents to Europe, signing a songwriting deal with EMI Music Publishing Germany. Over the following six years he regularly travelled through northern Europe, writing and recording with local songwriters, producers and artists. 

As a session vocalist, Davies’ performances on TV (Hey Hey its Saturday, 1996-2010; Dancing with the Stars, 2004-2022), radio and album recordings, has developed a reputation, skillset and understanding of studio vocal recording that is rarely matched. Davies’ PhD thesis looked at collaboration and performance in the recording studio. This was followed by a book publication in 2021 that further investigated the contributions made by session musicians in the creative process of making a sound recording. 

It was from here that Rod developed an interest in neighbouring rights for performers. He recently published an article in The Conversation about session musicians’ rights to equitable remuneration and continues to do research in this area.



Jake Mason

Soul Messin' Records

Jake Mason is an independent award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, manager and advocate for the Australian Music Industry. Throughout his 25-year career he has released 15 albums; toured internationally; and established his own label and studio Soul Messin’ Records. Jake Mason is co-writer of international hit ‘This Girl’ (Kungs Vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners). The song achieved platinum status in the USA, Australia and the UK, charting at #1 in over 10 countries and top #10 in 35 countries. Not only was the track the most Shazammed dance track worldwide in 2016, it also earned Jake and fellow writers the One Billion Streams APRA award.  

As an artist manager, Jake handles the business affairs of Cookin’ On 3 Burners, Soul Messin’ Allstars, Jahrukus and the Jake Mason Trio. Jake’s screen work includes writing for TV programs as diverse as Love Island, A Million Little Things, MacGyver and My Life Is Murder. In advertising/sync, Jake’s music has featured in campaigns for Just Jeans, Westpac (Australia), Peugeot (Europe), Samsung (USA, played at the Superbowl), Vogue, Victoria’s Secret and the Ellen Degeneres Show. 

Behind the scenes Jake is a member of the Resolution Pathways Governance Committee (an ACCC authorised body that resolves issues and disputes for music creators, music users, APRA AMCOS and OneMusic Australia) Jake is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, is deeply engaged with the Victorian music scene and is excited to contribute to the dynamic momentum of Australian music.



WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR INDIE LABELS

Friday 5th August 


Dylan Pellett

Independent Music New Zealand

IMNZ is the trade association for New Zealand independent labels and is a proud member of WIN, the Worldwide Independent Network. IMNZ produces the annual Taite Music Prize and the Going Global NZ conference. IMNZ has proudly provided assistance and music services to its members for 21 years. 

Dylan Pellett has worked across the New Zealand music industry for the last 27 years, in touring, music synchronisation, creative execution, independent labels and over a decade at Independent Music NZ.



Matthew Rogers

Unified Music Group Pty Ltd

Matthew Rogers is the Chief Operating Officer of UNIFIED Music Group, the fastest growing Australian independent music company. As an entertainment lawyer, he has represented some of the most well-known Australian labels and artists, including working as in-house counsel at the iconic Mushroom Group. At UNIFIED, Mat is now involved in managing Australia’s largest artist management group, a suite of online merchandise stores, a record label group including UNFD, Domestic La La, and THAA Records, an award-winning boutique publishing catalogue, an events business that promotes tours as well as the hugely successful UNIFY: A Heavy Music Gathering festival and a community based investment business. 

Mat is a member of the board of the Australian Independent Record Label Association (AIR) and is a previous member of the PPCA Board and Vice President of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN Council). Mat has been involved in various advocacy issues for the industry including the Parliamentary Friends of Music events in Canberra and the Creative Victoria Music Passport Advisory Board. 

Mat's passion for artists, music and the independent community is stronger than ever as he works with Australian artists both locally and internationally.



Marihuzka Cornelius

Ivy League Records

Marihuzka Cornelius (MC) is the A&R Director of Ivy League Records. In her 11 years with the label, Marihuzka has signed and helped many artists achieve their creative vision across releases. Some of the artists Marihuzka works with include – The Teskey Brothers, The Rubens, Shannen James, Mia Wray, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, and Hatchie to name a few.

Marihuzka was also the Creative Director of the music collaborations for the ABC TV show The Sound, working with over a hundred artists across every state and genre.

Along with her career in the music industry, Marihuzka plays in the punk band Bloods.



Viviene Mellish

Gyrostream

Viviene Mellish is a founding partner and Director at independent, Queensland-based digital music distribution companies, GYROstream and DistroDirect. Viv oversees GYROstream and DistroDirect's global marketing and A&R strategy as well as the wider artist promotions team across DSPs, PR and Digital Marketing. 

Viv has a 15 year career in PR, media management and marketing with roles in a range of sectors including music, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, politics, theatre and film. She is also on the board of QMusic, Queensland’s peak music industry body which also oversees events such as the QMAs and BIGSOUND.



Aden Mullens

etcetc

When it comes to Australian dance music, there's an award-winning indie record label that has been standing out, showcasing  the most culturally significant international releases and groundbreaking local artists. That's etcetc, home to so many amazing local artists namely PNAU, George Maple, CLYPSO and Sumner, as well as internationally celebrated acts such as FISHER, Jax Jones, Duke Dumont and more.

General Manager and Head A&R, Aden Mullens has been leading the label for the past 10 years focusing on a roster of meaningful and unique career artists. With a strong foundation in A&R, marketing and product management, Mullens is actively involved in the signing and development of artists and their individual recording careers.

Since that time the label has been honored with multiple ARIA and AIR Awards, commercial radio chart success, and delivered us a new era of PNAU who’ve gone to new levels in the global market.In February 2018, etcetc was awarded Indie Label of the Year at The Music Network's 'Tinnie' Awards. TMN 'Tinnies' celebrate the crushing success of executives and artists inside Australia's music business. Mullens was also nominated for Label A&R of the Year, the only independent record label A&R nominated in the category.



Guy Blackman

Chapter Music

Guy Blackman, with parter Ben O'Connor, is co-manager of long-running Australian record label and management company Chapter Music.Founded in 1992, Chapter has a catalogue of more almost 200 releases from artists such as The Goon Sax, Laura Jean, Sweet Whirl, NO ZU, Dick Diver and many more. Tone Deaf have called Chapter "almost unequivocally the most treasured record label in Australia", while Rolling Stone called us "one of Australia's most enduring and popular independent labels."

Chapter is a champion of Australian music with a strong Melbourne focus, although it has also released artists from the US, Sweden, Japan and elsewhere. The label is committed to being a queer, female and people of colour friendly label.

Guy and Ben also manage artists. They work (or have worked) with Cable Ties, Laura Jean, CLAMM, The Goon Sax, Twerps, Crayon Fields and others.



Tass Diakos

believe.

In 2010, Tass spent the sum-total of 5 years working for indie labels before he was Warner Music Australia’s Head of Electronic Music, first tasked as the local marketing manager for Skrillex & Diplo, Major Lazer, Rudimental, Clean Bandit, David Guetta and many more before his focus moved more towards local A&R. believe offers smart distribution, serving artists and labels worldwide with care, fairness, transparency, expertise and innovation – as a Senior Label Manager based in Sydney, Tass is actively seeking new artists (and labels) and already serving the likes of City Pop (Mia Rodriguez), Bodega Collective (Dante Knows), Gallery Recordings (Pretty Girl) and many more.



DATA AND TECH

Friday 5th August 


Dr. Jay Mogis

Dr Jay Mogis is thought leader in media licensing, data analytics and digital strategy, solving a spectrum of issues at an independent, corporate and legislative level. Jay’s diverse 'practice led' background has covered almost every aspect of the creative industries over the last three decades. 

Jay has dedicated much of his professional life to providing creatives with the power to be increasingly sustainable through experience, creative entrepreneurship, and technology. 

Jay has also held senior positions at a myriad of media technology companies while working with industry associations, record companies, publishers, artist managers, and technologists to better democratise music licensing and data analytic ecosystems.


Alli Galloway

Jaxsta

Alli Galloway specialises in building engaging & creative content strategies for passion-based, data-driven industries, and growing digital communities. 

Currently Alli is the Head of Audience & Creative at global music-tech company Jaxsta - the world's only official music credits database, and has held senior roles in major and indie record labels, both in Australia and the UK for 15+ years.



Sean Gardner

Moda Dao

Sean is an award winning creative technologist and entrepreneur. Working between media, art and technology for over a decade, he has spent four years at the intersection of blockchain and music. Sean's passion for music was handed down by his mother; revered Scottish-born New Zealand-based folk singer and song-writer, Isabella Miller Bell.


Sally Coleman

Big Sand

Sally Coleman is a musician, radio personality and industry professional, and the creative director of a new science fiction virtual band called Big Sand. She was previously the host of triple j Breakfast as part of Sally and Erica, and one half of hip hop duo Coda Conduct. 

Her new project, Big Sand, is a highly collaborative animated band that sees Sally using motion capture, Unreal Engine and virtual production to bring the characters and their fictional world to life. Set on a beautiful but harsh desert planet, the project aims to experiment with playful new methods of storytelling. It’s a joyful expedition into the world of emerging technology, digital frontiers, and different ways of envisioning the future music industry.



Rachel Kelly

Utopia Music

With over 20 years’ experience in music publishing, Rachel Kelly has held executive roles at both major and independent publishers including Downtown, BMG Rights Management, Alberts and Warner/Chappell.  

In 2019 Rachel was named as a Billboard International Power Player. She served for two years as a board member for the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL) and mentor for Women in Music. In 2021, Rachel joined Utopia Music, a fintech company with headquarters in Switzerland. 

Utopia is a neutral growth partner for the music industry, working towards a mission to see fair pay for every play.



Mike Warner

Chartmetric

Australian-born Mike Warner is one of the leading experts on the world of streaming music. Mike’s multifaceted roles as both a freelance label consultant and Director of Artist Relations at Chartmetric have allowed him to develop and execute strategic digital campaigns for both major and independent clients.

Now a best-selling author as well as a public speaker, Mike has shared his insights on every stage, from guest starring on numerous podcasts and appearing live on CNBC to speaking at the music industry's largest conferences including SXSW, NAMM and ADE.

As an educator, author, speaker, executive and leader, Mike's work has gained him recognition among his peers as the go-to authority on the forefront of the digital music world.For all things streaming, ask Mike Warner.




Donavan Brown

Venice Music

Donavan grew up traveling the world as a kid, being the son of a Navy Diver. Through this, he developed a love for music, culture, and experiencing people from diverse backgrounds around the world. A Michigan State Alumni, he has worked in the music industry for 9 years starting as a Dj and A&R at EDM.com, which lead him to managing and developing artists, and building labels, and tech startups. 

During his previous role with Shines Creative, he worked on building the music app RYSE, where they grew the community of musicians and industry professionals from a few hundred to over 30,000 users. In this role, he also worked on the artist relations team at Roland Lifestyle. 

He is currently the Sr. Community Manager at Venice Music, a music technology company offering a full range of artist services, with the goal of empowering independent artists & entrepreneurs such as Amine, Erick the Architect, Duckwrth, Thuy & Kota the Friend. Donavan worked with the Venice team to build the Venice Music Collective membership, which was recently launched with the goal of being the preeminent music industry eco-system for independence.



MERLIN UPDATE AND INTERVIEW

Friday 5th August 

              

Jeremy Sirota

Merlin

Jeremy Sirota is CEO of Merlin, the independent’s digital music licensing partner, that empowers independent labels, distributors and rights-holders by striking premium deals with digital music services. He joined Merlin after spending two years as Independent BD Label Lead on the Facebook Music Team. At Facebook, he helped to shape the company’s music strategy and licensed rights from independents around the world. 

Sirota’s role at Merlin weaves together his lifelong passions for music and technology. Sirota previously held a number of senior positions at Warner Music Group, culminating in his appointment as SVP and Head of Business & Legal Affairs for both Warner-Elektra-Atlantic (WEA), Warner’s artist and label services division, and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), Warner’s indie distribution arm. Early in his career, he was an associate at Morrison & Forster, New York, in their Technology Transactions Group, focused on technology startups and entertainment clients. 

In addition to his role at Merlin, Sirota is a mentor to the TechStars Music Accelerator Program. He currently resides in New York City, but was born and raised on the beaches of Orange County, California.


              

Cindy Charles

Head of Music Lisensing and Industry Relations at Twitch

Cindy Charles has been working at Twitch for 4 years and co-leads the Twitch Music team. Her primary purview is Industry Relations and Music Licensing. Cindy had spent the past few years at Twitch driving, negotiating and finalizing label agreements with UMG and WMG and Merlin with the goal of creating further success on Twitch for artists and labels. 

She has now refocused her energies on creating success for the labels and artists on Twitch. Prior to Twitch, Cindy was at Amazon for nearly 4 years, as both Head of BD, Music at Amazon Tickets, leading business development efforts for concert tickets in the U.S, and Head of BD, Video Shorts working with content creators/influencers to educate customers on Amazon offered products and drive traffic to Amazon. Prior to joining Amazon, Cindy was a consultant in the digital music space, representing streaming services and other music apps, including Spotify and Beats Music. Cindy also spent 8+ years with MediaNet Digital as their SVP and GeneralCounsel running all legal and business affairs for MusicNet, Inc. (rebranded MediaNet).

Cindy started her digital media career at MTV Networks, where she was VP, law and business affairs, responsible for all legal and business affairs work for MTVi, MTV's digital group.  Cindy was named in Variety’s Women’s Impact Report 2019, for being one of the 75 women having an impact on the entertainment industry this past year.




COMMUNITY RADIO - Pathways for artists

Friday 5th August 


Jana Gibson

CBAA

As Head of Program Delivery at CBAA, Jana is working with community broadcasters and media peak bodies to build capability and sustainability within the sector. This work is undertaken through advocacy and program development that provides services and promotes the importance of community broadcasting in providing a voice for communities that aren't always serviced by other broadcasting sectors.   

Previously her work at APRA AMCOS for over 18 years, allowed her to help build the public profile of the company and its membership, from shaping the APRA Awards programs as Events Manager, to leading the Communications & Events teams, delivering member-led programming as Director of Writer Services and finally to taking on leadership of the Member Services Division.

Alongside her executive roles, she has previously held Board positions with MusicNSW and the Australian Music Centre and currently sits on the Board of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.



Emily Copeland

CADA

Emily Copeland is the General Manager of CADA, ARN’s national youth radio and media brand.  She developed the strategy behind the relaunch and rebranding of Western Sydney radio station The Edge 96.1FM into CADA, creating a national multi-platform content offering for young Australians.  Prior to joining ARN, Emily ran a music marketing and partnership business which saw her work with Australian artists including Lime Cordiale and Jaguar Jonze, and major festivals such as CMC Rocks QLD and Australia House at SXSW.  

Emily had a long history with FBi Radio in Sydney, having been part of the team that launched the station, before becoming the station’s Acting Managing Director and Vice President of the board.  She also led the Partnerships team for Foxtel’s Music Channels, driving award-winning integrated content projects across properties such as [V] Island Parties and MAX Sessions.  

Emily is a current Board Member of Heaps Decent, an Australian arts organisation that empowers diverse young people to express themselves through music and multi-media.


David Ridler

Ridler Consulting

David is the former Head of Music at NZ On Air, the New Zealand government's broadcast and online media funding agency. From 2016 - 2022 David led NZ On Air's funding and promotion strategies for new NZ Music content. Previous to this he was a music programmer and talent coach at various NZ-based commercial radio stations. He has now branched out on his own, launching a new music and media consulting company - Ridler Consulting - in mid-2022.


Tim Shiel

A “chameleonic beatmaker” (MTV Australia), Tim Shiel’s lush and hyper-detailed electronic music intricately melds samples, synths and eclectic rhythms, blurring the lines between dance music, ambient & pop.A technicolour production style and wide-eyed approach has seen him work with some of Australia’s most creative artists, including Mindy Meng Wang 王萌, Genesis Owusu & Flight Facilities.  

He has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages (Coachella, Sydney Opera House, Saturday Night Live) as part of Gotye's global Making Mirrors tour.

Tim is also known as a fearless champion of creative music via tastemaker radio roles at triple j, Double J & 3RRR, and his deeply resonant soundtracks for indie games Duet and The Gardens Between have found him international acclaim and even a spot onstage with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.



Bella Caruso

Rebel Yell

Isobella Caruso is a marketing and publicity professional based on sacred Kaurna land, now known as Adelaide. Bel is a notorious force in South Australia's arts and live entertainment industry and is the Founder and Managing Director of Rebel Yell – a marketing, brand and publicity agency that promotes Australian musicians and creatives and the festivals, events and small businesses that support them.

Since launching in 2021, Rebel Yell has worked with countless independent musicians, producers and promoters, festivals, live events, venues, record labels and organisations, including Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group, Music SA, the South Australian Music Awards, Umbrella Festival, The Lab and Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival.

Before a COVID-fuelled redundancy nudged Bel to launch Rebel Yell, she had over 15 years of experience in the live entertainment industry in her back pocket through various roles across the years working for Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival Centre, Rip It Up magazine, Groovin The Moo, Spinoff Festival, Soundwave and WOMADelaide.

Through her various experiences lived experiences, she's determined to transform how the music industry provides professional services to creatives, visionaries, and small businesses. Watch this space.