When Vidya asked me a few months ago if I'd like to make music for a fringe show she was staging in her bedroom, I was struck with the desire to run in the complete opposite direction. I'd never thought seriously about sound design, because I didn't think I knew enough to be any good at it. I am also intensely fearful of letting down a team of talented artists who have their shit together. It was exactly all that fear that made me say yes. 
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Our run started this week and I'm overjoyed with how it's going. Working with Vidya and Emma is a total joy and I'm so proud of what we're making together. Plus, it turns out I really enjoy making live sound for theatre- who knew?!

Here's event details - www.facebook.com/events/458379884648803/

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...and here's some feedback from the past two shows. 
"It’s a deceptively simple setup and premise but with some sneakily complex themes. it's a really fast, fun watch (there’s some audience participation but don’t worry - it’s really simple and you won’t be put on the spot) but afterwards I was still thinking about puberty and the patriarchy and our weird feminine rituals and that's always a good time." - Rose Fishpop

"...playful, poignant and scary. A nostalgic and truthful piece." - Hayley Lawson-Smith

"Sleepover Gurlz was the perfect way to kick of the Fringe season. So much cleverness fit into 1 hour- by the end of it I’d laughed, squirmed, (eaten lots of popcorn) and without even noticing explored all the deepest darkest corners of toxic femininity 💯💯💯" - Sonia Arakkal 

"...worth attending for the Alan Alda joke alone AND THAT’S ALL I’M GONNA SAY, NO SPOILERS 😂 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻" - @smuguire


There's a few tickets left tonight, but mostly sold out for the rest of the season - TICKET LINK HERE

Over the past four years, this place has always been the last thing for me to update. I've either been working on an artist's socials or a grant application or a press release or literally anything else. It got to the point where I felt stupid to update it, as it had been so long since my last post. 
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Since posting last year, I've finally moved from Perth to Melbourne. I no longer manage bands. I've started studying professional writing and editing at RMIT.  I took that photo above today when I was feeling cute in my apartment, after a long walk around Merri Creek.

I've changed. A lot. If Sia was sitting in my bedroom right now, I'd like to think she'd sing her song at me. 

I'm practicing being a little more professionally selfish and working on my own crafts. I guess that's why I'm finally writing here. I'm staring to feel less defined by other people's art and working a little more of my own. I'm more free to speak my mind and I'm learning to embrace that. I'm also writing more than I ever had before. 

Here's a profile of sound engineer Anna Laverty that I did for Around the Sound this month. I've been sitting on it for months, fretting that I was going to fuck it up. Then, I was fretting that I'd taken too long and expectations of my editor would be high. I was having a lot of anxiety-based Feelings. But hey! Everyone's been really positive about it. A lot of what Anna said about professional  isolation and the payoffs of doing the work really resonated with me and I'm glad that people are getting it.
My fave bit: “But look, if you really, really want to do it, you're going to find a way,” she insists. “Whether or not that's assisting for someone else or just going and hiring a studio and learning how it works. There are ways to do it, but you've really, really got to want to because there's no money and it's so much time. It's hours and hours. You know what they say about the 10,000 hours? It's actually fucking true. You've just got to put in the hours.”  

I also wrote my first review! This one was of CHVRCHES for AU Review. I've always been a little phobic of reviewing because I've read some real shockers in my time. I didn't want to be that guy. Also, the few hours turnaround without a lot of editing was a big challenge in letting go. Really glad I took the plunge though and looking forward to the next time I can get paid to be judgemental. 
My fave bit: Mayberry stalked, ran, skipped and twirled from one side of the stage to the other as she sang, weaving in and out between bandmates Iain Cook, Martin Doherty and Jonny Scott tethered to synths and drums. She moved with the unassuming confidence of someone dancing in their living room, only enhancing the intimacy of her lyrics.

I'll be writing a lot more thoughts about the music industry in the next few years – that's one of the main reasons I've chosen to keep this website up. I don't know if I'll ever want to work in management again, but I want to process and explain why I no longer am. 

If anyone's having tough times in the music industry, please do drop me a line. It can get real lonely out there.

In the wake of the Skipping a Beat Report from The University of Sydney, I wrote about what needs to happen in the music industry and the progress already made. 

The magic that is Joni in the Moon are launching their new single on August 1st at Mojo's! Check out their new music video for the single below. <3

Poster Design by Parlor Swarm Posters
Image credits:
Photographer: Mac1Photography
Artistic Director & HMUA: Ashley Brockman
Post Production: Court McAllister and Juliet Chen
Producer: Xanthea @ Clap Hands

Big love to everyone who came down to the sold out bird show last night! So great.

Poster Design by Parlor Swarm Posters