Day to day, I'm a music journalist and broadcaster. I also freelance across a number of different copywriting and industry speaking/facilitating roles.

I began reviewing shows and records when I was still at university. When I graduated, I began doing more of this, eventually entering an editor role with an Australian music publication...and then it went from there!   

I knew I wanted to be involved in the live/creative space because I had spent pretty much all of my teenage years performing and around live music. I also knew I wasn't musically talented, but I enjoyed the storytelling element of music, which led me to writing. I guess I have achieved them, but I'm always looking to what the next challenge/step of that evolution is.

Take your time with it. Even now I have to sometimes remind myself that my journey or career is going to go at its own pace; there will be some incredibly busy and chaotic times, and sometimes it may feel a bit quieter. And that's okay, too. Just focus on what you're passionate about and things will work out.

We both thought tour managing would be incredible. Then we went on one tour, learned the meaning of a 'lobby call' and we put that dream to rest. Otherwise we had hoped Deathproof would live up to it's name and become a sustainable business. Almost fifteen years later we have easily surpassed all of our initial expectations. 

Don't wait for permission to start. You don't need an employer to start working and creating. We would view someone making zines, volunteering at community radio, helping out at a festival or creating content as very favourable candidates for a paid marketing and/or events role. 

Growing up I always dreamed of playing in a band. I’d never even considered the possibility of having a solo artist project or writing or producing music for other artists, let alone starting a record label, but here we are, and I’m loving every minute of it.

Be kind and surround yourself with positive people. Building a strong community around you is one of the best things you can do in order to have a sustainable career in music. 

I guess I always had a dream where my life would have something to do with music, but I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do until I met Lara! I'm not only lucky to have met her when I did, but I'm also privileged to live in a city with such an amazing music scene full of wonderful people I've been friends with for well over a decade now. Without the friendship and support of the community around me, there's no way I would have achieved as much as I have. 

If you're interested in doing live sound or learning more about it, at your next gig, go up and talk to the engineer after the set. I'm always happy to share whatever knowledge I have with others, and I'm excited to meet new engineers or people that want to learn more about what we do! The biggest thing for me was and still is community. Being involved in the music scene since I was eighteen, just going to gigs and meeting people, paved the way for the most wonderful friendships and career - and I'm so blessed. 

When I first started in music I had dreams of touring my music around the world that I guess many artists have when they start. Over time, I've realised that the touring lifestyle does not suit my personality at all and is not something I could keep up! I think often when we start in music, our idea of success is based on what we see the biggest artists in the world doing, without thinking about the life that comes along with that. Since starting MPW however I just want to see it's presence grow, and for all women and non-binary people who need the support to get started in music production, to know that it exists and that we are there for you! When I started MPW I would have never believed that it would lead to running multiple International events across different continents and collaboration with the biggest Pro Audio brands in the world, so it has been incredible to see these opportunities come about.

Dig deep and truly connect with why you want to do this. It is definitely a tough industry to create a sustainable career in, so if you can stay connected to your "why", it will motivate you to keep going for the long haul. Because, and I know this is said way too much, but it is so true, it is a marathon and definitely not a sprint!

Mostly I dreamed about playing basketball for Australia (lol) or having a sport focused career which I actually did for the first 8 years of my working life before I was in the music industry. I didn't pick up a camera until much later !

It’s kind of such cliche advice but making genuine friends with people in the industry is so key, and not just to ‘get things’ from or for any other reason that to have a great support network for advice. Its not the easiest industry to work in and its quite unconventional in many ways but also can be really fun and obviously filled with awesome experiences.

As Small FRY I wear a few hats:

• Artist manager to Rainbow Chan, Yeo and Small FRY (as a DJ)
• Founder of Big Bao (alongside two other members), curator and producer. We throw parties and events showcasing Asian-Australian artists and diverse sounds
• DJ –  I have mixes featured on NTS Radio, FBi Radio, Assemble Papers and Frankie Magazine
• Presenter of Mooncake on Triple R 102.7FM, celebrating music from Asia and artists of the Asian diaspora

My career goals have definitely evolved over time because I never set out to be where I am now. When I was young, I played the piano but wasn’t very good. At Uni, I studied Multimedia/Media Studies, which helped me try a bit of everything. It wasn’t until SYN Radio, did I realise even though I didn’t have the musicality to make music, I just wanted to work in the music field. Community radio also introduced to me to wider and weirder music genres outside of commercial pop music, where I really honed in on my music taste, which always continues to evolve.

I would say that working in the music industry in one thing, but building a music community is the most important thing. Find and hold people around you who share the same values and goals (and music tastes). For me, it’s being a part of a community like Triple R or building my own around Small FRY and Big Bao.