For those unfamiliar with the music industry, can you describe your role in live music?

As an entertainment manager / artist liaison my role is varied. Primarily I’m a conduit between the venue, booking agent and, on the day, the artist and team.

To book a gig, I work with a booking agent like Skylar at Outerlands Live. We look at available dates for the venue, potential bookings and how to attract more bookings. We work through all the possible things both the venue and touring act might need. Once locked in, we coordinate the marketing and ticketing, then move to announce the show.

Showtime is all about making sure everything comes together and stays on track. Our production team is headed up by Duncan from Rocksalt Sound, a local legend and soundie. Once the doors are open I swing between the greenroom, ticketing, venue management, and security to make sure everything is sweet!
 

You’ve worked with some of Australia’s most iconic acts, from Lime Cordiale to Frenzal Rhomb and The Hard Ons.

If you could program any lineup of Australian bands, dead or alive, for your ultimate night out, who would it be? And why?

Surely this is a trick question! There are simply too many, can I have a whole weekend??

Celibate Rifles, AC/DC, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Angie McMahon, Dicklord, Marvell, Stiff Richards, Amyl & The Sniffers, Radio Birdman, Lime Cordiale, Crocodyllus, Angie McMahon, Rum Jungle, Betty Taylor, Men At Work, Coffin, Hoodoo Gurus,Edgecliff, You Am I, The Saints, Skeggs, Scatterlight, Old Mervs … and that’s just to start with.
 

The Australian live music industry has been through some big changes recently with the loss of music venues and festivals, skills shortages in production and technical crew, and the rising costs of living.

What do you see as the big challenges we face on the Beaches right now, and what steps can we take as individuals to make sure that we support our local scene?  

Venue managers and booking agents can communicate and collaborate better to avoid an oversaturation of the market.

The Beaches is very fortunate that many primary school aged children have music lessons and we now have so many bands on the beaches - we need to find more space for all-ages and under 18’s shows. Kids growing up here don’t get a lot of opportunity to see a show with full production that isn’t in a stadium. We need our local scene to be more accessible to an all-ages audience.

Importantly, buy the merch! Buy the t-shirts, vinyls, etc. You will never regret a drawer full of shirts that are essentially a memory of all the great shows you’ve seen.
 

You used to program music at The Razza, a beloved venue at Narrabeen RSL. Sadly, the venue closed in 2022 due to the impacts of Covid.

What made this venue so special for you? What is the chemistry that makes a successful venue?

The Razza presented me (us) with an amazing opportunity to revive an under-utilised space for touring artists. It was a classic case of the right people in the right place at the right time.

Personally, when we jumped head-first into the live music scene I was juggling small children and caring for my Mum. Narrabeen RSL Board of Directors and Management gave me space creatively and personally to do all the things necessary. It was a gift and a rare thing in the world of hospitality and live music.

It has been beyond frustrating to see the space empty after so much hard work, but we gave it a good crack. It hosted some of the wildest shows the Peninsular had seen in years. I was very fortunate to know and appreciate in real time how unique and special The Razza was, so I am very grateful for that time.

In my opinion, a successful venue takes tenacity, dedication, commitment, authenticity, kindness, understanding, a thick skin, as well as encouraging diversity on every level.
 

You once shared a quote, “The cure for many ills, noted Jung, is to build something”. It seems you continually create opportunities for musicians and audiences. Including through your current work at Avalon Beach RSL.

What’s your approach to building a venue or music program from the ground up?

I work with people who have a similar level of commitment and passion for venues and live music. I have been so fortunate to share that with the Management and Board at Avalon RSL.   I will be always grateful that when Narrabeen closed, I cold-called Avalon and they stepped in and picked up a dozen shows without hesitation. 

I believe in working with strong intentions, plenty of trust, good communication, humility, and a sense of humour. Working hard and staying inspired. Understanding your demographic and community, and why they do what they do.
 

We’re excited that you’re a member of the Live & Local Working Group, part of Council’s current program to support the local live music industry.

What are you hoping to get out of this program and the working group?

I am looking forward to working alongside like-minded people who see the potential of the Northern Beaches live music scene. I know I have so much more to learn, and I hope that together we can achieve a goal for the local area that is unique and sustainable.
 

Finally, the big question, who's t-shirt will you be wearing this Ausmusic T-shirt Day?

I’ll be repping THE TOOTHPICKS t-shirt, a new addition to my merch collection. They recently supported Skunkhour at Avalon as part of the Creative Open program. Definitely a new fave!