Where are you based?
Dharug Land (in Sydney, Australia)
Where do you work? What do you do?
I’ve just finished up at Warner Music Australia where I was Managing Editor of WMA Media Brands for four years. I’m a music editor, content manager, and social media strategist with over 8 years of experience in the Australian music industry. I also dabble in event and radio presenting!
In June, I started up at Red Bull Australia as their Web Editor, overseeing their website’s content verticals including music, dance, culture, gaming and sports.
What are you listening to?
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Beyonce’s new album RENAISSANCE here! I’ve also really liked Harry Styles’ new album, Meet Me @ The Altar’s EP and Jack Harlow’s sophomore record, Come Home The Kids Miss You. Locally, I’m loving daine’s new music as well as Yours Truly. Budjerah’s gonna be a superstar, too.
How do you discover new music?
My inbox is generally a treasure trove of new music so I try and take the time to check out as much as possible there, but I also discover a lot through what my networks are talking about on Twitter, TikTok and other social media platforms. Of late, I’ve been discovering some new bangers on the radio station CADA. Surprisingly – I’m not a playlist discovery person! I prefer to listen to albums on DSPs.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
Largely streaming these days – I resisted for ages though, because I didn’t like the idea of not having constant access to songs on my devices (what if I’m in the air? On a road trip through the desert? I wanted my mp3s where I could see ‘em, in my iTunes!). I buy a lot of vinyl but it’s not a regular thing that I actually spin them – it’s just nice having tangible evidence of my favourite albums, and giving back to artists.
Where do you do most of your music listening?
At my desk, mostly! I use Bose over-ear headphones. At home, I love to listen through my Marshall Stanmore speaker, which connects my Bluetooth to my iPhone but is also connected up to my record player. I think I love listening to albums most in the car though – I find I absorb music much better when I’m not distracted by work or things around the house.
“I think I love listening to albums most in the car though – I find I absorb music much better when I’m not distracted by work or things around the house.”
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
Having worked at a major label, I’m exposed to a lot of pre-release music which is awesome and provides major bragging rights sometimes (I heard the new My Chemical Romance song before it dropped!). Otherwise, I’m listening to music premiere requests sent to me via email, or first listens aired on Triple J.
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
I do really miss reading liner notes – it seems like music listening nowadays is rarely done with deliberation and is now a passive activity while on public transport, at the gym, or while working, all instances where you’re not able to examine lyrics or the art behind a record. Other than that, there are plenty of benefits – every song ever at your fingertips, along with lyrics! I also love when DSP algorithms suggest to you a song that you haven’t heard in aeons.
“I do really miss reading liner notes – it seems like music listening nowadays is rarely done with deliberation and is now a passive activity while on public transport, at the gym, or while working, all instances where you’re not able to examine lyrics or the art behind a record.”
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
Sadly, I rarely find time to listen to a lot of stand-alone releases again – as mentioned, I listen to a lot of albums on streaming services and these are basically always listed in my Recently Played sections. Albums I really love, I make sure I favourite on Spotify or Apple Music (I have both). I consume a lot of social media daily so I often just make a mental note to listen to something that’s trending online, and listen to it when I next get a moment.
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
Of course! One of the best parts of music is sharing it with others. Mainly through my Instagram or Twitter accounts, or I text someone a song or artist that I think they’ll love.
Anything you want to “promote”?
I’ll promote myself! I’m open to picking up some freelance music hosting/interviewing work, so if you need someone to interview an artist, moderate a zoom call with an artist and media, or host a music industry panel, let me know!
