Meet the ambitious CHANGES curators quintessential to Melbourne’s music scene
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01.07.2019

Meet the ambitious CHANGES curators quintessential to Melbourne’s music scene

Jeremy Fox and Hamish Deeth – 123 Agency

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

We wanted the opportunity to help showcase amazing local talent that we are currently working with, in front of industry delegates that they may otherwise not have access to.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

This year we have specifically curated a wonderful lineup of up and coming artists across a varied range of genres that demonstrate a taste of what 123 Agency has to offer.

What was the process you went through to prepare your showcase?

As a team we discussed the finer points of which local and diverse artists we felt would bring something to this year’s CHANGES showcase.

Are there any local labels or management agencies that are of particular influence to you?

We believe that there are so many amazing labels and management agencies that are bringing their own flavour to the local music scene right now, all of which influence us in some way, shape or form.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

Festivals such as CHANGES are important as they provide opportunities for not only local talent, but also the plethora of local labels and agencies that work tirelessly to make the Melbourne music scene the success that it is.

Catch the 123 Agency showcase at The Night Cat as part of CHANGES on Wednesday July 3.

Sweetie Zamora – Dot Dash

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

We absolutely loved attending CHANGES last year – it seemed like a natural progression to pull together as Dot Dash and curate a showcase!

What was the process you went through to prepare your showcase?

Our aim for the showcase was to highlight some of the artists on our Dot Dash roster but also open up the opportunity to other Melbourne artists we’re admiring at the moment.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

We’re lucky enough to have Sunbeam Sound Machine & Gena Rose Bruce album releases via Dot Dash leading into Changes Festival. Friendships have been with us for a while now and we couldn’t think of a better duo to come and set the mood between sets. We’ve been loving Obscura Hail, Memphis LK and SaD, so it only seemed right to invite them to come and join our party. We’re so stoked they all said YES!

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

It’s so important as it gives the Melbourne industry the opportunity to share knowledge, make new connections and continue to grow!

What other showcases you are keen to see?

The lineup of showcase curators is absolutely wild! It’s impossible to just pick out a couple. In a dream world, we’d go to every showcase!

Catch the Dot Dash showcase on Thursday July 4 at Labour In Vain as part of CHANGES.

Tim ShielSpirit Level

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

It was seeing the lineup of curators and feeling overwhelmed with pride we would even be considered in the same conversation as all of them. We’re proud to represent a small but important part of Melbourne’s music community at CHANGES.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

We have a few of our label faves including Braille Face, Hemm and new artist Sig Nu Gris. We also invited friends Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, Luboku and Grace Ferguson.  There’ll be a interstitial soundtrack and some motion-capture visuals on Laundry’s screen too.

Why are Melbourne’s record labels and management agencies so important to the city’s music scene?

Artists can do so much on their own these days. What Spirit Level focuses on is the things which are harder to get when you are on your own: moral support, creative support.  As a community we try and help each other out.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

So much of what we do happens online. Events like CHANGES provide an opportunity to connect and remember why we got into all of this in the first place.

What other showcases you are keen to see?

If I could magically see them all I would – but particularly excited about Music in Exile, UXS, Soul Has No Tempo, Still Here, Roolette Records.

Spirit Level takes over Laundry Bar as part of CHANGES on Wednesday July 3.

Carsten Bruhn – Roolette Records

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

My partner Kahlia Parker and I jumped on the opportunity to curate a showcase for CHANGES 2019! We love the work of Emily Ulman last year, so when we started chatting with her via email, we knew this was something we needed to do!

What was the process you went through to prepare your showcase?

Like all Roolette Records events we put on, our priority is looking at gender diversity and inclusivity. We have chosen an eight-band lineup that has something for everyone and is sure to make everybody feel welcome!

Are there any local labels or management agencies of particular influence on you?

The LISTEN organisation and its offshoot record label, Listen Records have been very influential to Roolette Records. The way they push for engagement with marginalised communities and cultures within music is number one in the country.

What other showcases you are keen to see?

I can almost guarantee most of the ‘roo crew’ will be at the Future Popes showcase on Wednesday July 3 at Bar Open! We obviously adore Hexdebt and their debut album, plus Candy are our good friends.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

The Vic Government backing CHANGES shows there’s interest to invest and engage with the music industry. It could provide the music industry with a greater platform to have conversations about issues and positives within our music industry.

The Roolette Records showcase goes down on Thursday July 4 at The Old Bar as part of CHANGES.

Amanda Vitartas – Future Popes

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

We wanted to give unsigned artists an opportunity to showcase at CHANGES. For artists that predominantly haven’t got label or management representation, it can be hard for them to have the advantage of showcasing at such an industry-focused event.

What was the process you went through to prepare your showcase?

Future Popes began in 2014 as a PR and touring agency, which ultimately grew a management umbrella representing artists including showcasing artists, Cry Club and Candy as well as Moaning Lisa. We wanted to provide a lineup that represented Future Popes’s history; touring, publicising and managing artists.

Why are Melbourne’s record labels and management agencies so important to the city’s music scene?

They’re important as they provide support to each other. While in the bigger picture they are rivals, the industry behind the music scene, perhaps surprisingly, are incredibly supportive to one another. By the way the industry provides opportunities and inspiration to each other allows for the thriving artists and community that you see.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

It’s so important to connect in the music industry – allow industry personnel to watch your performance in a live setting and really understand your art. While in Australia we have BIGSOUND, not all independent artists can afford to make the pilgrimage North. CHANGES provides local artists – in one of the most progressive markets – national and international opportunities to connect. 

What other showcases you are keen to see?

I’m really keen to get across to the One of One showcase as well as the Roolette Records showcase – who are definitely coming up in the Melbourne scene. As well as USX, Barely Dressed and Our Golden Friend’s showcases.

The Future Popes showcase goes down on Wednesday July 3 at Bar Open as part of CHANGES.

Joe Alexander – Bedroom Suck Records and Music in Exile

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

We’re stoked to be showcasing this year. Music in Exile is all about giving refugee and migrant artists a chance to connect with the Australian music industry, so this is a perfect opportunity for some of our artists to find new opportunities.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

You’ll be treated to performances by Gordon Koang, a South Sudanese superstar who now resides in Dandenong; Music Yared, which features the songwriting prowess of Addis Abada’s nightclub legend, Anbessa Gebrehiwot. Ajak Kwai, an incredibly accomplished and powerful Sudanese singer living in Melbourne, will also perform. Some serious party tunes here! 

Why are Melbourne’s record labels and management agencies so important to the city’s music scene?

These small agencies and business are what make our scene thrive. They are most often run by inspired, hardworking individuals who have decided to devote their lives to showcasing indie artists. How good is that!

Are there any local labels or management agencies that are of particular influence to you?

I love Milk! Records. They have such a great indie ethos and are so supportive of their artist family. 

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

I think as creators and creative industry professionals we don’t get enough together to chat. We need to share ideas, skills, developments, resources. I’m excited to see so many creative folk together in Melbourne.

The Music in Exile Showcase goes down on Wednesday July 3 at Labour in Vain as part of CHANGES.

Nick Murnane – The Evelyn, The Eastern (Ballarat)

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

I book The Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy and The Eastern in Ballarat. I thought it would be a great opportunity to showcase a lot of the fantastic talent that comes across my desk every day.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

We have gone with some really special singer-songwriters perform their songs stripped back to really expose their exceptional talent.

What was the process you went through to prepare your showcase?

I wanted to bring together a cross-section of regional Victoria at the moment, Freya Hollick has just recorded an album in America with Lucinda Williams’ backing band which is due to release soon. Eliza Hull has been a champion for music not just in regional Victoria but in the diversity and disability sector. It came pretty easy as everyone on the line up is very active.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

It’s a good way to keep people interested in winter I think. If there is a reason to get out of the house in winter people will embrace it. The more socialisation, the better the ideas and execution of future ideas and events.

Check out the Regional Showcase on Wednesday July 3 at The Shady Lady as part of CHANGES.

Aleisha Hall – PBS FM

What made you jump on board for CHANGES 2019?

PBS worked closely with the CHANGES team last year to run the official industry events and this year Emily proposed the PBS and Triple R curated showcase and we jumped on the idea. It’s a great opportunity to represent the ethos of community radio and work with another community station.

Tell us a bit about what you have put together for this year’s festival.

Lauren Taylor (Triple R Events Producer) and I really wanted the PBS and Triple R showcase to be representative of community radio so we’ve curated a lineup with artists that together truly reflect the diversity of the Melbourne music scene. Come down to The Night Cat Thursday July 4 to see DJ and multi-disciplinary experimentalist MAKEDA, rising rap star P-Unique, self-described rosé rock and jangle punks Porpoise Spit, and the dancefloor Afro House sounds of Digital Afrika. We’ll also be hosting the official after party from 11pm with MzRizk (PBS) and Fee B Squared (Triple R) on the decks until late.

Why are Melbourne’s record labels and management agencies so important to the city’s music scene?

The strength of the Melbourne music scene can be attributed to the diversity and support of the organisations around it. We’re so lucky to have a wide variety of labels and management agencies dedicated to the continuation of the scene and those that service all genres of music at all levels. The rise of independent labels and representation over the last couple of years has pushed Melbourne music to the next level and I’m so interested to see how we’ll reflect back on this time 20 years from now.

Why is it important that we have festivals such as CHANGES that promote conversation and push the envelope of a rapidly evolving industry?

Festivals like CHANGES provide a rare but vitally important opportunity for the music industry to come together as one and to have conversations that broaden perspectives and ideas. It allows us to sense check the content we’re rolling out and the best practices to achieve the best results. It’s also important to touch base on what’s changing in the industry to ensure we remain up-to-date and relevant with our audiences.

What other showcases you are keen to see?

I really don’t know how people will choose just one showcase this year, there are so many good ones. On the Wednesday night you’ll probably find me somewhere between the Future Popes and Rice is Nice showcase, and on Thursday I’ll be trying to get to the Dot Dash, Roolette Records and the Foreign Brothers showcase. If there was ever a time to split yourself into multiple people – this is the time.

Check out the joint PBS and Triple R Showcase on Thursday July 4 at The Night Cat as part of CHANGES.

Grab tickets and check out CHANGES online at changes.melbourne