The AAM is excited to present Right Here, Right Now - a week of discussions and insights aimed at motivating and inspiring artist managers.
Happening from Monday 6th – Friday 10th December 2021, the Right Here Right Now program comprises an array of conversations aimed at educating and inspiring Australian music managers of all levels. These virtual sessions are available to its members, and will be an opportunity for them to reflect on the year (or two) that has been, and look forward to the next one with a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm.
Right Here, Right Now will be an idea generator, thought provoker, a driver of philosophy and innovation tailored to the truly curious.
There will be a key discussion between patron John Watson and international heavyweight manager Ben Mawson of TaP Music (Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey). AAM Members will get an insight on the very special relationship between artist and manager through an in-conversation between Thelma Plum and her long-term manager Heath Bradby. This insightful discussion is in partnership with Digi Youth Arts and will be facilitated by First Nations programmer Alethea Beetson. We will dive deep into tech conversations around blockchain, NFTs and decentralisation in partnership with VMDO, and check in on what touring the UK and EU looks like in a post-covid world with the help of Sounds Australia and their network. The huge hearted Jess Beston of Tiny Monster will lead a discussion with the wider team of Holy Holy, unpacking what it takes to take a band from inception to success. For fans of the growing Western Sydney music scene and community, manager at the coal face, Vyvienne Abla, will explore what it takes to nurture a community in collaboration with South Auckland icons, Dawn Raid. The week will wrap up with a virtual debrief, followed by satellite events in various cities for artist managers to attend in real life and catch up on very missed and valued face-to-face contact. Throughout the week, the AAM will be offering giveaways to attendees just for showing up, from legends such as Spotify, Jaxsta, Music Victoria & more.
The AAM extends the invitation to any First Nations people who would like to attend the week of discussions.
The AAM supports progress towards a decolonised music industry and therefore highly encourage mob from anywhere across the country to join us and partake in an exchange of knowledge. Please get in touch with the team by emailing info@aam.org.au.
2021 Speakers
Vyvienne Abla
Vyva Entertainment
Vyvienne Abla has been working in the music and creative industries for 18 years locally and across the globe. 2007 she founded Vyva Entertainment, using HipHop and music culture to empower others, with a focus on integrating industry, education and community to create unique pathways for youth, artists and professionals. 2015, she launched 4ESydney, the only festival and conference here of its kind, specialising in HipHop culture and multi-artform, interdisciplinary practice. For the community, by the community, 4ESydney, continues to gradually build a global infrastructure and platform for HipHop in so-called Australia. Over the years Vyv’s work has gained international attention, being invited to speak in NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Middle East as a result of her initiatives and work in Western Sydney and across the nation more broadly.
SESSION: COMMUNITY MATTERS: DOING MUSIC BUSINESS WITH A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS
Reggie Ba-Pe III
Founder of Club Media
Reggie is a Burmese-born Australian creative entrepreneur with over 15 years experience in music, media, advertising, nightlife, and youth culture in China and the broader Asia-Pacific region. He is the co-founder of CLUB MEDIA, a transformative media company that pioneers the entertainment tech landscape and champions Asian creatives in the Asia-Pacific region. As an entrepreneur, Reggie first founded Sonically Transmitted Disease in 2007, one of China’s most respected promotions and event agencies. In 2012, he opened Arcade, a video game-themed cocktail lounge frequented by Shanghai’s creative elite. He later opened Arkham in 2013, Shanghai’s most prolific underground club. In 2017, Reggie was appointed General Manager and Creative Director of 88rising, one of the most influential Asian entertainment companies that bridges the East and West. In 2021, Reggie was named as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians.
SESSION: VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; STARTER-PACK
Renae Brown
Festivals & Events Manager, Arby Projects
Renae is a freelance festivals & events manager with over 10 years events and music industry experience in Australia and the UK. She was festivals manager at Vision Nine for Boardmasters, NASS and BBC Music Introducing LIVE from 2018 up until launching Arby Projects at the start of 2021. Before that Renae spent 3 years at AIF (Association of Independent Festivals) working with over 50 festival members and managing the Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign. Her current event management projects include AIF’s Festival Congress, UK Americana Music Week and MMF’s Accelerator Retreat. Renae’s 2021 condensed festival season included working on Boardmasters, Antibodies, NASS, Slam Dunk and Bear Grylls Gone Wild ranging from 400 cap up to 50,000.
SESSION: SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
Dom Alessio
Digital Export Producer at Sounds Australia
Dom Alessio is the Digital Export Producer for Sounds Australia. His role is to drive the digital strategy of Australia’s export office, as well as identify and create international opportunities for Australian artists and industry in the digital space. Dom’s career began as a freelance music writer in 2005 before joining Sydney’s weekly music street press magazine The Brag as their Arts & Assistant Editor in mid-2006. For eight years Dom was the host of Home & Hosed on triple j, Australia’s national youth radio station. Starting in 2009, he presented and programmed the show, Monday to Thursday at 9pm, introducing audiences to the future of Australian music.
SESSION: SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
Jess Beston
Founder/Director at Tiny Monster Management
Jess Beston is Founder/Director of boutique music business “Tiny Monster”, specialising in Artist Management, A&R and Indie Radio Servicing, founded in 2011. Jess has managed HOLY HOLY since their inception in 2013. Prior to starting Tiny Monster Jess worked for 6 years at EMI (first in Licensing, then in PR/radio where she worked on campaigns for Silverchair, Missy Higgins, Phoenix, Coldplay, Radiohead etc), and was then head hunted by George Ash to work as A&R Manager at Universal. There she signed some of Australia’s most loved bands of recent years including Children Collide, Gyroscope, Dukes of Windsor, and working with The Naked & Famous & Violent Soho for their debut LPs. In her time at Tiny Monster she has also assistant-managed Neil Finn with Bill Cullen for 3 years, managed Olympia and Mid City, and worked on the radio/artist development side with Alex The Astronaut, Jeffe, Fletcher Gull, Heaps Good Friends, Alt Fiction and many others. Jess will also be A&R consultant on the next Tia Gostelow album.
SESSION: MANAGEMENT 101: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN ARTISTS TEAM
Alethea Beetson
Founder of Digi Youth Arts and Blak Social
Alethea Beetson is a Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi + Wiradjuri artist and producer who has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across multiple art forms to inspire new works responding to societal issues, cultural heritage and colonisation. She has worked as a First Nations Curator and Producer across Brisbane Festival, BIGSOUND, Horizon Festival, Yonder and Jungle Love. In 2013 Alethea founded DigI Youth Arts an Indigenous youth arts organisation operating out of so-called Queensland. Her research explores the function of insurgence and resurgence in the creative development and production of Indigenous performance. In 2020, Alethea founded Blak Social, a multi-arts company that will hold a residency at The Tivoli from 2021 to 2022.
SESSION: IN CONVERSATION: THELMA PLUM & HEATH BRADBY
Greg Carey
Founder & Director at Grow Yourself Up | Association of Artist Managers (Chair)
Greg is Founder and Director at Grow Yourself Up, a music company based out of Redfern / Darkinjung Country. The company’s management roster includes The Rubens, Urthboy & Saskwatch. Grow Yourself Up also runs a record label and licensing division and operates a recording/creative studio. Greg is also the AAM chairperson.
SESSIONS: AAM AGM | MANAGEMENT 101: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN ARTISTS TEAM (MODERATOR)
Heath Bradby
Managing Director / Owner at The Fidelity Corporation
Heath Bradby is a band manager with 27 years experience in the music industry. He has worked as a manager, major label A&R, head of an indie label, DJ, booking agent and promoter. As A&R Heath has worked with a diverse range of acts including Illy, Morgan Evans, Dune Rats, Thelma Plum, Busby Marou, and Kita Alexander amongst many others. These artists have achieved multiple #1 records, Aria Wins and nominations, international recognition as well as many Gold, Platinum and multi Platinum certifications. Fidelity represents a unique range of artists who have Gold, Platinum and Number 1 records to their name, as well as a fierce commitment to both touring and the constant search for better art. Globally sustainable careers and international touring are a key focus of Fidelity, who have over the years co-ordinated tours throughout the Americas, Europe, Russia, China, Africa and India – including many repeat visits.
SESSION: IN CONVERSATION: THELMA PLUM AND HEATH BRADBY
Maggie Collins
Morning Belle | Association of Artist Managers (ED)
Maggie Collins is a Brisbane/Meanjin-based professional, who has been working in the industry in a diverse range of roles over the past 14 years. She’s the founder and director of Morning Belle, a music services company specialising in artist management and event programming. She has been Executive Programmer of Brisbane showcase festival and music conference BIGSOUND, as well as manager of multi-ARIA Award winning party-thrash band DZ Deathrays and crowd favourite, Donny Benét. With her radio hat on, she was a presenter and producer at the triple j network for 10 years. In 2020 she received The Lighthouse Award, an honour given to Australian female managers who exhibit passion, creativity, integrity and commitment to the community. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she has been active in advocating for the music industry to all levels of government and the public, including being a core worker in campaigns such as Sound of Silence, #VaxTheNation and speaking at a Senate Hearing on the Live Music Insurance Bill. After 7 years on the board of the Association of Artist Managers, she has recently taken on the Executive Director role and looks forward to steering the organisation into the future.
SESSIONS: AAM AGM (2021 MANAGERS STATE OF PLAY) | VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; STARTER-PACK (MODERATOR) | VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES (MODERATOR)
Joel Connolly
Creative Director at Blackbird
Joel is the Creative Director at Blackbird and the Head of the Blackbird Foundation. Prior to this, Joel was the Head of Community at Blackbird. Joel was the co-founder and artist manager at Umbrella. Their roster of bands included The Rubens, Cloud Control, Fishing, Urthboy and others. Joel was also the co-founder and Festival Director of Sydney Craft Beer Week - one of Australia’s biggest celebrations of craft beer with over 130 events each year.
SESSION: VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES
Dawn Raid
Dawn Raid Entertainment (Brother D & Andy Murnane)
The South Pacific Region’s #1 Urban Entertainment Company, Dawn Raid released their first album, a compilation record called Southside Story in 1999, and now hold an extensive back catalogue of iconic releases. Founded by Brother D and Andy Murnane, “the untold story of the music that inspired a generation” was shared in the ‘Dawn Raid’ documentary earlier this year.
SESSION: COMMUNITY MATTERS: DOING MUSIC BUSINESS WITH A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS
Sean Gardner
MODA DAO | Emanate
Sean Gardner is an ex-advertising industry, creative tech entrepreneur who has settled at the intersection of blockchain and music. Since 2017, he and the team behind Emanate have been applying the latest technology to solve the biggest problems in music. Sean previously spent 12 years in the digital trenches of Australia’s top creative agencies including TBWA and DDB Sydney; an environment where he learnt how to deliver world-first creative technology solutions under intense time and resource pressure. Solving problems on Australia’s first iphone campaigns with Vodafone, various ecommerce pilots, promotional AR in 2010, the first branded VR experiences in 2015, drone-powered UGC campaigns and audio-activated fashion shoots; Sean had become adept to innovation and that’s when he discovered the blockchain. Crypto quickly brought Sean’s passions together; innovation, technology and music. Four years later, he and the team have a better understanding of the direction of music and Web3 than most people on the planet.
SESSION: VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES
Alex Iveson
Head Of Growth at Labrys
Formerly an artist manager, Alex Iveson is a blockchain product strategist, advisor, and investor who works as Head Of Growth at Labrys, a blockchain company that designs and builds solutions for enterprises, governments and funded ventures. Over the past six years, he worked as a marketer, researcher, and product manager in various successful blockchain companies globally.
SESSION: VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES
Tom Larkin
Founder of Tiny Triumphs Management
New Zealand Born but now Australian based, Tom Larkin has been a career musician for the past 30 years, as the founding member of the NZ rock band Shihad. Shihad have sold over 330,000 records; secured 2 x Gold albums and 6 x ARIA award nominations in Australia; In New Zealand have 9 x Platinum albums and hold the outright record for most chart hits, the most Number #1 albums, the most NZ music Award nominations and wins. The band have toured with Black Sabbath, Faith No More, Guns & Roses, Metallica, Korn, Tool, as well as touring four times with AC/DC. Based in Melbourne since 2003, Tom is the founder of Tiny Triumphs Artist Management, who are responsible for overseeing the careers of The VANNS, Eliza & The Delusionals, Hein Cooper, Woodlock & Emma Dilemma. Over the last decade, Tom has carved out a niche as an artist developer with his work as a producer and owner of HOMESURGERY RECORDINGS, a project studio with a fearsome reputation based in Brunswick, and in 2019 was appointed as the Conference Programmer for BIGSOUND - the largest music conference in Australia. In November 2019 Tom joined the Board of SUPPORT ACT – an organisation providing vital crisis support for the music industry.
SESSION: COMMUNITY MATTERS: DOING MUSIC BUSINESS WITH A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS (MODERATOR)
Ben Madden
Stage Manager (The Chemical Brothers)
After being interested in Live Event Production in his late years in high school, Ben obtained a Diploma in Music Technology at South Bank Tafe. Ben began working in the Australian Live Music Industry, and soon found a passion for Music Festival’s directing his energy into becoming a stage manager. Ben has worked for many festivals in a range of roles across Australia &; New Zealand such as Future Music, Stereosonic, Summer Field Days, Listen Out, Groove In the Moo, Wine Machine, Field Days, Common Wealth Games Festival, NYE In the Park, and Electric Gardens amongst others. As well as Festivals Ben now works for Artists directly such as Hot Dub Time Machine, Golden Features, Alison Wonderland & more. At the start of 2019, Ben was appointed the Stage Manager for The Chemical Brothers and continues to tour internationally.
SESSION: SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
Ben Mawson
Co-founder of Tap Music [Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey]
Ben Mawson is a multi-award winning Artist Manager and industry leader, managing some of the world’s biggest artists; Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Hailee Steinfeld, Ellie Goulding and more. Mawson began his career as a music lawyer, before co-founding Tap Music with his business partner Ed Millett. Since its inception, Tap Music has grown to include record, digital and publishing divisions and has established offices in LA, London, Berlin and Sydney.
SESSION: IN CONVERSATION: BEN MAWSON (DUA LIPA, LANA DEL REY)
Dan Medland
Artist Manager: Passenger | Nettwerk Music Group
Dan came to Australia from the UK over a decade ago and has managed and worked with a host of International and domestic artist in the management space as a prior managing Director of ie:music. He now manages Passenger and has recently joined Nettwerk Music Group in setting up their Australian base. A 20-year industry veteran, Dan first came to Nettwerk as the Artist Manager for Diamond-certified recording artist Passenger (aka Mike Rosenberg). He will continue in that role while also working for Nettwerk to expand our business in such an important and expansive market.
SESSION: SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
Rhianna Patrick
Journalist & Broadcaster
Rhianna Patrick is a freelance Torres Strait Islander media professional with over twenty years experience, having worked across news, tv documentaries and radio. Rhianna curates one of Spotify Australia’s Indigenous playlists ‘Original Storytellers’.
SESSION: VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES
Thelma Plum
Artist
Thelma Plum is a Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator. She grew up in Brisbane and spent many of her childhood years on her Grandparents’ farm in Delungra, a small country town in rural New South Wales. Thelma Plum’s debut album Better In Blak is a story about culture, heritage, love, and pain. With incredible strength, courage and heartbreaking tenderness, her debut album captures so deftly what it’s like to be a young Aboriginal woman in Australia. The album became one of the most successful albums of 2019, nominated for 7 Arias and spawning 3 Platinum and one Gold singles. The title track “Better in Blak” came in the top 10 of the Triple J Hottest 100, the highest result for an Indigenous artist ever. Listening to Better In Blak, you can tell why. Written and recorded across New York, London and Sydney with her frequent collaborator, producer Alex Burnett the album is 12 tracks of Thelma at her best; brutally honest, insightful, incisive and with her heart on her sleeve.
SESSION: IN CONVERSATION: THELMA PLUM AND HEATH BRADBY
Michele Porto
General Manager, Marketing & Promotions at Wonderlick Entertainment
Michele Porto is the General Manager, Marketing & Promotions for Wonderlick Entertainment. Overseeing and managing all marketing, promotion and label management aspects for both the management roster and the Wonderlick Recording Company, Michele has been with the Wonderlick Entertainment Group for over 8 years having previously worked at Universal Music for over 15 years working across the Australian Artist division. Wonderlick is home to Montaigne, Amy Shark, Holy Holy, Josh Pyke, Grinspoon, The Paper Kites, Flowerkid + more.
SESSION: MANAGEMENT 101: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN ARTISTS TEAM
Leigh Treweek
Artist Manager: Alex Lahey | Handshake Media
Leigh Treweek has spent the last 25 years navigated all facets of the music industry from music media, artist management, brand partnerships to working out how to make sure his iPhone defaults to Spotify rather than Apple Music. He has a thirst for knowledge and never turns down a chance to speak with those who are smarter than him.
SESSION: MANAGERS ROUNDTABLE: DEBRIEF THE WEEK
MC Trey
Artist | Owner & Founder of Tapastry
MC Trey (Thelma Thomas) has over 20 years experience as a hip-hop/ soul artist, with nominations for the ARIA, Urban Music, 3D and Jack Music Awards. She has performed locally and internationally, offering a unique style of melodic and insightful rhymes and delivery about life, love and her experiences. She has supported and performed onstage alongside musical heavy-weights such as Lupe Fiasco, Common, RZA, Xzibit, Jurassic5, The Fugees, Run DMC, Naughty by Nature, Michael Franti, The Roots, Blackstar, Blackalicous, Company Flow, Che-Fu, King Kapisi, The Alkoholics, SIA and more. MC Trey runs her creative business, Tapastry which provides consultancy, arts and youth workshops, events coordination and creative projects working with Street University, Australian Museum, Juvenile Justice, NSW Health, NSW Education.
SESSION: COMMUNITY MATTERS: DOING MUSIC BUSINESS WITH A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS
Simone Ubaldi
Artist Manager: Amyl & The Sniffers, Grace Cummings
Simone Ubaldi is an Australian artist manager and venue operator with a background in marketing and communications in the arts industry. With her partner Andrew Parisi, she oversees the careers of Amyl and The Sniffers and Grace Cummings and books The Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne. A former music journalist and ongoing film critic, Simone has ghostwritten six books, and was a lead organiser of Victoria’s Save Our Scene campaign, which successfully advocated for millions of dollars in State Government support for the music sector during the Covid pandemic.
SESSION: SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
Stephen Wade
CEO & Senior Agent at Select Music
Stephen Wade is CEO and a senior agent at Select Music. Responsible for the careers of some of the most well known acts in the country including Rufus Du Sol, Amy Shark, Thelma Plum, Boy & Bear, San Cisco, Crooked Colours and countless others, whilst overseeing Australia’s largest independent agency. During Covid, rather then sit on the sidelines he was active in the formation of the Australian Live Music Business Council, liaising with government at all levels for the past 18 months and is presently the chairman, with a great passion to help make the live scene a stronger environment to work into the future.
SESSION: MANAGEMENT 101: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN ARTISTS TEAM
John Watson
Owner & President of John Watson Management | Eleven
John Watson is one of Australia’s leading artist managers. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s he played in indie bands, worked in record stores, wrote for music magazines and did A&R for a major label. After signing Silverchair to their first recording deal in 1995 he established John Watson Management and JWM represented the band throughout their career. The company went on to represent a ‘Who’s Who’ of Australian music across the last quarter century. Their roster currently includes Jimmy Barnes, Birds Of Tokyo, Cold Chisel (co-managed with John O’Donnell), Gotye, Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil and The Presets. John is also President of the boutique indie label, Eleven: a music company to whose roster several of the management clients have been signed. Artists signed to JWM and/or Eleven have sold over 20 million albums globally and have collectively won more than 70 ARIA Awards.
SESSION: IN CONVERSATION: BEN MAWSON (DUA LIPA, LANA DEL REY)