Organisation: Cognilitics Pty Ltd - CEO & Co-Founder

How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? Massive question. Started as a musician with a record deal in the USA and toured for 13 years. I then built a studio and recorded artist such as The Superjesus, Hilltop Hoods, and Guy Sebastian. I managed venues, booked festivals, ran Music SA, founded Musitec and now Cognilitics.

What's been the biggest change in the music business you've seen over the past 12 months? It's really how the industry as a whole is now embracing what technology can provide to business practice. Tech has always been there, but now, because anything is possible through technology, the biggest change that's emerging is the interactive tools that are now available to help musicians and music businesses 

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? What we do with the data that's now available. Transparency is now an expectation and will clean up much of the industry over time. But really for me it's the way we can use data and analytics to assist music businesses to better understand markets and make better business decisions.

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Find a mentor, get advice, take calculated risks, stay true to your vision, be unwavering in your passion, take time for loved ones, but most of all have an immense amount of fun and make sure you have plenty of love to share with those around you.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? I'm facilitating a discussion for music start-ups called How To Start Up. We will be with the mentors from the Music Tech programme and will unpack what it takes to start up and how to stay on the path and commercialise your ideas. We are blessed to have mentors from all over the country helping eight Music Tech companies to share their products at BIGSOUND.

What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? Really I love the networks and community building that is done at BIGSOUND. I love meeting new people and sharing ideas. Apart from that getting to see some bands I haven't heard of before.

Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? I always stay open, but I do target bands that I've never heard of. I love being surprised and blown away with what I stumble on.

When and where is your panel? 5 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre, 2.15pm.



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