Game Changers: Being Heard

Adrian Basso is General Manager of community radio station PBS 106.7FM. Since 1979, PBS has been a key player in Melbourne’s music community – with more than 80 specialist music programs ranging from soul to garage to country to jazz – PBS is dedicated to nurturing, inspiring and championing Melbourne’s diverse music community. He was until late last year, National President of the community broadcasting peak body, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, which represents more than 350 radio stations, reaching 29% of all Australians weekly. Adrian’s previous roles have also included Business and Development Manager at classical music station 3MBS and Victorian State Manager of the Australian Business Arts Foundation.

Kirsty is the Manager, Contemporary Music at Creative Victoria where she manages and develops the Music Works initiatives. Prior to her role at Creative Victoria, Kirsty was the Writer Services National Manager at APRA AMCOS for 17 years and had various roles in the recording industry. She was the founding Vice Chair of Music Victoria and currently serves on a variety of not for profit boards including PBSFM. Kirsty has a wide experience in grants management and delivery both as a provider and recipient of small and large grants. When at APRA AMCOS, Kirsty also ran the APRA AMCOS Music Grant unit and has received and acquitted funding from bodies such as The Australia Council and The Office for the Arts as well as local council and smaller funding bodies.

Patrick Donovan was appointed CEO of Music Victoria, the peak body for contemporary music, in 2010. This followed a 15 year career at The Age newspaper where he was chief music writer for 12 years; wrote the local Sticky Carpet music column; and interviewed artists from Nick Cave to Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, David Bowie and Lou Reed. In his time at the Age, he founded and ran The EG Awards and started the campaign to name a street in honour of AC/DC which led to AC/DC Lane. He tour managed Iggy Pop in 1998, played in a band, and DJed. He is currently a member of the Victorian Live Music Roundtable and is on the board of the National Film and Sound Archive.

Following the release of his AIR Award nominated album, ‘Eons,’ Jim Lawrie has toured his unique heartbreaker songwriting extensively, with the likes of Marlon Williams, and Tinpan Orange, and also hitting the festival circuit including the Falls/Southbound Festival Tour of 2014/15 and Boogie 2016.  

Jim’s capacity for both soaring rock n roll and fragile sincere solo performances has captivated audiences around the country, some hailing him as “Australia’s anser to The War on Drugs,” others drawing comparisons to Niel Young and Paul Kelly.

The Shifties explore some of the tones of 70s country while dragging them into the psychadelic. Singing together with a soul like a hammer in your cornflakes. 

You can listen to their music on BandCamp. 

William Elm is a performer, composer, and multi-instrumental wunderkind. From ambient accordion soundscapes to driving piano austere pieces, Elm proves that he is a composer with tenacity, massive potential, and virtuosity beyond his years. With a sound that's influenced from the minimalists and experimental to the folk pop world, they have shared the stage with the likes of Amanda Palmer, Brendan Maclean, Mama Alto and Kate Miller-Heidke, and have self-produced over 3 EPs and a debut record. This year has seen William release his debt album 'Metamorphica' as well as present two works at Melbourne'e Fringe Festival, including a queer chamber cabaret, and an 8 hour improvisation presented by Arts Centre.

You can listen to William's music on BandCamp.