Get Gig Ready is a seven part podcast series helping local musicians amp up their live performance skills. Get Gig Ready airs on Mondays at 6:30PM on 2SER radio until Monday 24 August. This program is also available online at 2SER.com or on any of your favourite podcast streaming platforms.
Over this series we talk with musicians, managers, radio hosts and other industry insiders to get in tune on what's going on in the music industry, and how you can get the most out of the music you're making. Topics range from the basics of the music biz, to marketing, putting on a gig and more! Each episode will also feature a track by a local musician.
Get Gig Ready is presented by City of Ryde, Lane Cove Council, the Live Music Office, MusicNSW and 2SER, with support from Macquarie University.
Episode 1 | Dobby - Music Outreach (feat. Rotaris and Zeadala)
If you’ve ever wondered what your music can do for people, or how it can be used to communicate and advocate on important social issues, this episode is for you.
We’re joined by Dobby, a rapper and drummer of proud Filipino and Aboriginal descent. Dobby’s musical skills are not limited to the stage. He regularly engages in public speaking and workshop events to help communities all around the country embrace the power of music and better understand the gears turning behind it. From working regionally to representing and collaborating with marginalised communities, Dobby will talk about how the power of music runs deeper than just a beat.
This episode's Feature Artist Rotaris, with his track Through The Window featuring Zeadala.
DOBBY is a rapper, drummer, speaker and workshop facilitator. Aged 26, he proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, whose family is from Brewarrina on Ngemba land, and is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Weilmoringle, NSW. He is also a skilled music composer, and is the 2017 recipient for the bi-annual Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship.
Rotaris is a rapper and hip hop producer who blends speedy flows with self-awareness and poetic flourishes. Born in Bangalore, India, and based in Sydney, he infuses his cross-cultural experiences over sample chops and solid drum grooves. His eclectic tastes are reflected in his music—with topics ranging from being a paper plane champion (he represented Australia in the previous world finals), cheeky commentary on veganism, to a general dislike of pseudoscience.
Zeadala is a Sydney based poet and musician who avidly addresses themes of social inequality, politics and self-reflection in her works. The word 'Eadala' itself is an Arabic one for justice — aligning with her desire to uphold fairness and honesty and challenge stereotypes through being a voice for women of colour who are underrepresented in Australia's media and music scene.
Episode 2 | Okin Osan - The Indie Artist (feat. Household Furniture)
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of presenting your music more professionally or are worried you’ll lose the love if you start to see it as a job, this episode is for you. We’ll be talking about live shows, making merch, and how to keep your passion as you take music more seriously.
Music teacher and indie artist Okin Osan will join us for a chat about her creative career. Making garage pop-punk from music written by her past teenage-self, Okin Osan talks about the process of growing music into a sustainable part of her livelihood.
This episode's Feature Artist is Household Furniture, with their track Sunnyside Avenue.
Okin Osan is the project of Sydney-based Rose Chan combining the romance of 50s rock ’n’ roll with an 80s punk attitude. Her songs, written between the ages of 13 and 18, are about teenage exploits and dreams. Now in her 20s, the music becomes increasingly retrospective and nostalgic like the 50s mixtapes her grandma would make for Sunday car trips. Okin Osan’s debut EP Are You Game?, released through Melbourne label Healthy Tapes in late 2016, received regular airplay from FBi 94.5, 2SER, 4ZZZ, RTRFM, SYN, Radio Adelaide, and Triple J Unearthed.
Episode 3 | PRINCI - Redefining the Pro Musician (feat. Alex Roussos)
If you’ve ever worried that a part time career in music means you’re not a “proper” artist or if you are unsure of how to make full time music work financially, this episode is for you.
Our guest for this episode is experimental pop artist PRINCI, whose unique journey through the industry redefines what a career as a musician could look like. From how to engage an overseas audience to working out what you want from your creative career, PRINCI shares insights as a label and independent musician. PRINCI’s professional approach will blow misconceptions out of the water, revealing that getting the most out of a music career doesn’t necessarily mean throwing everything else away.
This episode's Feature Artist is Alex Roussos with his track Next To You.
PRINCI is an experimental pop artist based in Sydney. With her intricate lyricism paired with futuristic soundscapes and visuals, PRINCI creates a universe in which audiences can both escape to and question the world we live in. PRINCI has toured extensively both nationally and internationally, recently touring Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. When in Australia, PRINCI curates and organises the event CLUB PRINCI which celebrates queer artists and artists of colour.
Alex Roussos is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and vocalist with a warm, rich and unmistakable voice. Alex was the lead singer for Sydney duo ‘After the Storm’ for twelve years 1992 - 2004. During that time, the band built up a loyal following at many venues around the city including: The Orient, Coogee Bay Hotel , The Observer, Bondi Hotel and the Bridgeview. Alex has been performing solo regularly at a number of venues including Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Manly Pacific, Narabeen Sands, The Golden Sheaf, Parramatta Park Royal, Zabou Bar and Quay West Magenta Shores. Alex is currently performing his solo cover show featuring vocals, acoustic guitar and live looped beatboxing.
Episode 4 | Jaimee Taylor-Nielsen - How To Put On A Great Gig (feat. Fallen Robins)
This series is Get Gig Ready, and this is the episode we talk gigs. What do you need to put on a show? How do you find a venue? How do you make sure you get booked again? We cover all your questions about live music and how to make the most of your skills and networks to ensure you’re ready for the way gigs are evolving. If you’ve got the tunes but aren’t quite sure how to get across the line to performing live, this is the episode for you.
We’re joined by Jaimee Taylor-Nielsen, one of the masterminds behind music bookers Coven. Jamie also produces Bad Vibrations festival and is the host of The Bridge on FBi Radio.
This episode's Feature Artist is The Fallen Robins, with their track Going to Canberra.
Jaimee Taylor-Nielsen is a community radio presenter (The Bridge on FBi Radio), music booker (Coven Presents, Bad Vibrations Fest,) and member of Sydney indie-punk band Hedy Lamarr. In 2016 she started Coven Presents with two good friends, a collective presenting gigs, parties and tours showcasing female and gender-diverse talent, working with the likes of Body Type, Bloods, The Buoys, Sports Bra, Swim Team and more. Jaimee has worked for Girls Rock! Camp Sydney as an events coordinator, in artist liaison roles for Secret Garden Festival, and in partnerships for Party in the Paddock, Fairgrounds Festival and Yours & Owls.
Episode 5 | Maia Bilyk - Meeting The Manager (feat. Koda)
If you’ve got your music in the bag, but are unsure what a manager does (let alone if you need one), this episode is for you.
We’re joined by Maia Bilyk, manager of Gauci, team member at Sydney-based label 23, and host on FBi Radio. You might picture managers as the sharp-suited, uninterested individual hiding away at the back of a gig, but Maia is here to shatter that misconception. We talk about how to find a good manager, communicating effectively with your team, and bridging the gap between independence and management.
In this episode, Feature Artist is Koda with their track The Cinderella Complex.
From getting her start as a volunteer at FBi Radio, Maia Bilyk has gone on to work in a host of roles behind the scenes at the station in content and programming. Currently Maia works at independent PR firm twntythree as a publicist and manager for GAUCI, and an A&R scout for Australian label I OH YOU. Her experience as a radio host at FBi and DJ also led to her work as a programmer with Secret Garden Festival in its final year.
Formed in 2018, Oscar Hoare (Vocals), Zac Walker (Guitar), Peter Logan (Drums) and Billy Yeh (Bass Guitar) have found their feet and are moving at pace. Arriving on the scene in early 2019 KODA have been hard at work across Sydney's live music landscape, supporting a variety of Australian artists including Newcastle rock and roll blues band "Midnight Movers". Sharing a passion for composition with a variety of musical influences, KODA have begun to make waves with their distinct sound and high energy set.
Episode 6 | Vichara Edirisinghe - Managing Full Time Music (feat. Last Thursday)
If you’re intimidated by industry jargon and overwhelmed by the fast moving world of commercial music, this episode will give you the tools to build confidence and your career one leap at a time. We’re joined by co-founder of Astral People, Vichara Edirisinghe. Making the leap into music straight out of a degree in health science might sound crazy, but Vic is an example of how transferable skills, passion and commitment can get you far. In his own career Vic jumped into music with both feet. We talk about the value of professional managers, signing to a label vs flexible artist agreements, international touring and growing your creative career sustainably.
In this episode, Feature Artist Last Thursday with their track Always Happy.
Vichara Edirisinghe is the Co-Director of Astral People, a multi-facet music company based in Sydney specialising in Artist Management, International Touring, Events/Festivals, Recordings and Publishing. Some of the artists that Astral People work with through the various arms of the company include Stormzy, Cosmo's Midnight, Sampha, Little Simz, Winston Surfshirt, Milan Ring, NAO, Dave, AJ Tracey, Stevan, Arno Faraji, John Talabot, Young Franco, Kamaal Williams, Alfa Mist, Objekt, Palms Trax and many more.
Last Thursday are an up and coming alternative rock band formed in high school, before deciding to take their talents to the stage. Fuelled by new experiences thrust upon them with the transition from youth to adulthood, the band have crafted a unique and honest sound that is expansive, driving and powerful. Whether live or recorded, it hits you square in the chest and doesn’t waver.
Episode 7 | Stephen Goodhew and Tanya Ali - The Media (feat. Safford)
If you’re looking to get your music heard, this episode is for you. Our guests are Stephen Goodhew, Assistant Music Director at Double J, and Tanya Ali, Partnerships Manager at FBi Radio.
For decades, radio play has been a marker of success for musicians, but how do you make that happen? Tanya and Stephen will talk through their top tips for working with radio stations, as well as how to improve the way you promote your music to any type of media. From getting the tone of your press releases right to familiarising yourself with what shows you should be on and why, mastering the media landscape will help you connect to new and bigger audiences and set you up to keep doing more of what you love.
This episode's Feature Artist is Safford with their track Alright.
Stephen Goodhew
Stephen got his start in music when he accidentally won an internship at FBi Radio back in 2009. Since then, he’s continued to perfect the art of falling upwards, taking over as FBi’s Music Director in 2013, before moving on to Double J to take up the role of Assistant Music Director in 2017. Stephen enjoys quiet walks through the bush and board games with friends.
Tanya Ali
Tanya Ali is a broadcaster, producer and writer based in Sydney. She hosts Monday Arvos and produces Race Matters at FBi Radio, as well as works there full-time as Partnerships Manager. She's also the Music Editor at Peril magazine, an online magazine that aims to shine a light on Asian-Australian arts and culture. When the sun goes down, you can find her spinning tunes around Sydney, both solo and as part of DJ duo Deep Tan.
Safford is a Sydney based band featuring Ruby Beck, Sidonie Thomas, Bianca Cadalt, and Maya June. Through their intimate sound, the group explores themes of love, loss, and self reflection. The rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic arrangements haunt and deceptively engage from within the band’s diverse melodic guitarscape and chordal scenes.
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