VINYL TAP - Inside the Music Industry

If ever you are looking for inspiration or a story of hope in the music industry, you may just want to chart the impressive career of my next special Guest! Ben Tillman isn't your atypical music promoter. Being confined to a wheelchair, after an unlucky road accident, has not stopped his determination and drive to be a successful player in the business, not that he seeks nor craves accolades and back slaps! He's a music fan first and foremost and his modus operandi comes from a very different lens to your every-day entrepreneur. Not only does he run and co-programme the long standing and successful 'Yours and Owls' Festival, but he also finds the time and dedication to release music from the likes of Hockey Dad, Bad/Dreems and Bec Sandridge. He is also a champion of regional touring on top of being a very vocal advocate of protecting Live Music in general. He may be quietly spoken and at times self deprecating but, make no mistake, Ben probably has 100 tabs open in his mind at any given time. This is an inspiring and refreshing conversation with someone who is in the game for the right reasons, someone who cares about the industry in a very pure and honest sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love it or hate it, there's no denying that 'Social Media' and it's continual evolution plays a major role in the development and and sustainability of most artists' careers. The real question is 'how do you use it to properly amplify your voice and messaging' and then 'how do you do that effectively so it's on brand with your music and end goals'? This week on Vinyl Tap, we speak with two specialists, who are on top of their game, as we aim to debunk and shed some light on the many questions we all have about the relevance and importance of social media and marketing music in todays climate. Meet Christina Rinaldi and Anthony Agostino from CARTEL, Australia who have designed an exemplary Artist Development & Label Services offering which instinctively utilises Social Media as a core tool in the marketing of their clientele. Both emanate from solid music backgrounds, Christina as a successful music publicist and Anthony as a DJ/Producer and their client list is nothing to scoff at- Peggy Gou, Carl Cox, Vera Blue, Shouse, Luude and Tash Sultana to name but a few. CARTEL by ambition, but not by nature- thank God! This is a real educational hour of power! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabe Bravo is living proof of how to turn a passion for music and fandom into a business. He began his industry journey as a young music blogger in Perth around the time that streaming began to take hold of the business. From posting up his favourite electronic tracks and remixes to 'jumping the fence' at The Big Day Out Festival, his thirst for new music was as rabid as it was organic. After a nine month self imposed stint in Bali where he initially began his management business, he decided to take the jump from his native Perth into the Big Pond that is Melbourne...well a Big Pond compared to his home city. After a chance meeting with Ant Celestino and Frank Cotela from OneLove Recordings some 10 years ago, Gabe was literally thrust into the deep-end on the spot. He started at the label the very next day with no real job description and no confirmation of what he was being paid. Talk about a baptism of fire! Of course this didn't matter as far as Gabe was concerned. This was his entry point into the music industry Today, Gabe still sits within the OneLove framework, only he his running and succeeding with his own management arm- Cloak Entertainment. His roster includes Luude, Dean Turnley, Wiilo, William Kiss, Jordan Brando, Tom Santa, Tim Ayr and Generik, all of whom are making a considerable splash on the world stage. In this week's episode, we get a bird-eye view of the mechanics and nuances of the EMD world and where Gabe and Cloak Entertainment fit into the greater scheme of the dance world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They don't come as determined and tenacious as this week's guest on Vinyl Tap. Harry Moore cut his teeth some ten years ago back at the the now defunct 123 Live Agency under the guidance and auspices of Damian Costin. When 123 folded in 2017, Harry joined the powerhouse that is UNIFIED Music to help form their new live agency, Lonely Lands! Lonely Lands was conceived by Tash Sultana and her manager Regan Lethbridge in conjunction with Unified's CEO Jaddan Comerford. It was at this juncture that Harry took his game to a whole other level championing a diverse array of artists from Tones and I to Tash Sultana herself and to Ocean Alley and Ziggy Alberts. It was an enviable roster rooted in proper artist development, integrity and class. A week or so ago, however, Harry made somewhat of a surprising announcement telling the world that he was going out on his own with his newly formed 'LowTide" Agency. And it appears that a major chunk of his previous roster share in his business philosophies and practices. Joining him on his fresh journey are the likes of Tones and I, Ocean Alley, Boy and Bear, The Cat Empire, Brad Cox and Stand Atlantic, just to name a few! Why the move? What are Harry's thoughts on the live domestic music scene and industry nowadays? What are his idea's for the future growth of his roster? This is a refreshing and sprightly conversation with one of this country's brightest and bravest young live agents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Donovan is a true music stalwart in Melbourne and in Australia..and I don't use that term loosely or if at all these days. He has worked in the creative industries, in media and in government throughout his 25 year career. He has played both a 'master and servant' role for the domestic music industry. I first met Paddy when he was the Head Music Writer at The Age Newspaper in Melbourne a couple of decades ago. This was a time when reviews- good or bad- meant something to the artist community and the industry at large. He has championed many Australian acts over the years and he has done so with integrity and class. As the inaugural CEO of Music Victoria, the state music peak body, he kicked off his tenure there with amassing five thousand memberships in quick-fire time. He then went on to affect major changes for the wider music industry with the support of the Victorian government, most of which you'll hear about throughout the course of this interview. One of his proudest moments, however, was establishing and producing the Music Victoria Awards to incredible success for 16 long years. In 2026, Paddy has done a complete full circle and now finds himself as the CEO of the Melbourne Press Club, an organisation that advocates for, advises and encourages journalists from all sides of the media spectrum. And do not think for one minute that he is going to abandon his love for and relationship with music. The man has plans and ideas for days! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.