Music Mothers and Others

Our guest for this week is Danny Chifley. He’s also been in community broadcasting (in some way, shape or form) for 20 odd years – and counting! In Sydney, 2SER listeners will know him as the voice to wake up to – smooth and sunny, but not so sparky to make you hate being up early. Before he was with us he was (and still is) Banga, making music for more than 20 years including hip hop with Chaos Maths and Dirtbox Kings, and more recently making electronic, ambient and experimental sounds with Vape Dadz. We’re thrilled to have you with us DannySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne listeners may think of Jacinta Parsons like an awesome extended family member. A stable for ABC radio Melbourne for many years, nationally and internationally she has written books (Unseen and A Question of Age) and worked in television and podcasts. Jacinta Parsons is not just a prolific voice in the Australian media, but also an important intersectional advocate, MC and speaker. Way back when she started in community radio in Melbourne, and these days she’s teaching at RMIT while still creating, contributing and studying herself. We are so thrilled to have her with us and to just generally bathe in her awesomeness, welcome to Music Mothers and Others, Jacinta!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you miss us? We missed you! Don't be thrown off by (not so Baby) Anthony and his preference for getting chippies rather than the pod - he'll come around. Looking forward to being back in your feeds shortly - Shelley and LizSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha WainwrightThis very special ‘out of session’ episode is an interview with Martha Wainwright. The Canadian/America singer songwriter is a prolific artist and performer, as well as part of one of the most loved musical dynasties ever, the Wainwright/McGarrigle families. Although there’s no getting away from her name (she does admit having considered it, at least once), instead Martha continues to build on the legacies she’s inherited. Her new album “Love Will Be Reborn”, is a gorgeous adventure into how things have changed – not always happily – but how new things can emerge if you keep going. It’s not all sunshine and roses, but it’s not all dark skies and deep gin glasses either. She spoke to Liz during lockdown – and she, and we, can’t wait to have her back in Australia when this little virus getting in everyone’s way is sorted out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Again, we are so damn lucky to have some many wonderful guests to give us insight into how they manage their artistic lives and, well, the rest of their lives. In this second 'Best Of', here guests from Season 1 give us their recommendations to improve industry - how, from their viewpoint, they think we could make the creative space a much more family friendly one. Thanks again for listening, and to our guests for their time and faith in us all doing the juggle!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are so lucky to have the best of the best from all aspects of industry. Artists, promoters, techs, teachers … you’ve heard it, you know. Over our two seasons we’ve asked everyone who’ll talk to us what they would do to improve industry – to make it more family friendly, for as many families (and friends) as possible. The answers are wonderful – and we’re pleased to say that we’re starting to see and hear change too. Small Fry Rock, we’re looking at you! This ep also features The Soul Movers (hello Murray Wiggle), Jane Gazzo and a host of others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask all our guests this question here at Music Mothers and Others – finish the sentence ‘the kids and I are listening to’…’The answers to the question have been genre and era defining, weird, wonderful and delightful! This is a 'best of for Season 1' - We’d also love to hear from you – what are YOU and the kids listening to where you are – be in touch and let us know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask all our guests this question here at Music Mothers and Others – finish the sentence ‘the kids and I are listening to’…’The answers to the question have been genre and era defining, weird, wonderful and delightful! This is a 'best of for Season 2' - We’d also love to hear from you – what are YOU and the kids listening to where you are – be in touch and let us know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever pined to see your favourite Australian band play live, but you’re stuck at home with the baby? Enter the amazing “Small Fry Rock” concert series, created for Sydney audiences by our guest today, . These gigs bring on the live music for the grown ups but at a nap-friendly afternoon time slot AND in a venue that caters to the little ones: let the toddlers take over the moshpit with their groovy dancing and balloon-popping moves! “Small Fry Rock” provides that much-needed grown-up music fix at a time when parents need it the most.KJ (Kristie Jane) TaintonIn this episode KJ explains how necessity was the mother of invention for her own practice – literally juggling her own bub and music industry work as we spoke. She also gave us insight into her own musical inspirations, including an excellent older brother (how many great careers were launched by the taste of their siblings?) It’s an amazing initiative that’s sure to go from strength to strength.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Mack and Murray Cook are the heart of The Soul Movers, a Sydney based retro funk (plus more) mega group. Now three albums deep they talk about their new offering, “Evolution” while also exploring what got them here.Although Murray’s musical life might be a bit more well-known to audiences of a certain age (the OG Red Wiggle, but of course), Lizzie’s journey is also fascinating and varied. Dean Martin! Dusty Springfield! Bruce Springstreen! The White Stripes! Dan Sultan! – there’s so much here to unpack.Lizzie and Murray describe the music they make (both in the past and now) in terms of ‘spreading joy’ – and indeed, what a joy they are! Listen for more about their current work, as well as projects with the next generation including established and emerging artists, all while having ‘belief’ the broader village.Full tour dates and release information is available via their website, as well as their super active socials@soulmoversband (Insta)fb.com/soulmoversbandsoulmoversband.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tegan Taylor is one of the most trusted voices in Australian radio at the moment. For over a year now, Tegan has been one half of the ABC’s must-listen podcasts —Coronacast—along with Dr Norman Swan. Together, they have provided a steady voice of reason during the coronavirus outbreak, by asking questions, giving clear answers, and always showing the importance of staying open to learn more. They’ve won the nation’s hearts and trust, and more than one award in their travels too (hello, Walkleys!).In our chat Tegan talks to us about juggling (or seesaw-ing) between work/life roles, working and parenting in lockdown and generally being a calm, informed but entertaining voice guiding the nation. She’s a complete delight, and also available on the twitter bug at https://twitter.com/teegstarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In addition to working as a self-managed artist for over a decade and raising two children, in recent times musician & songwriter GeorgiaFields has launched a new online community called Mother Lode – a space to support and connect working mums in the Australian music industry, and a way to work collectively to encourage structural changes that will make the industry more accessible for mothers. She is absolutely speaking, and playing, our language!Georgia’s professional life as an independent musician, songwriter, and arranger based in Melbourne, Australia positions her perfectly to connect communities of like minded and diverse people. In this chat we ask her about her own career, but also her aspirations for improving and expanding the industry. You can find Mother Lode on Instagram @findthemotherlode, with a website to come soon. This episode features Georgia's song, used here with full permissionThe Hood and the Hunter, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country music star Felicity Urquhart & folk/blues musician Josh Cunningham are, separately, highly accomplished and award winning musicians with extensive ‘musical lives’. Now, they are making wonderful music again, with their ‘duet album’, “The Song Club”, out now via ABC Music/Universal.togetherThis baby arose from a challenge that began pre-lockdown in 2020 and brought everyone some sanity as well as some great tunes, as part of an initiative where artists were invited to a creative collective that challenged members to . The outcome was a lifeline to creative work during the crisis: they played all the instruments and did all the production themselves from Urquhart’s home studio on the NSW Central Coast, creating enough ‘good tunes’ to make a whole new release.write one song a weekDuring the chat they each talk about their own journeys to and through music, as well as how their building a musical life together. All with family life happening as part of, rather than apart from, the stage and recording booth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician, writer, broadcaster and self described ‘Music Industry Veteran’ Jane Gazzo ‘‘welcomed us into the weekend’ every Saturday morning in the late 90s as the co-host of the youth music tv show Recovery. She spent the naughties broadcasting to the UK spreading musical good news, returned to commercial radio to give it some proper cred and has most recently returned to the ABC for the lockdown and beyond music show The Sound.As a journalist she’s been working across media for years too – and we love her music writing as well as presenting and interviewing. Jane’s series of interviews with “Music Industry Mums” for the Australian Music Vault has given us particular inspiration, with Jane leading the way in bringing the worlds of music and motherhood together. Candid practical and inspiring pieces, Jane’s skills bringing people’s stories to the page with vivid detail.In addition to catching her talking to us (with Shelley and Liz fangirling like it’s 1999), if you’re in Melbourne you can also catch her live as part of the Music at the Movies series. A deadset legend, continuing leading light in the industry and of course, a Music Mother and Other.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

, the General Manager of Music Victoria — the not-for-profit independent voice that champions all things concerning the Victorian music industry. He’s had a past life as an active musician, a band tour manager in Europe, and an artist manager, working with artists such as Chet Faker, Midnight Juggernauts, Grimes and many more.Dale PackardDale is also a dad who has combined his love for kids and the music industry by solely directing his own development project —the .Club Kids Music Academy It has become a platform for young children to experiment with electronic music and technology in an educational and creative space.During our interview Dale shares insights from his many vantage points, including as a parent to an extremely cool little person who also pops up at the end of the interview. Two for one, listeners – a great set of recommendations to add to your next playlist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Childz Play is “the world’s premier Kidz Bop review podcast”, dreamed up by comedians and general creative masterminds Adam H. Phillips and R. Alex Murray. For those of us who didn’t grow up with Kidz Bop in our lives, think of it as the Mickey Mouse Club meets the 100% Hits franchise – an insanely popular American series of albums where kids re-record hit songs of the day, but with all the swears taken out.The podcast started as a joke between gaming friends Adam H. Phillips and R. Alex Murray, and our first contact with them started through a podcasting algorithm that thought ‘people who talk about kids and music might also want to talk to each other’. This chance encounter has turned into a hilarious chat about what kids music actually is (or if there even is such a thing), while getting to the heart of what two grown men are actually doing paying this much attention to Kids Bop, anyway.Along the way we also learn about their other ‘lives’ – R. Alex Murray is also a children’s entertainer, standup and multipod man, while Adam H Phillips has a former live as a Dad Band . You can find and support their pod via the Missing Sock network – they even do merch as well as their own ‘kids safe’ covers.ProdigySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

T Wilds (Tania Wilds), a singer/songwriter based in the Blue Mountains in NSW.With a former musical life in the Sydney nineties-naughties indie superscene with SPDFGH and , she’s since been in, out and around the industry here and also overseas. To get the up-to-date details, she’s here to tell us about the journey, and her new work, “I Swim”, her first work in over a decade.Half a CowParticularly inspiring was how parenting put her work in pause, but then also, was a major part of getting her back in the scene. It wasn’t just a love of the craft, but the active encouragement of her daughter who’s gotten Wilds back out there. This is a ‘stage Mum’ of a different type – when the daughter is the one pushing Mum back to the stage! The work, and the chat, was a delight. And the music is incredible. Full access to the her independent single, “I Swim” is up on the podcast too, with full permission granted. As well as a co-written original with Mum and Bub.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shevonne Hunt really is across music, mother(ing) and other(ing), with her voice and words across some of the most well known parenting media across Australia. With a background in news and documentary, she now brings warm commentary to the hard slog of everyday life with littlies.Shevonne is a broadcaster, podcaster, writer, producer, MC and facilitator (and more). You may hear her most regularly as the voice of Feed Play Love and The Parent Panel for The Parent Brand, or read her work on Daily Life or Kidspot, or feel in love with her as a producer and audio maker for the ABC, where she’s made award winning docos for Backyard Briefing, RN and local radio.In this episode she talks about creative industries work before, during and after having kids, with one of the most stella being this piece, “The Music Makers“, as well as the great podcast she created called “The Lullaby Effect” with Dr Anita Collins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Ben Green is a Brisbane-based researcher and teacher in music and creative industries as well as a member of what he calls “two low key but constant bands that are mostly dads”. Can we call them “Dad Bands”? Have a listen for yourself – we love them! Tape/Off (https://tapeoff.net) and Gold Stars (https://zangrecords.bandcamp.com/album/noise-bridge). This episode also feature’s Ben’s music, used with full permission. Follow the links there for more.Ben is a cultural sociologist working in music scenes, cultural policy and youth studies. He is a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at Griffith University and teaches in creative industries at JMC Academy. His forthcoming book (Routledge) draws from research with fans and musicians about the musical moments that have defined their lives and continue to drive them, including cherished family memories. Other projects have included live music planning for local government, music-making as a source of well-being for young people, and COVID-19 recovery in the arts. You can read more at of his work below –Peak Music Experiences: A New Perspective on Popular Music, Identity and Scenes ‘A long way to the top: Australian musicians balance multiple roles to make their careers work’ (The Conversation)‘Researching Regional and Rural Music Scenes’ (Popular Music & Society). This episode also features "Valley" by Gold Stars, used with full permission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The creative industries are not just one thing – so the best creative industries workers are never doing just one thing at a time. Enter Fionna Allan – a music mother and other who seems to never be idle. She’s a Creative Project Manager (amongst other things!) working across a variety of music and arts platforms, including arts & music festivals, live music venues, community radio and events. Currently based in Victoria, Australia, she’s worked across the world in event production, festival production, ticketing and box office, artist bookings, venues and radio.Fionna’s email address at the moment has her named as “Office Manager, 94.9 MAINfm“, and she’s recently taken on the role of Regional Music Coordinator for Mt Alexander Shire – working for Music Victoria/Regional Arts Victoria. We’re thrilled to hear about how she juggles, and has juggled, it all. During our chat she also dropped lots of names (and we loved it!), everyone from Peaches to LCD Sound System, Jon Spencer Blues, Beth Ditto, Hot Chip and Will Young.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.