Are you in Naarm? Would you like to come to our next live event in November? Register your interest here and you'll be the first to know more details:
https://forms.gle/LWBP2CiyBXs4C6V18

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Tiana Khasi is a jazz-educated, community-focused singer/songwriter & musician based in Naarm/Melbourne. Drawing on both Samoan and Indian heritage, Tiana puts concepts of home & ancestry at the centre of her work, describing herself as "a bridge person.. doing what she can now, to be a good future ancestor."

We talk about family and growing up, we talk about the reality of being a working musician, balancing day jobs and corporate gigs alongside artistic work, and she shared with me why exactly she feels such a clear and strong sense of purpose about the music she’s putting into the world.

Follow Tiana Khasi: https://www.instagram.com/tianakhasi

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Listen to Why Make Music on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/why-make-music/id1765674352

Listen to Why Make Music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6nymTiG4QX6NLJLJ7UKjeR?si=7ae0618af1b74c6c&nd=1&dlsi=5872f71f6172468e

Are you in Naarm? Would you like to come to our next live event in November? Register your interest here and you'll be the first to know more details: <a href="https://forms.gle/LWBP2CiyBXs4C6V18">https://forms.gle/LWBP2CiyBXs4C6V18</a>
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Tiana Khasi is a jazz-educated, community-focused singer/songwriter &amp; musician based in Naarm/Melbourne. Drawing on both Samoan and Indian heritage, Tiana puts concepts of home &amp; ancestry at the centre of her work, describing herself as "a bridge person.. doing what she can now, to be a good future ancestor."
We talk about family and growing up, we talk about the reality of being a working musician, balancing day jobs and corporate gigs alongside artistic work, and she shared with me why exactly she feels such a clear and strong sense of purpose about the music she’s putting into the world.
Follow Tiana Khasi: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tianakhasi">https://www.instagram.com/tianakhasi</a>
Follow Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a>
Listen to Why Make Music on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/why-make-music/id1765674352">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/why-make-music/id1765674352</a>
Listen to Why Make Music on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6nymTiG4QX6NLJLJ7UKjeR?si=7ae0618af1b74c6c&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=5872f71f6172468e">https://open.spotify.com/show/6nymTiG4QX6NLJLJ7UKjeR?si=7ae0618af1b74c6c&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=5872f71f6172468e</a>

Tiana Khasi

Dr Sam Whiting is an academic and musician from Meanjin/Brisbane.  His research focuses on issues of capital, labour and value as they relate to the creative industries and the cultural economy more broadly.  He is an expert on Australia’s live music landscape, with a rare holistic perspective backed up by deep and exhaustive research. 

With festival cancellations and Live Nation in the headlines, it felt like a good time to pick Sam’s brain.  Is live music really in crisis in Australia?   Why are these small venues so important?  And what, if anything, can artists do about it?

Read some of Sam's articles on The Conversation:
https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-whiting-1319313/articles

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qb_5PDwZbcs

Dr Sam Whiting is an academic and musician from Meanjin/Brisbane.  His research focuses on issues of capital, labour and value as they relate to the creative industries and the cultural economy more broadly.  He is an expert on Australia’s live music landscape, with a rare holistic perspective backed up by deep and exhaustive research. 
With festival cancellations and Live Nation in the headlines, it felt like a good time to pick Sam’s brain.  Is live music really in crisis in Australia?   Why are these small venues so important?  And what, if anything, can artists do about it?
Read some of Sam's articles on The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-whiting-1319313/articles
Follow Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a>
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qb_5PDwZbcs

Dr Sam Whiting

One last chance to join us for our first live event next Friday morning in Naarm, with literally only a handful of spots remaining at the time of posting this.  Head here for more info, and to register your spot:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spirit-level-presents-why-make-music-x-breakfast-club-tickets-1042447958907

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Noelani is a singer-songwriter, also known as MONRXE. Raised in Meanjin/Brisbane and currently based in Naarm/Melbourne, she is not just a formidable musician but also a fierce champion for representation and education across gender & race intersectionalities.  Noelani is driven by a desire to make the music industry more accessible to marginalised communities, championing safe spaces of mutual respect, equality, diversity & authenticity.  

She is a committee member for Black Music Alliance Australia, a non-for-profit that advocates for education, equity & representation of Black music & culture from the African Diaspora within the Australian music industry. She also works with One of One, another non-for-profit organisation that empowers women and gender non comforming people within Australian music.

We met just a few weeks ago, when we both took part in Green Music Australia’s climate leadership retreat.   Note: Noelani’s views expressed in the conversation are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the various organisations that she is associated with.

Follow Noelani aka MONRXE: https://www.instagram.com/noelani_thefaceaustralia/

Black Music Alliance Australia: https://www.blackmusicalliance.org.au/ 

One of One: https://oneofone.com.au/


Green Music Australia: https://www.greenmusic.org.au/

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WCKKOcdoVPs

One last chance to join us for our first live event next Friday morning in Naarm, with literally only a handful of spots remaining at the time of posting this.  Head here for more info, and to register your spot: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spirit-level-presents-why-make-music-x-breakfast-club-tickets-1042447958907">https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spirit-level-presents-why-make-music-x-breakfast-club-tickets-1042447958907</a> - - - - Noelani is a singer-songwriter, also known as MONRXE. Raised in Meanjin/Brisbane and currently based in Naarm/Melbourne, she is not just a formidable musician but also a fierce champion for representation and education across gender &amp; race intersectionalities.  Noelani is driven by a desire to make the music industry more accessible to marginalised communities, championing safe spaces of mutual respect, equality, diversity &amp; authenticity.  
She is a committee member for Black Music Alliance Australia, a non-for-profit that advocates for education, equity &amp; representation of Black music &amp; culture from the African Diaspora within the Australian music industry. She also works with One of One, another non-for-profit organisation that empowers women and gender non comforming people within Australian music.
We met just a few weeks ago, when we both took part in Green Music Australia’s climate leadership retreat.   Note: Noelani’s views expressed in the conversation are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the various organisations that she is associated with.
Follow Noelani aka MONRXE: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/noelani_thefaceaustralia/">https://www.instagram.com/noelani_thefaceaustralia/</a>
Black Music Alliance Australia: <a href="https://www.blackmusicalliance.org.au/">https://www.blackmusicalliance.org.au/ </a>
One of One: <a href="https://oneofone.com.au/">https://oneofone.com.au/ </a>
Green Music Australia: <a href="https://www.greenmusic.org.au/">https://www.greenmusic.org.au/</a>
Follow Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a>
Watch this episode on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/WCKKOcdoVPs">https://youtu.be/WCKKOcdoVPs</a>

Noelani

If you live in Naarm and are free on the morning of Friday October 25, please join me for the first ever live recording of Why Make Music!  I'll be talking to local duo SHOUSE about their commitment to communitas and collective joy, and their surreal transition into EDM superstars. This event is in collaboration with Breakfast Club, and Francesca Gonzales will be helping to facilitate some discussion groups on the day so we can get to know each other better.

Tickets are limited, and it is a very intimate event, please register below:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spirit-level-presents-why-make-music-x-breakfast-club-tickets-1042447958907

- - - 

Jen Cloher is a song-writer and performer living on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne.  Over the course of five albums, Jen has established themselves as an incisive songwriter, dynamic performer & outspoken advocate across a wide range of issues.

Many Australian musicians would think of Jen as a mentor, from many years steering the indie label Milk! Records and faciliatiing DIY workshops for selg-managed artists. Jen has won the acclaim of their peers, toured the world, and in recent years been immersed in a personal journey of discovery, retracing their matrilneal Maori heritage.

A few weeks ago, Jen generously dropped a Google Doc into the world called the “DIY Releasing Music Handbook.” It's a free handbook of knowledge that provides practical advice on releasing music, but also challenges artists to think about why they are releasing music, not just how.  Seems like perfect timing to have a chat with Jen for this podcast.

This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land in October 2024.

Jen Cloher's DIY Releasing Music Handbook:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVuCF4xAhc5N6rTM-kywNarGnG79os41XGhlIPxMQjw/edit

Follow Jen Cloher: https://www.instagram.com/jencloher/

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/csI62-C0CBM

If you live in Naarm and are free on the morning of Friday October 25, please join me for the first ever live recording of Why Make Music!  I'll be talking to local duo SHOUSE about their commitment to communitas and collective joy, and their surreal transition into EDM superstars. This event is in collaboration with Breakfast Club, and Francesca Gonzales will be helping to facilitate some discussion groups on the day so we can get to know each other better. Tickets are limited, and it is a very intimate event, please register below: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/spirit-level-presents-why-make-music-x-breakfast-club-tickets-1042447958907 - - -  Jen Cloher is a song-writer and performer living on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne.  Over the course of five albums, Jen has established themselves as an incisive songwriter, dynamic performer &amp; outspoken advocate across a wide range of issues.
Many Australian musicians would think of Jen as a mentor, from many years steering the indie label Milk! Records and faciliatiing DIY workshops for selg-managed artists. Jen has won the acclaim of their peers, toured the world, and in recent years been immersed in a personal journey of discovery, retracing their matrilneal Maori heritage.
A few weeks ago, Jen generously dropped a Google Doc into the world called the “DIY Releasing Music Handbook.” It's a free handbook of knowledge that provides practical advice on releasing music, but also challenges artists to think about why they are releasing music, not just how.  Seems like perfect timing to have a chat with Jen for this podcast.
This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land in October 2024. Jen Cloher's DIY Releasing Music Handbook: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVuCF4xAhc5N6rTM-kywNarGnG79os41XGhlIPxMQjw/edit">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVuCF4xAhc5N6rTM-kywNarGnG79os41XGhlIPxMQjw/edit</a> Follow Jen Cloher: https://www.instagram.com/jencloher/ Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/csI62-C0CBM

Jen Cloher

Why Make Music will be recording live for the first time soon (!) in Naarm/Melbourne on Friday October 25, in collaboration with Breakfast Club.  If you'd like to join us, please register your interest here:
https://forms.gle/8CEaG2HZpxfSuF4v8

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Ben Lee’s life as a professional musician started earlier than most. He was just a teenager when, in the early 90s, his lo-fi punk band Noise Addict were put on the map globally after being championed by artists like Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys. 

This led to a truly eclectic solo career that has now spanned decades. Splitting his time between LA and Australia, Ben has found mainstream success with ubiquitous anthems, and he’s worked with Hollywood in film & television, but all the way through he has maintained a fearless independent spirit. 

We talked about how his unique creative life has informed his approach to parenting; about the conservatism that still lies at the heart of the mainstream music industry; and what Ben has learned from splitting his career between LA and Australia. 

This conversation was recorded in August 2024.

Follow Ben Lee: https://www.instagram.com/benleemusic/

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this episodes of Why Make Music on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/j8Y02WjlnDg

Why Make Music will be recording live for the first time soon (!) in Naarm/Melbourne on Friday October 25, in collaboration with Breakfast Club.  If you'd like to join us, please register your interest here: <a href="https://forms.gle/8CEaG2HZpxfSuF4v8">https://forms.gle/8CEaG2HZpxfSuF4v8</a> - - - - -
Ben Lee’s life as a professional musician started earlier than most. He was just a teenager when, in the early 90s, his lo-fi punk band Noise Addict were put on the map globally after being championed by artists like Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys. This led to a truly eclectic solo career that has now spanned decades. Splitting his time between LA and Australia, Ben has found mainstream success with ubiquitous anthems, and he’s worked with Hollywood in film &amp; television, but all the way through he has maintained a fearless independent spirit. We talked about how his unique creative life has informed his approach to parenting; about the conservatism that still lies at the heart of the mainstream music industry; and what Ben has learned from splitting his career between LA and Australia. This conversation was recorded in August 2024.
Follow Ben Lee: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/benleemusic/">https://www.instagram.com/benleemusic/</a>
Follow Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a>
Watch this episodes of Why Make Music on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/j8Y02WjlnDg

Ben Lee

No guest this week as Tim takes a chance to reflect on his recent conversations with Elijah, Dr Anita Collins & Maggie Tra.

Missed an episode, or haven't found time to finish listening?  This is your chance to scroll back and catch up.  And if you believe in the value of these conversations, consider sharing this podcast with a friend who you think will get something out of it.

You can also watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMEsaCZKEG5-CsSHtv_5tBcy3j40B9dr0

No guest this week as Tim takes a chance to reflect on his recent conversations with Elijah, Dr Anita Collins &amp; Maggie Tra. Missed an episode, or haven't found time to finish listening?  This is your chance to scroll back and catch up.  And if you believe in the value of these conversations, consider sharing this podcast with a friend who you think will get something out of it. You can also watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMEsaCZKEG5-CsSHtv_5tBcy3j40B9dr0

Reflections

Maggie Tra is an Australian-born DJ and producer with Vietnamese and Cambodian heritage. She has lived all around the world including London, Brussels and Hanoi, and is currently based again on Eora land in Sydney. 

Her music is kinetic, generous, and playful - just like she is - and in both her productions and her DJ sets she continually embraces not just her own heritage, but also the culture of whatever land she’s in, doing so with wholeness and conviction.

Driven by a desire to help local Vietnamese artists, Maggie launched Hà Nội Community Radio in 2021. I wanted to ask Maggie Tra about some of the differences she’s noticed between how music works in Vietnam as opposed to Australia, about what she’s learned as someone who has spent a lot of time trying to build community in music, and simply, why does she make music in the first place? 

This conversation was recorded on Wurundjeri land in April 2024. 

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QlTUTh3AoY

Maggie Tra is an Australian-born DJ and producer with Vietnamese and Cambodian heritage. She has lived all around the world including London, Brussels and Hanoi, and is currently based again on Eora land in Sydney. Her music is kinetic, generous, and playful - just like she is - and in both her productions and her DJ sets she continually embraces not just her own heritage, but also the culture of whatever land she’s in, doing so with wholeness and conviction. Driven by a desire to help local Vietnamese artists, Maggie launched Hà Nội Community Radio in 2021. I wanted to ask Maggie Tra about some of the differences she’s noticed between how music works in Vietnam as opposed to Australia, about what she’s learned as someone who has spent a lot of time trying to build community in music, and simply, why does she make music in the first place? This conversation was recorded on Wurundjeri land in April 2024.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QlTUTh3AoY

Maggie Tra

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and author, widely recognised for her work in brain development and music education. She is a tireless advocate working in our schools, in our boardrooms and in government consultation, to champion music at a fundamentally human level. 

We talked about how music helped her process learning difficulties early in life, but that as a young adult, her experience of tertiary education led her to put her instrument down and pivot to teaching and research. We discuss the "industrial model" of education, and why music should be approached differently in schools. We also talk about new research on how groups can achieve "team flow state", advice on how best to go about pursuing music advocacy, and why some myths persist about who gets to call themselves a musician and who doesn't. 

This conversation was recorded in April 2024. 

Dr Anita Collins: https://www.anitacollinsmusic.com.au/

Follow Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZcu0bzibjU

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and author, widely recognised for her work in brain development and music education. She is a tireless advocate working in our schools, in our boardrooms and in government consultation, to champion music at a fundamentally human level. We talked about how music helped her process learning difficulties early in life, but that as a young adult, her experience of tertiary education led her to put her instrument down and pivot to teaching and research. We discuss the "industrial model" of education, and why music should be approached differently in schools. We also talk about new research on how groups can achieve "team flow state", advice on how best to go about pursuing music advocacy, and why some myths persist about who gets to call themselves a musician and who doesn't.  This conversation was recorded in April 2024. Dr Anita Collins: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTlBTE5TU05jWHFhZkVJS0I2VXByM0hMeWF4QXxBQ3Jtc0ttaVB2aS16cFRLM29POU5GNDI1bndiS0l0R0Y3OG55SjczcWVxV2xLLVFFT0hKS2NnYjBIb2V3M25zSGJjUk4wNmF0R29CTldwN1ZnLU9iZDF0dWRJeVhMaUxURDhkdGUwYWIyb0lHcU5pRjloY1JsRQ&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anitacollinsmusic.com.au%2F&amp;v=mRwDDKxdZX0">https://www.anitacollinsmusic.com.au/</a> Follow Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a> Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZcu0bzibjU

Dr Anita Collins

Elijah is an artist, DJ & all-round creative force based in London. With a deep-rooted connection to grime & electronic music, in recent years Elijah has become known to many for his “Yellow Squares” project on social media, where he shares insights into the nature of creative work in the digital age.

Ahead of his first ever speaking tour of Australia, we talked about how his experiences growing up listening to pirate radio and documenting the birth of the grime scene were formative in his understanding of how music works, and why its important to challenge the conventional narratives of the music industry. We also discussed why now, despite going viral on social media, he is much more interested in the real world.

Elijah: https://www.instagram.com/eli1ah

Elijah's 2024 Australian tour: https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/here-for-good-talks-with-elijah/168409

Tim Shiel: https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/

Watch this interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZcu0bzibjU

Elijah is an artist, DJ &amp; all-round creative force based in London. With a deep-rooted connection to grime &amp; electronic music, in recent years Elijah has become known to many for his “Yellow Squares” project on social media, where he shares insights into the nature of creative work in the digital age.
Ahead of his first ever speaking tour of Australia, we talked about how his experiences growing up listening to pirate radio and documenting the birth of the grime scene were formative in his understanding of how music works, and why its important to challenge the conventional narratives of the music industry. We also discussed why now, despite going viral on social media, he is much more interested in the real world.
Elijah: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eli1ah">https://www.instagram.com/eli1ah</a>
Elijah's 2024 Australian tour: <a href="https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/here-for-good-talks-with-elijah/168409">https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/here-for-good-talks-with-elijah/168409</a>
Tim Shiel: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/">https://www.instagram.com/timshiel/</a>
Watch this interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZcu0bzibjU

Why Make Music

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