PANIC AT THE DISTRO

Jake Mason – Artist/Producer

Jake Mason is an independent award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, manager and advocate for the Australian Music Industry. Throughout his 25-year career he has released 15 albums; toured internationally; and established his own label and studio Soul Messin’ Records. His debut solo album ‘Stranger in the Mirror’ with his jazz trio was ARIA-nominated for Best Jazz Album in 2018.
Jake is co-writer of international hit ‘This Girl’ (Kungs Vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners). The song achieved platinum status in the USA, Australia and the UK, charting at #1 in over 10 countries and top #10 in 35 countries.

Sarah Hamilton – Regional Manager AU NZ, Ditto Music

Sarah is the regional manager for Australia and New Zealand at Ditto Music, a music and label services company working with over 500,000 artists and labels worldwide, with offices across 25 countries. She loves working with independent artists and seeing them gain access to the same opportunities as artists signed to major labels. Sarah co-founded a charity called One of One with Joanna Cameron, a website that highlights women and non-binary people in the music industry and hosts annual events for International Women’s Day, now in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Will Evans – Bandcamp Artist & Label Ambassador for Australia & New Zealand

Will Evans is the Artist and Label Ambassador for Bandcamp in Australia and New Zealand and manages the ARIA nominated psych-jazz band Mildlife.

Chris Gill, Northside Records/3RRR

Running Northside Records means Keeping Fitzroy Funky, and Chris Gill has been doing just that since 2002. It has been a platform for helping to grow and appreciate funky funky music down under. Community Radio is also another great way to help grow good grooves. He GET’s DOWN at 3RRR every Thursday at noon. He is a funk farmer.

Marietta Ouzos – Senior Director A&R Sony Music

Marietta is Senior Director of Artist and Repertoire at Sony Music Entertainment and co-manager for award-winning Australian artist Tones And I. She has a Master’s Degree of Communication and Media studies and extensive experience across marketing, promotions and artist development.

Dr Megan Burslem – ABC Jazz Presenter

Dr Megan Burslem is a broadcaster, educator and music correspondent leading the charge in fresh and relatable conversation about music and music-makers. You can find Megan hosting Mornings each weekday on ABC Jazz, as well as regular appearances hosting Drive on ABC Classic, and a regular guest with Sammy J on ABC Radio Melbourne.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Music (hons.), Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music (Performance), Master of Teaching (Secondary) and a Ph.D in musicology and ethnomusicology. When she is not on air, you can find Megan teaching music and presentation skills at Monash University and the Australian Guild of Music Education.