Emily Collins Named Head of Sound NSW as Jane Slingo, Kristy Peters and Tanya Ali Join Advisory Board

It’s official: Emily Collins is the Head of Sound NSW.

A tireless and hugely effective advocate for the state’s music community, Collins had previously served as interim head of Sound NSW, formed in 2023 with a commitment to the promotion of contemporary music in NSW.

Prior to that, Collins led MusicNSW as managing director for eight years, departing in June 2023 for the interim Sound NSW gig.

She’s the inaugural recipient of the ARIA Executive Leader Game Changer award at the 2023 Australian Women In Music Awards, recognition for her success in guiding the #VoteMusic campaign in the lead-in to the 2023 state election.

“It is an exciting time for Sound NSW as we really start to break our stride and deliver on our priorities to nurture creative careers, encourage innovation, enhance export opportunities, and create positive outcomes for artists, industry professionals, music businesses, and audiences,” comments Collins in a statement announcing her appointment.

Collins is confirmed to the top job on Thursday, Feb. 29 following a “competitive recruitment process,” by the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.

With Collins at the steering wheel, and with support from an advisory board, comprised of artists and industry figures, Sound NSW will deliver funding programs and a raft of policies, including soundproofing of live music venues to dampen the issue of noise complaints.

Also, the organisation will conduct research into the state’s live music ecosystem, insights from which should be available by mid-2024.

Based in Sydney, Collins and her team will be supported by the advisory board, which, as previously reported is chaired by Jessica Ducrou, co-CEO of Secret Sounds, organisers of Splendour In The Grass, with legendary artist manager John Watson serving as deputy chair.

The 12-strong advisory board has assembled for the first time and is completed with the appointments of three, final members.

They are Jane Slingo, executive producer, Electronic Music Conference; musician and DJ Kristy Lee Peters (KLP) and Tanya Ali (managing director, FBi Radio).

They join previously announced members including Lucy Joseph (Live Music Office), Matthew Jeffrey (MEAA delegate), Tim Leha (CEO of Koori Radio and Gadigal Information Service), Tyla Dombroski, (director of Crow Bar Sydney) and Vyvienne Abla (director of 4E Hip Hop Festival).

Among its tasks, the board will consider initiatives to support the contemporary music sector and encourage collaboration and innovation, and identify investment opportunities.

“With a new Sound NSW team in place, an advisory board of music experts and the support of government,” adds Collins, “NSW is on track to become a global music powerhouse and a thriving heartland for our national industry.”

The advisory board will be expected to play a transformational role by shaping a 10-year contemporary music strategy, and by supporting Sound NSW to lead a new era for music across the state – part of an election promise from the Minns government.

That’s music to the ears of NSW artists and industry professionals.

For the best part of a decade, onerous regulations led Sydney’s live and nighttime scene into a state of decay, and music festivals were burdened with a licensing regime which forced some brands out of business.

The creation of Sound NSW is seen as a fresh start and a shot in the arm for the state’s contemporary music industry.

Also, new “Vibrancy” reforms should play a role in untangling the bureaucratic mess created by previous administrations.

John Graham

Through Sound NSW, the music business now has a “dedicated government office committed to the development and promotion of contemporary music in NSW,” comments minister for music and the night-time economy, John Graham.

“Working together with industry, Sound NSW will help the government to move the dial on our commitment to support the venues that sustain and grow our music industry.”

With a now-complete board and Collins heading up the team at Sound NSW, “work is underway to deliver on our election commitment to double live music venues and support contemporary music in NSW,” Graham continues.

Sound NSW will now set about “to champion and invest in the contemporary music sector to deliver positive outcomes for artists and audiences alike through targeted programs and advocacy.”

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