Sound NSW advisory board to set the tone for music in the state

Jessica Ducrou, the co-chief executive of Secret Sounds, has been named chair of the advisory board. She brings three decades of industry experience to the table and is a champion for festivals, national touring and supporting homegrown talent.

Former Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel manager John Watson will be deputy chair. An expert in talent development and building artist careers, Watson has represented much-loved Australian acts for over 25 years.

They will be joined by leaders of two of Australia’s prominent and vital national organisations, ARIA PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd and APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.

Both Herd and Ormston bring with them a wealth of experience and have been instrumental in paving the way for music development across the country.

Additional members of the Advisory Board are:

• Lucy Joseph from Live Music Office
• Matthew Jeffrey, MEAA Delegate
• Tim Leha, CEO of Koori Radio and Gadigal Information Service
• Tyla Dombroski, Director of Crow Bar Sydney
• Vyvienne Abla, Director of 4E Hip Hop Festival

The collective experience of the board spans commercial and not-for-profit, artist development and management, advocacy and community development, festivals and venues. Advisory Board members will play a key role in shaping a 10-year contemporary music strategy, as well as supporting Sound NSW to lead a new era for music in NSW.

An additional three Sound NSW Advisory Board positions are yet to be appointed, and artists and music professionals passionate about the future of contemporary music in NSW are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Expressions of Interest are open until Thursday 30 November 2023. For more information and to submit your EOI, visit the Sound NSW website.

Minister for the Arts, Music and Night-Time Economy John Graham said:

“Today marks a turning point for the future of music in NSW with an immense amount of experience at a national level joining the Sound NSW Advisory Board.

“The board, led by Jessica Ducrou and John Watson, will support the development of a new 10-year strategy that I am confident will help us put NSW back at the forefront of Australian music and re- energise the local live music scene that has so often been essential to the career development of our biggest musical acts.

“We still have three seats at the table to fill for the Sound NSW Board, and I encourage those working in the industry and passionate about propelling the music sector forward to submit their Expression of Interest to Sound NSW.”

Secret Sounds Co-CEO and Sound NSW Board Chairperson Jessica Ducrou said:

“I am honoured for opportunity to Chair the Sound NSW Advisory Board.

“I look forward to working alongside my esteemed fellow Advisory Board members, Emily Collins and the Sound NSW team to develop the State’s first ever 10-year contemporary music strategy.

“The music industry has fought hard over many years to get us to this point, but without the conviction, commitment, and heart we would not have this incredible opportunity. Thanks to Premier Minns, Minister Graham, and the NSW Government who support our industry as we look to re-invigorate the music scene and re-establish Sydney and larger NSW as a leading global destination to experience live music and festivals.”

Read the biographies for the Sound NSW Board Members.

About Sound NSW

Established by the NSW Government in 2023, Sound NSW is a dedicated office committed to the promotion of contemporary music in NSW. Through targeted programs and advocacy, Sound NSW champions and invests in the contemporary music sector to deliver positive outcomes for artists and audiences alike.

As an office within Create NSW, Sound NSW supports the contemporary music sector by encouraging collaboration, innovation, and by identifying investment opportunities.
Emily Collins is the Interim Head of Sound NSW.