I get asked for this kind of advice - how to "do music" in Australia - now I 100% do not have the answers but I always try and share my experience / whatever insight I can

I always reply (though sometimes it takes a while) because I wish I'd heard these things when I started 1/x

Make music because you want to. Focus on intrinsic rewards (fulfillment, personal growth of your ideas and inner world, development of a personal creative logic or worldview), not external goals that are illusory, often unattainable & almost always both fickle and fleeting. 2/x

Actively try to deconstruct and disengage from toxic ideas of 'success'. Focus on "making stuff" not "making it." There is no "making it." Put aside the idea of whether it is fair or not - it's not. Focus on what you can control: your process & your personal wellbeing 3/x

Look for examples of real people living normal lives, but who have a sustainable/happy creative practice. Understand what drives them, what motivates them, and how they have managed to keep it together. Just straight up ask them how they 'did it' if you are curious 4/x

Unfollow "successful artists" in your feed - they are not your role models. 5/x

Getting playlisted on the radio is not your goal. Getting added to that big festival lineup is not your goal. Disengage from these ideas in order to live a more rewarding, happier life as a creative person. Remember why you started making music in the first place? 6/x

I know my ideas/takes on this can feel confronting for some people but it is just my perspective based on my experience - I will also add that all my views are 100% my own views, and I don't speak on behalf of anyone that I work for or that I work with 7/x

Thank you for listening to my TED talk.
Here is my email address if you want to talk more: [email protected] Or just hit me up with questions when I'm streaming - I'm developing a nasty habit of going live on IG & Twitch and often talk on these topics. 8/8