Sound Advice: The Artist's First Aid Kit (Thirroul)

Want tools and advice on getting it all done: from setting goals, to managing your time and wellbeing, and overcoming challenges along the way?

Across a panel and masterclass, hear from artists Sophie McComish (Body Type), Holly Throsby and Hayley Lyon (Lady Lyon) and Mark Rogers (Ocean Party) about these essential skills you need to develop as you build your career. Close out the day with a gig by local punk band Sevilles and leave inspired to take on whatever is next for you and your music.

What to expect:

• 12 - 1pm: Keep On, Keeping On in-conversation panel with Sophie McComish (Body Type), Holly Throsby and Hayley Lyon (Lady Lyon), hosted by Mark Rogers (Ocean Party)
• 1 - 2pm: Lunch provided by Ciro's Pizza & networking
• 2 - 3pm: Get Your Act Together problem-solving masterclass with Sophie McCormish (Body Type)
• From 3pm: Sevilles performing live

Free with registration

Keep On Keeping On
In-conversation panel / 12pm-1pm

Join a panel of music makers and self-starters as they offer experiences of resilience, creative pivots and overcoming obstacles. In conversation hosted by Mark Rogers (Ocean Party),  Sophie McComish (Body Type), Holly Throsby and Hayley Lyon (Lady Lyon) will come together to highlight strategies for nurturing your creativity, prioritising your artistic goals, and the battle between output and self care. 

They’ll cover things including:

• How to have a healthy relationship with your artistic goals
• Overcoming setbacks and adversity
• Building resilience throughout your career

Get Your Act Together
Masterclass / 2-3pm

Two (or more!) heads are better than one - join this session for a problem-solving masterclass on overcoming common obstacles for artists. Local emerging artists Sevilles will present Sophie McComish (Body Type, Blossom Rot Records) with a series of issues they have faced across things like time management, prioritising creativity, self care and self promotion. In this session, Sophie will then address these live and share good practices for long term wellbeing and growth.

Sophie is a musician and music industry professional currently residing in Dharawal country/Scarborough, NSW. Sophie’s primary artistic output occurs with her band Body Type, where she is a guitarist and vocalist. Sophie is co-founder and co-director of Blossom Rot Records, an indie label and creative collective that is dedicated to amplifying the voices and sounds of women and non-binary artists from the Australian underground. Since its inception in 2020, Blossom Rot Records has released 18 records by 35 groups and supported 160 individual artists. 

Performance from Sevilles
3-3:30pm

_________________________________________________

About the speakers:

Sophie McComish (Body Type) 

Sophie McComish is a musician and industry professional residing in Dharawal country/Scarborough, NSW. Sophie’s primary artistic output occurs with her band Body Type, where she is a guitarist and vocalist. Sophie is co-founder of Blossom Rot Records, an indie label and creative collective that is dedicated to amplifying the voices and sounds of women and non-binary artists.

Holly Throsby 

Holly Throsby is a songwriter, musician and novelist. She is the author of three books and has released five solo albums, a collection of original children's songs, and two records as part of the band, Seeker Lover Keeper (with Sarah Blasko and Sally Seltmann). Holly has been nominated for five ARIAs – including two for Best Female Artist.

Hayley Lyon (Lady Lyon) 

Songwriter and lead singer of Sydney band Lady Lyon, Hayley is an artist who can speak to resilience, driving the band to release a number of EPs and singles and touring through NSW and Victoria going back to 2017. In March 2025, the band released 'Cut back', the first single from their forthcoming debut album out in June.

Mark Rogers (Host)

Mark Rogers is a multi-award-winning playwright, and co-founder of re-group performance collective. Outside of theatre, Mark is  a prolific songwriter releasing over 12 albums as a member of The Ocean Party and more recently as Pop Filter, all have been released by seminal Australian indie label Spunk Records.

_________________________________________________

MusicNSW pays respect to Elders past and present, and extend those respects to the First Nations peoples of NSW and beyond. Always was, always will be.

MusicNSW is supported by Create NSW and APRA AMCOS.

_________________________________________________

Privacy Notice:

MusicNSW values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Notice outlines how we collect, use, and protect the data you provide when registering for our online and in-person events.
_________________________________________________

Photography/Videography Notice:

Please be aware that photography and video recording may take place during in-person events. By attending, you consent to your image and likeness being used by MusicNSW in promotional and informational materials related to this event and other MusicNSW activities. If you have any concerns or wish to opt out, please notify the event staff upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.