The Regional Sessions

Linsday McDougall (Frenzal Rhomb) - Keynote + Workshop Mentor

Lindsay McDougall has been an ABC Radio presenter for over 20 years, and guitarist/songwriter in Frenzal Rhomb for even longer. He plays in a variety of other bands but doesn’t present on any other radio stations. He lives in the Bega Valley with his wife, horses, chickens, and some friendly native animals who don’t seem to mind all the guitar noise.

Tasman Keith - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Tasman Keith inherited music. Since first appearing on stage at age eight alongside his pioneering father, Tasman channelled adolescent listlessness into the outlet of hip hop – crammed with six cousins in a makeshift studio at their local youth centre. While he may have been born into music, the sense of surrounding community was the true birthplace of Tasman Keith as an artist. Determined from a young age to only ever run his own race, imbued with a singular desire to occupy a boundaryless territory of his own, between debut EPs, collaborative mixtapes and wins across triple j and Australian Independent Record Awards, and National Indigenous Music Award nominations, Keith has traversed stages across the country, including a reputation for stealing shows “in all of five minutes” (The Australian) alongside national icons and his contemporaries, Midnight Oil, Jessica Mauboy, Kwame and many more.

Agum - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Agum is a Sydney-based singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling. Blending vulnerability and quiet strength, her music evokes the spirit of Erykah Badu, Nina Simone, and Lianne La Havas. Agum has performed as a background vocalist for Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem, and Tones And I at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. She sold out her first headline show in Sydney and supported artists like Cap Carter, Muroki, and Bella Taylor Smith. As a finalist in the Needle in the Hay Competition 2024, Agum continues to shape Australia’s music scene.

Joel Ma (Joelistics) - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Joel Ma (Joelistics) is an acclaimed Australian producer, rapper, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Founder of alt-rap group TZU, Joelistics’ solo albums “Voyager” and “Blue Volume” earned critical praise for innovative production and lyricism. He’s produced for Haiku Hands and Mo’Ju, and collaborated with artists including Birdz, Hermitude, Emma Donovan, and Ecca Vandal. Joel is a senior lecturer at Boxhill Music Institute, a Music Victoria Producer of the Year, and a Sydney Myer Fellow. Recent projects include Artist in Residence for Gamelan DanAnda, work with the Australian Art Orchestra, and soundtracking the film ‘Blue Canaries’. 

Karina Utomo - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Karina Utomo is an extreme metal vocalist, multi-modal artist, and beekeeper with a 20-year practice spanning heavy music, performance and collaboration. She is co-founder of KILAT, Rinuwat, High Tension. Her various musical projects have received an ARIA nomination and Music Victoria Award for Best Heavy Album (2014/2015), and the inaugural Triple J Unearthed and SOYA Spirit of Youth Awards (2007). Her projects have been presented at the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Korea), Dark Mofo, Soft Centre, Download Festival. 

Alice Matthews - Keynote Moderator

Alice Matthews is the host of the Afternoons show on 666 ABC Radio Canberra. Before that, she presented news and current affairs on triple j, ABC Pacific and SBS TV.  Alice won the Young Walkley Award for Radio in 2015 and has collaborated on several international United Nations research projects focusing on disinformation and protection of journalists’ sources. She lives on Ngunnawal country with her husband and daughter (as well as two dogs, six chickens and too many fruit trees).

Sam Rees - MusicNSW Regional Coordinator

Focusing across the Far South and Southern Tablelands regions, Sam is a lifelong musician who grew up in Coolagolite and has been active in the local music scene for years. In this time, he has provided leadership and mentorship for local musicians and built relationships with venue owners and industry professionals. Through his studies in Entertainment Business Management and multiple national tours as a musician, he found passion and purpose through the entertainment industry. Sam is based on Yuin-Djiringanj country.

Henry Wagons

Henry Wagons has a unique knack for seizing your attention—onstage, on-air, or onscreen; equal parts charismatic frontman, thoughtful storyteller, and unfiltered entertainer, he’s one of Australia’s most singular creative forces, straddling music, media, and performance with disarming ease. Often dubbed a “professor of song,” Henry was once on track to become a philosopher before being derailed by a record deal and a hunger for the stage; over the past two decades, he’s become a cornerstone of Australia’s Americana/Alt-Country scene, helping ignite the genre’s local rise. With seven records fronting the band Wagons and three acclaimed solo albums, his discography is deep, diverse, and unafraid to walk the darker, more theatrical side of country.

Queenie - Keynote Moderator

Queenie is a fearless, genre-blurring Australian songwriter whose 2024 debut album New Moult announced her as a major new voice, debuting at #19 on the ARIA Charts, earning national radio play, and multiple 2025 AIR and APRA nominations. Known for powerhouse vocals, raw emotion, and electrifying live shows, she’s quickly become a standout force on Australian stages and festival lineups.

Sophie Jones - MusicNSW Regional Coordinator

Focusing across the Central West, Outback and West Darling regions. Sophie is a musician, mentor and music teacher who grew up in Tamworth before moving to Bathurst to complete her B.A Communications (Theatre/Media). She has been involved in the Bathurst community and surrounds through touring and performing with her band Smith & Jones, running community choirs and workshops, and managing events and bookings for The End Festival in Hill End and the Local Emerging Artists Program (as part of the Inland Sea of Sound Festival). She is based on Wiradjuri country.

Heide Peverelle (Folk Bitch Trio) - Keynote + Workshop Mentor
 

Folk Bitch Trio bring sharp humour and emotional honesty to modern folk. Their debut album, Now Would Be a Good Time, blends vivid storytelling with wry reflections on breakups, daydreams and the strange, tender moments of early‑twenties life. From the airy unease of “Cathode Ray” to the drifting dreamscape of “Moth Song,” the trio move between vulnerability and bite. Other tracks dive into painfully familiar relationship scenarios, delivered with their trademark wit and harmony. Driven by a lifelong commitment to music, they’ve already toured across Australia, Europe and the US, supporting artists like King Gizzard, Alex G and Julia Jacklin. Their sound is bold, self‑aware and unmistakably their own.

BARKAA - Panel + Workshop Mentor

At a time of uncertainty, BARKAA’s debut proved to be the shake up the Australian music scene needed. Taking her first steps forward in 2020, BARKAA served an introduction with impact; an artistic vision and handle on storytelling that was unshakably confident and honest. In a short period, the Malyangapa, Barkindji woman became one of Australia’s most exciting new hip hop artists – her voice balancing unbridled passion with an aggression the game had previously side-stepped with care.Audiences first heard BARKAA’s clever lyrical game with For My Tittas, before Our Lives Matter made her voice nationally recognised and embraced. Her acclaimed debut EP Blak Matriarchy (2022) led to two ARIA nominations and a National Indigenous Music Award, with early accolades from triple j, Red Bull, Acclaim and the FBi SMAC Awards. 2024 was BARKAA’s biggest year to date – releasing Big Tidda, selling out the Sydney Opera House for VIVID, a national tour, major awards and ARIA nomination for Best Live Act. She opened 2025 performing to crowds of up to 90,000, solidifying herself as a formidable force in Australian music.

Elana Stone - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Elana Stone is a double ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for her inventive blend of folk, electronica, indie pop, and balladry. Her four acclaimed solo albums showcase her evolving sound and lyrical vulnerability. As a founding member of All Our Exes Live in Texas, Elana has toured globally, sharing stages with renowned acts. She also performs with Missy Higgins and the John Butler Trio, and collaborates widely across Australia’s music scene. Her authentic voice, humour, and fearless artistry bring both lightness and truth to her music, affirming her as a dynamic force in Australian music.

Bec Sandridge - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Bec Sandridge is a queer-pop shapeshifter, known for her striking black-and-white hair and a voice reminiscent of David Byrne and Kate Bush. For over a decade, she’s transformed pop into performance art, blending theatre, fuzz pedals, and queer angst. Her new single, “Always A Fan,” co-produced with Nick Zaharias, leads her upcoming album “Happy Futures,” featuring collaborators like Tony Buchen and Grammy-winner Cian Riordan. Sandridge has supported Mitski, St. Vincent, and Tegan and Sara, played major festivals, and appeared on The L Word and Q+A. Her bold style earned Triple J rotation and a sold-out 2024 Great Southern Nights show.

Zeppelin Hamilton - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Velvet Trip is the psychedelic-pop project of Wiradjuri artist Zeppelin Hamilton, blending psych-rock, soul, and indie-pop into a rich, genre-defying sound. Rooted in a spirit of experimentation, the project explores themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and imagination through immersive production and vivid sonic landscapes. Constantly evolving, Velvet Trip continues to push creative boundaries while building a deeply personal and transportive world for listeners to explore.

Zeadala - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Zeadala is a singer-songwriter of Thai/Iraqi heritage who lives and works on the lands of the Dharug & Gundungarra Peoples. She has performed locally and internationally since 2015, supporting the likes of Omar Offendum and Rebel Diaz (US). Her music explores themes of social justice and healing through knowledge of self.

Ash McGregor - Keynote Moderator

Ash McGregor is an Australian music aficionado. Over the course of her career, her mission has always been focused on getting great music heard, which has seen her become a widely lauded voice within the industry. Previously host of triple j’s Australian music show, Home & Hosed, Ash has helped discover countless local artists and launch careers globally. Now hosting the new music podcast Listen Up with Ash McGregor, Ash continually creates space for all genres and backgrounds to be heard, bringing artists' stories to life across platforms to help connect them with music lovers far and wide. A multi-talented presenter, host and music programmer, her passion has resonated across continents, having previously held roles across music, radio and live events at MTV, Nickelodeon, Global Radio London, Nova, 4ZZZ and Sea FM. A die-hard local music fan, her knack for uncovering the best up-and-comers and sharing the music stories you need to hear has won her a legion of passionate followers. 

Sam Rees - MusicNSW Regional Coordinator

Focusing across the Far South and Southern Tablelands regions, Sam is a lifelong musician who grew up in Coolagolite and has been active in the local music scene for years. In this time, he has provided leadership and mentorship for local musicians and built relationships with venue owners and industry professionals. Through his studies in Entertainment Business Management and multiple national tours as a musician, he found passion and purpose through the entertainment industry. Sam is based on Yuin-Djiringanj country.

Cody Munro Moore - MusicNSW Regional Coordinator

Cody is a performer, curator, recording engineer and business owner who has a passion for community connection through vibrant performances and musical events. Over 15 years in the music industry, he has worked on a wide range of creative and community-led initiatives, individual artistic projects and tours, and artist collectives and cultural events that generate cohesion across age groups, cultural backgrounds and wide expanses of the rural Australian landscape. Cody is the current Festival Director of the Illawarra Folk Festival, co-curator for Culture Mix Festival and co-owner of Stranded Recording Studios. Cody is based on Dharawal country.

Anna Laverty - Keynote + Workshop Mentor

Anna Laverty is an exceptional example of a very rare mix - a leader and trailblazer in the field of production and music. A multi-award-winning producer, engineer and songwriter, Anna has worked with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, Florence and the Machine, Folk Bitch Trio, Baker Boy, Courtney Barnett, Amanda Palmer and Lady Gaga amongst many others. A tireless advocate for the broader music production community, Anna is the Chair and founder of the Music Producer and Engineers’ Guild of Australia (MPEG).

Loren Ryan - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Loren Ryan brings a new flair to country music. Rolling Stone magazine named her latest single 'Bounty' a must listen. Thirty Tigers and Countrytown named her one of the world's best black female country artists. Live Nation named her One to Watch. She's a Toyota Star Maker Winner. 
A proud Gamilaraay Woman from Tamworth NSW. This is Loren Ryan.

B WISE - Panel + Workshop Mentor
 

B Wise is a Nigerian-Australian hip-hop artist recognised for driving a cultural shift in Australian rap. His debut album ‘Area Famous’ won FBi Radio’s Record of the Year and the AIR Award for Best Independent Hip Hop Record. The 2021 follow-up ‘Jamie’ earned an ARIA nomination and featured collaborations with Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, and ONEFOUR. With over 43 million streams, B Wise has played major festivals and supported international acts like Ice Cube and Vince Staples. In 2024, he was named to YouTube’s ‘Fifty Deep Class of 2024’, highlighting influential Black voices in global hip-hop.

Wade Keighran - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Wade Keighran is an award-winning Australian music producer, composer, and mix engineer with over 20 years in the industry. He has toured globally with bands such as The Scare and Polish Club, and worked with artists including Empire of the Sun and Sarah Blasko. Wade’s film credits include Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, earning him an ASSG award, and projects with Rebel Wilson and Ron Howard. He produced the AIR award-winning short film Dusk at the Watagans Forest motel and has received multiple APRA Screen Music Award nominations for his work in short films.

Hylander - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Sydney-based Gadigal electronic artist, Hylander, is carving out a fresh wave of extravagant electronica. With an inventive approach to sound design and an ever-evolving creative palette, Hylander transcends the ordinary, blending intricate soundscapes with raw emotional depth. This distinct sonic signature has earned him national recognition, from showcases at BIGSOUND to major sync placements with the ABC. A favourite of DSP curators, his work is consistently featured on key Spotify playlists such as All New Dance, New Music Friday, New Dance Beats, RADAR and Deadly Beats.

Caitlin (CP) McGregor, Program Manager, MusicNSW - Keynote Moderator

As MusicNSW’s Program Manager, Caitlin (known as CP) oversees the development and delivery of initiatives to support artists and people working in music to develop essential skills, networks and career pathways. She has 10+ years experience in the industry as an artist/producer (HANDSOME), event curator (Pleasures Playhouse), record label project manager (Elefant Traks), music director, radio host and touring musician, working with artists like MAY-A, Ayesha Madon, total tommy, EGOISM and more. 

Ali Buckley - MusicNSW Regional Manager

Ali has been working with MusicNSW in regional NSW since 2021 and is focused on the Orana, Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. She has also managed her own regional arts consultancy for 20 years, developing and producing projects in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She has held roles at Woodford Folk Festival and the Dreaming Festival, the Queensland Folk Federation and founded the Sustainable Living Festival and Gumbaynggirr Music Futures program. Ali is based on Gumbaynggirr country.

Kevin Mitchell - Keynote + Workshop Mentor

Bob Evans, the ARIA-winning alter ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell, has been a mainstay of the Australian music scene for over two decades. Under the Bob Evans moniker, Mitchell has released six studio albums, blending gentle acoustic melodies with classic folk storytelling. His acclaimed album ‘Suburban Songbook’ won the 2006 ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, while subsequent releases earned further nominations. Evans is a regular on Triple J and Double J, and hosts the popular podcast ‘Good Evans, It’s a Bobcast!’, featuring guests from music, sport, and culture.

Casey Barnes - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Award-winning country artist Casey Barnes is one of Australia’s most decorated modern country stars. In 2025, he won the Golden Guitar for Contemporary Country Album of the Year with “Mayday”, adding to multiple Golden Guitars, APRA Music Awards, an ARIA Award, and an ARIA Gold Record for “God Took His Time On You”. Renowned for electrifying live shows, he headlines tours and appears at major festivals. Internationally, he’s performed at Stagecoach and CMA Fest, breaking ground for Australian artists in the US. With 15 Country Radio number ones and 65 million streams, he shows no signs of slowing down!

GLVES - Panel + Workshop Mentor

GLVES is a First Nations alt-pop and interdisciplinary artist based in Magandjin (Brisbane), of Kaurareg, Fijian, and Polynesian heritage. Known for producing her Blaktronica sound, cinematic alt-pop fused with visual art and raw storytelling, she creates immersive work that explores identity, resilience, and belonging. Her debut EP arrived in 2025.

Citizen Kay - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Born in Ghana, raised in Canberra, Kojo is a 2-time ARIA nominated artist (Citizen Kay), & music producer.Beginning in 2014, he had been recording, producing and mixing his own songs which quickly turned into doing the same for others. In 2018, he pivoted his focus fully to producing & mixing, and has worked on music spanning from Hip Hop and Rock to Chinese Opera and Hymns. Kojo's drive is simply to be a part of creating great music with minimal boundaries.  

Milan Ring - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Touted as a figurehead in Australia’s “R&B renaissance” by The Sydney Morning Herald, Milan Ring is an accomplished composer, producer, mix engineer and musical director. The ARIA-nominated artist explores the realms of alternative and electronic music, crafting ethereal vocal arrangements while centring the guitar. She has collaborated with Questlove and Sampa The Great and shared stages with Leon Bridges, Arlo Parks and Masego.  

Sam Buckingham - Panel + Workshop Mentor

Sam Buckingham’s 2022 album DEAR JOHN debuted at #2 on the AIR Independent Albums Charts, and she’s gone on to lap the country six times on sold out headline tours. She’s also toured alongside Ben Lee, Kasey Chambers, Tim Freedman & Kate Miller-Heidke. Obsessed with lyrics, Sam sees songwriting as a way to connect to the truth of who we are, and to each other. 

Bridie Tanner (ABC North Coast) - Keynote Moderator

Bridie Tanner is the voice of Breakfast on ABC North Coast. She grew up in South Grafton, NSW and has hosted on Triple J, going national with slots on Home and Hosed, the Hottest 100 Tally Room and Summer Breakfast. Returning to her stomping grounds, she feels privileged to broadcast daily to the Northern Rivers. On weekends, she enjoys the thriving live music scene that sees touring and local musician play in iconic locations across the region.

Niño Haggith - MusicNSW Regional Coordinator

Niño is a seasoned musician, artist, actor and multi-faceted arts worker with a wealth of music industry experience. Niño returns to the MusicNSW team to support contemporary music in the Northern Rivers & North West regions, having first served as a Regional Music Officer from 2021-22. He has also held roles at Mullum Music Festival, Bello Winter Music Festival, Bluesfest Byron Bay, and Falls Music and Arts Festival, and as presenter & promoter for Red Square Music events across the Northern Rivers. Niño’s roles in the famed Dustyesky choir and band Invisible Friend have seen him play countless festivals and tour internationally. Niño is based on Bundjalung country.