Originally from Mackay QLD, Cassie (29, Brunswick East) has lived in a number of cities, but 3 years ago decided to settle in Melbourne. Her passion and love for the music industry has seen her volunteer for a number of vital industry organisations and now as a successful Self-Made applicant, Cassie will be presenting her very own event – a special lunch time dance party, titled Ditch The Desk Disco. Full event details announced 4 October.

We had a quick chat with her to see how she is finding the whole experience…

MMW: Hi lady!
Are you right to chat?

C: Yep, fire away.

MMW: Excellent! I guess firstly, what does the term ‘Self-Made’ mean to you?

C: I guess a few things. Individual/independent – this is a one-woman show. Homemade – a lot of the event organisation has been conducted from my couch. And the idea of creating an opportunity for myself to get more involved in the music industry.

MMW: Nice. Have you ever organised something like this by yourself before? How have you found organising your event as a solo promoter?

C: I haven’t done anything like this before so it’s been quite a learning curve but I’m enjoying it! The event organisation has been much more time consuming than I expected because I don’t know the answers to anything and have to go research, ask questions etc. The event has slowly but surely come together despite my inexperience and a few hiccups along the way which I’ve had to deal with.

Solo promotion is a double edged sword. I have full creative control and ownership of the project which is both a good and bad thing. Good because I can just get on with it and do it at my own pace but bad because I don’t have anyone to flesh out ideas and make decisions with.

MMW: Have you found that having the backing of MMW behind you and the support of Quincy and Penny has helped in making decisions and developing your ideas?

C: MMW has definitely been a safety blanket to make sure I’m on the right track. I’ve met Quincy before through other music stuff I’m involved in and have had the opportunity to discuss my project with him a few times over its development, which has been fantastic. I’ve also had the opportunity to discuss my project with Helen Marcou and Jon Perring who have also been really supportive and patient with me.  MMW’s support has been fantastic too!

MMW:  How do you find the overall personality of Melbourne’s music scene?

C: For me, Melbourne’s music scene is like Goldilocks’ porridge – just right. I don’t think ‘born and bred’ Melbournians realise just how lucky they are. Not only can you see fantastic music any night of the week but there’s plenty of choice and often it’s free or cheap, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for artists.

Melbourne’s music scene is also really fortunate to have some incredibly passionate individuals championing for the future of the industry through organisations such as Music Victoria, SLAM and FG4LM.  I’ve recently been getting involved in this side of the industry and can’t stress enough the importance of everyone who loves music – and particularly local, live music – to support these organisations and their causes.

MMW: How do you think events like MMW can help the local industry (both artist and those behind the scenes, like the venues, promoters, engineers etc.)?

C: I think MMW’s point of difference compared to the many other music festivals and events in Melbourne is the novelty factor – but in a good way – by helping local labels, businesses, artists etc. put on unique events in different spaces.

In this way, MMW helps bring music – particularly less mainstream music through the indie label series – to the general population and helps raise the profile of Melbourne’s local music scene. Something like Kubik last year for example, people would have noticed it visually and hopefully were intrigued enough to find out what those cubes were and in the process learnt about MMW.

Programs like the Self-Made series and MMW volunteering opportunities, are also a great way for music fans to get involved in the music industry (particularly for people like me who aren’t musically gifted!).

MMW: What are you looking forward to most from presenting your event as part of MMW?

C: I’m looking forward to ditching my own desk for the day! Hopefully I’m not too busy with the event management and get to dance with my colleagues and friends and have a good time.

I’ve watched MMW grow and develop over the last few years and am really excited to be part of it. MMW will give my discos exposure I couldn’t have achieved on my own and if the event is successful, and I’m first to market with a lunch time disco concept in Melbourne, who knows what opportunities it will lead to…

MMW: We can’t wait and will definitely be dancing along with you! Finally, one more question – are you looking forward to catching any particular artist at MMW 2012?

C: I haven’t heard of half the acts announced so far so I’m actually really looking forward to discovering some new music.

MMW: Cheers Cassie, thanks for your time. Hope we didn’t distract you too much from work.

C: No worries, a pleasant distraction.

Full Self-Made program announced 4 October.

Photos by Alex Schoelcher
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