Now in its fifth year, the Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMAs) celebrate and spotlight the vast contribution of Australian female, non-binary and GNC artists, musicians and music practitioners across all areas of the industry.
Once again being staged in Brisbane 1-2 October, 2024, the AWMAs award ceremony will be co-hosted by Yumi Stynes who returns with the legendary Sarah McLeod (who'll also perform on the evening) with 19 AWMA recipients to be announced, 2 extraordinary matriarchs inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll and the 2024 Inspiration Award revealed. Proudly presenting the Live Creative Production category, scenestr is once again thrilled to be a media partner and associated industry ally of the AWMAs. Here we profile Anusha Matthews.
Anusha has been working in musical theatre in Australia from the age of 19. She is a passionate, hard working member of the industry with an enormous love for the theatre. She holds a bachelor of Music Technology with First Class honours, and within her career is focused on creative excellence within her role, and encouraging the next generation of women.
What's the elevator pitch version of yourself and what role/s you play in the Australian music industry?
I am one of Australia's leading sound operators for touring commercial musicals in Australia, and a strong leader and role model for other women within the industry. Executing this job well involves an enormous amount of creativity and musical understanding, and I pride myself on my ability to achieve both of these to an exceptional standard.
What motivated you to pursue a career in the Australian music industry?
I have been a musician since I was a child, and always knew I wanted to do something music related. My high school teacher got me interested in musical theatre around grade 10, and I fell in love with it.
Once I started working in theatres during and immediately following university, I knew the lifestyle of touring on commercial musicals was what I wanted to do the most, and put every ounce of my energy towards getting there.
What does it mean personally to receive the recognition of being nominated for an AWMA Award?
It is an enormous honour to be selected as a finalist for an AWMA Award. There is so little chance for recognition in my field of work, and I can tell from the other finalists selected in my category, this award must cover so many people doing so many different things. To have been picked as one of the most successful really makes me feel accomplished and seen.
Do you have an inkling as to which recent work saw you nominated?
I think there were many works involved, but the main one was likely my work as Head of Sound on the recent production of '& Juliet', a jukebox musical with all songs written by Max Martin that toured throughout Australia and Singapore.
What have you been up to since we emerged from COVID?
Mostly back to where I started before the pandemic, as Head of Sound on musicals. The industry has certainly changed a lot in the last four years, in some ways for the better, and in some ways not so much, but it's nice to be feeling like I'm back where I belong, doing what I love.
How integral to the further development of women in the music industry is an event like the AWMA Awards?
I think the AWMA Awards can be hugely integral to this development. All the women I know in my industry that are excelling at a high level are extremely driven people. Having awards like this to go after, and receiving due recognition, can really shape a generation.
Also having big name sponsors onboard signifies to the world this isn't some small community group, there is a real presence here that could ultimately have an enormous impact on the development of female professionals in this industry.
Change is an ongoing process that often takes a generation or more to be implemented at a societal level... but what progress have you seen in your time in the industry, offering platforms for women to feel confident in pursing a career in the field of their choice?
When I started in the industry, I had no female heads of sound to look up to. I think there had been a few in the past, but none were currently working.
Now that I hold this position I spend a lot of time bringing up all the female staff that work underneath me, hoping that they will take their chance to become the greatest they can be at anything they want to do.
I think the industry is much more open to having women at any level, and especially at higher levels, than it used to be. The misogyny and sexism that was extremely prevalent when I first started out is fortunately diminishing, in some fields faster than others, which opens up space for women to truly succeed.
Your advice to any women considering a career in the music industry?
If you want to do it, then go for it! But be prepared to work your ass off for it. Any nuggets on the state of your industry at the moment? Commercial musicals in Australia are busier than they've ever been. If you were looking for the right time to get started, this may be it.
If we put you on the spot to name a creative execution in the last 15 years from your field of expertise that our audience would likely know of, please do so!
'& Juliet' was one of the best sounding musicals I'd ever listened to in Australia, and I'm extremely proud of the work I did on that show, including leading an all-female sound team for the 18 months we toured. I hope there are a lot of readers out there who saw it, and would feel the same way about our work.
The 2024 Australian Women in Music Awards conference programme takes place at Queensland Multicultural Centre on 1 October. The Australian Women In Music Awards ceremony and concert will be staged at The Fortitude Music Hall (Meanjin/Brisbane) 2 October.
