Natalie Waller is the Head of ABC Music and Events at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), having worked with ABC Music for 25 years, 10 serving in the top role.
Waller played a significant role in steering triple j to success with initiatives such as Like A Version, and has seen ABC Music win 136 ARIA Awards since 1974.Waller has served as the Chair of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for three years, their first ever female appointment to Chair, and is a Director of the Country Music Association (CMA) board in the United States.
Waller volunteers as a mentor with the AIR Women in Music programme, and supports the RSPCA, being a mum to fur babies Archie and Gypsy herself.
Natalie will be one of the many industry speakers – both from Australia and overseas – headed to Adelaide in early August when annual music conference Indie-Con Australia returns for another highly valuable instalment for indie musicians and professionals working in the music sector.
This year's Indie-Con will feature 16 sessions over 3 days – a mix of panels and workshops – with more than 70 speakers made up of global music industry experts, label representatives, independent artists and journalists, and representatives from 40 different companies.
What do you love most about Indie-Con?
I have to be honest and say the networking and the awards, although I always love the panels too as you don't know what you don't know and I always walk away with new knowledge and insights.
Who are you looking forward to listening to at Indie-Con?
For me these are the panels I'm personally looking forward to: Protecting copyrights in the AI era; New Release Cycles: Navigating the changing DSP landscape and traditional release timelines; Fairplay For Pay.
Why should indie artists-bands be tuning into Indie-Con?
To arm themselves with knowledge, know the business, understand the business they are in; it's so important! They can then build their best team, what suits them and their skillset.
Like A Version came into its own under your leadership. Can you tell us a little bit about how it came into being and why you think it resonates so strongly with so many people?
Like A Version is very mush first and foremost about the broadcast, which triple j do so well working with amazing artists and reimagining a cover.
ABC Music is so lucky to be able to make the recordings live beyond the broadcast and allow people to consume their favourite Like A Versions on digital platforms and discover new artists, new songs, fall back in love with a song.
We have worked with triple j, artists, managers and labels over the years to extend the reach of these Like A Versions, which I am very fortunate to be a part of. A huge team effort!
What do the next five years hold for ABC Music and what about that makes you the most excited?
Wow, that's so hard to answer in an ever-changing market but we love nurturing Australian talent and will continue to in the future. We love working with a diverse roster and artists we have worked with over 30 years to new artists.
You are involved heavily with country music, did you love country growing up?
Yes I am heavily involved with country music, but no I didn't grow up with at all. When I started with ABC Music in 1998 country was a huge part of the roster, and still is; it really opened my eyes to how wonderful the genre is and how broad it is.
There is something for everyone in country music, the storytelling and beautiful songwriting is what really attracts me to the genre. The country music community is such a generous, supportive community which I'm lucky to be part of, so although I didn't grow up with it, it is certainly part of my world now and I love it!
We talk a lot about diversity and inclusivity in the music industry. How would you say the industry is doing in regards to that, and what would you like to see more of?
Yes, we do talk a lot about diversity and inclusivity and we need to continue to do so. This is about the industry, the artists and the music.
It is very important to represent all Australians, which we are lucky to live in a country of great diversity and culture. The main thing is to keep having the discussions and keep checking ourselves.
For indie artists who need a leg up, what are some communities or initiatives you strongly recommend?
This question depends on so many different factors depending on genre, but an overarching statement would be to connect in to the community you are in, plus the plethora of free and available tools and make sure you are educated and tapped into – I would encourage indie artists to lean in to everything offered.
ABC has a wonderful history of investing in indie artists with Unearthed, etc. Do you think festivals should be doing more to put undiscovered artists on their rosters?
Sure, we all need to nurturing emerging talent. Both festivals and labels need to invest, but festivals do need to sell tickets so the balance is important.
Indie-Con Australia Conference takes place at Mercury Cinema (Adelaide) 2-4 August.
