On this unique interview, Audius peels again the polished exterior of the pop machine to talk candidly concerning the a long time he’s spent serving to form Australia’s sonic id. Identified for penning among the nation’s most unforgettable tracks, his identify has lengthy echoed by way of the halls of ARIA fame, but his perspective stays grounded, beneficiant, and fiercely passionate. As he steps additional into the highlight along with his personal releases, together with the introspective single Set off, he opens up concerning the shifting tides of songwriting, the quiet energy of artistic mentorship, and the silent battles artists face once they imagine their value lies throughout oceans.
Welcome to A&R Manufacturing unit, Audius. It’s a pleasure to shine a light-weight on an artist who’s formed the sound of so many defining moments in Australian pop music. You’ve been a key a part of a few of Australia’s most unforgettable chart-toppers, from Born To Strive to Operating Again. Once you replicate on these early successes, what feelings or recollections nonetheless stand out most vividly for you?
I keep in mind feeling fairly overwhelmed, I knew I used to be good at what I did, however being trusted at such a stage was full on. I assume what stood out was realising that on the core, we have been all creatives reaching for a similar factor. In these classes, I made lifelong friendships. I additionally keep in mind being enamoured by the method of how songs went from concepts to radio to Delta Goodrem successful ‘greatest single’ on the Aria awards and the very first thing she stated when she bought up on stage was “The place’s Audius?!” There I used to be trying up on the huge display at myself wading by way of the tables to affix her on stage. It was surreal as I stated a couple of nervous phrases in entrance of so many individuals who I admired and revered.
With over 15 years within the trade, what does songwriting imply to you now in comparison with whenever you first stepped into the studio as a younger producer?
The music trade has a deep historical past of nice songs. Artists are nonetheless referencing that database for inspiration so from that perspective, nothing a lot has modified. Within the early 2000’s, the main focus was on being recognised by a serious label, getting signed and all the celebrity and fortune that got here with it. The ‘Unbiased’ labels have been additionally an possibility and functioned a bit of exterior the field when it got here to fashionable music. I feel the most important distinction at the moment is there may be way more unbiased music being launched and the time period ‘Indi’ could as simply check with ‘Particular person’ as
Artists can successfully launch and market their very own music utilizing very accessible distribution platforms for streaming. I imagine this has freed up what was a much more inflexible fashionable music format. Songs appear to be getting shorter and their construction altering to go well with shortening consideration spans and viral traits on social media.
Working with artists like Delta Goodrem and Jessica Mauboy positioned you on the coronary heart of mainstream pop. How has your artistic intuition developed as you’ve began releasing your personal music independently?
I’ve continued to work with younger rising artists, most of them are releasing their very own music. Seeing their untethered strategy and whole artistic management has impressed me to do the identical. The mainstream trade is a properly oiled machine that serves its operate properly. The unbiased artist nonetheless is sort of a child in a sweet store, nothing stops them from exploring any angle. This doesn’t essentially make the method simpler however opens up particular person inventive expression in a approach that’s accelerating the artwork kind. Social media is driving the bus- so the listener is usually doing the asking by way of virility and pattern, as a substitute of simply receiving what’s put out. That’s what has impressed me to do the identical, I’ve dug deep into my very own inventive expression have dared to launch.
Your latest single Set off marks one other chapter. What have been the emotional or artistic catalysts behind writing and releasing this monitor?
I’ve been on a journey of self reflection, understanding my very own human traits and the way I could also be distinctive, however nonetheless a lot the identical as everybody. I imagine all of us have triggers which might be a results of unprocessed trauma or stress since childhood. It’s like a defensive mechanism or a method to cope – like a battle or flight response. I feel all relationships are riddled with triggers that trigger much more triggers if unidentified. So I went on a journey to find my own- and discover the supply of every set off. I discovered ‘triggers’ to be a unusual human trait and put it to track.
You’re actively concerned in mentoring by way of the APRA AMCOS SongMakers programme. How essential is it so that you can move on data, and what has the expertise taught you about your personal follow?
I discover nothing extra gratifying than imparting data that might in any other case take without end to study by way of trial and error. I came upon a lot the exhausting approach so I’m motivated to assist younger creatives attain their purpose sooner. I see it as bridging a niche. Typically an artist simply must be instructed ‘it’s okay, you’re adequate’. Via the SongMakers program, younger creatives can get the reassurance and steerage they should know they’re on the appropriate path. There’s a lot mysticism round how to reach writing and producing songs. Demystifying deceptive myths could make such a distinction in a children artistic course of.
The music trade has shifted dramatically because you started. What would you say is missing within the trade 2025?
Creatively there’s nothing missing. The one factor lacking is a truely supportive native trade that places our personal creatives on the identical platform as abroad artists. I’ve travelled the world and written with so many greats and there’s by no means an implied superiority system in any writing session. As long as we’ve all been listening to music and taking part in the identical instrument, we’re all simply as succesful. The stigma nonetheless nonetheless stands {that a} USA artist or producer is best than any Australian. Hats off to the USA trade for believing in themselves a lot that they made us imagine they’re the very best. It’s time nonetheless that we cease our younger artists from believing that the one approach they may ever make it’s in the event that they go to America – or wherever else. If we commit the identical principals instilled in younger Rugby gamers or Cricketers to being the very best on the planet as Australians, we might see a turnaround in perspective and begin filling our personal radio stations and stadiums with our personal expertise.
Has there been a turning level that reshaped your relationship with the craft of songwriting or the way in which you strategy a undertaking?
Sure, I’ve come to understand that creativity is greatest left to its personal individualistic expression. As a producer, I’m now extra eager to assist the artist categorical themselves as a substitute of attempting to suit them into what I feel works greatest. I take advantage of all my talents and knowledge to help their imaginative and prescient. When the respect is mutual in that approach, magic simply occurs.
You’ve spent years shaping the sound and success of others. What made you resolve it was time to step out entrance and launch music underneath your personal identify?
I assume it’s an itch that by no means scratched, I used to be at all times enamoured by all facets of the trade and have completely loved producing and writing. In all honesty that’s nonetheless my ardour however I couldn’t silence the artist in me. I’ll proceed to jot down and produce nice music for different artists but in addition take time to indicate my very own individuality.
Wanting on the digital panorama at the moment, what types of recognition or connection matter most to you as an artist who’s spent so lengthy behind the scenes?
Like all artists I’m on a pilgrimage to seek out the viral/pattern Pandora’s field on social media platforms reminiscent of TikTok and Instagram. To get up in the future and discover that my piece of artwork has captured the world’s consideration! Or being added to radio throughout the board! That will be superior. It’s a pleasant thought however what drives me most is the thought of being within the sport to not win it, however as a substitute be part of the love for it. Fame and fortune generally is a distraction to what Is probably a loving, sincere and integrity primarily based artwork from.
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Tune into Audius’ sound on Spotify, or uncover extra concerning the artist on Wikipedia.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
