We are all in this indie music thing together.

Today I want to start off a series of interviews with different indie music industry personalities from Australia and around the world.

I call it "Indie Music Focus" and the first cab off the rank is the head honcho for the indie music resource website www.theindiemusician.com Jo Brew.

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Indie Music Focus - Jo Brew

Name?
Jo Brew

URL?
www.theindiemusician.com

Years in industry?
18

Brief history?
I've been in playing in bands since around 1988. I'm a songwriter, singer and guitarist. Over the years I've done gig booking, organised publicity, recording, rehearsals etc, wrote bios and sent and followed up demo's.

I won an Australian songwriting award in 1997, I've played festivals and pubs and I even once played on a Melbourne train as part of a special event. I helped out a few overseas touring artists with their Australian tour and did some interviews which where published in music street press papers.

I've got really strong interest in production and have my own home production studio. In 2005 I started organising Melbourne gigs for touring independent bands and then decided to put together all the information required so it would be available for anyone to take advantage of booking gigs or a tour.

This idea expanded from Melbourne to included Sydney and Brisbane and became a one stop gig and tour resource for original music called "100 Aussie Gigs". It now includes VIC, NSW, QLD, ACT, SA & TAS.

In 2006 I set up a business called "The Indie Musician" to provide career resources for independent artists.

One of those resources is "100 Aussie Gigs".

Define "indie"?
For me it's really about having independent artistic control for all areas of one's career. Having said that, sometimes it's necessary to have a 'team' around you.

Live bookings, publicity, distribution, online networking, writing, recording, performing depending on what you want from your career, you're probably going to need some help.

That help can come from friends, family or band members helping out to contracting a service provider and/or learning from people who already know the information you want and are willing to teach you a quick and easy route to save you from trial and error learning.

Leveraging your time is the key.

Why do you do what you do?
Well, I really wanted to create my own business in the area of music and use the knowledge and experience I have and things I was good at say, writing and organising.

I've also got a strong desire to offer valuable resources for independent musicians to give them the best chance of pursuing music as a career. I want to offer, especially for Australian musicians, a place to find music career information and resources, ask music industry related questions and share ideas.

Most important thing about being an indie artist/band?
Not having to be on the commercial treadmill of interviews, photo's, touring. Doing things at my own pace and to suit my own lifestyle and career aspirations.

What inspires you?
People who have a sense of purpose and the courage to follow their dreams. A creative and independent spirit. Learning, music, travel, cooking, literature, art and science.

What is your next goal?
Grow "100 Aussie Gigs" into the must have live original music gig and tour resource for Australia.

Build awareness of "The Indie Musician" and keep providing the best resources for independent artists.

Main strengths and/or weaknesses?
I'm probably impatient. Well, actually I am, but I'm learning to be patient! So that's my biggest weakness.

There's loads that I'm still learning but I wouldn't call that a 'weakness' every thing's a learning process and all it requires is an open mind, flexibility and a desire to learn. Those things are I guess my strengths and the more I use them, the stronger they become.

Future of Indie Music?
I think the future for indie musicians is very exciting. Online marketing offers so much exposure and opportunities to find fans and connect with them. Offline marketing and presence is equally as important.

There are so many resources and options for independent musicians now. The evolution of the music industry has been fascinating and will no doubt continue to be. Each step in the music evolution process has involved major shifts in the infrastructure of the 'industry' or people with the power.

Change always causes fear but change also brings new possibilities. Change is what keeps us as a society from becoming stagnant.

Any final comments?
Find what you love to do and pursue it with passion. Anything can be learnt, start where you are with what you have and go from there.