Tracy Margieson is Head of The Arts Wellbeing Collective, an Arts Centre Melbourne initiative that comprises a consortium of arts and cultural organisations working together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts. Luke and Tracy discuss how COVID-19 has impacted the AWC and how important mental health planning is to the future of a productive performing arts industry.   If you work in arts or music industries and need support contact the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, available 24/7 on 1800 959 500. 

Luke interviews Ash Grunwald Australian blues singer, writer and broadcaster. The two discuss the importance of mindset, escaping a European tour at the beginning of the pandemic and staying at the top his musical game. His voice through his lyrics, podcast and broadcasting ask for the protection of land, sea, river, self and resources, and his new role as an author signifies the sudden abundance of purpose that comes with sobriety and of a man carrying a message of change. If you work in arts or music industries and need support contact the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, available 24/7 on 1800 959 500. #WeAreWithYou

As custodian of The Zoo, one of Australia's most iconic music venues, and owner of Feed Music, a non-profit that feeds touring musicians, Pixie Weyand is one of Australian music's great entrepreneurs. Pixie shares the challenges that she has faced in the wake of coronavirus and the work she's doing to keep a Brisbane live music institution alive.

With changes to Jobkeeper announced this month, we once again invited Tom Harris from White Sky Accounting to fill us in on what changes to look out for if you're on Jobkeeper.   If you are a musician/artist, crew or music worker, the Support Act COVID-19 Crisis Relief fund is available to support you financially. Visit our website for more information and to apply.

Motez is one of Australia's most successful DJs and Producers, having collaborated with the likes of Antony and Cleopatra and performed at festivals Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival. Tez talks to Luke about his recent audiovisual piece SOULITUDE and how he looks after his mental and physical health whilst pursuing his career in music.

Meet Jeremy Fleming, Managing Director of Stagekings. Stagekings is one of the leading custom staging producers in the Australian event production industry and now, thanks to some quick thinking, the new king of flat pack furniture. Stageking's threw out the business rulebook to keep their doors open and staff employed, and raised over $40,000 for Support Act in the process.

Owner of Applejack Music Management, Manager of The Teskey Brothers Little Quirks and Liz Stringer, and co-owner of Victorian live music venue Bridge Hotel Castlemaine.   Jeremy is one of Australia's breakout Artist Managers of the last couple of years. In conversation with Luke, he shares his story and insights into how he manages his health and wellbeing and that of his artists home and abroad.   If you work in the Arts industry and are in need of advice and/or support, contact the 24/7 Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500.  If your ability to work has been affected by COVID-19 and you are a musician, crew or music worker, you may be eligible to apply for a Crisis Relief Grant from Support Act - https://supportact.org.au/get-help-2/

As lockdown restrictions ease and the prospect of returning or looking for work rears its head, Luke and Ash discuss how to build motivation and tackle negativity.  The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline can be contacted at 1800 959 500, and is available 24/7 to those who work in the Arts and in need of support or advice: https://supportact.org.au/wellbeinghelpline/

Sahara Herald is one of the Australian music industry's most towering figures. Before her current role as Tour Director for Frontier Touring, Sahara spent eighteen years as National Event Coordinator for Big Day Out, some of the best and most challenging times of her life. It's now over six years since Sahara started her recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, and began facing the grief and lifestyle that coloured her choices. Sahara now leads a new wave of Industry spokespeople pushing for an entertainment industry that supports its most vulnerable and provides alternatives to the stereotype of the rock and roll lifestyle.   #SOUNDCHECK Series: https://bit.ly/2ZLEMwk

Sound Check is a series of discussions about mental health and wellbeing in the music industry. Today we chat with Ben Steel; the filmmaker behind The Show Must Go On, a documentary exploring why there are so many arts and entertainment workers developing and struggling with anxiety, depression and substance abuse.    Available now via ABC iView: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/show-must-go-on