Industry Access

Unlock Real Industry Momentum with OCA’s 'Industry Access' Series

Are you an active local musician looking for high-value networking and upskilling opportunities? Want an educational "sneak peek" into the exact hands-on, real-world experience Oxford Creative Academy (OCA) students get every single day?

Oxford Art Factory and Oxford Creative Academy are proud to present Industry Access, a new monthly event series, featuring active professionals from across the music industry.

With alternating online webinars and face-to-face sessions right here at the Oxford Art Factory, speakers will share their personal career journeys, break down real-world case studies, and give honest advice on how to progress your career in the music business.

This series is your chance to step inside our community, expand your network, and experience what it takes to build real industry momentum firsthand.

AUGUST's ONLINE Session with ALISTAIR HAYES (AUG 19th, 5:30pm - 6:30Pm)

Alistair Hayes is a drummer, writer, producer, mix engineer, artist, MD, fixer-upper of electronics, and general jack of all trades hailing from Sydney. After finishing his degree in jazz performance, Alistair started a solo Project Daphnie, and duo youproblem, and writes/produces/mixes for himself and others with a focus on bringing organic and unusual sonic soundscapes to support the messy pop writing it’s wrapped around.

Alistair has worked with artists in varying capacities such as The Veronicas, Lastlings, Daily J, Caleb Nott (Broods), The Buoys, Ivoris, Tiffi, Cody Jon, Foley, RIIKI REID, George Alice, Carla Wehbe, among many others; and is ARIA nominated for his writing on The Buoys’s Debut Album Lustre.

In this session, we will be diving into four key themes to help you navigate the modern industry:

How to manage diverse income streams as a "jack of all trades". We’ll unpack his insights on tax, setting rates, and session work and reframe practical advice to you finalise the likes of ABN registrations, career plans, and freelance portfolios.
When looking at studio setup and recording, we’ll explore Alistairs non-negotiables for capturing a great performance, and discuss how emerging artists can achieve high-quality sonic results for their EP or demo without needing a massive budget
Bridging the gap between making the music and launching the career. We’ll make connections between his ARIA-nominated writing experience and his own projects like Project Daphnie, sharing early-career mistakes you should avoid when taking their music to market

Register Now

Check out our list of guests coming up:

AlistaIr Hayes

19/08/26 - Online Webinar
Sydney-based producer, drummer, and ARIA-nominated songwriter Alistair Hayes blends organic soundscapes with pop writing. With a degree in jazz performance, he is the creator behind the solo project Daphnie and co-founder of the duo youproblem. He has collaborated with a wide range of notable artists, including The Veronicas, Lastlings, and The Buoys.

Sarah Hamilton

15/07/26 - Online Webinar
Sarah is the founder of Golden Hour and co-founder of charity One of One, which highlights women and non-binary people in the music industry. Sarah has deep experience across distribution, streaming strategy, A&R, PR and helping independent artists build sustainable careers.

EMILY COPELAND

16/09/26 - OAF Gallery Bar
Emily is a senior music and media executive who has led major projects across Music Australia, ABC, ARN and CADA, with a focus on strategy, partnerships, audience growth and culture.

LiVE EXCerpt

In this live event excerpt, music industry professional Luke Byatt breaks down the core pillars of long-term sustainability for emerging artists. You'll learn why owning your data through a direct connection is crucial, how to maintain a consistent sonic and visual brand identity, and the best ways to network by providing value and showing your skill.

The Student view from our last Industry Access Event with Joel Farland

Lessons taken from Industry Access #2 with Jono Harrison

The "Founder Mentality" & Embracing Rejection

Jono stressed that artists and managers need to treat themselves like business founders. This means expecting to hear "no" when pitching to radio or negotiating deals, and using that rejection as valuable feedback to improve.

Finding Your Tribe & Building Local Fans

Jono advised that an artist's first fans and collaborators will likely come from grassroots communities. He recommended volunteering at community radio stations (noting their huge economic impact on local venues), physically going to local studios like Kiln Studios in Leichhardt, regularly attending Music Makers Club or using the "Vampr" app to find collaborators.

Networking by Adding Value (The 51/49 Rule)

Drawing from his time at Spotify, Universal, and Triple J, Jono shared that the most effective networking strategy is to ask, "How can I help?" before pitching your own projects. He refers to this as the 51/49 rule—giving more than you take.

Longevity & Mental Health in the Industry

Jono was incredibly transparent about his own struggles with burnout early in his career, which even caused him to develop beard alopecia. He emphasised the importance of a 10-year long-term view, listening to your body, and using resources like Support Act for mental health.

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register for the next event.

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