Vivienne Mellish Interview - Getting The Job Done

Meet Vivienne Mellish, a u-beaut peep, and the publicity mastermind at Mucho Bravado. With expertise in creative and innovative marketing, publicity, and journalism, Viv has solidified herself as one of the industry's taste makers. We had a chat to Viv about her career, the music industry, and of course our fav question, "If you were a cocktail".

Futuremag Music: How'd you enter the music scene? What's your relationship with music been like over the years?

Vivienne Mellish: I have always been enamoured with music. Ever since I started piano lessons at age 3, I have known I wanted to pursue a career that aligns itself with music. I'm also a massive busy body and naturally curious person which led me to a media related career. My first foray into music and media was as an intern at a few radio stations on the Gold Coast. My time at those stations taught me a HEAP about the relationships between artist, publicist and media. 

I also fell in love with writing, completed a journalism degree and wrote for a heap of publications during my uni days including the now defunct Tsunami Mag, FasterLouder and a UK street press The Australian Times. Since then, I've travelled the world, worked as a political media adviser, film publicist, theatre marketing manager and publicist and a music publicist. 

Futuremag Music: Can you tell us about your work at Mucho Bravado? What have been some highlights?

Vivienne Mellish: At Mucho Bravado I manage the roll out of all publicity and marketing campaigns for the business. Our Director Ben Preece has been incredible and given me a lot of freedom to really take control of the PR side of the business and put my own stamp on it. He is an incredible band manager and it's great to have him share his ideas from a management perspective where needed. We have a huge variety of clients. About 60% of our work is based on artist music releases and 40% on events, festivals and venues promotion. Our current and past roster includes WAAX, Dustin Tebbutt & Lisa Mitchell, Ayla, the church, The Blurst of Times, Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival, Divinyls, Meg Mac, Brother Ali, Jai Wolf, Asta, The Foundry, Select Touring, Metropolis Touring and Newcastle festival THIS THAT. 

Some epic highlights during my time at Mucho Bravado have included 

• Doing tour PR for Meg Mac's huge sold out 'Never Be' tour.
• Standing in the pit and seeing the crowd go NUTS for Peking Duk when the fire and confetti cannons went off at This That.
• Helping to continue to build the profile of some key local artists including Ayla and WAAX over the last three years. 
• Helping to launch the first Mountain Goat Valley Crawl event in Brisbane. 
• Launching one of the best live music venues in Brisbane, The Foundry and continuing to see it grow into a thriving hub for the music community here. 

Futuremag Music: To the aspiring music publicists and marketers out there, what are some pointers and advice you'd like to share?

Vivienne Mellish: The most effective music publicists don't just have a passion for music. They have a passion for media, words, communication and a thirst for wanting to understand the media landscape just as much as the music landscape. Immerse yourself both in music and media. Be a sponge and ask questions. Sign up to every industry e-newsletter/ website that you can. Learn as much as you can and stay connected. Surround yourselves with inspiring people who are doing great things. 

Futuremag Music: What is your most favourite experience working in music so far?

Vivienne Mellish: I once got to facilitate a meet & greet for some of my musical heroes, Flight of the Conchords. Usually, I'm pretty cool around bands and it was VERY hard to keep it together. Also, just seeing a live crowd sing the lyrics to a band/artist's songs that I have worked with means so much. It really makes all the hard work worth it. 

Futuremag Music: What advice would you give to anyone wishing to enter the music industry?

Vivienne Mellish: Be prepared to work extremely hard. It's a SUPER tough industry for most in terms of $$ return on investment and very competitive in all aspects. People who work in the music industry are some of the hardest working people I know. You also need to enter the industry for the right reasons. If you want to be a part of it just to be 'close' to or 'associated' with artists you'll never get anywhere. Sometimes it looks like all music industry professionals do is party with bands and go to gigs, it couldn't be further from the truth. 

Also, take time out for yourself and don't let it consume you, make sure you have friends outside the music industry as well. 

Futuremag Music: If 'Viv Mellish' was a cocktail what would be in it to best describe your work and you as a person?

Vivienne Mellish: A delicious extra strength piña colada. I am a fruity, tropical and happy but I am here to get the job done.