A Message from the Founder
On Tuesday, 24th September 2024, ASC lost its greatest supporter and dear friend, Di Torossian.
It would be impossible to overstate the important role Di played in the Australian Songwriters Conference. Not only did she persuade her industry colleagues to speak and mentor at the first conference in 2008, she continued to support and encourage me throughout the years, both personally and professionally.
I am forever grateful that Di connected me to her colleagues in the industry who she felt would be a great fit for ASC. Many of them have become integral members of the ASC family too.
There is so much I could write about this wonderful, funny, knowledgeable and inspiring woman. A speaker and mentor at every conference, she loved the song pitching sessions and encouraging the songwriters with constructive criticism, happy to chat for hours to any conference attendee. Di loved songwriters.
Many of you got to know Di through the conferences and the online sessions we ran with her up until she became too unwell. Even then, she never stopped working and she continued to help and support me and ASC.
For Di, her work was her life and she loved it so much, it was unthinkable that she should stop. She loved the music industry; the wheeling and dealing (usually over Yum Cha), the business networking (usually over Yum Cha!), the song plugging, the amazingly talented songwriters and producers she managed - it was the thing that got her up in the morning, never more so than over the past very tough couple of years.
It's difficult to fathom my friend, this powerhouse of the industry, has gone. Born just a few days apart, we often celebrated together, just the two of us, over Yum Cha (of course). And ASC won't be the same without her, though I'm quite sure she will be there guiding me well, as she always has.
Thank you, dear friend. It's been a fabulous ride and one I will treasure always. Your legacy lives on in the songwriters you have nurtured over the years and you will always hold a special place in my heart and in the soul of the Australian Songwriters Conference. Rest well.
Lisa Butler, ASC Founder
Diana Torossian was a giant in the Australian music industry. Responsible for discovering, developing and managing some of the country’s biggest artists and songwriters.
From her days at EMI Music Publishing Australia, when she was responsible for signings such as Baby Animals, Diesel and Hoodoo Gurus, through time at Mushroom Music Publishing, Sony Music Australia and Polygram Music Publishing Australia, Peter Hoyland Management all the way to being Manager of A&R at BMG Music Publishing Australia, involved in signing the likes of Powderfinger, Rogue Traders, The Androids, The Grates, Adam Reily, Phil Buckle, and David Campbell.
After leaving BMG, Diana decided it was time to make use of all her contacts and knowledge as an independent player in the scene, starting out by creating writing schedules and sourcing songs for artists including the debut album for Jessica Mauboy. This led into setting up her own management company to specialise in looking after writers and producers only – Diana was manager for David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii who are DNA, the most prolific and successful songwriters in the country with sales over 8 million units, seven #1s and twenty Top 10 chart appearances with hits for The Veronicas, Nathaniel, Samantha Jade, Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem and many more.
Having managed the likes of Sarah Aarons and Lindsay Rimes (who she picked up at the ASC!), Diana continued to manage DNA , along with LA-based Wunderkind, Michael Fatkin and Melbourne-based writer/producer, Andrew Lowden.
AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITERS PODCAST
Latest Episode: Stephan Moccio
Naomi Crain talks to hit songwriting and producer, Stephan Moccio about songwriting, passion, talent and success.....
Over the years, Moccio has penned songs for superstars Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Avril Lavigne, Seal, James Blunt, and Ne-Yo, landing seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 on the strength of his undeniably original and deeply resonant melodies.
What does it take to be a successful songwriter, producer or artist? Is it a 'good start' in life, talent, hard work or luck? This is one of the many questions that Naomi poses to the deeply purposeful and passionate musician, whose answers are delivered as thoughtfully and delicately as his music.
In speaking of his latest album 'Lionheart' Moccio says...“If people are going to gift me with the hour of their time that it takes to listen to this body of work, then I want to give them something valuable in return,” he says. “It needs to be something beautiful, first and foremost, but it also needs to be something that makes them feel peaceful inside. I want this music to be meditative and transformative for everyone who hears it, and to give them back the time and space that so many of us are missing today.”
This and many more special guests and conversations to come, on ASC’s freshly relaunched podcast series at Australian Songwriters Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music and various other podcast platforms.
ASC News
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SOCIAL
When ASCers get together, magic happens!
Ukenthused (Elizabeth Usher) and Susan Muranty have been part of the ASC family since 2008 and its great to see these talented artists working together.
That's what ASC is all about; songwriting, connection, creativity, career development - family.
So proud of Elizabeth and Susan and the music they create. Catch them together at the Ryde Ukulele Festival this Sunday. It'll be a treat!
#ASCersRock #ukenthused #susanmuranty #ukulele #singersongwriter #ukulelefestival
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Thank you Courtney Keil for giving such a fantastic presentation to the students in our Songwriter Success Masterplan course. The students loved it and we appreciate you sharing your knowledge and wisdom with them.
#courtneykeil #ASCersRock #songwriters #songwritingcourse #musiccareer #musiccourseGrateful to have been invited to present tonight by the Australian Songwriters Conference to some beautiful songwriters as a part of their new course. I’ll be zooming in to talk all things releasing music, from start to finish! 🎶
#australiancountrymusic star and ASC2021 Speaker/.Mentor, Amber Lawrence has a brand new single 'You Can Admit You Like Country Music's.
Check it out!
#amberlawrence #countrymusic #singersongwriter #australianmusic
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Congratulations to ASC alumni, Courtney Keil, on her latest Australian country music hit 'Just Like Flying'. Listen to it now on full rotation on ABC Country, as well as all good Aussie country radio stations and online streaming services!
#justlikeflying #courtneykeil #australianmusic #countrymusic #indiecountry #ASCersRock
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