Willow Smith – The Invisible Storyteller: Crafting Magic Through Audio Engineering

Willow Smith – The Invisible Storyteller: Crafting Magic Through Audio Engineering

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Willow Smith - audio engineer at QSIC, member of the all-female band Lisztomania, and definitely not the daughter of Will Smith. Willow takes us through her fascinating journey from an aspiring marine biologist to a dedicated sound engineer who finds her "happy place" in the precision of post-production and film audio. She shares high-adrenaline stories from the world of live sound, including the time she had to take over a magician’s complex audio and visual cues on the fly. Willow and Nikki geek out over the technical nuances of "ear training," why stadium gigs are a "nightmare" for audiophiles, and the importance of EQ in making sound truly crisp. Whether she’s discussing the strategic placement of speakers in retail stores or why you should never put a siren in a radio ad, Willow illustrates how sound is the invisible narrative that shapes our every experience. [00:00:52] – Introduction to Willow Smith and her role in ad production at Qsic [00:02:28] – The pivot from marine biology to audio engineering [00:03:46] – Adrenaline vs. Precision: The differences between live sound, film, and ad production [00:04:41] – The Magician Story: Handling live audio cues under pressure [00:06:54] – Why visual scenes feel "awkward" without sound design and music [00:08:15] – "Muddy" noise and vibe killers: What makes a retail store sound terrible [00:09:59] – The physics of sound: Why an empty room sounds different than a packed one [00:11:50] – Stadium gigs and the technical "nightmare" of delay towers [00:13:59] – Contextual sound design: Why you don't use bottle-clinking sounds in a liquor store [00:15:39] – Working with clients to translate brand identity into a sonic vision [00:19:15] – List Mania: Willow’s all-female band and their history since primary school [00:24:12] – Training the ear: The difficulty of identifying frequencies and "ear training" tests [00:27:56] – Top 3 tips for new retailers opening their first store [00:32:59] – Quickfire round: Late-night briefs, the power of EQ, and layering 100 sound effects [00:35:38] – Music memories: Port Fairy Folk Festival and the "hug" of a great folk album We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic] YouTube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r⁠ [https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r] Nikki: Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/] Follow Willow's Band Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisztomania_au/ [https://www.instagram.com/lisztomania_au/]

Grace Newton-Wordsworth – From the WA Wheatbelt to Global Stages: The Joan & The Giants Story

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Grace Newton-Wordsworth, the powerhouse frontwoman of Joan & The Giants. Grace takes us back to her unique upbringing on an organic, biodynamic farm in the Western Australia, sharing how her parents’ unconventional lifestyle and her mother's songwriting shaped her grounded approach to music. She opens up about the "Dark Ages" of her early career and the deeply personal evolution of the band, which originally began as a decade-long romantic and creative partnership. Grace candidly discusses the trauma of parting ways with her former partner and the breakthrough moment of realising she is more than capable of leading the project solo. From the relentless grind of touring the outback to the sheer adrenaline of performing for 45,000 people as a support act for Pink, Grace reflects on the lessons learned from both failure and success. She also dives into the current state of the Australian music scene, addressing the regression of female and non-binary representation on festival lineups and the importance of taking up space in the studio. [00:00:54] – Welcome Grace and an exploration of her Western Australian farm upbringing [00:04:19] – The origin of Joan & The Giants: A love story and a reinvention in 2019 [00:07:48] – Stepping into independence: Finding the strength to continue the band after a toxic relationship [00:09:50] – Reclaiming confidence: Overcoming imposter syndrome and the power of backing yourself [00:14:33] – From 20 people in Broome to 7,000 at Shinju Matsuri: Giving your all no matter the crowd [ [00:16:15] – International debuts: Preparing for South by Southwest and The Great Escape in the UK [00:21:09] – The Pink tour: Dealing with stage anxiety, echoing stadiums, and "disaster" nights [00:26:36] – Support slots with The Fray and stacking it on stage at The Forum [00:28:57] – Gender in the industry: Fighting misogyny and calling out the regression of female voices on lineups [00:36:50] – "Bands don't fail, they quit": Advice on resilience and dealing with weekly rejection [00:44:34] – Quickfire round: High-5, Alabama Shakes, and the obsession with Chappell Roan We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic] YouTube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r⁠ [https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r] Nikki: Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/] Follow Nikki: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/

Jac Shaw – The Science of Sound: Transforming Retail Through Audio Strategy

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined by Jac Shaw, Retail Media Lead at QSIC, to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of Retail Media. With nearly two decades of experience at Nova Entertainment under her belt, Jac explains how she’s transitioned from traditional radio to pioneering the Retail Media space. She dives into the psychology of how audio shapes our subconscious shopping habits, explaining why a well-curated playlist is "companion, convincing, and connecting" for customers with a basket in hand. Jac shares the behind-the-scenes magic of recent standout campaigns, including the "Rave Cave" activation with Liquorland for Mardi Gras and the Troye Sivan x Penfolds 389 partnership . From the staggering $440 billion spent in physical retail to the power of layering audio over visual assets, Jac makes a compelling case for why marketers can no longer afford to treat in-store music as an afterthought. We also get a glimpse into Jac’s disciplined routine (including those 3:30 a.m. workouts!) and her journey from high school musical theatre to Big Day Out mosh pits. [00:00:00] – Introduction to Jac Shaw and her transition from Nova to Qsic [00:01:33] – Defining Retail Media: Leveraging assets to drive purchase [00:02:56] – Summarising 17 years of audio in three words [00:04:04] – The evolution of the purchase funnel: From awareness to the shelf [00:06:10] – Accountability in advertising: Using digital analytics in-store [00:07:28] – The power of impulse: Influencing the $440 billion retail market [00:08:37] – Subconscious impact: How music gets "stuck in your head" and drives sales [00:11:04] – Case Study: The Liquorland "Rave Cave" and celebrating community [00:16:01] – Commercialising the floor plan: How audio and screens work together [00:18:36] – Case Study: Troye Sivan x Penfolds audio takeover and contextual tagging [00:23:18] – Retail Media 3.0: Moving toward experience-led activations and wine tastings in-store [00:25:22] – Quickfire round: 3:30 a.m. workouts and why silence is a "vibe killer" [00:28:10] – Music memories: From Jesus Christ Superstar to Jebediah and Sabrina Carpenter We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us: Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic] YouTube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r⁠ [https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r] Nikki: Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/]

Why Your Spotify Premium Isn't Enough: Karen Holmes on Music Rights and Revenue

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined in Sydney by Karen Holmes, Director at One Music, to demystify the world of music licensing. Often viewed as a niche corner of the industry, music licensing is the vital bridge that ensures artists, songwriters, and labels are fairly compensated when their work is played in public spaces. Karen shares her journey from media sales and radio into the world of copyright, explaining why a One Music license is the "liquor license for sound" that every business owner needs to understand. Karen dives into the common misconceptions surrounding streaming services like Spotify Premium - explaining why a personal subscription doesn't cover commercial use - and discusses the simplified licensing structure in Australia compared to the complex systems in the US and UK. We also explore fascinating research on how the right genre and volume can shift retail sales, the resurgence of vinyl in small bars, and the emerging challenges posed by AI in the creative industry. From cautionary tales of major court fines to heartwarming stories of bars dedicated exclusively to Aussie music, this conversation is an essential guide for both business owners and creators looking to protect their work. [00:00:27] – Welcome to Karen Holmes and an introduction to One Music [00:02:13] – The Spotify misconception: Why personal memberships don't cover commercial spaces [00:06:47] – Why One Music was formed: Combining APRA AMCOS and PPCA for simplicity [00:08:27] – How licenses are calculated across different industries like gyms and restaurants [00:10:00] – The impact of music on consumer behaviour: Research on retail and dining [00:15:09] – Case study: Rosella's and the power of playing 100% Australian music [00:17:15] – Tracking the data: How artists actually get paid for their plays [00:21:22] – Emerging trends: The vinyl resurgence and the future of AI licensing [00:25:24] – Advice for songwriters: Registering works and claiming performance reports [00:28:04] – A cautionary tale: The $235,000 cost of ignoring copyright warnings [00:30:07] – What’s next for One Music: Regional roadshows and upcoming education series [00:32:15] – Quickfire round: INXS, David Bowie, and Taylor Swift on repeat We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Q’d Up Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic] YouTube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r⁠ [https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r] Nikki: Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/] Visit One Music's website - https://onemusic.com.au/ [https://onemusic.com.au/]

Coachella 2026: Maximalist Sets, Minimalist Biebs, and the Influencer Olympics

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined by Kim to unpack the highs, lows, and "did that really happen?" moments of Coachella 2026. From the comfort of their couches, the pair dive into why this year saw the highest streaming numbers in the festival’s history and whether the "Influencer Olympics" culture is actually killing the vibe on the ground. They break down the stark contrast between Sabrina Carpenter’s high-budget theatrical "SabrinaWood" set and Justin Bieber’s laptop-led minimalist performance, sparking a juicy debate on industry double standards and the business behind selling your masters. Kim and Nikki also celebrate the legendary Madonna joining Sabrina on stage for a 10-minute masterclass in Vogue, and discuss how Latin icons like Karol G and Bad Bunny have officially moved from subculture to global dominance. Between chats about $40 tacos, the dusty reality of Palm Springs, and why Anyma’s visuals at the Sphere and Giza are the future of music, the girls also play festival booker - pitching their dream headliners for 2027. [00:01:10] – Glastonbury vs. Tomorrowland: Which festival vibe wins? [00:02:22] – Dead crowds and the "Influencer Olympics" culture [00:03:50] – Sabrina Carpenter’s theatrical set and the Terry Crews cameo [00:07:08] – Iconic guest spots: Madonna’s 10-minute Vogue takeover [00:09:44] – Madonna’s legacy: Breaking doors down for the next generation [00:10:05] – Unpacking the JB set: R&B influences and stripping it back [00:11:58] – Double standards: Do female pop stars have to do more? [00:13:51] – The business of music: Selling masters and $10 million paychecks [00:20:20] – The dominance of Latin music: Karol G & Becky G [00:22:45] – KATSEYE, K-pop academies, and 2026 highlights [00:25:53] – Marketing & Billboards: From Teddy Swims to $40 tacos [00:27:15] – Festival fashion, 2016 nostalgia, and desert dust [00:34:20] – 2027 Wishlist: Who should headline next? We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us: Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic] YouTube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r⁠ [https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r] Follow Nikki: Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/] Follow Kim: Kimberley: Instagram - h⁠ttps://www.instagram.com/kimberleyldavis/⁠