A&R Legend Michael Parisi Dives Deep Into Aus Music Industry In New ‘Vinyl Tap’ Podcast

The Australian music industry has a rich history teeming with icons and the kinds of stories that Hollywood executives would kill to make movies out of. Having been at the forefront of the industry for more than three decades, A&R legend Michael Parisi knows plenty of them – and with his new podcast Vinyl Tap, he’ll be sharing them with the world alongside some of his most iconic colleagues.

The first season of Vinyl Tap, subtitled The Change Makers, will consist of ten episodes, released weekly on all major podcast streaming platforms. The first episode premieres today, and sees Parisi dive deep with Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski. The pair chat candidly about how Gudinski’s business style differs from that of his late, great father (the one and only Michael Gudinski) and how that will shape Mushroom in the years to come; they also riff on the hot-button topic of AI and the wealth of new music flooding the scene every day.

Subsequent episodes will feature the likes of triple j’s Corey Webster (aka Nooky), Eleven Music’s John Watson, the UNIFIED Music Group’s Jaddan Comerford, Sounds Australia’s Millie Millgate and IOHYOU’s Johann Ponniah. You can see the full list of guests – and when they’ll feature on Vinyl Tap – below.

In a press statement, Parisi said of the first season’s roster of guests: “These ten industry leaders have been selected not just because of their immense achievements, but because they are thought leaders that are creating and forging paths as the new music industry is born after the pandemic.

“They all come from different backgrounds, different generations and hold different perspectives, but with this first season of ‘Vinyl Tap,’ we focus on a rich tapestry of insight that will give listeners a true picture of the music industry in 2023. The conversations have not only revealed some amazing stories, but they will also become water-cooler conversations for the music industry as the season rolls out.”

Over his 30-plus years at the heart of the industry, Parisi has worked with some of the artists most crucial to the current pop music landscape, from REM and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Muse, Kylie Minogue, The Whitlams, Dan Sultan and Vera Blue. His most recent efforts include a consultant role on The Voice Australia, the Left Hand Publishing company and the Wunderkind record label.

VINYL TAP

SEASON ONE: THE CHANGE MAKERS

Episode 1 – Matt Gudinski (CEO, Mushroom Group) – September 19
Episode 2 – Corey ‘Nooky’ Webster (Presenter, triple j Blak Out) – September 26
Episode 3 – Jane Gazzo (Australian music icon) – October 3
Episode 4 – John Watson (President/founder, Eleven) – October 10
Episode 5 – Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Publishing) – October 17
Episode 8 – Simon Napier-Bell (Manager) – October 24
Episode 7 – Millie Millgate (Executive producer, Sounds Australia) – October 31
Episode 8 – Jaddan Comerford (CEO, UNIFIED Music Group) – November 7
Episode 9 – Johann Ponniah (Founder, IOHYOU) – November 14
Episode 10 – Richie McNeil (Founder, Hardware) – November 21

Head here to listen to Vinyl Tap.