Exploring a Career in Electronic Music with Alice Ivy and Beatrice Lewis (Haiku Hands)

Photo taken by @tanyavolt

Our Workshop Facilitator Beatrice Lewis (Haiku Hands) and past Music Industry Mentoring participant Alice Ivy recently sat down with us in the Electronic Music Incubator to exchange stories and their words of wisdom on what a career in electronic music looks like.

Keep reading to find out what a couple of seasoned pro’s had to say about their journey in music…

What have you been up to throughout the past 12 months?

Alice Ivy (AI): Despite the pandemic (and having to postpone more than 40 shows), this year has actually been pretty busy for me! I put out my second record, Don’t Sleep back in July and it’s been fairly non-stop ever since then. On top of the album I’ve been keeping myself busy co-writing and producing over Zoom as well as pumping out a few remixes for Thelma Plum and George Alice and others. Living in Melbourne meant I barely left my house for months. But to be honest, it’s felt like the busiest year of my career so far.

Beatrice (B): Haha I know it’s crazy! Haiku Hands had a similar story, in March we had nine months of touring cancelled overnight and then also released our debut album in September. It’s been busy but a different type of busy, I’ve particularly enjoyed the opportunity to be in the studio more, it’s such a nice change to be able to really sink into projects and have much more time to write.

What have been some career highlights for you this year?

AI: The obvious answer here would be releasing Don’t Sleep, a body of work that I spent nearly three years making all around the world. My single ‘In My Mind’ with Ecca Vandal was featured in a global Apple advertisement in August, which still feels surreal. I also received my first ever ARIA nominations for Best Dance Release and Best Engineer, which was a pretty amazing honour too.

B: I am honestly not surprised, it’s such an awesome thing to watch you smash it left, right and centre. You deserved all those nom noms!

“Growing organically is far better in the long run than blowing up overnight. Also be kind and stay true to yourself!”

— Alice Ivy

Did anything surprising or unexpected come up while you were spending more time online?

AI: One of the main things that surprised me this year, with everything moving online, was how fluid writing sessions over Zoom can be. At first I was super reluctant to do them but in the end I got into a bit of a rhythm and did heaps of new work during lockdown. It was amazing realising that things don’t have to slow down even if you can’t leave your house to get into the studio to write.

B: Yes, same for me. I’ve also written more the last 12 months than ever before. I know everyone is saying it, but there is definitely going to be a big shift in the way the world works with technology like Zoom and working from home. It’s such a cool thing being an Australian artist and knowing that the potential to collaborate internationally through online methods is becoming more normalised and accessible.

What good things have come out of this year for you?

AI: Without live touring, writing trips or anything like that to distract myself with, lots of cool opportunities have come from different areas of the business that I haven’t previously had the time to properly explore. I signed my first publishing deal, an international joint venture with Concord Music Publishing and Native Tongue. This was super exciting and provided me with loads of networking opportunities. I’ve met a bunch of other writers, artists and producers and have been working on a heap of branded partnerships, which I’d love to mention… but I shouldn’t until they’ve been released. That’s all been really fun!

B: Yes! Mad. I feel so lucky to be part of an industry that is creative and is able to pivot and work so hard to make good things happen during a time like this.

I know you’ve been collaborating with people online a lot. Did anything surprising or unexpected come up while you were spending more time online?

AI: I kinda realised that Zoom sessions can be really good! Especially because it gives you the opportunity to work with people overseas, which in the past I would typically only do in person when I’m travelling. So despite the world slowly opening up again I think I’ll continue to do them and work like that more often.

B: Yes me too! That’s a really exciting development. I’ve also been using software like ‘audio movers’ which has hardly any latency and provides real time collaboration - which is so great. The other thing I realised I quite like is being able to turn the camera/sound off and go into your own little world to create for a little bit before bringing your work back to the collab. It gives you time to experiment in privacy which I really liked.

Alice Ivy [L] and Beatrice [R] with participants of the Electronic Music Accelerator program. Photo: @tanyavolt

When did you first get involved in electronic music production? What was happening for you at the time?

AI: At the time, when I first was introduced to music production, I was playing guitar in a bunch of bands which weren’t really going anywhere. What I loved about music production was that you could create such a large sound and have the freedom to collaborate with anyone from your own DAW (digital audio workstation). I think it just gave me a sense of independence and allowed me to explore doing my own thing without having to rely on anyone else to make music.

B: I moved to Melbourne from regional NSW and when I got here I was introduced to hip-hop, which completely flipped my world around. I then heard DJ Shadow’s ‘Endtroducing’ which took me down a big trip hop journey and landed me in all sorts of electronic music worlds. I wanted to start making it from the minute I heard it. And then I met a bunch of (now) really good friends here in Melbourne who helped me get started in producing.

Was there a particular moment, activity or event that made you realise you wanted to pursue a career in music?

AI: Growing up I was obsessed with playing guitar, going to music festivals and shows and playing in bands, so I honestly couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

B: I think from the moment I heard electronic music I wanted to make it. I don’t think there was a particular moment but it’s nice to feel that my passion for music is always evolving and just keeps growing stronger.

When did you get involved with The Push?

AI: I got involved in The Push between 2015 and 2017. I participated in The Push’s Mentoring program back in 2015 which was such a valuable experience. The Push also gave me the opportunity to play some festivals and shows in Singapore via a band exchange program. Those were my first Alice Ivy shows in Asia, so I’ll never forget them!

And what did that experience teach you about pursuing a career in music?

AI: The main thing I took away from being involved in the mentoring program was gaining more of an insight into the different roles with the music industry. Ainslie Wills was my mentor, and she gave me the rough breakdown of what the role of a publicist, a booking agent and manager was from her perspective. It was really valuable insider knowledge.  

B: Ainslie is the BEST! Fun fact, we actually went to high school together! What is a great combo. That’s some really good knowledge to get - I also remember learning about this side of the industry, once you look beyond the veil of the industry you’ll soon realise that everyone working in the industry are all really kind people who just love music. I liked learning that aspect of the industry too!

Lastly: any words of advice or encouragement you would share with a young person looking to start a career in electronic music production?

AI: Pave your own path and be patient. Growing organically is far better in the long run than blowing up overnight. Also be kind and stay true to yourself!

B: Yes, to all of this!

If you’re keen to develop skills in electronic music production, grow your professional abilities, build relationships and master a variety of techniques in Ableton, apply now for Term 2 of the Electronic Music Accelerator program.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 24 March.

Watch: Alice Ivy ft. Ecca Vandal - ‘In My Mind’: