CREATIVE
LEADERSHIP
PORTFOLIO
About
Chelsea Wilson is an independent Melbourne-based creative. Working across festivals, events, radio, labels and artist management, she has a deep love of music and a passion for championing Australian work. The former Music and Interviews Manager at PBS 106.7FM, she has directed festivals such as Stonnington Jazz, Brunswick Music Festival and held tenure as Artistic Associate at Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Currently she is the Senior Producer of Contemporary Music at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Monash University.
An advocate for change in the industry she has managed the Women of Soul Collective for more than a decade creating performance, recording and songwriting opportunities for more than 70 female-identifying artists. Her independent podcast 'Control' highlights stories from the music industry, shining a light on creative women forging their own path in a challenging environment. For over five years she served as a Board Director of Music Victoria and the Chair of the Chair of the Artists Advisory Panel, championing the music industry across Victoria .
A practicing artist Chelsea is also a vocalist, songwriter and record producer. Her debut release “I Hope You’ll Be Very Unhappy Without Me” was lauded ABC Radio National #2 Album of the Year and nominated for Best Soul Album at the Music Victoria Awards. She headlined the APRA Melbourne Arts Centre Stage at The Australasian World Music Expo and made her UK debut at Glastonbury Festival, subsequently selling out London Jazz Cafe. She has performed in venues such as Melbourne Recital Centre and The Athenaeum Theatre and worked with artists such as Paul Grabowsky, Andrea Keller and Jake Mason (Cookin' on 3 Burners). Her sophomore album “Chasing Gold”, was nominated for the 2019 Australian Music Prize. A Graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music she is an accomplished international touring artist and has performed in Japan, the USA, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Thailand, France and the UK.
Portfolio of projects below...
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
STONNINGTON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015-2019
Creative leadership of annual jazz festival 2015-2019, including artist negotiation, marketing consultation and stakeholder management. Artists included Vince Jones, Wilma Reading, Kate Ceberano, Hiatus Kaiyote, Trichotomy and Mama Alto.
Developed Music Industry summit and partnerships with APRA AMCOS, Music Victoria and AIR. Created in-bound delegate program bringing international festival bookers to Melbourne to mentor Australian jazz artists.
MUSIC DIRECTOR, PBS 106.7FM
2010-2016
Management of editorial content for over 80 specialist music shows 2010-2016. Coordinator of live to air 'studio 5' performances and outside broadcasts. Content creation for weekly e-newsletter and album of the week promotions. Library management for over 50k CDS and records.
Booked on air appearances for artists such as Janelle Monae, Paul Kelly, Hiatus Kaiyote and Grandmaster Flash.
Pictured- artists Chelsea programmed on PBS.
CONTROL PODCAST
2021 -current
The Control Podcast is about women working in the music and creative industries, made by women working in the music and creative industries.
Produced by Chelsea Wilson, the podcast reveals behind the scenes info about the music business often difficult to access. Each episode features music trailblazers, working in a variety of roles, from the stage, to the studio and the executive suite. Exposing the inner workings of the industry, the podcast takes a deep dive into airplay, A&R, artist management and more. Insider experts share practical information alongside personal stories and reflections. Championing women working in music, the podcast aims to support better gender representation in the industry by highlighting pioneers who are forging their own path in a very challenging environment.
In 2024 the podcast broadcast live from Arts Centre Melbourne during Always Live featuring Emma Donovan and Clare Bowdotch. In 2023, the podcast partnered with Melbourne Recital to present two episodes in front of a lve audience featuring Ali McGregor and Parvyn.
Guests include:
Sally Ann-Gross
Vicki Gordon
Nkcehi Anele
Helen Marcou
Eliza Hull
Deborah Cheetham
Emma Donovan
MUSIC PROGRAMMER
BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016-2018
Artistic Development of an international festival program, creating partnerships and tours with major festivals such as WOMADelaide. Design and delivery of new professional development program for artists working with partners such as APRA AMCOS and Music Victoria. Events included Sydney Road Street Party for over 100k patrons, a new pool party event, Coburg Night Market Program and two week concert program.
Artists included:
Jojo Abot
Noura Semali
All Our Exes Live in Texas
Sophie Koh
Grace Barbe
Hot 8 Brass Band
SENIOR PRODUCER CONTEMPORARY MUSIC,
MONASH UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRES
2018-CURRENT
Design and delivery of annual live performance program across 4 venues, featuring artists such as Paul Grabowsky, Archie Roach, Montaigne, Middle Kids, Vika Bull and San Cisco. Created and delivered large scale festival "Big Jazz Day Out" featuring artists such as Cloudmaker, Emma Donovan, Ngaire, Mildlife, Vince Jones and Alma Zygier. Creation of commissioning program creating new opportunities for artists to produce work in the David Li Sound Gallery.
“. an artist and producer of exceptional talent.. a courageous and visionary approach to programming - Paul Grabowsky AO, Artist/ Executive Director
"this renaissance woman’s achievements are truly extraordinary as she continually finds ways to push herself to new limits" Imran Mirza, Blue In Green Radio UK
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DIRECTOR, HOUSE OF VALERIE JOAN 2012- CURRENT
Establishment and management of boutique music agency specialising in events, publicity and label services. Negotiated international licensing deals with labels in Russia, Japan, Brazil and the UK. Management of the Women of Soul Collective. Clients include Louis Vuitton Fashion Group, Hilton, British Airways, City of Melbourne and Mutual Trust.
Label releases include:
Chelsea Wilson I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me
Women of Soul: Feel Good
MANAGER,
women of soul collective 2010- CURRENT
Creator and manager of the Women of Soul Collective. Women of Soul are Australia's premier collective of soulful artists, empowering women in the music industry through songwriting, recording and live shows. Since 2010, the collective have raised the roof off iconic venues including Melbourne Recital Centre, Federation Square, Byron Bluesfest, and the Malthouse Theatre. Their debut self titled album was PBS 106.7FM and ABC Radio album of the week and nominated for Best Soul Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards. Their second record "Feel Good" was the first album in Australia to be 100% composed, recorded, produced and mastered by an all-female team and was nomniated for the AIR Best Soul Album award.
WOS has presented over 50 artists including Mo’ Ju, Nkechi Anele, Kylie Auldist, Odette Mercy, Clairy Browne, Alphamama, Randa and the Soul Kingdom, Kylie Auldist, Tara Lynch (The Transatlantics), Milan Ring, May Johnston, Shirley Davis and many more. Women of Soul also engages women behind the scenes in supporting roles including sound engineering, production, photography, lighting, producing and childcare, overcoming barriers to women participating and thriving in the music industry.
"the most incredible, resilient, strong, inspiring woman in our industry" - Thndo, Artist
“Chelsea Wilson, is changing the game for a brand new decade of Australian Music that is innovative and sustainable. Chelsea brings all aspects of our industry to the table, passion, vision, grit and business sass”.
- Fem Belling, Award Winning Artist
". her strongest asset is the genuine support she provides to her peers and other self-managed female artists, arts workers, managers, and broadcasters in the industry. I can always count on Chelsea for advice and support when I need it the most she shows no sense of competitiveness with her peers and rather will go out of her way to help lift the women around her to achieve their goals" Amy Chapman, Label Manager Wantok Musik
“Her programming of Brunswick Music Festival and Stonnington Jazz Festival has been exemplary..her forward thinking approach has re-invigorated those festivals and made them truly relevant representations of both the diversity of our culture and current musical trends” — Adam Rudegeair PBS 106.7FM
