AIR Board
AIR’s Board of Directors are:
David Vodicka (Rubber Records) – Chairman
David Vodicka is a Principal of Media Arts Lawyers and has had extensive experience with over 20 years of practice representing musicians, artists, performers, composers, recording, production, management and publishing entities. He has dealt in all facets of law affecting the creative industries and has had considerable hands-on experience in the music recording and publishing fields as director of independent label Rubber Records and music publisher Rubber Music Publishing.
David is a passionate advocate for local music and creative industries and presently is chairman of the board of AIR (the Australian Independent Record Labels Association), is a current board member of ARIA (Australia Recording Industry Association) and the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) and has held the positions of Vice President of WIN (Worldwide Independent Network) and board member of MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival).
Andrew Stone (Chugg Music)
Andrew Stone is the director of Chugg Music, the Record Label and Management arm of Chugg Entertainment. The label represents Australian artists Sheppard, Deep Sea Arcade, Hey Geronimo, Lime Cordiale, The Griswolds, Tambourine Girls, and Canadian band, Down With Webster. Chugg Music is also the AUS label for Lime Cordiale.
Sheppard has the #1 selling Australian single for 2014, with their song Geronimo, which spent 3 weeks at #1 on the ARIA charts, the most in history for an independent Australian band. The single has achieved double platinum sales, along with their EP and first single, Let Me Down Easy, which achieved platinum sales in 2013 and multiple ARIA and APRA award nominations.
Chugg Music also runs the independent PR company, Rare Finds, which has helped to launch the careers of YesYou, Millions, Gung Ho, Cub Sport, The Trouble With Templeton, Pepa Knight, The Belligerents, and many others.
Ashley Gay (Xelon Entertainment)
A distinguished record executive, Ashley Gay has been instrumental in the rise of Australia’s electronic dance music scene.
Starting his career in the mid-1990s, Ashley has worked closely with countless dance and electronic music artists and hundreds of labels.
A former radio DJ and music director for dance radio in his hometown of Melbourne, Ashley entered the record business with the prestigious dance labels Pro-DJ (1995-2000) and Central Station Records (2000-2007).
In late 2007, Ashley combined his expertise in IT and computer science with his A&R skill set for the launch of Xelon Entertainment, which today represents over 500 labels in all genres.
Today, he heads up Xelon Entertainment, Australia’s premier digital music distributor, boasting offices in various countries. Remarkably for the space, Xelon remains 100% independent and completely Australian-owned.
Blaise Sherrie (Mushroom Music)
Blaise Sherrie is a Senior Label Manager within Mushroom Group, with over 15 years’ experience in the independent sector. Blaise oversees multiple labels including I OH YOU, within the Mushroom Music ecosystem.
In this role, Blaise has managed domestic & international campaigns for artists including Tobiahs, DMA’S, Confidence Man, Violent Soho, Maina Doe and Bliss n Eso, contributing to the success of numerous critically acclaimed, award winning releases.
Blaise credits her deep passion for music and genuine care for the talented artists she works with as a driving factor in her success.
Emma McGarry (Future Classic)
Emma McGarry is a music lover with a decade of experience in the music industry, working across marketing, project and product management, A&R and events. As Senior Product Manager at Future Classic since 2022, Emma has led campaigns for Australian artists like G Flip, Sycco, Hayden James, Willo, Flume, Flight Facilities and more, as well as international artists SOPHIE and Boston Bun. Prior to her time at Future Classic, Emma spent 7 years at etcetc & TMRW Music (previously Ministry of Sound), managing campaigns for artists like PNAU and Fisher, among many others.
Emma is passionate about supporting artists as they navigate the Australian and global music landscape, and sharing great music with the world.
Josh Olson (Hillsong)
Josh Olson has been on the team at Hillsong for over 16 years and is committed to finding new ways for artists to connect & grow with their audience. With extensive experience in crafting and executing marketing campaigns both in Australia & internationally, Josh brings a unique approach to the independent music sector and is currently Head of Operations of Hillsong Music Australia and SHOUT! Music.
Lorrae McKenna (Our Golden Friend)
Lorrae McKenna is the owner of Our Golden Friend – an Artist Management and Record Label collective based in Melbourne. She manages Jade Imagine, Jess Ribeiro, Poppongene, RVG and Totally Mild and runs a record label that includes artists 808s and Greatest Hits, RVG, Moonlover and Poppongene on its roster.
Lorrae was most recently the Promotions and Marketing Manager at Remote Control Records. Joining Remote Control Records in 2013, Lorrae was instrumental in re-invigorating the label’s Australian roster of artists, signing and developing acts such as Courtney Barnett, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Methyl Ethel, The Murlocs and many more.
Lorrae departed Remote Control in October 2016 and has focused her time on building the label alongside her management roster. Lorrae has been an active part of the Australian music industry for the past 13 years working in a range of varying roles including working for Allans Billy Hyde Music (as Marketing and Publicity Coordinator), Crucial Music (working for Rae Harvey as her Publicity & Marketing manager) & at 774 ABC Melbourne (as the local radio PR & Marketing Coordinator).
Philip Mortlock (ORiGiN Recordings)
Philip Mortlock has been actively involved on the AIR board since 2001, representing his own label ORiGiN Recordings previously working for one of Australia’s oldest independent music companies, Alberts. He worked previously with Warner Music for many years prior to going ‘independent’. Philip is also on the board of the National Film and Sound Archive board and is a founding Patron of The Australian Music Prize.
Sweetie Zamora (Remote Control Records)
Victoria Sweetie Zamora is Head Of Labels & Promotions at Remote Control Records. Sweetie has managed campaigns for artists including Adele, Courtney Barnett, Methyl Ethel, Queens of The Stone Age, The xx, The National, Donny Benet, Sui Zhen and many more. She is the main point of contact for Remote Control’s local and international artists, managers and label partners (Beggars Group, Omnian Music Group, Milk! Records, Barely Dress Records + more) and also works with the full Remote Control team to organise release planning, strategy and PR campaigns. Since 2007 Sweetie has worked for the likes of Bossy Music, Laneway Festival, Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House and Warner Music Australia. She also plays the bass guitar and is a Ken Done enthusiast.