Q'd Up by QSIC

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Ben welcomes Mia Horner, General Manager for Customer Loyalty at Liquorland, to explore the rapidly evolving world of retail media and in-store audio. Moving far past the days of static background "elevator music" and tracks on endless repeat, Mia shares how physical retail stores are using dynamic, AI-enabled audio platforms to completely transform the shopping env...

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-ad...

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 earl...

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 subco...

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 in...

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...

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Pantjiti Lawrence, a country girl from Gippsland turned powerhouse workforce manager for Untitled Group. Pantjiti shares her journey from performing at local "Frieze" events to overseeing the massive logistics behind iconic festivals like Beyond the Valley and Pitch Music & Arts. She pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to man...

In this episode of Q'd Up, Nikki Wishart kicks off a brand-new format by diving deep into the haunting backstory of one of hip hop’s most iconic tracks: Eminem’s "Stan". Released in 2000 on The Marshall Mathers LP, the song wasn't just a chart-topper; it was a raw response to the overwhelming and often intense fan mail Eminem received as he exploded from Detroit’s underground to global superstardo...

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined by Jena Marino, the founder of the Real Songwriters of Melbourne (RSOM). From starting a blog as a 19-year-old journalism student to building one of Melbourne’s most vital music communities, Jena has spent over a decade lifting the veil on the industry for emerging artists. She shares how she has built a platform of showcases, networking nigh...

In this episode of Q'd Up, we’re hitting up the latest in culture to unpack 2026's Super Bowl halftime performance that had the internet exploding. From the iconic "grass people" and sugar cane fields to the deeper political statements woven throughout the set, we dive into how Bad Bunny turned a 13-minute show into a powerful cultural moment for the Latin community. We chat about those Lady Gaga...

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with live sound engineer Stuart Willett, who is currently making waves in the Nashville music scene. Stuart shares his journey from a high school technical production class in Australia to mixing sound for major artists like Alana Springsteen on massive US stadium tours supporting Keith Urban. Stuart opens up about the reality of life behind...

In this episode of Q’d Up, Nikki is joined by Kim for a candid and often humorous deep dive into cancel culture in music. From serious industry power imbalances to internet pile-ons and guilty pleasures, they unpack why some artists are “cancelled” while others continue to chart, and why fans often stick around even when the internet tells them not to. The conversation explores where accountabilit...

In this episode of Q'd Up, Nikki sits down with Todd Watson, Head of Creative Services at QSIC, to unpack his journey from music-obsessed kid and audio engineering student to DJ, producer and now creative leader shaping music programs for global brands. Todd shares how growing up surrounded by vinyl, playing in bands and recording his first track as a teenager set him on a lifelong path in music....

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Melbourne music photographer Lucinda Goodwin, who has spent over a decade capturing the energy and emotion of artists on stages big and small. From Geelong pub gigs to photographing icons like Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes and Kasey Chambers, Lucinda shares how a Falls Festival ticket, a student camera an...

In this special recap episode of Q'd Up, hosts Nikki and Kim break down the biggest global music moments of 2025 from K-pop chart-toppers and Latin music domination to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking year and Oasis’ long-awaited reunion. They unpack the rise of K-Pop Demon Hunters, the fictional K-pop group that hit number one in the US, the unstoppable momentum of Bad Bunny and Karol G, and the re...

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Ash Hills, General Manager of Unified Artist Management at Unified Music Group and a key member of the company’s leadership team. Ash shares her unexpected journey from filming artists on Melbourne trams to managing global touring acts like Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Vance Joy, and Dan Sultan. Ash opens up about the early days of b...

In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down once again with Kimberley Davis to dive deep into the world of TikTok and its power to transform an artist’s career. From viral sounds that revive old hits to the strategy behind paid trends, they unpack how musicians can turn a scroll into a stream - and a fan into a lifelong listener. Kim and Nikki discuss standout TikTok success stories, i...

In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with creative all-rounder Jolie Chatfield, whose career has spanned fashion, film, and the music industry. From designing costumes for Brisbane bands like The Jungle Giants and Ball Park Music to touring the U.S. with Blusher as part of Powerhouse Management, Jolie’s journey is anything but linear. She shares how a dissolved fashion job unexp...

In this first episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with co-host Kimberley Davis to introduce the podcast and share her personal journey through the music industry. Nikki reflects on her early beginnings as a singer-songwriter, her shift into social media and branding, and how she ultimately found her calling as a music curator - a role that lets her merge creative artistry with brand st...

Q’d Up is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the music industry. Hosted by Nikki Wishart, each episode features conversations with the people shaping music today, from artists and managers to curators and creatives. The podcast explores the work happening behind the scenes and the ideas driving the industry forward. Whether listeners are in music or simply love discovering how it all comes t...