Our Team
Reviewers, writers and photographers for The BackBeat
Jahmiele Hicks
(Podcast Host + Writer)
Jahmiele has always loved writing, being an English whizz throughout her schooling years. She started formally writing for AMNplify years ago but since drifted to focus on her studies and work. Coming back to a bit of journalism and creative entertainment with the BackBeat, Jahmiele is cracking her knuckles and getting back to it! Jahmiele completed her Bachelor of Entertainment Management at Collarts, and now works for her local council’s event team, usually running the gigs instead of reviewing them, but every now and then you’ll see one of her written pieces popped up.
Tori Louise
(Writer/Photographer)
Tori LOVES gigs. She is new to the writing scene but is keen to grow her portfolio and loves Aussie music just as much as we do. She is studying Audio Engineering & Sound Production at JMC Academy to follow her passion for the industry. Her Spotify wrapped boasts over 70,000 minutes of listening in 2021 with over 4,000 artists!
Tori's first ever gig was The Killers 'Hot Fuss' tour and has been a pop, rock, indie lover ever since.
Pantjiti Lawrence
(Writer)
Growing up in Central Gippsland, Pantjiti has involved herself with music and arts events since she was just 15. These days, almost five years later, she resides in East Melbourne, studying events management at Deakin University and constantly going to live gigs and performing with her band, The Spaghetti Stains, whenever she can.
She loves her local music scene, as well as finding captivating independent artists in every corner and crevice of the nation! Film photography is one of her big passions, especially capturing movement and euphoria amongst live artists and their audiences.
Her favourite bands at the moment are Dr. Sure's Unusual Practise, Carla Geneve and Babe Rainbow, and favourite genres are psychedelic pop, post punk and surf rock.
Laney Morgan (Writer)
Laney has loved the world of music journalism ever since first watching Almost Famous as an eight year old. Whilst she sometimes stubbornly refuses to listen to anything released after the late 70s, she adores Melbourne’s inner north music scene.
She’s currently completing her Masters of Journalism at the University of Melbourne whilst maintaining her lifelong status as an obnoxious History buff.
She’s a voracious reader and wannabe Joan Didion or Deborah Levy, depending on the day. Her all time favourite Aussie talents are INXS, Gang of Youths, The Go-Betweens and The Sunnyboys.
Evie Atkins
(Writer)
Evie is a huge fan of the Aussie music scene… and has been since she was about twelve. She fondly reminisces the first time she heard Triple J Unearthed, where she was introduced to one of her faves, San Cisco. Since then she has been to many festivals and gigs and is looking forward to sharing some music love!
She’s likes listening to many genres but is a huge fan of indie or alternative rock. When she’s not listening to some of her favourite tunes Evie enjoys hiking, writing, and spending time outside.
Evie is looking forward to becoming a part of the Backbeat team!
Kayla Sammut
(Writer)
As a born and raised Melbournian - Kayla has been apart of the music scene since her early teens! With a huge love of Art and a keen eye she’s always ready to push the boundaries.
As a Social Studies student, she loves to explore the relationship between the things we love such as Music and Art and their profound influence on our thoughts, actions and behaviours.
Kayla is ready to tackle her biggest creative endeavour yet, and bring readers thought provoking and noteworthy interviews!
As a brand new team member, Kayla will soon be fully on board, bringing you more awesome Aussie music content.
Elijah Clarke
(Photographer)
Since 2015, Elijah has been on a journey of crafting captivating narratives through his lens. With a Bachelor's and Master's in Photography under his belt, Elijah has honed the skills to freeze moments in time and create powerful images, both commercially and artistically.
As the founder of Blurr, a thriving freelance photography business, his dedication lies in documenting visual memories that resonate with depth and authenticity. Every click is an opportunity to preserve the magic inherent in life's fleeting moments, and he’s passionate about weaving these stories through the art of photography.
Beyond the camera, Elijah is the vocalist of a local Bendigo band, passionately engaged in the creative process of writing and recording original music. His love for the stage doesn't end there; as he finds immense joy in community theatre, infusing his theatrical flair into musical performances that bring stories to life.
As a dedicated fan of all things music, Elijah seamlessly weaves this passion into his storytelling with a camera in hand. Catch Elijah at gigs, singing along as he shoots, as he continues to blend his love for music and photography into a harmonious narrative.
Keely Millikin
(Writer + Marketing Manager)
Keely is a writer who adores live music, and loves writing about and working in the Australian music industry. Most of the time you’ll find her wearing platform docs and a band tee, and adding new songs to her Spotify playlists, or going to live shows.
Keely has worked in the music industry for the past 4 years, particularly working festivals and events such as Groovin the Moo and writing reviews of live shows, and most recently writing for BackBeat!
Currently studying a double major of Journalism and PR with Deakin University, she listens to a wide variety of genre’s from Australian indie-rock, to pop punk and through to metal; it’s always changing. Keely is so excited to be apart of the BackBeat team and share her love of the Australian music scene.
Georgia March
(Writer/Photographer)
Bio Coming Soon!
Benjamin Marcuse
(Photographer)
After finishing a Bachelor of Film and TV at JMC Academy and branching into photography, the spark for music photography was lit. Particularly, Benjamin has the long term goal of being a tour photographer, and with travelling being a big dream and love of Benjamin’s, the chance of throwing music in to the mix doesn’t sound half bad to him.
Spotify over usage aside, being able to be in the crowd and feel the energy, meet the artists and get to know them as well as meet other photographers in the crazy environment that is live shows are the experiences Benjamin thrives on.
He loves genres spanning from indie rock to as far as orchestra music you’ll hear for a soundtrack.
If it moves him he’s there for it.
Travis Suttie
(Photographer & Videographer)
Travis started his career as a drummer which quickly evolved into a regular gig in iconic Melbourne Cover band, Snack Attack. His love for music led to studying Audio Engineering and Sound Production at NMIT and working at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. He was front of house for acts such as Katya from Ru Paul’s Drag Race and has worked on the production crew for The Veronica’s, Delta Goodrem, Mashd N Kutcher, Reece Mastin, Between You and Me and Stonefield to name a few.
COVID prompted a pivot into online events but he has kept a keen interest in music production, videography and photography within his own venture Travis Suttie Productions. He has recently joined the Backbeat team to continue his passion for live music photography.
Dan Blitzman
(Writer)
Dan Blitzman is a twenty seven year old Argentinian artist, musician and writer living in Melbourne. He plays in the punk band Dole Manchild and is currently completing a Bachelor of Film and TV.
Han Begic
(Editor)
Han is an editor and writer who engages in a range of creative obscurities. Based in sunny Naarm, you can usually find her in old pubs elbowing her way to the front of the stage or losing at a game of pool.
Milli Browne
(Writer)
There's nothing Milli loves more than literature, art and music... Except maybe dogs. She's just a big dork with so much love and hype to give.
Music follows Milli wherever she goes, and there is always something on her record player, filling her little house with sound.
Milli has had a passion for reading and writing since she was a small child, and although she's slinging coffees for a living, she is gearing up to study literature at uni and hopes one day to be an author of a successful science fiction novel or two.
Milli is so proud of the thriving Australian music and arts industry and she is super thrilled to be a part of the Backbeat team!
Adrianne Armida
(Photographer)
A Sydney-based photographer with a passion for capturing live music and events, she also loves to get creative in her studio. At 25, Adrianne unexpectedly discovered a love for photography and knew she had to go all-in. She obtained her Diploma of Photo Imaging at Billy Blue College of Design, and credits her lifelong obsession with film as her other unintentional teacher, helping to fast-track her visual eye and style. Music had always been a necessity for Adrianne, having gone to countless shows from the age of 12 (Cher being her first) and often navigating her year around gigs. Adrianne loves to immerse herself in the crowd, making friends with fans and not being afraid to be one. Whether that means dressing up in costume for a concert or singing along while shooting, you'll catch her having the time of her life in the pit. Beyond her lens, she enjoys baking, double-features with multiple Boysenberry Choc Tops, and belting her heart out to Taylor Swift.
Lauren Barrey
(Photographer)
Live music has always played a big part in Lauren’s journey as a creative. Going to as many gigs as she possibly could, it was the crowd energy and the feelings she got from live music, that pushed her into the creative industry. To create art, whether that’s in photography or writing, that moves people and makes a person feel a deep connection to a moment they might not have been at- that’s all she wants; to make you feel something.
Lauren has completed her studies in Journalism and is currently studying Digital and Social Media at Collarts, and has gone on to develop her own music-based media business In The Line.
Madi Zielke
(Photographer)
Bio Coming Soon!
Selin Kaya
(Writer)
Sel is totally obsessed with Australian Music, and even more obsessed with writing about it. She loves attending gigs and being able to express to other people just how valuable the Australian live music scene is and what it has to offer. Sel has previously been writing for her university magazine for around 18 months and has interviewed artists such as Dan Smith from Hilltop Hoods, Montaigne, and Carla Geneve.
She’s into indie rock and alternative rock, but doesn’t mind a bit of folk or Australian punk every now and then too.
Gabby Nish
(Writer)
Gabby’s writing experience began with her studies, completing Journalism as part of her Diploma at Collarts. Since then, Gabby has taken a break but is getting back on track, having written the BackBeat’s first live review (The Amity Affliction) and always keeping an eye out for local gigs to send us and the rest of our team along to!
Being from Tasmania, her love lies with local bands like The Sleepyheads and Luca Brasi, but we think her all time favourite will always be the enigmatic Gang of Youths.
Persephone Waxman
(Writer)
Persephone Waxman is a radio presenter and journalist from Naarm that has been kicking around shows and interviewing bands for nearly half a decade now.
She loves asking bands the hard-hitting questions and loves the feeling of a kick drum beat in her sternum.
Ashlee Brown
(Writer)
Music has had a massive impact in Ashlee’s life. She started playing drums at the age of 16 in a school band with her friends, and she continues to play as a hobby. After realising that she preferred the ‘behind-the-scenes’ elements of live sound rather than the performing aspect, she began studying Audio Engineering at Collarts to fulfil her dream of working in the audio industry.
Outside of her studies, she spends her free time going to as many gigs as she can.
She likes listening to metalcore, alternative-rock, and prog metal, and her favourite bands include Aburden, Alpha Wolf, Ebonivory, and Trophy Eyes.
Kyah Zois
(Photographer)
From the pulsating energy of crowded venues to the intimate moments between artists and audience, With each roll of film, Kyah’s lens tells stories that transcend sound, freezing each moment in a captivating frame.
The deliberate click of the analogue shutter reflects a dedication to preserving the authenticity and raw emotion of live performance. In the realm where light meets film, Kyah's lens weaves a narrative that transcends the digital age, embracing the timeless artistry of analogue music photography.
(Did we mention she’s a 5ft pocket rocket who squeals with excitement every time she sees her developed rolls? That’s very important to note!)
Could this be you?
We’re always on the lookout for new contributors - no ongoing commitment and no extensive experience necessary! If you think you’ve got what it takes to review, interview, photograph, or just talk about Australian music (it’s not that scary, we promise) then hit us up!
hello@thebackbeatpodcast.com