Briana Dinsdale believes authenticity is key to thriving in the music industry. Currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) at QUT, Briana shares her passion for music, the chance to collaborate with leading country music artists, and how she balances developing her craft and studying.
Musical journey
I had always loved playing and being surrounded by music. When I was younger, I would enter talent competitions and participate in guitar and vocals at my school. In addition to my parents, there were two teachers that believed I could take my musical ability further. They would push me out of my comfort zone and suggest performance opportunities that allowed me to realise I could do this as a career.
Finding the right pathway to pursue my ambitions was a whole different step. The teaching staff at QUT are really supportive and have encouraged me to explore my creativity when it comes to songwriting and performance. As someone who has always loved country music, I’ve listened to a lot of Kasey Chambers, Keith Urban, Fleetwood Mac and Melissa Etheridge, and immersed myself in that genre. Studying at QUT has helped me broaden my horizons and draw inspiration from other aspects of my life rather than just personal experiences when writing music.
A subject I have really enjoyed so far was Musicianship, as it was the perfect balance between theory and practical performance. Learning foundational aural and analytical skills have been crucial in developing my music and sound, while working with bands and learning how to collaborate with people who play different genres has boosted my confidence and ability to adapt as a performer.
Balancing music and study
It can be tricky but as long as I love what I am doing, I will make time for it. With my studies, there are certain times in the semester that are more stressful than others, so I try to put time aside in the day to do my assignments and then if I’m writing songs with other musicians, I find nighttime works best for me to collaborate. However, if I am writing songs on my own, I find it easier to do this during the day. I think it is important to find a schedule or routine that works best for you. As a musician you want to work on your craft, but there is also the logistical and administrative side of the profession.
Studying at QUT is allowing me to learn all facets of being a musician and grow into the type of artist I want to be. Over the next couple of years, I really want to focus on my live performance element and play at some major country music festivals around Australia. I’m super lucky that I’ve been booked for the Gympie Music Muster this year. It’s not easy to get these opportunities so when they come up, you have to take it. In 10 years’ time I hope to move to Nashville and split my time between America and Australia as I am a dual citizen. A big goal of mine is to play at the CMA Music Festival, which is America’s biggest country music festival. It’s one of those things that I don’t want to jump the gun on though, so for now I want to keep working on my music and learning as much as I can.
Industry connections
As a music student at QUT we are lucky to get lots of industry exposure. We’ve had guest speakers such as producers for The Jungle Giants attend our lectures and provide insights into the industry, networking opportunities, and even the chance to get real-world experience.
While studying this year I was given the chance to attend a songwriting course with a bunch of country musicians. We got to collaborate and bounce ideas off some of Australia’s top tier country music artists, including James Johnson, who is the number one selling artist in Australia right now. If it wasn’t for the teaching staff at QUT and their industry connections, I’m not sure I would have had the chance to participate in a course like this.
