2025 CBAA Conference Spotlight - Meet Abby Wallace

In the leadup to the 2025 CBAA Conference we caught up with musician Abby Wallace, who'll be performing at this year's Community Broadcasting Awards.

We’re thrilled to have you, Abby! The Community Broadcasting Awards celebrate the people, programs and stations that make the sector so special. How do you see community radio contributing to the careers of emerging songwriters and artists across the country, like yourself?

Community radio is such a vital part of Australia’s music ecosystem, particularly for emerging artists. By prioritising the programming of local, independent music over commerciality, these stations give talented up-and-coming artists a chance to be heard. The hyper-local, grassroots feel of community radio promotes real connections between artists and listeners too, and I think that kind of authenticity is a really strong foundation for growth.

As an APRA AMCOS Ambassador, you play a role in promoting the rights of Australian music creators and APRA AMCOS’ work in effecting those rights. What’s been a standout moment for you as an ambassador, or something you’ve learnt? 

A key moment (and big learning curve!) for me has been realising how little I know about royalty collection. APRA AMCOS plays such a crucial role in educating artists, empowering them to take control of their careers. Another standout has also been attending last year’s APRA AMCOS EQUALIZE workshop for women and gender diverse folks here in Nipaluna/Hobart. It was a great chance to connect with other artists and build my skills in a supportive environment.

How has your journey through the music industry been shaped by the support of grassroots media like community radio? Are there any stations, programs and/or people that have stood out in your journey?

Edge Radio 99.3FM here in Nipaluna/Hobart have been really incredible in their support of my work. I had a great chat with Aeron Clark (the station's music coordinator) back in June, ahead of my Dark Mofo gigs, and it has been so cool to just hear my songs randomly play on the station while I’m driving in the car with my kids.

You’ve just released your second single Atlantic Blue. And as a resident of Nipaluna (Hobart), you’ve said that you’re inspired by the natural landscape in Lutruwita (Tasmania). What elements particularly inspire you? What’s something you recommend to people travelling from other parts of the country see/eat/do while they’re here?  

There’s a real sense of peace, presence and awe that I can kind of only access in a natural landscape. Something about feeling small against the vastness of it all is very freeing and reminds me not to take myself too seriously. I’m most interested in creating from that grounded kind of state. There is so much to see/eat/do here in Nipaluna, but my picks would be a walk on kunanyi (Mount Wellington, a browse at Fullers Bookshop, a taco at Grinners and a wine at Lucinda! And a good chunk of time set aside to get lost in the gallery at Mona too.

Finally, what can the audience at the Community Broadcasting Awards expect from your performance?

Something true. That’s all I ever really shoot for. I’ll be playing solo, just a little handful of songs. The focus for me will be to let the songwriting shine through.