Jane Gazzo is a TV presenter, broadcaster, music journalist and published author who began her career in radio, aged 16. Since then, she has presented nationally on Triple J and Triple M as well as XFM London, Capital FM London and BBC Radio 6 in the UK.
Jane spent 8 years as a presenter on Foxtel’s Channel V, where she reported from music festivals, red carpet events and hosted live TV shows, interviewing some of the biggest and best names in the entertainment world.
She has twice been nominated for ASTRA, ACRA and AWMA awards and is an in-demand public speaker and MC.
Jane is currently a university lecturer of music industry at JMC, Chair of the Australian Music Vault Hall of Fame advisory committee for the Arts Centre Melbourne, and former host of The Sound & Recovery (ABC-TV)
Her first two books, John Farnham – The Untold Story and Sound as Ever – A Celebration of the Best Decade in Australian Music were published in 2022.
Persecution Blues: The Battle for The Tote
Chosen because it captures a certain time in the Victorian music scene when the government implemented insane liquor licencing laws which meant that smaller live music venues like the Tote were affected. This film shows the power of the music community who came together with a cause and through sheer volume and tenacity, managed to reverse archaic laws and save live music!
Cosmic Psychos: Blokes You Can Trust
Hard to believe a farmer and his band from Spring Plains in country Victoria could have such a significant influence on some of the biggest names in US grunge such as the Melvins, L7, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney but that’s exactly what film-maker Matt Weston uncovers in this funny and sometimes jaw-dropping doco.
Worth it for lead singer Ross Knight’s commentary alone.
Autoluminescent
The final chapter and epitaph of legendary musician Roland S. Howard (Young Chameleons, Boys Next Door, Crime & The City Solution, These Immortal Souls) is played out in 'Autoluminescent' which reveals an artist who remained on the outskirts of the mainstream and for whom personal integrity remained till his last days.
Mystify: Michael Hutchence
Richard Lowenstein’s tender tribute to dear friend and rock star Michael Hutchence. Hours of unseen and candid footage weave to create the portrait of a man who spent so much of his life in the public eye and yet away from the spotlight was a highly talented and complex person. The Kylie home movie’s and friend’s commentary help make this quite a moving piece.
a-ha: The Movie
Whilst not Australian, I chose this simply because A-Ha were huge in my bedroom growing up in Heidelberg, Melbourne in the 80s. Posters of the Norwegian trio lined my walls and every Smash Hits magazine was bought when their pretty faces were on the cover. This is a really interesting and clever look at the band and their working dynamics.
