Industry Mums – Bec Shand

Broadcaster and mother Jane Gazzo continues her series interviewing women working in the music industry and finds out how they navigate successful careers and family life.

Artist manager Bec Shand grew up in New South Wales and has worked with a range of artists including Screaming Jets, Boom Crash Opera and Nick Cave. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bec, like many others in the arts and entertainment industry, has had to pivot in her career and adapt her skills. She is currently working with Support Act in the Crisis Relief Team for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day which was held on 19 November 2021.

Bec currently lives in Melbourne and is the proud mum of two teenaged boys and a furry daughter called Roxy.

What is your earliest musical memory?

My mum dancing on the dining room table to Charles Trenet and Peggy Lee during my parents’ wild dinner parties in the 1970’s.

First record you bought?

It was in 1982, Blurred Crusade by The Church; every angsty alternative teenage girls dream album.

First concert you went to?

Cold Chisel’s Circus Animals tour in Glebe in 1983. My dad was inappropriately dressed in a deer-stalker hat and trench-coat and insisted on smoking huge cigars in amongst a bunch of feral bourbon drinking Chisel fans. It was quite a sight to behold and a clearly influential moment for me. It’s surprising we got out alive to tell the tale of that formative night!

How were you raised?

My dad was a psychiatrist and my mum was an ex-model and mother of four, so it was very liberal household. I was the youngest and often left to my own devices to explore and experiment with the world around me as I saw fit. I was surrounded by countless cats, dogs and other unusual pets including donkeys and killer ducks that we fostered, acquired or were rehabilitating from our family farm. There was never a dull moment in my family home as a kid.

What were your mother’s morals and values?

Honesty and transparency will never do you a disservice. My mum was from a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic upbringing and came from a tough childhood, so she always did her best to give us everything she could without spoiling us. She was also a hard task master and insisted that things always needed to be done properly and to completion. She always said, “Stand up for yourself and don’t be scared to have an opinion despite the consequences”.

Do you have an example of her displaying this from when you grew up?

She once told Bob Hawke what she thought of him and something he had done at someone’s dinner party one night. Suffice to say, she wasn’t invited to his place for the next round of hospitality!

Was there a time when you and your mother didn’t see eye to eye?

Often. But mum and I have always been close and agreed that differences of opinion and arguments are a natural and healthy component to any relationship, but especially for mothers and daughters.

What teachings/values/morals from your mother have you taken and/or implemented into your own family?

Talking openly and honestly with my kids about anything despite the possible consequences. Demonstrating strong emotional leadership during the good and bad times.

When did you know you wanted to work/be part of the music industry?

It’s hard to pin point the exact time that occurred. Perhaps a better way to describe my relationship with the music business is, that despite long periods away from it in other industries (e.g. film), I’ve always come full circle and returned. I’m constantly reminded how much I love this industry during the highs and the lows.

Were there any female mentors you felt you could call upon when you started out, or did you have to navigate your own path?

Not really. I’ve never felt gender specific when it comes to asking advice or seeking support from those around me that are more experienced than me.

“Learn from whomever you can” has always been my motto. As a traditionally male dominated industry, there has always been a certain level of learning on your feet and to not separate yourself because you’re female. Having said all that, because I didn’t have the benefit of a lot of other women around to guide me early on, these days, if asked, I’ll always make myself available to other young women in the business if they ever seek my opinions or guidance.

Were there women you looked up to at any time in your life who weren’t your mum?

Absolutely! Anyone who has worked in entertainment and/or negotiated professional life as a single mother and/or managed to juggle both these things successfully. I have a bunch of these women in my life these days whom I adore, idolise and am constantly enamored by the sometimes impossible things they achieve.

Did you worry about how you would make motherhood and the music industry work?

No. Like a lot of things in this business, there is flexibility there if you look for it. Finding like-minded people who support you means you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

What skills have you learnt to deal with every day or occupational challenges which come your way?

Resilience, flexibility, empathy and patience. Learning to 'mine the gold' for when things get tough and reminding myself about why I am doing the hard yards.

Since having your children – what has been your proudest moment?

Easy: watching what incredible young men my boys are turning into every day (even at only 13 and 15), despite the pressures they have already encountered in their young lives.

“We’re not like other mothers” – how would you explain this quote to a non-musical/non-artistic member of society?

We get to live and love our jobs – literally – as professionals and fans. We can take our kids to work when required. We are not bound by the confines of other non-creative type industries. This can have its drawbacks of course, but it’s mostly a really positive thing. In our business, I find we are all part of a much greater rock n roll family.

How do you balance your time with kids and family?

Kids come first; my work is done around their needs. They also understand that mum’s work is not constrained by a 9 – 5 mentality and are very understanding of that.

What do you do to take time out for yourself?

Exercise and lots of it! Getting outdoors, riding my bike, walking my dog, hanging out with friends.

Obviously COVID-19 and lockdowns have affected the way we as mothers in the music industry work. What effects has this time had on you or the children?

I’ve had more weekends with my kids over the past 18 months than I have in years but not seeing my mum was really tough.

What could you do differently next time?

Nothing. I just try and do my best every single day and look to improve my performance the next day if I can.

Best piece of advice given to you?

I have two: “Certainty is the enemy of growth” and “Edit your life…often and ruthlessly”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jane Gazzo
Jane Gazzo is a broadcaster, TV presenter, music journalist and published author who began her career in radio, aged 16. Since then, she has presented nationally on Triple M and Triple J as well as BBC Radio 6 in the UK and has hosted television shows such as Recovery on ABC TV. She spent eight 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 music world.

In 2018 Jane became Chair of the Australian Music Vault Advisory Group and in 2020 she hosted ABC-TV's flagship music show THE SOUND and co-founded the popular Facebook site Sound As Ever (Australia Indie 90-99).