It’s long truthfully. But I’ve been in ART my whole life. Whether it be dancing, singing, acting or musical theatre. I’ve done it all, since I was really little, on hundreds of different stages all over the world. I don’t really know anything else. It took a while for me to realise I wanted to make music, because all the other things came first, but it was always my destiny to be in ART, because I’m an artist to my core. It’s been years of dedication, nurturing and understanding my skill set, writing really shit songs, falling on my face in front of hundreds of people, playing good gigs and playing bad ones.. It’s all in the mindset. If you truly know and believe to your core, that whatever you’re doing is exactly what you’re meant to be doing, nothing will stand in the way of that. I’m nowhere near where I want to be. I’m still growing and learning everyday how much resilience it takes to achieve the things you really want to.

I mean, I wouldn’t say I’m IN the music industry – I hate that term “music industry”. I am the music industry. Music has always been a HUGE part of my life. I had a whole career as a dancer before stepping into music, where I really learnt the language first through my body and movement. My brother is an artist also, SHOUTOUT MIKE CHAMP, and he showed me through his work ethic and dedication what it means to truly be an artist. He inspired me to believe I was capable of doing it all, he still does, everyday. Nothing else really makes sense. I guess that’s why.

I mean, depending on what you do, maybe. But to me, nah. Music to me is a feeling. You don’t need a higher education to write a song. Maybe to use the tools, but honestly in 2024, we have so many resources to learn. Youtube is a great. I learnt from being around people that taught me that creating good art comes from allowing yourself to feel deeply and being passionate.

Oh gosh, I’ve been blessed with so many highs the last six months. I think doing my first huge support slot last year has to be my biggest achievement. I played to an audience of 10k, which is CRAZY. Hahahaha I probably felt fear for about 15 seconds when I walked onto the stage and saw that many people standing there, but then, it just all went away as soon as I remembered my power. The lows keep me grounded though. Writing a new project came with lots of lows. It was so hard to force myself to be vulnerable, to write songs that I knew weren’t going to make the cut but needed to come out. Not being recognised or supported for work that took me two years to create and birth is a low for sure. It’s never easier trusting the universe and believing everyday that the right people will stumble across you and fall into your world, but it’s all part of the journey.

It was so much fun!!!! Creating with only women, non binary & trans, was so special. I sometimes feel a division between the women to be honest.. So to have a space where we weren’t all sized up against one another but lifting each other up instead, it was exactly what the time was calling for. A sense of community between us.

I think when we did the listening party at the end of the week, there was such a beautiful energy. We all had to be so vulnerable and share. And we were sharing fully done songs, half done songs, ideas we had to make in two hours, it was crazy but special. It was vulnerable and good art is vulnerable. So much talent woah.

Oh god, my last name is Champion, so my whole family basically. Hahaha. But truly, my brother. He pushes me to really face myself. He’ll sit with me and flesh out creative ideas, listen to newly made music, hold me when I cry and tell him I suck at art and it’s too hard. He’s been through all of it, so he knows what it’s like and how challenging it can be. He always guides me to the light.

Attachment is the root of all suffering. Don’t attach yourself to anything. Not too attached to the highs and not too attached to the lows. Just stay in between. AND REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF IT.

Let go baby. Stop worrying about what everyone else is thinking and just focus on yourself. The universe will always provide for you when you just listen to your heart!!!!

Damn, I wanna sell out rooms of 10,000, 20,000 people. Witnessing some of my friends do that is inspiring. Hearing that many people sing the lyrics back to them of songs they’ve written, is crazy. Touching that many people with music is so special, I just want people to feel touched. I wanna provide a space where people can come to just set themselves free through music.

Damn. My community inspires me. My family. My brother, my sister in law, my niece and nephew. My producers, my friends, my photographer. Everyone in my circle is my role model. Everyone around me is building, believes, makes me believe, you know. Everyone around me is focussed on building something bigger than themselves. Everyday, they’re inspiring me to think, be and feel bigger than myself. To make an impact.

Hmmmmm. I love Agung Mango. His artistry is authentic and original and he’s talented beyond his years. The music SLAPS, the videos and FIRE AF.

Elsy Wameyo. FIRE. As a black woman in AUS, I’m inspired by watching the journey.

Dylan Atlantis also. Very talented. A multi instrumentalist, great songwriter, producer. Cannot be boxed… another blessing to our industry.

Ah, we’re getting there. It’s nowhere near where it should be. But it’s definitely changing, can’t deny that. We have the right people doing more to support and be the change that we need. One Off Traks being a part of that, you know. Creating this opportunity for women, non-binary & trans creatives and just pushing us to the front. So yeah. You just gotta keep creating your own wave with your community, make as much noise as you can. The right people will catch on when the time is right.

I just want people to feel connected and honestly have FUN. I want them to leave with their energy lifted. IDGAF about anything else. Music is a feeling, I’ve said this already. I want to make people feel different and whatever it is that the music makes them feel, that’s what I want. Performing is a group activity. It’s my job, when I’m on stage, to give you an experience that makes you feel different, that’s what I’m always aspiring to do anyway. It’s my favourite part of the job.

Honestly, I’ve been in the creative industry since I was 12. I’ve had some giants around me tackle this industry and create and carve out space for themselves. I saw the work it took, but also they did it, so I realised I could too. Specifically in my family. I’m blessed to have that around me. Now that I’m on the inside as an artist, I’m aware of how much work I have ahead of me and I’m not scared. I’ve already done so much work, so it’s really just about continuing to drive myself closer to where I want to be and surrounding myself with people who are doing the same. People that are inspiring me to make an impact.

Just the continued belief that you’re on the right path, especially when no one’s watching. That’s hard. Sometimes you can stand in your own way when it comes to being an artist. But truthfully, this is all a part of the experience. This is the point. You need to build resilience, because there are always so many no’s before someone says yes and it wouldn’t be worth it if it was easy.

Yeah of course. I feel like this is the latest thing that I’m overcoming right now honestly. I’d say, honestly, don’t run away from it. Just face yourself. The sooner you can do this, the sooner you can move forward and closer to your truth. Listen to your gut and just create the wave. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing and just focus on your own energy. And protect your energy too. Don’t be just going where everyone else is going, unless that is aligned with you. It’s easy to just do that and easy is boring. The struggle is the best part of this shit, because that’s where you learn all the lessons. I’ve never come out of a struggle and thought fk this. It’s always the best feeling in the world to overcome all the struggles that the universe places in your path.

Pay attention to what the artists are really doing. The artists are changing right now, so the industry needs to move with them, not the other way around. Don’t stand in the way of change.

I want to be the girl that all the little “MAXINES” can look up to and be inspired, fearless and believe that they can stand in their light. I want to be the artist that is leading with light and love and lifting peoples vibration HIGHER.

MORE MUSIC, MORE SHOWS, MORE MAXINE IS IN ORDER!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHH truly like If I ain’t got you, by Alicia Keys. I love that song so much. Has lots of weight.