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Get to know our International Reps

Story Published Tuesday 1 October 2024
L-R: Isabella Kearney-Nurse (Nashville), Sam Cook (LA) and Matt Amery (EU/UK)

We’ve had some changing of the guard for our International Reps based out of Nashville, Los Angeles and London.

Here’s a quick ‘get to know you’ Q&A piece where we learn the ins and outs of what they do.

If you're in town, be sure to reach out!


Isabella Kearney-Nurse, Nashville Rep

Hello! Tell us about yourself, and how long have you been an International Rep at APRA
AMCOS?


Hi, my name is Isabella! I have been living in Nashville for 4 years and have been a rep for nearly a year now 😊. I am a songwriter and have been writing full time for over 7 years!

What does a typical day look like for you?

I normally have a meeting with one of our awesome members or an industry professional. I like to show our members our wonderful APRA AMCOS studio which is free to use and a great resource here in Nashville. I then normally attend a songwriting session myself. Then after I jump online and answer some emails and chat with the Aus/NZ team. A lot of my day is spent connecting with members, brainstorming co-writing sessions and ways to develop our community and opportunities in Nashville.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

Meeting all our wonderful members!! Everyone is so excited to be in Nashville and it’s such a buzz to be able to help and advise. Also hearing everyone’s wonderful songs they have written in town!

Any advice for APRA AMCOS members who have just arrived in your city?

Always keep a few days free around your sessions for opportunities that will come up! Nashville has such an organic community of writers that most of the time you’ll be asked to do more sessions from one co-write so you want to have the time to do those.

If you're a Nashville-based member, or travelling there, get in touch with Isabella at [email protected]

Sadly, longtime Nashville Rep Mark Moffatt passed away in September 2024. He is greatly missed.

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Sam Cook, LA Rep

Hello! Tell us about yourself, and how long have you been an International Rep at APRA AMCOS?

I’m First Nations Australian, from the Nyikina Nation of the North-West of Western Australia and grew up in a small Aboriginal community called Ramingali on the outskirts of Broome WA.

I’m the first First Nations person appointed to an international rep role for APRA AMCOS. I have worked in Arts and Entertainment, navigating various roles including CEO of Yirra Yaakin theatre company, Artistic Director of The Dreaming: Australia’s International Indigenous festival and was a programmer of the Woodford Folk Festival. I have been an artist, tour, stage and music manager, delivering large scaled festivals and events globally, including UK, US and Ethiopia. I have resided in Yaangna (the traditional name of Los Angeles in the language of the Tongva Nation) for almost 8 years. I’m now a dual-citizen and have been APRA AMCOS’s LA based US member rep since Oct 2022.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There’s no typical day in LA. This place is full of extremes. On one day I could be up in a private studio in Bel Air at an A-list artists jam, the next at will.i.am’s FYI institute participating in AI dialogues, then having a coffee with LA members or those passing through to check in with them. Or I could hosting events such as the Summer Love-In (this year we roller-skated on a WEHO rooftop) or at Aussie Kiwi Vinyl nights in Hollywood. Then it’s catching showcases, events and connecting with industry colleagues. In between all of this, I’ll be on my laptop performing wellness checks on members' accounts, slaying member enquiries and pestering key staff in Australia with a myriad of questions.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

The members. They are so dynamic and each doing incredible work in their own right. They are so much more than a member number, they are a story or resilience and triumph. I’m honoured to be APRA AMCOS boots on the ground to share in their successes and support them in their goals.

Any advice for APRA AMCOS members who have just arrived in your city?

Reach out and get in touch! – we have a very active and supportive membership here in LA. We all understand how to navigate what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming place and are here to uplift and for everyone’s success.

If you're an LA-based member, or planning to travel there, get in touch with Sam at [email protected].

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Matt Amery, EU/ UK Rep

Hello! Tell us about yourself, and how long have you been an International Rep at APRA AMCOS?

Hey! I’m Matt, the new UK/EU Rep. While I’ve only been with APRA AMCOS as an International Rep for about 2 months, I’ve spent over 10 years in the music industry. Like many in this space, I started out playing in bands and songwriting.

After a brief stint in the corporate world (would not do that again!), I found my way into the film industry for a few years before diving back into music. Recently, I’ve been focused on Music AI and Music Information Retrieval, and have developed a strong interest in international rights. So far, I’m absolutely loving this role at APRA AMCOS; it ticks all my boxes.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is a little different. From organising writing sessions across London, to member meet ups in Berlin, and conferences in Hamburg, there is a lot going on for APRA AMCOS members in the EU and UK. Each week usually involves linking members together for writing and networking, meeting members who are thinking about relocating, lots of coffees, a couple of gigs, and then trying to help members settle in abroad. Luckily for me the APRA AMCOS membership networks are fantastic, and they make the job a dream. I think the only constant so far is me emailing Nisha every morning with a new question!

What’s your favourite part of your job?

Meeting up with members, hands down! It never feels like work. Hearing about their creative process, songwriting journeys, and industry stories is great, and it’s a privilege to get to play a small part in helping them along their path. Plus, APRA AMCOS members are some of the best people to work with—they make my job easy!

Any advice for APRA AMCOS members who have just arrived in your city?

Definitely reach out! No matter which European city you’ve landed in, there are APRA AMCOS members nearby and networks you can plug into. We’ve got a great community, and it’s always growing.

If you're a member living in the UK or EU, or are planning to visit, get in touch with Matt: [email protected].

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