Industry Mums - Eliza Hull

Broadcaster and mother Jane Gazzo continues her series asking women to describe their triumphs and challenges as working mothers in the Australian music industry.

Musical artist and writer Eliza Hull grew up in Wodonga, Victoria and was born with a rare physical disability called ‘Charcot Marie Tooth’. Since becoming an author and songwriter, she has also become a disability advocate in the music industry and the parenting space. She is currently touring her current album record and running workshops for musical artists with disability. Eliza is married with two children and currently calls Castlemaine home.

Describe your current job:

My career is varied, and every day looks different.

I am a writer and have written a children’s book, Come Over To My House, which authentically represents various families with disability. Its main aim is to reduce negative stereotypes, and show kids that disability is not something to be feared.

I also created and edited the book, We’ve Got This, about parenting with a disability. This began as an ABC audio series of the same name. When I was becoming a mother there wasn’t anything out there that represented disability and parenting. I have a physical disability, Charcot Marie Tooth, which affects the way I walk, among many other things! I wanted to create a community so that I didn’t feel alone and isolated.

I love that I now have a large community of disabled parents that I can turn to for advice, or tips or just someone to talk to, because at times it can be tough, especially when people stare because I do move differently in the world.

I think I am seeing gradual changes though; it’s happening slowly. The world is far more accepting of disability and difference than when I was growing up.

Since creating these books, I became a disability advocate in the parenting space, but also in the music industry. I now support music organisations to be more accessible. Whether that be their website, social media channels or events. The thing I am the most passionate about is representation because the music industry is tough, but for artists from marginalised and underrepresented communities, it’s even tougher. For that reason, I know we need a shift, we need to enable more artists with a disability to be heard, because we exist and we’re great! There is so much Australian disabled musical talent out there, unfortunately the barriers have been too big, for too long.

Right now, I am writing my sixth record, and this time it’s a full-length record. Also, I am currently touring my last record and running workshops for musical artists with disability. This feels very purposeful and meaningful for me. I believe everyone has a story, everyone has a song, I want to support people who have been silenced to be able to come forward and share theirs.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Singing in my local eisteddfod, or for my grandmother and family. To begin with I fell in love with the theatrical side of singing.

First record you bought?

Frogstomp by Silverchair

First concert you went to?

Homebake – I think it was 1996. I was only 10 or 11 years old but went with family friends!! So many incredible bands played that year. I fell in love with Spiderbait and Rebecca’s Empire.

How were you raised?

In a loving family. My parents enjoyed dinner parties on a Friday night with lots of music.

My mother worked very hard as a drama teacher for the local school, and my dad also worked hard owning and running a local screen-printing business.

We had a very clean house, everything went in its place, but I also think our house was fun and lively.

I also was never treated differently to my sister, even though I have a disability. Of course, there were things they had to do differently for me, for instance shower me when I had plaster casts on from surgery or take me to medical appointments. But they always had very high expectations for me, and they always made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted. No limitations were put on me.

What were your mother’s morals and values?

My mother instilled in me a love of music, theatre, and hard work. She is very dramatic, and funny, but also extremely determined. She feeds off having to fight for the truth, and for equality. If she wants something she never gives up!!

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

I got very sick as a child with Guillain–Barré syndrome, which could have been life threatening. The doctors said they couldn’t get the drug that I needed for a whole week due to shortages. Mum rang around and wouldn’t give up, ringing every doctor we had ever met, every medical professional that was able to help. It was flown to us at the Albury Hospital the next day, so luckily, I got better. That showed me the power of determination. Mum wasn’t willing to take no for an answer.

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

Over the years we have hurt each other. Perhaps that’s just inevitable.

I betrayed her trust once by holding a party while her and dad went away when I was a teenager. That completely backfired because we had a man come to our house during the party and destroy our house and let our dog out. The police were called, and my mum was just so angry. It was awful.

I was a wheelchair user at the time because I’d had surgery on my leg. I was desperately trying to fit in at school because I felt so different. I wanted the kids at school to validate who I was, because at that time I really didn’t like myself much. Having a party felt like a quick and easy way to grow my popularity.

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

I think the ability to work hard. To never let being told no stop you. To be kind, look after your community, especially your neighbours. To write cards. To be there for others. To advocate for those that need it. To have fun. To dance

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

Since I can remember. When I was a little girl, I wrote in my diary that I wanted to be a writer and a singer. Singing has always felt very natural to me.

What was your first industry/music job?

I worked at Sanity as a teenager. When I moved to Melbourne, I started my first band, Showday Early. We were a rock band, and we played The Espy and The Evelyn regularly. I was very inspired by Killing Heidi at the time. I went onto working as a music publicist and since then have written and released five records and presented radio (I fill in casually on Double J).

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

I think at the beginning I had to navigate it on my own. For that reason, I became too fixated on the booking of shows, reaching out to record labels that I forgot about the most important part, which is writing and releasing songs. That’s what I am now trying to focus on. Because that’s what has really kept me going and fuelled my love of music, the writing and performing. The actual industry part of music can be tough and depressing! So, I am trying to bring it back to the ‘why’. For me that is advocating for people with disability, amplifying other artists with disability, and being creative and writing what’s happening in my inner world, then sharing that with audiences.

Now I turn to people like musical artists Jen Cloher and Angie Hart for advice. They’re beautiful people.

Did you always know you wanted a child/children?

Yes! I wasn’t someone who was desperate for children, or who was even super maternal. I’m actually not great with other people’s kids (laughs). But I knew that I wanted to have my own, and I love being a mother. There’s nothing like that love, your heart just explodes. But with that comes a lot of anxiety as well. Because it’s such a vulnerable space. It’s scary how much love you feel!

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

Yes. I still do worry. I think that there is still so much stigma around being a mother in the music industry. Also being an older woman in the industry, when I turned 30 (I’m 38 now) I worried that was the end. Because that’s what I had seen happen. It’s also a job that isn’t very inclusive of kids. I think that really needs to shift.

In saying that, I just toured England for a couple of months and took my kids with me. They absolutely loved the experience! We had a van, and they got to see another part of the world. Luckily, I do have a supportive partner though, that enabled that to happen. He looked after the kids when I was doing the shows at night.

I remember when I was pregnant with my first child and I missed out on a very large support tour, it devastated me! But that’s also just life, when doors open, some you must close. I wish I could have told myself then that it wasn’t all over. There are so many women now who’re pushing back on this outdated narrative that you can’t be a mum and be a musical artist, I am so excited about this!

I think it’s so cool to be a mum and still tour and write music. Women at this age are just beginning, we are learning more about ourselves than ever before, we have just gone through the biggest change to our bodies, hearts, and minds and so of course we should be able to keep sharing our stories. What better time to share yourself, than at this point in a woman’s life! With age comes growth and experience.

As primary caregivers, there is an expectation in society and/or the workplace that you just have to get on with it and deliver. How have you managed to navigate this in this past? Did you ever feel inadequate?

I think there is a pressure that when you have a baby you can’t have a break. Or that if you don’t keep releasing music to feed the algorithm you will become irrelevant. It’s just a big lie. It just feeds the money-making machine. I say go whatever pace you need to go. Be gentle and don’t release music because you must release it, do it because you want to, because you have something to share.

I think I have at times fallen for this trap, I have said to myself I need to rush, but in the end, I think I have found my own path. I generally have released music every five years. Often people have asked what I have been doing, but I haven’t really stopped. I have been raising children, writing, and releasing books, doing radio, advocating for disabled people, doing keynote speeches. So, I haven’t been still. I think now my focus is more on music, I am touring a lot more. In saying that I have more children’s books coming, and the dream is one day writing a part memoir, part resource about disability.

Was there a time when it fell apart? Or felt like it was?

All the time! I think when you become a mother you have a divided heart. When you are with the kids, you want to be working and when you’re working you want to be home with the kids. I think lately I am starting to see my kids at my shows, they just came and watched me at Town Folk Festival with my partner, and toured with me in the UK, that’s probably when I feel the happiest, when all my loves are combined.

Sometimes I wonder if I am making the right choices, the music industry is so up and down and it’s hard to really make solid earnings off it, or at least reliable earnings. Sometimes I do dream about just going to get a ‘job’ where I know how much I am earning each week, and my workday is predictable. In saying that I am happy, and I feel lucky to be able to be creative, and to find purpose in my work life. I think advocating for disabled people in the music industry has been a way forward for me, it takes it away from it all being about me. I love that I get to support and amplify others, and if there is an emerging artist coming forward now, I hope that I have made that path slightly easier.

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

I think being a parent keeps you in the moment. That’s a beautiful way to write a song.

Since having your child(ren) – what has been your proudest moment?

Seeing my children care about others and the world they live in.

Showing them that you can live a life where helping others is enjoyable and possible, and that in the end it also helps you too.

Artist Paloma Faith last year stated ‘The Music Industry is Unfriendly to Mother’s?’ Do you agree or disagree?

I agree unfortunately. I wish that there were better designed spaces for kids backstage, especially at festivals. I also just wish we saw more representation and were shown that we can be a mother and still be part of the music industry and write and record music. That it’s not over! I think that comes down to ageism and sexism that exists, because I don’t see that happening to fathers as much in the music industry.

How could the music industry better support caregivers and/or those with disabilities?

The music industry could do a lot more to support people with disability. Here are my top five.

- Representation. We need to have more artists signed to labels with disability, on festival bills, played on radio. And not just on International Day of People with Disability. There is so much talent out there, and often it goes unrecognised

- Eliminate the physical barriers – venues, stages and events are often inaccessible for many. My dream is that the ARIAS and other award events have a ramp up on the stage, so that emerging artists see that and know it’s possible. I also would love Auslan interpreters to be on the stage as well.

- Accessibility for audience. Many people can’t access live music because of physical barriers, but also attitudinal barriers.

- Stigma – I want an industry that doesn’t see disability as a deficit or something that ought to be feared.

- Low expectations – I think historically musicians with disability have had to face low expectations held by the wider industry.

How do you balance your time with the needs of your partner/and or child(ren)?

I have children at kinder and school now and have started to really find a great balance. I have a very supportive partner that has enabled me to do all the things I need to sustain my musical career. I also have an incredible mother-in-law who has been able to look after my children when needed. I wouldn’t have been able to do all the things I have without her.

What do you do to take time out for yourself?

Songwriting, a massage, a bath, exercise.

Best piece of advice ever given to you?

Tell the truth.

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).