About Us
More than just a record label
Based at Music Industry College’s campus, Starving Kids is a creative hub that offers opportunities, mentorship, and guidance for MIC students and alumni. Our primary aim is to cultivate skillsets and foster meaningful connections, empowering the emerging generation of music industry creatives. Beyond our campus borders, we actively engage with Brisbane's thriving creative community, collaborating on a diverse array of events and initiatives.
Starving Kids, the emerging artist label that brought you The Winnie Coopers, The Medics, Transvaal Diamond Syndicate, The Paper and The Plane, Fushia, Greenthief, and many more, was founded in 2004 by Brett Wood, the principal and co-founder of Music Industry College.
Over the years with MIC, Starving Kids went on to be a student and alumni-run label, branching out to include a range of youth-led events and arts projects, and offering young people a range of music industry experience. From honing their journalism skills through interviews and reviews, upskilling in the live music sphere through live sound engineer/crew/lighting work experience, behind-the-scenes experience as a live music booking agent, and more.
2022 saw a change in SK, focusing on mentoring and supporting emerging artists through modern marketing techniques in a post-covid climate. This change was led by the newly appointed CEO of Starving Kids, India Wallis (also known as the musician India Raine), a Brisbane-based musician, and MIC alumni.
India extends support to aspiring artists and MIC alumni by offering guidance on industry navigation, organizing live music events, devising comprehensive music release strategies, orchestrating PR campaigns, and more. Through her mentorship, India empowers current students and alumni to achieve their career aspirations in the music industry.
What We Do
SKTV
Located in Music Industry College’s state-of-the-art recording studio 'Cloudland', artists and bands are invited to perform live-in-studio whilst it’s filmed, recorded and edited by the students of MIC and uploaded onto our YouTube channel
Live Music Venue
Located on the campus of Music Industry College, our venue '38 Berwick Street' is a vibrant hub for live music events catering to all ages. Over the years, we've hosted electrifying performances from acclaimed artists like DZ Deathrays, Stand Atlantic, Tkay Maidza, Oliver Cronin, and many others.
What sets us apart is not just our lineup, but also our dedicated staff - MIC students who are honing their skills to become the next generation of live music venue professionals. Whether you're planning a single launch, a multi band gig, or any other all-ages event, consider hosting it at 38 Berwick Street. For more details on venue hire fees, please reach out to us at sk@mic.org.au.
Video Interviews
Have the chance to be interviewed by SK’s team of interviewers. We share these on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
Music Blog
Get your music seen and heard through Starving Kids’ music blog. We showcase features, interviews, and reviews, and introduce you to emerging artists.
Meet The Team
India Wallis
Operations Manager
India Wallis, also known as India Raine, is a multi-instrumentalist, touring musician, and head of MIC’s student and staff-run music label Starving Kids. From assisting in navigating the industry as a young person, putting on live music events, creating a music release plan, running PR campaigns, and more, India mentors current students and MIC alumni in their music career goals.
When she was 16, India moved from Coffs Harbour, NSW, to Brisbane to solely pursue music, jumping quickly into Brisbane's lively music scene as a performer. From punk to country, from guitar to drums, her versatility across various genres and instruments quickly garnered attention. Recognized for her talent and professionalism, India was sought after by notable musicians such as Reece Mastin and Josh Setterfield who entrusted her with performing alongside them. Additionally showcasing her commitment to her craft, she frequently tours interstate as bassist in her band Reckless Coast.
Known for her contagious ambition and unwavering drive, India's passion for music and her dedication to connecting with young audiences resonates deeply in her role at Starving Kids, where she strives to inspire and empower through the transformative power of music.
Brett Wood
Founder
Brett is the Managing Director of Music Industry Community Services, the parent body of the College and Starving Kids, and has overseen all projects undertaken by both organisations since their inception.
Brett has over thirty years of experience working with young people. His skill and knowledge has been honed across the education and community youth sectors. This provides him with a unique understanding of the educational and personal needs of young people. He established Music Industry College when he saw the magnetic power that music has to engage disenfranchised young people. He has a passion for mentoring young people and helping them achieve their potential in their field of choice. He is most proud of the achievements of his students and cannot wait to see what they do next.