2021 - Alisha Todd shares how to get the most out of a music degree

Words: Media and content team
Published: 2 August 2021

Alisha Todd’s indie folk pop sound has been beautifully crafted by years of travelling, soul searching, studying music at Southern Cross University, and saying yes to every opportunity that comes her way. You’ve probably heard her stuff on Triple J with Scott French, the other half behind the indie pop duo GENIIE BOY.

We sat down and spoke to Alisha about chasing her dreams… yet somehow ended up talking about creating new COVID-safe seated dance moves. The sit-down shopping trolley anyone? Don’t worry, we left that bit out. Here’s the good stuff…

How did it all start for you?

I always had a passion for singing and then my mum purchased a guitar for me when I was a teenager. Growing up in Gympie, the state school was really musically focused. There was a country music program and the teachers would help with all sorts of things like put us in bands and take us to the Gympie Muster.

Imagine the sky is the limit. What’s your dream goal in the music world?

Well, I watched this Coldplay documentary recently. The elevation I got when I watched them perform at their stadium tours and the integrity within the band was genuinely inspiring. That’s what I’d love to create, a team and family around me that get to go on a journey together to amazing venues and shows and build an empire.

Bless! If you had one piece of advice for musicians currently studying at Southern Cross University, what would it be?

Try and do some soul searching first and figure out what kind of artist you want to be. That way, you’ll know what questions to ask and get the answers that will help get you to where you want to be. Look at your future goals as a musician and form the right connections accordingly.

There are so many platforms where you can put out your music these days. Which one means the most for you?

I think when we put out a music video and upload it to YouTube, that is the most rewarding because we completely created the whole package. Every time we get a YouTube video comment it feels like a massive achievement because they’re usually from people we don’t know, and it’s like okay so this is working, it’s getting out.

So what’s next for Alisha Todd and GENIIE BOY?

Well GENIIE BOY has a 6-track EP coming out at the end of August, which is exciting! The latest single from it is called ‘Bad Company,’ and it has to be my favourite, it’s very dancy.

You can keep up to date with Alisha Todd’s work at @alishatoddmusic and with @geniieboy