About

The Operatives are here to break the mould.

A collective of multi-talented musicians and curators of the clandestine Espionage gigs, they are responsible for tours of ground-breaking local and international talent and most recently, a record label responsible for promoting Australian artists to a global audience.

The Operatives and it’s Agents are a unstoppable and talented force of DJs, producers, singers and songwriters, radio hosts, audio engineers, photographers, videographers, writers and artists who are responsible for Melbourne’s most exciting creative output. From their own musical accomplishments to curating independent labels, compilation series and community radio shows. The Agents have one target: pushing the boundaries of Australia’s music scene, regardless of genre, be it hip-hop, electronic, drum ‘n bass or soul music.

Since it’s inception in 2010, Espionage has been more than just a ‘gig’ – it’s an event that feeds your senses. Selecting the most innovative musicians from across the globe to tour across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Espionage aligns local and international musical talent with mind-bending visuals and unique venues. From their humble beginnings above a karaoke bar to selling out the city’s largest dance floors, the discerning and ever-growing followers of The Operatives ensure that Espionage never remains secret for long.

The Operatives are also focused on fostering the music and culture community locally. Newly launched monthly ‘Remedy’ offers all profits to a charitable cause and Espionage also provides intelligence for Melbourne Music Week, White Night Melbourne, Let Them Eat Cake and Meredith Music Festival among many more.

Always evolving, The Operatives have now set their sights on the launch of their in-house label. The current roster spans the diverse talents of Melbourne’s most promising musicians, including the unfathomable future-funk of AMIN PAYNE, astonishing soul singer SYRENEYISCREAMY, the smooth sounds of multi-instrumentalist SILENTJAY, the driving force of tear-out drum n’ bass legend HOOVES, boundary-pushing producer ABLE8, the Jazz-inspired sounds of MPC-banging COSMO, the genre-bending experimental beats of FUGITIVE, underground pioneer of bass music A13 and the dark, diverse productions of The Operatives own director JPS.

 

HQ

Rebecca Florence

Swept into music writing by an appetite for words and a thirst for late nights and underground sounds, Rebecca Florence soon found herself unearthing Australia’s emerging electronic landscape for ACCLAIM Magazine, ViceMagazine’s Noisey and Thump, the based-out-of-London Dummy… Read More

Jerry Poon

JPS aka Jerry Poon is known to most as the head honcho of The Operatives, which over the past 5 years have had an unparalleled commitment to bringing out ground… Read More

May Sivakumaran (Chronic Sans)

Chronic Sans specialises in mixing abstract and bizarre film footage. Shocking audiences with her live performances, she has curated visuals for artists such as FLYING LOTUS, ROYAL-T and TEDDY amongst many… Read More

Melissa Cowan

“Has studied photography – a Bachelor in Fine Arts, majoring in Photo Media. That’s a bit different, hey? Has been freelancing since 2008. Likes amongst many things, change.” cargocollective.com/melissacowan

Michael Danischewski

From delivering DIY zines in pizza boxes to taking the portraits of some of the world’s most mysterious luminaries, Michael Danischewski’s work spans across all media. Be it digital, video,… Read More

A13

Artist

A13 is one of Melbourne’s most exciting new DJ/producers to emerge on the Australian scene. With 10 years of DJ experience under his belt, A13 has been partly responsible for… Read More

Able8

Artist

With the ability to fuse hip-hop and EDM as a boundary-pushing producer, with contagious appeal as a front man as an MC and a behind-the-scenes promoter, event organiser and label… Read More

Amin Payne

Artist

Producer/DJ/Performer based in Melbourne. Co-Founder and member of the bands ‘Due Dillagence’ & ‘OJ KUSH’. A vital member of the Operatives, Amin is also the co-founder of Condensed Milk, a… Read More

DJ KUYA

DJ/PRODUCER

While technology might have made it easier to become a DJ, few are able to connect with their audience quite like DJ KUYA. With almost thirty years experience and three… Read More

Hans DC / The Phantom Sun

Artist

HansDC aka The Phantom Sun has been a staple in the Melbourne scene for almost two decades. A working DJ who has been and seen it all, Hans has regularly… Read More

Johnny Hooves

Artist

Fluent as a DJ, studio producer, drummer and live sound engineer, for John Clayton aka HOOVES, music has been a lifelong engagement. Based in Melbourne, Australia, the native New Zealander… Read More

JPS

Founder & DJ

Few DJs or promoters have changed the shape of Melbourne’s music scene quite like JPS (Jerry Poon). His diverse tastes and years as a crate-digging-collector are always on point no matter… Read More

Nam

Artist

One of the Operative’s founding members and Australia’s most diverse selectors NAM has made a name for himself at the forefront of Melbourne’s musical landscape with his signature mixing style… Read More

Sean Deans

Sean Deans is a well respected Dj in both Melbourne and his native country of New Zealand. Starting out as a jungle / drum n bass Dj in mid-nineties Christchurch,… Read More

SILENTJAY

Artist

Almost-forgotten 90’s R&B B-sides, dusty ’45s, a blissful midday nap and the sting of not-quite realized romance are just some of the rich textures and colours that Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Silentjay… Read More

© THE OPERATIVES 2013 SITE BY NEWGEN STUDIO