“The essence of what it is to be an artist will never die.” — OJ Newcomb
Harley Breen sits down with OJ Newcomb, a bassist, band manager, producer, studio co-owner, label founder and music teacher who has seen the music industry from nearly every angle. OJ grew up in a musical family, started on brass, and became a jazz bass player after being pulled into his brother’s scene, which led him to the Afro Dizzi Act and more. A run of gigs at Woodford Folk Festival in the late 90s, including a 1999 set on the Amphitheatre in front of an incredible crowd, convinced him that music was his calling. After five years of playing, he began managing, because he saw opportunities going by and wanted to run with them.
Later came a couple of years touring with John Butler, including playing at Red Rocks. Today OJ runs Yama-Nui Studios with engineer Paulie B, which has been named Best Recording Studio at the Sunshine Coast Music Awards twice, and a label built around mentoring development artists. He also teaches music.
This conversation covers why he backs emerging artists in a tough industry, the pressure on venues to create an experience worth turning up for (and how tight the margins are), why he believes art should be valued like a community service, and a classic Woodford love story.
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Key topics: OJ Newcomb, bass guitar, music industry, mentoring, recording studio, Yama-Nui Studios, record label, Afro Dizzi Act, John Butler, Red Rocks, Sunshine Coast, live music venues, permaculture, Woodford Folk Festival
To come to the Woodford Folk Festival this year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/
FOR MORE:
Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au
OJ Newcomb: https://www.instagram.com/eco_tone/
Yama-Nui Artist Management: https://www.instagram.com/_yn.am_/
Yama-Nui Studios: https://yama-nui-studios.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yama.nui.studio/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yama.nui.records
Woodfordia: https://woodfordia.org/
CREDITS: Host: Harley Breen | Guest: OJ Newcomb | Executive Producer: Bree Hickson-Jamieson | Production: Josh Weier | Audio Engineer: Stevie-leigh Batiste | Video Editor: Nick Haddow | Music by: The East Pointers | Recorded on Jinibara Country | Recorded July 2026
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