Everybody loves merch.
From the humble band T-shirt to the distinctly more outrageous items musical acts have tried to palm off in the past (red wine and dildos, anyone?), buying merch directly from artists unlocks something in us. It’s a way for creator and consumer to communicate – a transaction that allows fans to support the band they love while simultaneously broadcasting that love to the rest of the world.
But what of the merch sellers who stand in the middle, acting as conduit between bands and their audiences? In order to get a sneak peek behind the curtain, we reached out to two of these unsung heroes who make the industry go round. Ever wondered what life is like behind that merch-slathered desk? Read on and wonder no more.
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Rebekah Duke – Freelance Merch Seller
How did you start selling merch?
By accident – it probably started as a favour for friends’ bands. I used to work in music retail so it was pretty easy.
Do you work any other jobs and/or study as well? How do you find juggling selling merch with other pursuits?
I run my own arts consultancy business, work a couple of other music-related jobs, and just finished studying part-time. It’s good to keep busy but you don’t always get much sleep, especially as many merch gigs finish late into the evening. Just takes good time management.
What is it about merch that people love?
T-shirts especially are still sort of tribal – you see a stranger wearing the shirt of a band you like and there’s that almost imperceptible nod of recognition as you pass. Plus everyone loves a souvenir.
Do you own/wear much merch yourself?
I used to work in a record store where we sold stupid amounts of band merch and I got thoroughly sick of band shirts, so I stopped wearing them for many years. I started buying shirts again at local gigs a few years back, so I’m hooked once more. I’m a bit of a fan of handmade and unusual merch, along with practical stuff like tote bags, tea towels and stubby holders.
What is the best part of selling merch on tour? What’s the worst?
The best: watching how stoked people are to be seeing a band they really love, and helping make extra income for the musicians because they often get paid fuck-all for their music.
The worst: counting in 20 boxes of merch on a tight deadline before a show, and trying to pack up and balance the takings at 1am. Also anyone who asks, “Is this shirt true to size?”
What is your best tour-based memory?
Probably nothing I can repeat here.
Has music always been a big part of your life?
Ridiculously so – I dropped out of high school because of my love of music. Have been working in something music-related ever since.
What is your dream career?
Pragmatically – anything that makes a positive difference to someone somehow, where I wake up knowing I haven’t compromised my ethics or sold anyone else out.
Idealistically – something where I’m paid to travel to see live music and spruik Australian artists.
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Meaghan Weiley – Merch Seller At Milk! Records
How did you get involved with Milk! Records?
I was just about halfway through my third year at uni, and I was looking to undertake another internship. I’d written for music publications in the past, but ultimately I wanted to work for a record label. I remember sending out what felt like a million emails to prospective employers, and luckily enough Milk! responded. I remember meeting Jen Cloher (and CEO cat Bubbles) for the first time and everything just felt right. I also sat in this chair – “the strange wooden chair nobody sits on”.Everyone sits in that chair the first time they’re at Milk!! I reckon it’s there on purpose.
Pictured: Milk! CEO Bubbles
Had you been a fan of the label before you started working with them?
In short – not really. I’d listened to Jen before and really dug her music; there was something so honest about it that drew me in. I saw Courtney Barnett play for the first time three or so years ago when I’d first moved to Melbourne – I think it was when she’d just put out Sea Of Split Peas. There were about ten of us watching. The next time I saw her was to a sold-out show at the Palais here in Melbourne a couple months ago. To be able to observe that from two completely different perspectives – both as a punter and as a friend/employee – was pretty surreal.
Do you work any other jobs and/or study as well? How do you find juggling Milk! with other pursuits?
I graduated university last week actually. I deferred my grad last December and went to Meredith instead! Currently I’ve got some job interviews lined up and I’ve been doing a bit of freelance work where I can. The label is something I’m very dedicated to, so in some cases it comes first!
What is it about merch that people love?
There’s something exciting about buying merch at a show. Merchandise provides that link between a fan and an artist, even if they don’t come into contact directly. Merch can carry a lot of sentiment – there can be a lot of memories attached to a show, and in that sense a T-shirt can be very special to someone.
Do you own/wear much Milk! merch yourself?
Half of my wardrobe is probably Milk! merch – I’m not even kidding. I’m really proud of the label. I love wearing the shirts because it’s something I appreciate, and it feels nice to represent them. The best part is when you’re out somewhere and someone recognises the design – even stranger when they recognise you!
What is the best part of selling merch on tour? What’s the worst?
The worst part is the pack up at the end of the day. Especially on this past tour where there were six bands and hundreds of shirts. On the other hand, best part are the friendships you develop with the people you meet – especially via the merch desk. People are hilarious. I had a girl come up to me at the show in Wollongong that made a bet with her dad that I was Courtney’s sister. Weird, but a little cool.
What is your best tour-based memory?
All those great vodka cranberrys Bones made me. No-one makes ’em the way Bonesy does.
Has music always been a big part of your life?
Without a doubt. My parents aren’t music-obsessed, but music was always playing in the house growing up. I find it difficult to get through the day if I haven’t spent a couple hours listening to music. I have a vivid memory of my year five teacher bringing in Led Zeppelin’s IV one day for the class to listen. That moment pretty much changed my life.
What is your dream career?
I’d love to have a radio show. Or get paid to write about music full-time. Or work for NASA! But only if I was good at maths and they had tofu banh mi in space.
You can head to the Milk! Records site to fulfill all your merch-based needs. Or, alternatively, you can save up your pennies for the next tour and say hi to Meaghan. Just remember – she’s not Courtney’s sister.
