67. Nat Bartsch: Music with Purpose, Neurodivergence, and Creating Forever Changed

This week, I’m joined by the extraordinary Nat Bartsch — a twice ARIA-nominated pianist, composer, producer, and advocate whose music blends neoclassical composition with jazz harmony, improvisation, and ethereal ambient effects. At the time of recording in 2024, Nat was the Artist in Residence at the Melbourne Recital Centre and was preparing for the release of her stunning album, Forever Changed.

I was lucky enough to get an early listen to Forever Changed before this conversation, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Since then, friends and I attended the album launch, and it was such a special experience. In this episode, we discuss the process behind making the album, its deeply personal themes, and how it was shaped by surround sound and Atmos mixing.

Nat also opens up about being a neurodivergent artist—reflecting on her autism and ADHD diagnoses and how they’ve influenced her creative process, career, and advocacy work. She shares how she’s been creating inclusive spaces, including neurodiverse-friendly listening experiences at the Recital Centre.

Beyond her work as a solo artist, we discuss her decision to self-manage, launch her own label (Amica Records), and develop Amica Familia, a mentorship program for emerging artists. From the challenges of being an independent musician to the evolving landscape of recorded music, this conversation is packed with insight, creativity, and inspiration—don’t miss it!

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