It's Not For You: Inside the artists rewriting the rules of the Australian music scene

by Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich

Featuring interviews with Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers, Angie McMahon, Anna Laverty, Anna Lunoe, BARKAA, Camp Cope, Courtney Barnett, Elly-May Barnes, Fanny Lumsden, Julia Jacklin, Kira Puru, Marcia Hines, RIAH, Romy Vager, Sampa the Great, Sarah Blasko, Sosefina Fuamoli and Vika and Linda Bull.

From our very first show in Brisbane in 2016, when we stopped mid-set to call out a guy who was pushing to the front and shoving women aside, we knew exactly what kind of space we wanted to build. One where women and queer people didn’t have to shrink themselves or brace for impact if they didn’t. And if you had a problem with that, it was not for you.

Trailblazing female punk band Camp Cope changed the Australian music scene forever, from their It Takes One campaign to end sexual harassment at gigs to their track ‘The Opener’, which became an anthem for fearlessly calling out the sexism that permeates the industry. Here, Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich, Camp Cope’s bass player, brings that same passion to conversations with fellow artists who represent the firsts and the future of Australian music.

It's Not For You goes beyond the music, offering a peek behind the curtain, generous personal reflection, catharsis, camaraderie and inspiration for anyone who’s ever been told they were too much or not enough.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2026

Reviews

[Kathryn Allman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of Kelly for making her mark and sharing these stories. I haven’t read anything like it and I imagine it will be such a resource for young musicians trying to find their rhythm. “Show em Kelly!” gives me chills every time. Thank you Camp Cope!! 🙏

[Sam Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 moving, sad, honest, hopeful. There’s a lot for women to feel upset about in australia right now and reading this gave me a break from that / reminded me that there’s a lot of power in speaking up and sticking together. I especially loved the personal stories and learning things I didn’t know about some of my favourite musicians.

[Kassandra Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first 50 pages I knew this was going to be my favourite read of the year. As I read on it brought me in deeper than I honestly thought it was going to. I as someone who works in the Australian music industry felt so seen by this book and the experiences these women have had. Mentioning of places I’ve personally been and continue to go, to the exact festival where I had an incident happen. Perhaps it spoke very clearly to me than it will others but I implore every single person, to read this book.

I think this has been my favourite book to read this year

[Hells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Show ‘em Kelly! A great insight into the Australian artists and music industry, and Kelly’s experience. She shows how man-centric the music industry is (ew!) and she interviews amazing Australian women artist/musicians.

[Abbie Walker · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

It’s Not For You is an incredible culmination of some of the greatest minds in the Australian music industry. Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich does an incredible job of bringing to light the experiences of these amazing women alongside her own story.

Kelly exposes the misogyny and discrimination faced by female, queer and ethnically diverse artists and uses it as ammunition to fight back.

These negative experiences certainly cannot outshine the outstanding achievements and groundbreaking advances women are making in the music industry.

It’s Not For You is brilliantly written, thoughtfully and emotionally sharing the stories of the many artists involved. It’s a must read for anyone who’s ever listened to music or known a woman; a mother, sister, wife, friend, artist.

[Izzy Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but in quite a lovely way. A lot more memoir than essay, it was a great insight into Kelly’s life and core memories that have shaped her career and life so far. Her conversations were built in way I’ve never read before, with reflections throughout. It felt like they must’ve been so much more of each conversation that wasn’t included, and it felt like just the start of the story. I did feel like I understood the book better in the angie McMahon chapter, understanding the calmness, beauty and love that is the heart of the book, rather thang the anger and frustration

[Siobhan Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so special. Being a Camp Cope fan, I knew I’d enjoy it. But I did not expect such a gentle and moving series of essays/interviews that spanned art, family, friendship, and belonging in Australia’s music industry.

I thought I’d speed through this, but I unexpectedly found myself really sitting with each chapter, listening to the music of the artist, and finding a better understanding of their work.

Five stars - the Goodreads equivalent of shouting “Show ‘em Kelly” at a sold out show.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very occassionally I read something and it feels like I've read it at the perfect time. Something about the context or headspace im reading it in. This is one of those!!! Great stories, great messages.

[Kate Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I teared up multiple times reading this, and then again watching the final Camp Cope show at the opera house immediately after I finished.
Thank Dolly for the matriarchy. Thank Dolly for Camp Cope. Thank you, Kelly x

[Kailyn Crabbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew through this! Enjoyed reflecting on my own (almost) decade working in the Aus music scene, and how formative Camp Cope's politics when I got started. I truly wonder what the industry would be like without all of the women interviewed in this book who have paved the way.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Show ‘em Kelly!!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read that spotlights the frustration of existing as a non male in Australia, but casts equal amounts of hope.

[Peta Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insights into the Australian music scene by female musicians.

[brahn ⭐️]

did the audiobook on this since i couldn’t get a physical anywhere here in the US… starting crying as soon as i heard “the opener” play during the closing credits.