The legal veteran has been involved in the arts scene since his teenage years
WRP Legal & Advisory director Adrian Tisato has been announced as the new chair of MusicSA Ltd, which represents the contemporary music industry in South Australia.
He succeeds John Glenn, who retired from the leadership role after nearly six years. Tisato will work alongside treasurer and deputy chair Tim Haslam, secretary Angus Crawford, and directors Kate Owen, Leko Novakovic, Anita Decoster and Kevin van der Zwaag.
Decoster is the founder of Baseline Production and co-director of the Froth and Fury Festival, while van der Zwaag is the marketing and communications head of the Adelaide Festival. They both joined the MusicSA board in June.
“MusicSA is excited to welcome Adrian Tisato as chair. Adrian brings decades of arts and cultural governance to the role, along with a genuine love for South Australian music and strong knowledge of the workings of the music industry”, said MusicSA CEO Christine Schloithe in a LinkedIn post. “Adrian’s appointment, along with Anita and Kevin, signals the board’s unwavering commitment to championing local artists and industry while navigating complex sector challenges”.
Tisato, whose legal career spans almost three decades, has been involved in the music scene from his youth. The litigator has been a songwriter since he was a teenager; he went on to launch and front his own band in Adelaide.
Subsequently, he established an independent record label and music publishing company. He has continued to do music publishing and licencing work while practising as a lawyer.
Tisato has co-written songs licenced for US and Australia TV series.
“It is an honour to be appointed chair of MusicSA. I look forward to working with the board and our CEO Christine Schloithe and her team to support, promote and advocate for SA’s brilliant contemporary music artists, venues and businesses”, he said in a media release. “I thank John Glenn for his many years of dedicated service as xhair, and I look forward to continuing his good work”.
Last month, Tisato hosted and spoke at the third national Regional and Remote Music Summit held in Mount Gambier. He is set to appear at this year’s South Australian Music Awards as host and speaker.
As a legal practitioner, Tisato focuses on matters involving governance and government; innovation, creativity and IP; complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution; and partnership and shareholder dispute resolution. He has served as the principal lawyer in cases that have gone before the Supreme Court, Federal Court and High Court.
He has tackled major government-related transactions and projects and is an expert in public administration. He has guided settlements of multi-party disputes via mediation and negotiation.
Tisato commenced with WRP Legal in December 2023. At present, he also chairs the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation.
He was once deputy chair of Adelaide Fringe and chair of the People’s Republic of Animation. He also sat on the boards of the Motor Accident Commission, Independent Gambling Authority, and South Australian Film Corporation.
Tisato received his bachelor of laws and bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Adelaide. He obtained his graduate diploma in legal practice from the University of South Australia.
