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Justin Heazlewood
Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out, Storyteller/Performer
Justin Heazlewood is an award-winning triple-threat of writer, musician & comedian. As The Bedroom Philosopher he has appeared on Triple J & ABC TV, releasing three albums including the ARIA-nominated Songs From The 86 Tram. The video for Northcote (So Hungover) earning nearly half a million hits. In 2014 his first non-fiction book Funemployed, about being an artist in Australia, was an indie-hit, earning praise from artists and industry alike. In 2015 an 8-part series was commissioned for RN.
His 10-part Get Up Mum radio series based on his cassette recordings of himself as a kid was aired Radio National’s Life Matters. You can listen to the series here.
In 2020 Justin gave a witness statement and presented at the launch of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. He is an ambassador for the Satellite Foundation who offer support for children of parents with a mental illness.
Where were you born?
Burnie, Tasmania. You can take the man out of Tasmania and then it’s just Tasia.
What other jobs have you had?
My first job was as a Masterchef at KFC. I wrote for a Channel Ten sketch show which was just as messy but I was paid more. Recently I was on ABC’s Collectors with my 70’s tie collection, a scene so devastating the show was cancelled.
What themes are recurring in your work?
The importance of realising that it’s okay to feel weird. My brain and how ridiculous it is. Australian pop culture, in particular the Golden Gaytime.
What have been the highlights of your career?
I played a young John Safran in the ABC series John Safran’s Race Relations. That was literally a highlight because I had to dye my hair blonde.
Where have your works been published?
Frankie, The Big Issue, JMag. I appear in the Penguin Anthology Sincerely (Women Of Letters). I’ve had two books published by Affirm Press.
What are you passionate about?
I’m pretty passionate about self-esteem and mental illness. I reckon our brains are an infinite rainbow playground of epic proportions but we spend most of our time worrying if our shoes are cool enough.
Haven’t I seen you before?
I’ve appeared on Spicks & Specks, Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight, The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, ABC’s Collectors and my song Northcote (So Hungover) has been featured on Rage.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Q. How many students does it take to change a light bulb?
A. When’s it due in?
Author photo credit: Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
Testimonials
Justin Heazlewood’s Get Up Mum talk struck a great balance between the darkness of childhood, and humour. The addition of cassette tapes alongside readings from the book, gave a raw and interesting insight into his childhood, which really resonated with the audience. He had great engagement with the audience, answering questions, and opening a great conversation that carried through to the book signing after the event.”
The uniqueness of Justin was powerful and his ability to weave in some teaching for this age group was extraordinary. So enjoyable and heartwarming.
Justin Heazlewood was an excelled and accessible performer, who spoke about the subject of Mental health in an age appropriate way without any condescension.
Justin entertained students from Grade 1 through to Grade 10. He was able to convey our important messages with sensitivity and fabulous humour! It was heartening experience to watch students connect with his words and songs.
2 days, 1400 students and adults, entertainment, message delivery, laughter, singing, bus tour, 4 schools, local history, what more can I say. Working with Justin over 2 days was such a fun and dynamic experience. I saw children from age 5 to 17 sit for over an hour at a time and be 100% engaged. Justin coped with last minute changes and unexpected items being thrown at him and still delivered without a hiccup.
We had such fun having Justin Heazlewood as our MC for the ‘We Mind Be Kind’ forum. Justin’s overall demeanour and performance was both professional and very inspiring. He had the students engaged from his first word and laughing out loud throughout. Justin managed to sensitively bring some light-heartedness to the otherwise difficult subject of bullying. He was very friendly and easy to work with and left Wynyard with a heap of new fans! I would strongly recommend Justin to any school.
Justin effortlessly led the audience on a whimsical and hilarious journey through an evening of five speakers. His style was consoling, real and extremely responsive to the experience of the audience throughout the evening. Easy to work with and well-versed in all things philosophy and culture, Justin took the event to a new level. I hope to see his crowd-pleasing version of bogan yoga or taxi phone number poetry taking off soon.
The year 9’s loved (Justin’s presentation), repeating the words and content Justin showed even up to two weeks later. Justin’s work is being used in the classroom and songwriting is being looked at in the curriculum.
I have to compliment Justin’s professionalism as he was very efficient and also very different from what the students were used to from book week. The students really took to his different, fresh take on performing to students.
Justin (The Bedroom Philosopher) was fantastic. He was really entertaining, funny and engaging. He was smart enough to know how far to go and not overstep the line (it was a Year 12 audience). We’ll be inviting him back next year!
The Bedroom Philosopher performed at our school’s Arts Festival to staff & students from years 7-12. We were all highly entertained and amused by his songs and spontaneous banter. Justin had a brilliant manner with the students and was able to work interactively and spontaneously with them during his performance. His material was funny, sensitive, thought provoking and highly entertaining. He also ran a brilliant song writing workshop post show. It’s hard to find an accomplished comic song writer with outstanding PG material. I highly recommend The Bedroom Philosopher as a school performer/visiting artist. He was extraordinary.