Australia’s music industry is paying tribute to Diana Torossian, the music publishing executive and artist manager who died Tuesday, Sept. 24 following a battle with cancer. She was 58.
Torossian had a rare instinct for identifying the next big thing. At EMI Music Publishing Australia, she signed the likes of ARIA Hall of Fame-inducted rockers Hoodoo Gurus, Baby Animals, and Diesel, and took those talents to Mushroom Music Publishing, Sony Music Australia and Polygram Music Publishing Australia, Peter Hoyland Management and other companies.
At BMG Music Publishing Australia, Torossian was involved in the signings of Powderfinger, Rogue Traders, The Androids, The Grates, Adam Reily, Phil Buckle, and David Campbell, and was named manager of A&R.
After leaving BMG, Torossian went out on her own. With her bulging contacts book and knowledge of the music industry, she launched DT Talent Management in 2009, with an MO for “recognizing, developing and promoting songwriting and production talent” in Australia.
Through that firm, Torossian managed David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii, the prolific and award-winning songwriting team better known as DNA, which has crafted hits with the likes of The Veronicas, Nathaniel, Samantha Jade, Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy and Delta Goodrem.
“Rest in peace to our beloved friend, mother figure and music industry manager of 15 years Diana Torossian,” reads a tribute from Egizii. “You will forever live on in all of not just mine and David’s memories but all the people you have touched and enlightened throughout your amazing career and personal life.”
He adds, “I love you dearly and will always hold a place for you in the heart in me that always felt connected to you as my family. Thank you for all the blessings, however extravagant or as simplistic as even just long chats on the phone. I miss you already. See you again one day Di.”
Recounts industry veteran Milly Petriella: “The music community will mourn your passing and remember the heart and passion you always bestowed on your artists, producers and songwriters.”
DT Talent Management represented Michael D’Arcy, Michael Fatkin, Andrew Lowden and Torossian guided the careers of hitmaking songwriter Sarah Aarons and country creative Lindsay Rimes.
Artist Dylan Wright remembers Torossian as “one of the fiercest, strongest, and most genuine women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing in the music industry. Her unwavering determination, passion, and authenticity were unmatched. She had this incredible way of inspiring everyone around her, and I’ll forever be grateful for the time we spent together.”
A Carlton Football Club fanatic, Torossian will be remembered at a funeral service Oct. 2 at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection on 10 Macquarie Street, Chatswood. commencing at 11:00am.
The service will be streamed here.