Johanna Pigott is a musician, singer/songwriter and screenwriter. Johanna is best known as co-writer of John Farnham’s hit single Age Of Reason and one of Dragon’s biggest hits Rain. When Age of Reason topped the charts in 1988, Johanna became the first Australian woman to have written a number one hit. Her TV scripts include Sweet and Sour, Heartbreak High and Mortified. Johanna’s film credits include Broken English and Alex.
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
I think I wanted to be an artist, a painter, but my family had no experience of that, we were all doctors and nurses and I had the grades to be a doctor, so I compromised and did architecture. My old school friends tell me I used to write songs up the back of class. I have no memory of that.
…and as a little girl, what did you imagine working life to be like?
I had no idea. You saw movies of flight attendants in chic suits and most of my teachers were women but I didn’t relate! I saw lots of boys in local bands practicing in their garages and thought “Where are the girls?”
Who is most surprised by your achievements?
Me
How have women helped shape your success to date?
As a teenager and in my early 20’s I listened to women singer songwriters intently. I was really interested in what they were saying. They had a voice that reached out to ME.
Who inspires you?
Julia Gillard; political women of my youth – Wendy Bacon, Liz Fell, Susan Ryan; Margaret Olley
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
The heady mixture of strength and fragility.
What is the best path to success in your field of endeavor?
Be you own woman, express yourself, do not be afraid, keep at it , write your own songs and these days, know your way around a good music program and make your own tracks!
What is the key to successfully balancing work and life?
Don’t be swallowed by your passion, don’t let it become your escape from life. That takes discipline.
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
At a monastery
What makes you happy?
Being.
What brings you sadness?
Violence.
What are your career goals from here?
Write a good song. Teach adult literacy.
What are your life goals from here?
Balance work and life.