EXCLUSIVE: Bec Sandridge Calls Out Vile Personal Attacks Following 'Like A Version'

Following the release of her Like A Version cover on triple j last week, in which she completely reworked John Farnham's classic You're The Voice, Bec Sandridge has called for an "online safe space policy" and "protection for artists". 

The cover of the song was met with aggressive personal attacks on the indie rocker, including derogatory comments on her sexuality and appearance such as "You can put as much lipstick as you like on a pig, but it's still a pig…" and "someone should stab her in the throat". 

Speaking exclusively to The Music, Sandridge says, "I think it’s actually opened up a really interesting and great conversation around misogyny and women in the music industry but also more importantly, I think for me, it really shone through that there needs to be an online safe space policy and there needs to be protection for artists.

"Luckily, someone like me, I’ve got a relatively thick skin and I don’t feel affected by it, but it’s kinda scary that artists are creating and putting themselves out there and choosing to make bold decisions and people are cutting it down."

Sandridge says she discussed the same topic with fellow musos Tash Sultana, Thelma Plum and Courtney Barnett and they were all thankful of their own abilities to handle the criticism of trolls, but worried about those that did not have "thick skin".

She adds, "I think people forget that musicians make music to have fun. Like, it’s John Farnham, he’s iconic, I think he’s the best, but also it wasn’t meant to be something that’s taken too seriously. And that’s the thing, it’s meant to be a version. For me there’s no point in replicating something. I never want to do anything boring. If I’m gonna produce something that’s middle of the line there’s no point even doing it."

Sandridge says to trolls who hide behind their keyboards: "It’s really important when making these comments online that you recognise that these are humans giving it a go. When you’re making these comments it makes people wanna give up and it makes people stop creating, which is really sad because it’s stagnating the industry, it’s stagnating people who are creating and giving it a go.

"It’s fine to not like something but the moment it becomes violent and derogatory that’s not okay."