'A real problem in this country': Amy Shark highlights the dark side of Australia's music industry as she makes acting debut

Exclusive: "We're a country where we really, really like the underdog, but then we have a real big problem when the underdog does well, to stay there with them."

When it comes to the music industry and what it's like for local musicians to crack it, Amy Shark says Australia is "definitely a hard country".

When asked if Australia is plagued with tall poppy syndrome, she tells nine.com.au, "100 per cent. It's just a real problem in this country."

Shark, 39, is known for hits including I Said Hi and Worst Day of My Life and has a cool eight ARIA Awards under her belt.

But it hasn't been an easy road to get there – and the singer notes times have changed, with everyone now having access to a platform.

"We have so much amazing music, and so many people doing amazing things and, obviously, now it's harder than ever with everything happening," she says.

"There's just so much music and everyone wants to do the thing, and everyone has a platform to do the thing now.

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"Whereas [before] you had to really hustle and be in it for, for nothing, for a long time."

The Gold Coast-born star put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where she is today, but she "feels like one of the lucky ones".

"For me to get Sony interested, or anyone interested, I had to do a lot that had nothing to do with getting [social media] followers or anything," Shark recalls.

"But now it's like people can literally do it all day, every day and set up their camera. I'm not saying it's easier, it's just hard because there's so much choice.

"To make an actual living from [music], it's harder than ever ... I kind of feel like one of the lucky ones, but I also had to work really hard.

"So I think, at the end of the day, it's write good songs, work really f--king hard."

The hard work has sure paid off for Shark, who's will release her new album Soft Pop in July.

The musician has also has just made her acting debut, starring in the film Beast alongside Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe, Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth, NRL star George Burgess, Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale.

Not bad for her on-screen big break.

It came about after Shark 'cheekily' hounded Gladitator star Crowe, 62, to get her part in an acting project.

Soon Beast came along and the Oscar winner helped her land an audition, but she aced it on her own. 

"It was pretty weird, how it came about. Russell has randomly turned into a good friend of mine," she says.

"It started as a cheeky little game where I'd keep hassling him and saying, 'When are you going to get me a role? I'm ready, coach. Tap me in'.

"And then one day he just sent me a script and said, 'This is interesting. I think this role would suit you if you're interested', which was crazy.

"I read the whole script, and he said, 'Look, I can't promise anything, but I can get you an audition.'"

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Shark admits she had to shake off a sense of 'imposter syndrome' after landing the role and arriving on set.

It's a "gear switch" she previously learned when working with global superstar Ed Sheeran.

"I was like, 'OK, I have to not be a fan now, I have to show this guy I want to be in his circles, I want to be in his writing camp, so I want to show that I'm on this level of writing'," Shark recalls.

"I've managed to be able to work on that switching gears over my career, to not make a dick of myself, to be honest," she adds with a laugh.

In Beast, Shark plays Rose, the daughter of veteran gym owner and trainer Sammy (Crowe), who helps train MMA fighter Patton James (MacPherson) for his final fight.

There's massive prize money on the line and a redemption arc, with James fighting after the death of his brother. 

In Shark's own words, she plays a tough "bad bitch", and she worked with an MMA trainer to prepare for the role.

"I loved the script and I've always loved fight movies. I used to do taekwondo and was a big fan of bloodsport and all the Bruce Lee movies, so I was like, 'This is so up my alley,'" she says.

Shark says fans might be surprised to learn acting was her "first love" and interest before singing.

"I had acting lessons when I was 14 and had an agent and was trying to get little commercials and stuff," she says.

When asked whether Crowe gave her any advice on set, Shark says he helped her and she happily took his advice on board.

"Everything I worked on and changed really just brought the scene to life. He's f--king Russell Crowe, you know, he knows what he's doing!" she adds.

As we end our call, Shark laughs as she remarks on the braids her character wears in the film – a departure from her signature high bun.

"They were pretty tight. There were a few headaches. It was worth it though, pain is beauty!"

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