Lin Buckfield – Musician (Electric Pandas) / Award Winning Journalist (5 Walkleys Including 1 Gold)
Lin Buckfield
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Lin Buckfield. Lin first made a name for herself as the front woman for the iconic 80s Australian Pop Rock band Electric Pandas. They rose to prominence on the heels of their smash hit song ‘Big Girls’, from their 1985 debut album ‘Point Blank’. In this episode, we chat about how she came to live in Australia, and the path that led her to become a member of that legendary band. She shares stories of rocketing to stardom with their huge single, and some of the highlights that came along with the band’s popularity. Electric Pandas played places like The Sydney Opera House, as well as ‘Oz For Africa’, which was part of the global fundraising phenomenon that was ‘Live Aid’. We also discuss the freedom that came with being tapped to do a commercial for Coca Cola. Next, we touch on a few of the bands that Lin was part of after leaving Electric Pandas. Next, we get into her journalism career. Lin Buckfield became a journalist; working for Australia’s ‘Channel 9’ and then moving to ‘The Times’. Lin’s career took a more serious turn when she went to work for the highly esteemed program ‘Four Corners’, and later for ‘Media Watch’. Her work for the latter garnered her 5 Walkley awards, including 1 Gold Walkley which is Australian journalism’s highest honor. Naturally, I ask Lin her thoughts on the changes in technology, reputation, and perception of the current media landscape, from when she was working in that area. Finally, we find out what Lin is up to these days. She owns an art studio in Chelsea on Long Island, New York where she creates beautiful ceramic works of art, as well as gorgeous wood pieces. Yes, she lets me play ‘Big Girls’ by Electric Pandas. Bigger YES, Electric Pandas is currently doing a 2026 Australian tour called ‘Electric Safari Tour’. Check @LinBuckfield and @ElectricPandasAustralia on Instagram for find current and future show dates. New shows are being added all the time.
