Christie Eliezer's Music Business News
Posted: 4:31PM, Tuesday 6th November, 2007.
AMP PRIZE CHANGES JUDGING
In its third year, the Australian Music Prize (AMP) has slashed the number of judges from 77 to 22, making it more manageable and allowing the judges to confer with each other. Prize director Scott Murphy says he borrowed the idea from the UK's Mercury Music Prize, adding "The judging process is of the utmost importance to the long term existence of The Australian Music Prize and during
these early formative years, we're constantly improving such." Entries are open until November 30, with 60 already filed online, angling for the $25,000 prize. As each entry comes in, AMP software will randomly assign three judges to it, and a coordinator so they can keep in touch about that entry. If a judge feels an entry has not been judged properly, the software will randomly select two more judges. The results of Round 1 judging will produce a Short List which will be announced on Tues February 5th at an event in Sydney. Winner is announced on March 25.
The current judges are held over from last year (one new addition is Jebediah's Kevin Mitchell) and made up of artists, media and retailers. They are John Course (Dj), Dan Bessant (Nova 969), Chris Berkeley (Red Eye Records), Dave Faulkner, Robbie Buck (Triple J), Tom Beaumont (Rocking Horse Records), Tim Freedman, Simon Collins (The West Australian), Mike Glynn (JB Hi Fi), Renee Geyer, Patrick Donovan (The Age), Martin Whybrow (Leading Edge), Rob Hirst, Nic Harcourt (KCRW), Joel Ma (TZU), Chris Johnston (The Age), Kevin Mitchell, Andrew Mast (Street Press Australia) Darren Seltmann, Kathy McCabe (Sydney Daily Telegraph), Noel Mengel (Brisbane Courier Mail) and Bernard Zuel (Sydney Morning Herald). See www.australianmusicprize.com.au
THIRSTY MERC, MANAGER COADY PART
After five years, Thirsty Merc and manager Francis Coady's company Coady Music International Artist Management (CMIAM) have parted ways. The split, which they insist was amicable, was announced in a brief statement to the media. It emphasised no further comment would be made. CMIAM has recently taken over the running of the 7th annual Bondi Short Film Festival on Bondi Beach and plans to launch an indie label Grand Pacific Records next year.
DIFRNT UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Difrnt, the Sydney based record label set up by the retail Lowy family of Westfield shopping centres fame and run by former Universal Music managing director Paul Krige, is under new management. Taking over are talent managers David Edwards, Aaron Harvey and Danielle Courtney. It now offers a 360 degree deal with Difrnt Music (label), Difrnt Tunes (publishing) and Difrnt Threads (merchandising). Its first release for 2007 is COG single "What If" this week. A new website is to be launched and new signings made next year.
MEDIA WATCH ATTACKS TEN OVER ARIAs
ABC-TV's "Media Watch" took a potshot at the broadcast on the Ten Network of the ARIA awards. Viewers had complained that some logos of advertisers as Toyota and KFC had been flashed for one-25th of a second during the nomination clips. Subliminal advertising is illegal. When "Media Watch" began investigating, both show producer Roving Enterprises and the advertisers quickly pointed at Ten. A haughty statement from Ten's corporate affairs yapped on about "a different creative treatment" and "rapid cuts are creatively consistent with the look and feel of music presentations."
FEEDBACK FROM BUSINESS CONFERENCE
When the producers of the AustralAsian Music Business Conference three day event held in late August requested feedback and suggestions from the 660 attendees, they weren't prepared for 200 responses. Anyway they've ploughed through them now. See www.immedia.com.au/ambc.
According to the responses, best aspect of the event were the 'Music 101' Lunches mediated by Christie Eliezer. "These were really informative on a grassroots level and it gave attendees the ability to cross reference and question. The informal nature of them allowed us to get to know the nitty gritty of specific issues."
"The KaffeeKlatch was a nice follow on from this and was perfect for relaxed networking. Valuable connections and contacts were made - in a room full of like minded people."
There were a number of suggestions for the next conference, to be held mid-2009.
One was for convenor Phil Tripp to wear less lurid shirts in the morning on a brightly lit stage. Some felt Tripp talked too much (True!). A few thought free food was the way to go. One even suggested gluten free instead of just vegetarian as an option.
But the submission that was judged the best — and which won them a free quarter page full colour ad (worth $1500) in the 40th edition of the AustralAsian Music Industry — came from a pair of classically trained sisters from Byron Bay who record as Scarlett Affection. Their music (www.scarlettaffection.com) is a warm mix of guitar, piano, flute and accordion, but with a contemporary twist and folky style.
Melia and Nerida of Scarlett Affection were first time attendees at the AMBC. Melia wrote, "After the Friday sessions, we listened to several bands at the Annandale. Of the 80 people in the room, at least 25 of them were Conference attendees, with tote bags slung from shoulders, conference badges hanging from necks and a weary but wise nod of recognition as they ordered their schooners and applauded. It was marvelous to see everyone in a musical setting with the backdrop of great emerging Australian acts on stage. My suggestion would be to encourage this by creating a Conference Discount for attendees. If participating band venues offered a door discount for conference goers, then more of us could discuss, dissect, diverge and debate. A discount for further musical discourse!"
Phil Tripp told this column the idea was "simple but compelling and we look forward to incorporating it in our next AMBC August 20-22 2009."
BUDDY, SINEAD, BUTLER, URBAN, CROWES FOR BLUESFEST
The 19th Annual International East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival has come out with all guns blazing as it announces the first round of acts. Buddy Guy, Sinead O'Connor, Keith Urban, The Black Crowes, John Butler Trio, Wilco, Eskimo Joe, Mavis Staples, Maceo Parker, Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Don McLean, Loudon Wainwright III, Vusi Mahlasela, Ruthie Foster, Ron Sexsmith, Gotye, Clare Bowditch,
Angus and Julia Stone, Music Maker Foundation featuring Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, Albert White, Pura Fe, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, Little Joe Burton, and Dr. G.B. Burt.
The flagship festival will take place in Byron Bay at its new site in Belongil Fields between Thursday March 20 to Monday March 24 over the Easter long weekend. Satellite events featuring many of the same headline artists will also take place at The West Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival (March 15 and 16) and The Point Nepean Music Festival (March 22 and 23), The Tasmanian Blues & Roots Festival, Botanical Gardens Hobart Sunday (March 23) and The New Zealand Blues & Roots Festival will be at Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsular (March 22).
WEBB, WILLIAMS, JOIN SONG SUMMIT LIST
US songwriter legends Jimmy Webb and Paul Williams join the presenter's list of the inaugural Song Summit Sydney. They join Dann & Jon Hume (Evermore), Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc), Josh Pyke, Lior, Ash Grunwald, Melanie Horsnell, Eric Chapus (Endorphin), Les Gock, Peter Miller, Joel Ma and Pip Norman (TZU), Garth Porter, Rod McCormack, Lloyd Swanton, Magoo, Phil Kakulas, Mia Dyson, Scott Saunders (DIG), Jenny Morris, Francois Tetaz and Nigel Westlake. More names will be announced. The Summit is put together by APRA|AMCOS with the NSW Government 3-5 April. It will gather music creators, managers, publishers, technicians, marketers, lawyers and deal makers for three days of learning, networking, workshops and performances. Online registrations open this week at www.songsummit.com.au for details. 800 are expected to attend.
200 WANNA PLAY AT SxSW
200 Australian acts have applied to showcase at South By Southwest in Texas next March. SxSW local rep, Phil Tripp says that of these 68 came from NSW, followed by Vic (48), Qld (35), WA (30), SA (9), ACT (3), NT (2) and Tas (2). A total of 61 different record labels are represented by these artists including all four majors. More than 50 artists are on independent labels, 15 are on Australian and overseas multinational major labels, and 22 are self released with the remainder not claiming to be on a record label. Well over 100 of the artists are members of the APRA songwriter/publisher collection society.
In addition, more than 30 New Zealand artists have applied to play and there are currently more than 80 paid OZ & NZ delegates, well on the way to beating the record of more than 250 AustralAsian registrants who attended SxSW in 2007. In the past six years, the number of bands invited to play went from 20 in 2002 to 60 in 2007 with 46 able to accept and play this year's SxSW Festival. Next year?
The lineup of artists that have applied and the ones that are being invited to play will not be revealed until after artists have accepted their invitations, which start about November 15 through January 1.
Australian and New Zealand artists have enjoyed tremendous support in the past five years from their respective Federal Governments which have put money and resources such as stands, promotions and PR behind their export ready bands. Austrade has a diverse range of support packages and is working with state governments and music bodies to maximize the export impact of our artists at this crucial event. In the past five years, the West Australian and New South Wales arts organizations have been heavily supportive of their homegrown artists and labels with peak music bodies WAM & MusicNSW. This year, Victoria and Queensland have already strategised to take advantage of SxSW and the Australia Council has released funding for overseas touring surrounding SxSW.
SxSW Music official site is www.sxsw.com and the AustralAsian site is at www.themusic.com.au/sxsw. For further information, contact Phil Tripp at tripp@sxsw.com
BIRTHS
Congrats to: Will Borland, co-head of Inertia Entertainment ( Switch & Sectionate ) and his wife Yvonne on the arrival of their first child, Lydian Sylvana.
Chris Edmondson, guitarist with Simon London & The Spirits and his wife Debra on the birth of their son Errol. We believe the lil' feller might have got his name from a hit song by a famous band from the 1980s!
VINES CLIMB IVY LEAGUE
The Vines signed with Ivy League Records and begin recording their fourth album with producer Rob Schnapf in Los Angeles this month. Their' debut album, through Capitol "Highly Evolved" sold 1.5 million units worldwide, but the second "Winning Days" came at a time when singer Craig Nicholls' erratic behaviour led to a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome (a high functioning form of autism) and an extended hiatus. Ivy League is run by their managers Winterman & Goldstein. "To say that we are huge Vines fans would be putting it mildly," says Ivy League's Andy Kelly. "They are one of our favourite bands of all time." Nicholls adds, "We really want to make an amazing album and can't wait to start recording. We're ready. REALLY ready, and we're going to being able to tour more this time."
MUSIC DIRECTORY CLOSES FREE LISTINGS NOVEMBER 15
Yep, it's that time of year again where those who get their listing forms in before November 15 for the 40th AustralAsian Music Industry Directory get a free listing and free copy of the 200 page book and those who leave it have to pay a $77 late fee between November 16-December 15 to get the normally free listing and directory. Listing forms are online for download at http://www.immedia.com.au/amid/list.php as PDFs by section. For the first time, the AMID is also accepting electronic listings at that site for certain sections. GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT? Email info@immedia.com.au and they'll sort you out. Or call (02) 9557 7766 between 9-5 Monday to Friday.
RECORD PRODUCTION CONFERENCE MOVES TO BRISBANE
The third Annual Art of Record Production Conference, which was held in London and Edinburgh the past two years, moves to Brisbane this year. It takes place at The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) on December 10 and 11. It has a keynote speech from iconic US Dj/producer Hank Shocklee (Public Enemy, BombSquad) with Australian producers as Daniel Denholm (Oils, Cruel Sea, Alex Lloyd), Tom Ellard (Severed Heads), Dave Trump (Pollyanna, Big Heavy Stuff, Violetine, You Am I), Adrian Boland (Divinyls) and Richard Lush (Abbey Road Studios engineer plus producer of Sherbet, Jon English). Hosted by Professor Andy Arthurs, Professor Julian Knowles and Dr Donna Hewitt, the 30 academic papers look at the future of the studios, the role of recording in composition, new technology and changing role of the producer. To register online and for more information, head to www.arpbrisbane.com
NXFM LEADS IN NEWCASTLE
NXFM was #1 in the 3rd Newcastle survey for the year, with 21.8% of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley market. It topped all the age groups but utterly dominated the 25-39 year old demographic showing an increase of 13.3 points to a 42.2% share. It also was #1 in the breakfast (2.3 points to a 21.2% share), afternoon, drive and weekends.
Following were sister station KOFM (16.7%), 2HD (16%), ABC 1233 (12.5%) and NEW FM (7.6%).
VENUES #1: MUSIC ENDING AT MELBOURNE'S RAINBOW
Over fourteen years of blood, sweat and beers, Chick and Ursula Ratten ran the Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy (27 David Street) as a great live music venue. Tim Rogers played a secret show there, Eric Burdon and Long John Baldry finished their concerts and headed down to jam the night. Now the landlord has decided not to extend their lease. The Rattens initially planned a day-long farewell, which extended to a fortnight starting on Wed Nov 14. Many of the Rainbow's regulars as Chris Wilson, Jeff Lang, Matt Walker & Ash Davies and The Band Who Knew Too Much will say farewell (www.therainbowhotel.com). It culminates on Sunday Dec 2 with a street party with sets from acts including a reuniting Swinging Sidewalks. The Rattens are keen to hear from musicians who played residencies at the hotel and would like to be involved. Email chick@therainbowhotel.com.
VENUES #2: HOBART 3 AM LOCKOUT "A SUCCESS"
From the Hobart Mercury: police and nightclub owners in Hobart acclaimed the year-old 3 AM lockout a success. Police licensing section Sergeant Peter May said that the lock-out "reduced" anti-social behaviour, noise and damage to property. The accord is with 28 nightclubs. On a recent weekend, undercover police tested it out: every club they approached turned them away after 3 am.
VENUES #3: CLUB PHOENIX BACK TO EDWARD ST
Club Phoenix is returning back to the CBD, where it was born – 235 Edward St The City, reopening on Friday 16 with Sonofabitch-Kyuss tribute, Fort, Little Vegas and the Fuzz Parade + Speedracer, and on Sat 17 with the Boomtown Showdown. It is now booked by Ward69Projects – the team behind the Overcranked Festival, contacted at ward69pr@bigpond.net.au<.>
SOCIAL DISTORTION QUIT SOUNDWAVE
Social Distortion have pulled out of the Soundwave festival, scheduled to play Riverstage and Parklands, Brisbane (Feb 23), Sydney Park, Sydney (subject to council approval) on Feb 24, Melbourne Showgrounds (29), Adelaide at a venue tbc (March 1) and Steel Blue Oval, Perth (March 3). The band posted a note on its site, "Due to circumstances beyond our control, Social Distortion is regrettably unable to perform at Soundwave Festival 2008 in Australia and must officially withdraw from the bill. We apologize for any inconvenience to our Australian fans and hope to make it there as soon as possible." The tour continues with The Offspring, Killswitch Engage, Incubus, Coheed and Cambia and others.
MORE BHANGARA FOR YOUR BUCK
The NSW Police, supported by investigators from Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) and Verifact investigators representing KCAB Korean Movies, raided the premises of Success Audio and Video of Anzac Parade, Kingsford in Sydney. Thousands of allegedly counterfeit CDs and DVDs imported from Asia were seized. CDs by Nora Jones, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, Avril Lavigne, Backstreet Boys and Michael Jackson were sold for $10 each. Asian movie and music titles were also seized and its owner was being questioned. Penalties are up to $60,500 and 5 years imprisonment per offence.
THINGS WE HEAR
* Which record company is getting heat from some of its artists' managers because it didn't have more profile for its acts in the recent Billboard Australian spotlight? What's that about being penny wise and pound foolish?
* Roger Daltrey wants to bring The Who back to Australia next year. Michelle Shocked is touring here in Feb/March behind her new gospel album.
* NSW's City Central police are pushing to introduce plastic cups only in the state's nightclubs and pubs, following a series of violence assaults where victims were glassed. The Liquor Accord will consider the plan this month.
* Country singer Lee Kernaghan is a nominee for next year's Australian of the year. In South Australia, musician Paul O'Brien won the bravery category in the state's Pride of Australia awards for jumping into Port Vincent to save someone.
* Ben Lee told Triple J's Zan that he went to Tom Hank's office to pitch his music for TV shows, leaped on Hanks' table to play the songs and, to his horror, realised he'd knocked over the actor's prized Oscar.
* Nationally syndicated radio heads Kyle and Jackie O, already criticised for being chosen to host TV shows when past performances proved their appeal doesn't extend past radio, got another swipe late last week. This was for trying to spin a three month old Justin Timberlake interview as a brand new one.
* Our condolences to Simon Struthers of Adam Said Galore on the unexpected death of his TV news presenter girlfriend Charmaine Dragun.
* Cyndi Lauper told the Sunday Telegraph that rumours she is playing at the Sydney Mardi Gras are untrue – but she intends to see a bit of the parade.
SA DOUSES OUT THE SMOKES...
Nightclubs and pubs in South Australia are now banned from having punters light up inside. Patrons will face a $95 fine, while employers and business operators face fines of $1,250. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister Gail Gago said four out of five SA adults are non smokers, and that a recent survey in the state found that 86% support smoke-free bars and 88 per cent supporting smoke-free gaming rooms.
... NORTHERN TERRITORY LIGHTS UP
While the rest of the country has clamped down on smokers lighting up in clubs and pubs (South Australia was the seventh, as from last Wednesday), not so in the Northern Territory. The "Northern Territory News" reports that health officials have called for the NT Government to follow suit, saying one in five Territorians die from smoking. But NT Family and Community Services Minister Marion Scrymgour told the paper banning smoking in pubs and clubs was not on the Government's agenda. She said the Government had already introduced anti-smoking measures, including designating smoke-free areas in pubs and clubs; targeting youths and indigenous people in anti-smoking campaigns; and issuing graphic health warnings.
RODRIGUES HEADS TO NY
Lyndsey Rodrigues of MTV Australia has been relocated to New York. The 26 year old will host MTV's flagship daily show Total Request Live, which has a daily viewership of 93 million people every day and features music's biggest stars as guests. She replaces Vanessa Minnillo, who is dating Nick Lachey.
BUXTON-COLLINS AT DB
Alexis Buxton-Collins has taken over from Jess Moschetti as Music/DVD/Games Editor at Adelaide street publication dB Magazine. Contact is 08 8231 4211.
NEW FACES AT NOVA
Nova 969 Sydney is getting two new faces. Harlee McLeod is taking over the afternoon shift, moving back from Melbourne Nova 100 where she's doing the same time shift. Doing weekends is Matt McHugh, who's been the drive jock/production guy at dmg's Star 104.5 on the Central Coast.
MCM PROMOTES COOK
MCM Entertainment promoted network promotions manager Luke Cook to group sales manager, based in Sydney.
GENDERS EXITS MIX
Anna Genders, promotions exec at Mix 102.3 Adelaide is the latest to exit through the station's revolving door.
NSW CABINET PASSES LIQUOR BILL
The NSW Cabinet passed the liquor bill to be tabled shortly in Parliament that will abolish huge licensing fees for restaurants and small bar operators. These will now cost between $500 to $1,000 instead of the previous $15,000, and the whole process will be simplified. A significant increase in the number of small, intimate city bars is expected, with patrons no longer having to order meals before being served alcohol, and with a great surge in nightlife. It will make it easier for these venues to host live entertainment. The reforms, first significant ones in 25 years in the state, will take liquor licensing out of the courts and instead introduce an administrative system to reduce costs and complexity. Under the changes, a new Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority will handle applications for liquor licences and impose penalties for disciplinary matters. In a move set to anger the major hotels, the government also decided against extending hotel hours on Sundays and on public holidays as Christmas and Good Friday.
AUSSIES ABROAD #1: CONFUSION OVER KYLIE "WORLD TOUR"
Reports in the British press in that Kylie Minogue abandoned plans for a world tour next year due to medical reasons, have proven to be untrue. The "Daily Mail" newspaper claimed that plans were changed after doctors warned her that the gruelling schedule could seriously affect her health. Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. The paper quoted her as saying, "The tour is not going to happen, it is far too soon. I can't do it next year. It kind of breaks my heart because that is what I'm in this business for. " But a day later, the "Daily Mail" apologised, saying "Ms Minogue had not announced any tour dates, nor had she been advised that a tour would be detrimental to her healt. We now accept that Ms Minogue was wrongly quoted."
Minogue recently became the first female in its 16 year history to be presented with the Music Industry Trust prize in London. It saluted her 20-year career, its sales of 40 million albums and status as an "icon of pop and style". Minogue performed her hit "I Should Be So Lucky" accompanied on piano Jamie Cullum.
AUSSIES ABROAD #2: DOC NEESON GETS MEDALS
Former soldier Doc Neeson got two medals when his incarnation of The Angels joined other entertainers on a Tour de Force to play for Australian troops in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Neeson, the son of a British soldier, was a soldier in the Australian army and was called up for national service in 1968.
Originally posted to the 3rd Battalion The Royal Australia Regiment, Neeson later transferred to the Education Corps to become a teacher. He was promoted to Sergeant and later left the service to sing in the Adelaide folk circuit (where he changed his name from Bernard to Doc) and study for a double honours degree in drama and film production. He also did some training of troops in Papua New=-Guinea.
It's taken some time for the medals to get to the Neeson chest. He was doubly thrilled that he was presented with them by the commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Evans. He got the National Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal. He already has an Australian Services Medal, awarded in 1999 for peace keeping work 1947-1975 with a Papua New Guinea clasp.
Neeson and his equally body-armour clad band (which includes Dave Leslie of Baby Animals and Westfield heir David Lowy) did 13 shows in all, in Afghanistan, Qatar and Baghdad — some of them open air shows where the entertainers could hear machine gun fire in the distance — with comedian Gary Bradbury (also a former soldier), singer and actress Alexis Fishman and the military band which did AC/DC and Cold Chisel covers.
Naturally, the Aussie soldiers broke into the infamous chant of "No way, get fucked, fuck off!" during "Will I Ever See Your Face Again". Not only that, but the Aussies had also taught the chant to troops from Italy, the US, Canada, France and Japan. Initially they were bemused or puzzled as to why the Aussies should tell a band they obviously liked to f-off. But Neeson explained to them from the stage "this is Australian culture". Neeson called the trip one of his career's highs. His manager David Edwards was equally touched: he is in Canberra next week to talk to the department that deals with entertaining troops about joining the board and encouraging more Aussie acts to play for the troops.
AUSSIES ABROAD #3: MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS
Aussie pop trio Midnight Juggernauts have been getting some rave reviews. A.D. Amorosi in The Philadelphia Inquirer said "Australia's Midnight Juggernauts, (French dance duo) Justice's openers, had that unfussy aggressive electronic sound in spades, with live drums, bass, and high-pitch vocals courtesy of keyboardist Vin...As good as Justice was, Juggernauts was better."
Samantha Gilewicz observed in "Nylon", "It is Midnight Juggernauts' first time in the States, and they've already left their mark. On tour with Justice and in town for CMJ, someone's been spray-painting the Melbourne band's name from Brooklyn to Bushwick."
Justice and the Juggernauts have toured extensively throughout the USA and Canada, they played sold out shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and New York, counting music legends Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction) and Kanye West amongst their audience members. On the last show of the tour, Midnight Juggernauts' New York performance came close to an abrupt end when a water valve broke and flooded the band's mixing desk, almost short circuiting in front of over 3,000 people. But the show went on and the tour ended on a high with Midnight Juggernauts hitting the town afterwards to celebrate with Peter Greene, aka Zed (the racist serial killer), from Pulp Fiction fame. Midnight Juggernauts now make their way to Europe for a UK tour with German electro masters Digitalism. The trio will also make stops in Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, and Denmark, playing shows with !!! (Chk Chk Chk) in London, Crystal Castles in Amsterdam, and Klaxons at the InRocks Festival in Paris. Returning home in mid November, Midnight Juggernauts will hit the summer festival circuit playing the Big Day Out, Homebake, the Meredith Music Festival, and the Falls Festivals.
AUSSIES ABROAD #4: KRISTY COX
Kristy Cox spent a 7 week trip to the USA. She spent time in Nashville performing, recording four new tracks for release in January, and meeting up with her idol Emmylou Harris. Her debut album is in physical stores after she signed a a distribution deal with One Stop Entertainment in August.
AUSSIES ABROAD #5: SIA
Adelaide gal Sia Furler continues to expand her international profile. Her songs have been on The OC and Six Feet Under, and she's teamed up with Beck for the track Academia that'll be on her January-due album. Titled Some People Have Real Problems, it includes a cover of the Pretenders song I Go To Sleep.
AUSSIES ABROAD #6: KATIE MICHAELSON
Melbourne singer/songwriter Katie Michaelson is the featured guest vocalist on the latest single by former #1 charting Belgium pop act 2Fabiola. The track, "Straight to the Top" was co-written by Michaelson with the band's singer and producer Pat Krimson and band member Kristof. 2Brains Entertainment flew Michaelson to Belgium on a whirlwind trip for photo shoots, to film the music videoclip, and perform live on one of their countries biggest music shows called "Tien Om Te Zien (Top of the Pops)" before a crowd of 10,000. Michaelson said, "it was an incredible experience to perform on TOTz, the crowd were fantastic and they all seemed to love the song right from the start."
In January, Michaelson goes to California to record her debut album with producers Howard Willing, Julian Raymond and Eric Rosse (Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Anna Nallick Lisa-Marie Presley, The Dandy Warhols, Fastball). It came about when Michaelson posted on her MySpace page that she wished she could work with someone like Willing. He read it and contacted her.One of Michaelson's songs "Supernatural Love" was recorded by Gloria Gaynor, a club anthem produced by Europe DJ/producers Ollie Geodicke (aka The D.O.N.S.). Other songs have been recorded by an American act called 2Girlz signed to Warner who're popular in Japan, and Australian Idol contestant Laura Gissara.
AUSSIES ABROAD #7: BASS KLEPH
Fresh from a smashing New Zealand tour and a mini tour of China, and with a slew of chart topping productions under his belt, this November, Bass Kleph heads off on a UK and European Vacation Tour that takes in London, Leeds and Budapest. His track Coup detat was one of the biggest electro house anthems of the year. It topped the charts on DJdownload and has been added to CDs such as Ibiza Annual, Electro House Sessions and Field Day 2008.
Bass Kleph's remixes have done equally large amounts of damage. His mix of Freak Out by the Shopliftas went to #1, his mix of Hyper's No Rockstars came in a close #2 while a remix of Robb Gs 12 Inch Therapy got advance props from Micky Slim, The Loose Cannons, Hook N Sling, Aston Shuffle and The Stanton Warriors. Bass Kleph's new record label Vacation Records has tracks being played by DJs such as Micky Slim, Ian Pooley, Utah Saints, Sarah Main, John Aquaviva, JDS, Ali B, and Lisa Lashes. The label features music from Hook n Sling, Stupid Fresh, Dopamine, Frew, The Shopliftas, and Bass Kleph himself.
AUSSIES ABROAD #8: ROGERTHAT
Discussions to release Gold Coast reggae band Rogerthat's new mini album The Vanilla Gorillas have been finalized, reports their management.
AUSSIE RADIO LOSES THREE
Ian McNair, one of the pioneers of Australian radio research and ratings, died in Sydney on October 30, after a battle with a brain tumour. He was 73. A funeral is held on Wed Nov 7 at 2 pm at Northbridge Uniting Church. McNair began working for his father's research company, The McNair Survey, in the early 1950s. He went on to expand the company under the name, McNair Anderson, which later became AGB McNair before being sold to ACNielsen.
Country music broadcaster Mike Bedford (narrowcast station Cool Country in western Sydney) died at 55, after a battle with cancer, reports the Country Music Bulletin. He was inducted into the Country Music Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in January 2003.
Adam Barnes, 31, Chief Engineer at Macquarie Regional Radioworks Albury, died when his four-wheel drive lost control on a bend and hit a tree after he finished his shift on a tower on Mount Baranduda. Police say he was flung out of the vehicle.
PANICS, URTHBOY, FOR J AWARD
The latest nominations for Triple J's J award for most inventive Australian release of 2007 are Perth cinematic five piece The Panics' "Cruel Guards" and Herd co-singer Urthboy's "The Signal" which features Mia Dyson, Hau (Koolism), Muph, Ozi Batla, The Tongue, Indigenous soul-man Radical Son and singer Mark Pearl. Other contenders are Josh Pyke, John Butler Trio, Silverchair, The Vasco Era, Architecture in Helsinki, British India, Katalyst and Midnight Juggernauts.
JAZZ AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Aaron Flower from Sydney was awarded first prize in the 2007 National Jazz Awards at the TAC Wangaratta Festival of Jazz on Sunday evening. received $6000 prize money plus a studio recording session for 'Jazztrack with Mal Stanley' on ABC Classic FM and an invitation to perform in the Stonnington Jazz concert series in May 2008. In second place was Ben Hauptmann from Sydney (3000 prize money )and third, Hugh Stuckey from Adelaide ($1500).
The National Jazz Awards is sponsored by Bruck Textiles, one of the major employers in Wangaratta's local economy. They have been staged since 1990 as part of the TAC Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz. The awards feature a different instrument every year. This year it was guitar for the first time since 2000: the joint winners then, Steve Magnusson and James Muller returned this year as judges along with Sydney pianist Mike Nock.
MORE PRESENTERS FOR PLUG IN SUMMIT
More names have been added for the music industry conference Plug In Summit to be held in Melbourne Nov 22 and 23 (www.pluginsummit.com). They are photographer Matt Booy, Mel Campbell (Jmag), Matt O'Connor (The A&R Department), Dobe Newton (The State Of Play), Justine Cleghorn (Faster Louder), Con Kalamaras (APRA / AMCOS) and Paul Rodgers (VJ Arnold Eye).
WAM SONG OF THE YEAR WINNERS
This year's WAM Song of the year went to Perth Perth singer/songwriter Josh Fontaine for his infectious pop song "Holidayz." He wins a 4 day recording session supplied by James Hewgill Music, a full page advert and feature article in Groove magazine and the pressing of 500 cd's by Disk Bank. Josh Fontaine has received a hefty amount of airplay on community radio in Perth, with RTRFM giving major support to Holidayz since its release.
This year, WAM Song of the Year introduced a Professional category where published Western Australian based songwriters were given the chance to enter their works. Nominees included Katy Steele (Little Birdy), Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans), Snowman and John Butler; it was Vikki Thorn from The Waifs who took home the SOTY Award in the end for SunDirtWater. Each of the genre winner gets a share of $30,000 worth of prizes. I Prizes for the Indigenous and Regional Song of the Year are drawn from entrants in every category. The event was held in Fremantle. Winners are:
Gospel Winner: My Hallelujah by Paul Morrison
Jazz Winner: Curious Yellow by Adrian Kelly
Country Winner: Take me with you by Polly Medlen
Urban Winner: Get By by Glen Foreman, Scott Griffiths & Alex Plant
Electronic / Dance Winner: Hot Property by Hayley McLennan and Simon Sieradzki
Indigenous Winner: Kick the Monkey by Jason Bartlett & Phillip Bartlett
World and Folk Winner: Moodjebing by Jessie Lloyd & Della Rae Morrison
Regional Winner: Two Months by Polly Medlen
Love Winner: There is a Room on Hold by James Crombie & Wibekke Reczek
Blues n Roots Winner: Lara Clare by Craig Sinclair
Primary Winner: Valley of Flowers by Madi MacDougall & Erika McKay
Lower Secondary Winner: Wishing on a Star by Jordi Davieson
Upper Secondary Winner: Overcast Day by Timothy Nelson
Mixed Bag Winner: Bring Out Your Dead by Rachael Dease, Tristen Parr, Ant Gray, Tara John & Greg Hosking
Rock Winner: The World or Nothing by Scott Tomlinson, Greg Sanders, Brenton Bell & Dayvid Clark
Heavy Rock/Metal Winner: Broken Eyes by Brett Jones, Johnny Kyi & Nigel Watts
Pop Winner: Holidayz by Josh Fontaine
Professional Winner: Sun Dirt Water by Vikki Thorn
Grand Prize: Holidayz by Josh Fontaine
CHARTS #1: CHANGES TO ARIA CHART
From this week, ARIA has made changes to its chart. Digital-only singles will now be included in the physical chart as well —and like the UK, there may well come a day when a digital only track is number one on the Singles Chart! Album "bundles" (an entire album bought via a digital provider) will now be counted as an album sale. ARIA is doing tests on a chart of mobile phone music but they're still a long way off until they get the data right.
CHARTS #2: ARIA EFFECT FOR SNEAKYS, 'CHAIR, JBT
The high ratings for the ARIA awards has paid off big time for some of the acts in this week Motorola ARIA chart — especially the ones who were probably spotted by a mainstream audience for the first time.
Sneaky Sound System are a prime example. Their self titled debut album jumps to #5 from #17, and all their four singles jump back into the Top 50. "UFO" moves to #15 from #35, "Goodbye" moves up three places to #33, and "I Love it" returns at #42, and "Pictures" at #39 respectively.
Silverchair's "Young Modern" took a leap to #10 from #48, while "Straight Lines" which opened the show, this week moves to #22 from #42.
The stunning jam between John Butler Trio and Keith Urban continues to reverberate. JBT's "Grand National" takes a hike to #6 from #21, while the "Better Than That" single is up to #27 from #38. Keith Urban's album returns to the Top 100.
Operator Please, the quirky Gold Coast act who also impressed with a bouncy set, see their "Just a Song About Ping Pong" bounce (groan) from #43 to #29.
Also returning to the Hot 100 are some left-field acts who put in eye opening performances — like Goyte who has two albums in at #36 and #44, Katie Miller-Heidke at #46, Rickie Lee at #57 and Sarah Blasko at #68. One hopes that their respective record companies use this opportunity, now that they've got the attention of a new mainstream audience, to market these albums harder.
CHARTS #3: GYROSCOPE LEAD SIX NEW INDIE ENTRIES
Warner Music Australia are on a winner with Gyroscope, whom they have funded to record an album "Breed Obsession" in Liverpool, UK for eight months, and shoot an expensive video for their new single "Snakeskin" near Stonehenge. This week it enters at #30 and is their highest chart placing to date. Last year, their "Fast Girl" / "Beware Wolf" peaked at #43.
This week sees a slew of singles entering the charts from young Aussie acts — Operator Please with "Get What You Want" (#40), Angelas Dish with "Soft November" (#51), Bliss'n' Eso with the Zulu Connection with "Bullet And A Target" (#52), Small Mercies with "Sorry" and Faker with "This Heart Attack" (#66).
COSIMA V. MANAGERS BACK TO COURT
The court stoush between singer Cosima De Vito and her former managers Constantine Nellis and Ted Gardner heads back to court on November 16. Last week the two brought her parents Carlo and Maria De Vito into the pic. They claim they forked out $1 million to fund her career, and were hired by the parents. To recap, they say she broke their contract and want $500,000 in lost earnings. She accuses the two of being "negligent" in how they handled their career.
"URBAN TRIO" WIN FINAL ARIA...
The blitzing jam on "Funky Tonight: between country beefcake Keith Urban and the John Butler Trio at the ARIA awards won the final ARIA award. 86% of Channel 10 viewers voted it the hottest performance of the night, as part of a competition that will see two viewers flown to attend the Brits. As this column stated last week, OzTam says the ARIA awards peaked with 1.62 million viewers with an average of 1.07 million over 2.5 hours. The red carpet got 956,000 viewers. Both dominated in the 18 to 47 age group. 7773 of Ten's viewers voted via SMS and www.artistofthemonth.com.au. Silverchair followed in second place with 1004 public votes.
...AND DOWNLOAD IT FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH
John Butler Trio and Keith Urban have made their televised performance at the ARIA awards, whipping through JBT's "Funky Tonight", available as an exclusive download on iTunes with all proceeds being donated to the Close The Gap campaign. (www.closethegap.com.au). The Close the Gap campaign calls on Australian governments to take action to achieve health equality for Indigenous Australians within 25 years. The Executive Director of Oxfam Australia, Andrew Hewett said today,
"It is fantastic and inspirational to see Australia's music heavyweights, John and Keith, supporting the Close the Gap campaign. Bringing together more than 40 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations, including Oxfam Australia, the campaign calls on federal, state and territory governments to commit to closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. Funds raised for the Close the Gap campaign will help Oxfam continue to work with Indigenous groups and other partners to advocate for equal health rights for Indigenous people. "
John Butler commented, "It strikes me as a great injustice that whilst our nation's economy is booming Indigenous Australians are suffering a life expectancy lower than many third world nations and can expect to live 17 years less than non-indigenous Australians. It is with great honour that all proceeds from the live performance of 'Funky Tonight' recorded at the ARIA's with our special guest Keith Urban, will be donated to the Close The Gap campaign to help address this national tragedy."
Keith Urban added, "Speaking about and wanting equality is one thing, acting on it is entirely different matter. I'm honoured to join with John in bringing awareness and action to Close The Gap and seek the love and justice our brothers and sisters deserve."
COMMERCIAL RADIO, MEDIA FEDERATION, JOIN FORCES
Commercial Radio Australia and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) will collaborate in the investigation of the future of radio audience measurement in Australia. MFA will join the Commercial Radio Australia Research Committee (represented by MNFA research consultant John Grono) and have input into decisions affecting the radio audience measurement surveys. "The MFA is an important stakeholder in the radio advertising area and we are pleased that we were able to formalise a collaborative way forward with the MFA," said CRA chief executive Joan Warner.
MFA chief Gary Hardwick said, "This is an excellent opportunity for us to work with the radio industry in seeking continuous improvement to the current methodology and in assisting the industry to critically analyse current and developing electronic devices."
CRA is evaluating tender submissions from Nielsen Media Research, Ipsos and Roy Morgan Research. It is anticipated that a decision on the outcome of the tender will be announced early in 2008. The next radio audience measurement contract is due to commence on 1 January 2009.
68 ARRESTED IN QLD NIGHTCLUB STING
A 60-strong police force swooped on on the Sunshine Coast nightclub strips of Noosa, Caloundra and Mooloolaba last weekend to target drunken pests and drug users. They used drug dogs to search people inside clubs and in the streets. 68 people were arrested, and a total of 80 charges were laid. These included 12 people found with pot, speed and ecstasy. Police say they were disturbed that kids as young as 12 were out drinking and doping, and fighting.
CHANGES AT MIX DARWIN
MIX 104.9 Darwin station manager Graham Cron moves to Canberra to take over his new role as GM of 2CA/2CC Canberra. Sales manager Mark Johnson takes his place as GM of both Mix and Hot 100. MIX's breakfast duo Pete Hill and Wendy Maree have quit and replaced by Pete Davies..
NEW LAUNCHINGS #1: MECHANO ENTERTAINMENT IN BRISBANE
The Cert IV Music Business students and staff of Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE have launched Mechano Entertainment. It is a business venture to facilitate real world learning for students, allowing them to get practical training. Their first event is "A Celebration of Songwriters which presents three solo songwriters and a three piece band drawn from the Certificate III/IV Music students of MSIT. It held at Metro Arts, Level 2, 109 Edward St City on Friday 9th Nov, 6pm – 9pm. Explains music business teacher Andrea Smith. "The plan is to create a generation of young performers and managers who will already have some real life experience under their belt before finishing their studies".
NEW LAUNCHINGS #2: LOCAL SCENE SITE LAUNCHES CHANNEL
The Localscene.com.au, set up last February to find digital ways to market their acts' music without the need for a record company, have launched a digital download channel. According to the site, it allows punters to download their music for free but artists will be paid from income derived from advertising on the site. The site has signed up eight new acts including bands like Vonsonic, Boston Shaker, Someone Your Not, Sonorcast and Inch of Reason. They're looking for more acts, see http://www.thelocalscene.com.au.
NEW LAUNCHINGS #3: HOOK LINE & SYNC LAUNCHING FOR INDIE ACTS
Talent manager James Brammah of Brisbane based Jamestar Management is launching a new sync site called Hook Line and Sync. It is dedicated to getting unsigned Australian music on film and TV both overseas and in Australia. He's been to LA twice and signed agreements to supply music to CBS Paramount, ABC, MTV and EA. On his last trip he presented a sampler of 16 tracks to 28 film and TV companies and says he's got a great response. The plan is to launch the site in LA in mid-January. The site has 450 songs. They're looking for more tracks to offer. You have to own the masters and the publishing rights, and the track has to be mastered. James says the deal is artist friendly: the artist keeps 70% of the income generated. See www.hooklineandsync.com.
NEW LAUNCHINGS #4: RAW FM TO PROVIDE TRAINING
Coffs Harbour's Raw FM 88.0 has teamed with local businessmen under the name Amax, to build a new free training facility for local youth. RawFM's GM Mark Pannowitz says it will start running broadcast and production training for radio and TV from next month, and provide a qualification certificate. They are also forming links with job agencies and schools to expand the program. To get involved, send written applications to PO Box 1482, Coffs Harbour. 2540.
DEADLINE FOR BONDI SHORT FILM FEST
Entries for the 7th Annual Bondi Short Film Festival close Friday November 9th @ 5pm and held at the Bondi Pavilion on Saturday November 24th. Among the 14 categories are best music score. Entry forms www.bondishortfilmfestival.com.
PBS METAL CHANGES
Melbourne community radio PBS-FM has made changes to the hard'n'heavy. Steve Passiouras' Fret Net is granted a two hour timeslot on Tuesdays from 10pm. Kene Lightfoot's Burning Bitumen (extreme, death, black, doom, thrash) moves to Wednesday nights at 10pm and long running progressive/power metal show Screaming Symphony (hosted by Gary Carson and Peter Fundeis) is on Thursday nights at 10pm.
JB HI-FI TO BREAK BILLION DOLLAR BARRIER
After a 35.5% rise to sales of $1.28 billion in the 2006/07 year and a net profit of $40.39 million, electronics and CD retailer JB Hi-Fi expects to hit annual sales of $1.7 billion in sales in fiscal 2008, a rise of 33%,. Chief executive Richard Uechtritz told shareholders at their annual general meeting in Melbourne, "Current trading has continued to be strong, in line with that experienced in the second half of last financial year," adding "We are confident about trading going into the Christmas and New Year period. By Christmas the retailer will have opened 15 new outlets, including its first in Hobart, bringing its total to 104.
JB carries music, DVD and games software, along with computers and entertainment hardware. Chairman Patrick Elliott adds that while music and DVD were showing slower growth, these provide constant foot traffi through the stores, driving sales in big screen TV, games software and computersm according to Uechtritz. JB recently won two gongs at the annual Apple Channel Reseller Awards —iPod Reseller of the Year and 2007 Retailer of the Year — for its success in retailing Apple products.
GRUBBY, DEE DEE, EXTEND GOLD DEAL
Melbourne's Gold 104 has extended Grubby and Dee Dee (Peter Stubbs and Dianne Dunleavy) for a further two years. They've done the shift for eight years. This year there were rumours the duo, who've been together for 20 years, would amscray to Vega. Gold GM Steve Rowe said "They are a very experienced Breakfast team and a very good fit for the Gold brand."
WILSON, O'MARA BACK AT FAIRFAX
The last time Chris Wilson and Shane O'Mara played at the George Fairfax Theatre, venue management put out a sign "Chris Wilson and Shane O'Mara performance may feature loud music and coarse language." They were serious. The duo are playing there again Nov 9 and 10, and sold out in record time.
GEYER AT RAMSEY ST.
Ten Network has confirmed that Oz Idol contestant Dean Geyer will join the cast of Neighbours next year, and plug his SonyBMG records through the show.
DORNEY TAKES OVER
Dorney, CEO of Macquarie Media Group will assume management control of the group following the resignation of Alex Harvey who is now Global Head of Telecommunications, Medai, Entertainment and Technology group for Macquarie's Investment Banking Group.
REMOTE CONTROL GETS RADIOHEAD
Remote Control will get to sell Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' in Australia, as a result of the British band signing with UK label XL Recordings. X is already home to The White Stripes, M.I.A, Dizzee Rascal, Devendra Banhart & Basement Jaxx. The label also released Thom Yorke's 2006 solo album 'The Eraser'. Harvey Saward, Remote Control co-founder and Managing Director, says: "WOW! What a thrill and an honour for all of us at Remote Control that we will be working with one of the greatest bands in the world." A release date for the CD is to be confirmed.
KERNAGHAN, BRAND, FORDE FOR COUNTRY AWARDS
The wheels have started to roll for the 36th Country Music Awards of Australiam held on Saturday, 26 January at Tamworth's Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre. The three hour show is presented by Jayco, with tix on sale through Tourism Tamworth. Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand and Steve Forde are the first announced to perform, Georgie Parker returns to host, and new mum Angela Bishop of Ten Network will handle the Red Carpet action.
See www.visittamworth.com and www.country.com.au
CROWDED HOUSE, SUPERGROOVE REUNITE
New Zealand audiences who caught Crowded House's return dates to the home country caught a second reunion show. Opening act was Supergroove who had split in 1987 in somewhat acrimonious circumstances after a run of hits as Can't Get Enough and Sitting Inside My Head. Then co-founder and singer Che Fu was asked to leave, although he never knew why, telling journalists "It's not like we had arguments or confrontations." Che Fu says all the hostilities have subsided, and that these dates "brought a closure." His shows with co-founder Karl Stevens (who'd been living in England studying Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy at Cambridge University and initiated the reunion shows after getting a lecturer job at Auckland university), Jo Lonie, Tim Stewart, Ben Sciascia, Ian Jones and Nick Atkinson were riot-filled, and kicked off their own national run of dates.
Crowded House brought in to NZ names in the lineup: Don McGlashan was guest backing vocalist and euphonium player on two songs, while Davy Lane of Taranaki depped for Liam Finn's acoustic guitar. The first show, at Auckland's Vector Arena, saw Tim Finn arrive on stage for the encore, bringing the crowd to a high after it sang along to hits as "Four Seasons In One Day" and "Don't Dream It's Over." The band mixed songs as Don't Stop Now and Silent House from its reunion album Time On Earth with Locked Out, t Fall At Your Feet, and a dynamic explosive When You Come. No two ways about it: Crowded House remain an awesome live act even if that unpredictability that Paul Hester provided is not at the fore.
ROOTS BY THE RIVER SEMINARS (BRIS)
The third annual Brisbane roots music industry conference, Roots By The River is happening on Saturday November 10 at Metro Arts, Level 2, 109 Edward St City, from 12:00pm to 5:30pm. Keynote speeches are by 4ZzZ's manager Tracey Newman on how 4ZzZ can assist emerging musicians, Musicadium's Nick Crocker on digital distribution and solicitor John Kenny about branding. There are also seminars on marketing with Greg Dodge (Oxygen 42), Al Mitchell (Digital Press Kit), Tracey Newman (4ZzZ), 8Ball Aitken (musician) and common mistakes made by emerging musicians with Crocker, Scott Mullane (Aisle Six Production), and Andrea Smith (Abbey Road).
CONNORS PROMOTED (BRIS)
Matt Connors has been named entertainment editor of the Brisbane Courier Mail, just months after the one time Time Off editor joined the newspaper.
HEIT PRODUCTION (BRIS)
Cam Heit recently joined B105/TripleM Brisbane fulltime in production.
NEW COMMUNITY RADIO LICENCE (BRIS)
Queensland's latest community radio licence has been allocated to Brisbane River Valley Radio Inc. to serve the Esk region of Queensland on 95.9 MHz on the FM band. BRVR has been running as a temporary licence since 2004. Contact is Anna Wheildon on (07) 5423 1959.
FRETFEST GRAND FINAL (BRIS)
The quest to find Qld's best new troubadours Fretfest has its grand final on Sat Nov 17 at the Playhouse. Finalists are David Di Marco (under 18 age group) , Mark Lowndes (18-25), Tim Brennan (26-39) and the finalist from the 40+ age group to be announced Nov 10. Judges are manager/ record company head
Paul Piticco, Carol Lloyd, Railroad Gin singer/ songwriter; Dr Don Lebler, Program Conveyor of the Bachelor of Popular Music Qld Conservatorium Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus); Annie Peterson, producer, performer and Women in Voice founder; and John Kotzas, Artistic Director, QPAC. Fretfest is this year sponsored by Fender Guitars Australia and Ellaways Music.
TOOWOOMBA MUSIC INDUSTRY EVENING (BRIS)
APRA, QMUSIC, Fretfest and MIPI (Music Industry Piracy Investigations) host a free evening (6 pm to 8 pm) of networking and information on the Qld music industry on Wed Nov 7th at Bon Amici in Toowoomba. Speakers include APRA Qld member services rep Emma Carton, Q Music project office Deb Suckling and MIPI's legal officer Lizzie Fuller. RSVP by emailing qld@apra.com.au or phoning (07) 3257 1007.
ICON CREATIVE SUMMIT (BRIS)
Icon Creative Summit holds its second annual multi-arts festival Friday Nov 30 and December 1 at Amphitheatre - Roma Street Parklands. It showcases emerging artists in music, fashion, short film and dance. More info at www.myspace.com/iconcreativesummit.
GOOD WORKS #1: MORE ACTS FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT
More performers have been added for the 2007 Light the Night benefit fundraising concert for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, which will be held on Monday November 26 at 7.30pm at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place. They include members of the cast of new Aussie musical "Hatpin" which opens in February, Laura Cadevida and David Harris from Miss Saigon, Hayden Tee, Ross and Esther Hannaford, Jennifer Peers, Robert Bertram and Nathan Sheens. The satirical duo The Carpenters from Kempsey (Lisa Adam and Darren Mapes) will also be on the bill. These performers join the previously announced iOTA, Jade Macrae, Eddie Perfect, Katie Noonan, Tamsin Carroll, Alexis Fishman, Emma Pask, Toni Lamond, All Saints' Virginia Gay and cast members of Miss Saigon and Respect.
Now in its third year, Light the Night has raised over $75,000. This year proceeds will fund a 'Gene Switch' Research Grant project conducted by the Haematology Research team at St Vincents Hospital, which will help design new strategies for cancer therapy. Light the Night is inspired by Matthew Rennie, a brave young man who recently lost his life to leukaemia. Witnessing Matthew's struggle against the disease, his performer brothers Shaun and Adam and friends Monica and Greg Smith, decided to create the fundraiser as their contribution to help fight the disease.
GOOD WORKS #2: MOVEMBER FOR CANTEEN'
Movember For CanTeen 2007 is raising much needed funds for CanTeen WA – an organization that supports Australians aged 12 to 24 living with cancer. It gets them together in an environment where they can gain support, share their experiences, learn from someone who has "been there, done that" and have fun.
Going into its fifth year, Movember for CanTeen has raised in excess of $35 000 to date, and this year are aiming to cruise into a $10 000 donation to CanTeen. They're encouraging as many people from nightclubs and the music industry to starting sporting moustaches. The annual Movember Benefit will this year be held at the Fly By Night Club on Sunday 18th Mov, with The Dirty Secrets, The Slim Pickins, Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke, Melange, Boys Boys Boys! and The Belle Ends. On Sunday 25th Mov, the Great Shave-Off takes place at The Norfolk Hotel.
WHITLAMS WITH STRINGS
The Whitlams' tour with various state orchestras has proven to be a drawcard. Their four nights at the Opera House with the Sydney Symphony was a sell-out with 8,000 people. The show at the Adelaide Festival Hall was another full house with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, with standin ovations. During these concerts Tim Freedman pays homage to the seven Australian composers that have created orchestral arrangements of The Whitlams songs, including Peter Sculthorpe and Brett Dean. The concerts feature arrangements commissioned for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra concerts of 2004, as well as brand new arrangements from the "Little Cloud" album, namely "Keep the Light On", "Fondness Makes the Heart Grow Absent", "Year of the Rat" and "She's Moving In." Upcoming concerts feature The Whitlams with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, both conducted by Benjamin Northey and the Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti throughout regional NSW and Queensland. The rehearsal with Sydney Symphony Orchestra was captured on film and is available for viewing as a video clip on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QffXciakjU<.> For the areas in Victoria that are missing orchestra concerts Freedman will be making a trip down to do some intimate solo shows. There are also some special Christmas shows at The Basement for those in Sydney.
"SONGWRITERS PERFORM"
To celebrate Australian Music Day (Sat 17th November) the The Songwriting Society of Australia is presenting a free showcase of songwriters on two stages — at Palm Grove and Harbourside Amphitheatre Darling Harbour from 11am – 5pm. Bands include Great South Band family band, Megan Albany back from Ireland where her current single is in the charts, Velvet Road, Serenik, Incinerate, Vee Malnar troupe, Marques Band and rebel rousers Urban Guerillas. Acoustic performers include John Chesher, Ash Allan, Nick Punal, Rob Conway, Rebecca Fielding, Sue Gibson, Gavin Fitzgerald, Pete Scully, Liz Scott and Brian Ralston.
FOXTEL GETS "US IDOL"
Foxtel has won the right to air the next series of "American Idol". Fox8 will screen the two shows each week from mid-January, hours after it is shown in America.
SELL OUT RETURNS
Independent music auction "Sell Out" returns to the Corner Hotel on Wed Nov 7 with all proceeds going to the Australian Conservation Foundation. There are rarities, VIP tickets and signed items from Fergie, Hilltop Hoods, John Butler, Future Entertainment, Summadayze, Earthcore, Pioneer, Revolver, Dew Process etc. Abbie Cardwell and Dallas Frasca and her Gentlemen, will play.
ENTERTAINMENT OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
There's large office space available for rent Top floor, 437 Spencer St. Weekly rental $165 plust gst inclusive of all outgoings save for power, broadband internet and phone costs which are offered at special discounted rates. More info, Mike at mike@rubberrecords.com.au or 0418 844 064
36 GET BUZZ GRANTS
Thirty-six young groups and individual musicians and sound artists have shared in over $87,690 in The Foundation for Young Australians' Buzz Grants. These offer funding of up to $2,500 for young emerging musicians and music-related arts workers aged 12-26 years.
The young people selected in 2007 are;
Sophie Brous, 21, VIC - $2400 - Sacha Pollard, 22, VIC
Camryn Brown, 19, QLD - $2150 - Georgia Potter, 19, QLD
Kate Green, 26, VIC - $2500 - Simon Powis, 24, NSW
Peter Harding, 26, ACT - $2500 - Gideon Preiss, 24, VIC
Ying Ho, 26, NSW - $2500 - Roderick Price, 25, VIC
Susan Hull, 23, QLD - $2500 - Kristi Riedel, 24, QLD
Rafael Karlen, 24, QLD - $2500 - Tim Rogers, 24, NSW
Rod Ladgrove, 23, SA - $2250 - Harley Ruha, 16, NSW
Theresa Leung, 24, NSW - $2500 - Mary Sheargold, 25, VIC
Sam Lonard, 23, ACT - $2500 - Stella Skinner, 21, VIC
Briony Luttrell, 21, QLD - $2500 - Emily Smart, 24, SA
Lachlan McLean, 25, VIC - $2500 - Matthew Smith, 22, VIC
Eamon McNelis, 24, VIC - $2500 - Michael Story, 24, VIC
Hieu Nguyen, 22, NSW - $2500 - Peter Sykes, 22, ACT
Natalie Nowak, 22, SA - $2500 - Ella Thompson, 17, VIC
Nick O'Connor, 26, SA - $2490 - Ben Tome, 'Cruel Like That', 18, TAS
Jessica Paige, 22, VIC - $2500 - The Yarra Trio, 22, VIC
Jennifer Peers, 25, NSW - $2500 - Young Black Koori Band, VIC
"Buzz is a great opportunity for young and emerging artists to kick-start their careers and many of the young people who have been funded in the past have gone on to enjoy considerable success", said Carol Day, Director of Music at the Australia Council. Buzz Grants have been offered by the Music Board of the Australia Council since 2001, and have funded around 200 projects from across Australia in a range of musical styles. More info, www.youngaustralians.org or calling (03) 9670 5436.
"GET SERVED" TOUR DELAYED
The "Get Served" tour due to run November 7 to 10 with Omarion, Marques Houston and Avant has been delayed. The promoter cited "a personal matter within the touring party." Patrons were asked to hold on to their tickets, with the new dates tipped to be during the school holidays.
DIGITAL BIZ GETS "MASSIVE"
The 6th Annual Digital Content Industry End of year Celebration is held in Perth at 6pm, on December 4th (http://perth.massiveglobal.com). Designers, architects, web developers, film and television, gamers, academics, photographers, animators, authors, programmers, scientists, researchers, musicians, marketing, advertisers, artists are all welcome. Register at http://perthmassive.net/register.shtml.
EXPORTING MUSIC TO ROMANIA
Dana Tilvic - Post manager, Austrade Bucharest is a doing a presentation on music opportunities in Romania, especially live performance opportunities for rock, jazz and pop acts there. It is held on Wed Nov 7 between 10 am to 11 am at Perth Austrade office. It is at level 25, Exchange Plaza, Sherwood Court. Register your interest by return email at eric.gordon@austrade.gov.au
