Industrial Strength: January 4

04 January 2012

First survey of arts sponsorship

Sponsorship of key arts organisations from the private sector made up 15% of total turnover in 2010 — up from 12% in 2009. This is according to a new report from the Australia Council for the Arts, the first of an annual survey. It looked at revenue to 132 organisations between 2008 and 2010, covering donations, sponsorship, in-kind support or other fundraising activities. The visual arts sector got 60% (or $14.9 million) of this, followed by music and cross-artform leading over dance, theatre and literature.

Festivals #1: Caloundra Music changes date, predicts growth

The Caloundra Music Festival has changed its date to September 28-30 next year. This is to tie in with Queensland’s shifting the Queen's Birthday long weekend from June to October in 2012. Festival director Richie Eyles says the new date also coincides with spring school holidays for Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. This would mean they can attract more holiday-makers. Eyles says his event could, as a result, grow to become as large as Bluesfest which this year drew 120,000 over six days or the Tamworth country music festival which in 2007 was attended by 50,000 fans.

Festivals #2: Future Music heading to Asia

After a series of sell-out shows in Australia since 2006 after drawing some of the world’s biggest dance acts, Future Music is following in the way of Laneway and Bluesfest. It will stage its first concert in Asia in 2012. Details are still sparse, but Future Entertainment Tours director Brett Robinson says they had been waiting for some years “for the right opportunity to present itself, which we have now found. We are excited to be announcing what we hope will be embraced as one of Asia's biggest music festivals in coming years and very much look forward to revealing all the details very soon.” The 2012 lineup includes Swedish House Mafia, New Order, The Rapture, Fatboy Slim, Paul Van Dyk, Sven Vath,. Friendly Fires and Tinie Tempah.

Festivals #3: Falls Tasmania draws in tourists

Falls Festival in Marion Bay is a boon to tourism to Tasmania. Promoter Simon Daly reports that when the second Falls festival opened in 2003, about 3% of the crowd came from outside the island. In the last two years it climbed to 42%. This year it’s 48% of the 16,000-strong crowd — mostly due, we suspect, to its older sister event in Lorne, Victoria, sold out in ten minutes.

Festivals #4: Adelaide International Guitar Festival calls for entries

The 2012 Adelaide International Guitar Festival will run over four days from August 9 – 12. The second International Classical Guitar Competition opens for applications from January 2 and closes February 29. Emerging players compete for a share of total prizes to the value of $31,000 and adjudicated by a panel of established players and teachers. close 29 February 2012. Further information from www.adelaideguitarfestival.com.au.

Hilltop's initiative returns

The Hilltop Hoods Initiative is funded by the hip hop group and APRA to help emerging hip hop acts who are APRA members manufacture, market and release an album. The grant provides $10,000, legal advice from Media Arts Lawyers, a Shure microphone pack and the chance to play at Song Summit, 26 - 28 May. Deadline is Feb 28. See APRA’s website.

New site for Perth stadium announced

The West Australian government has announced that Burswood will be the site for Perth’s new 60,000-seat stadium. The venue, which has a current cost of $700 million, will be built on the Burswood Park Golf Course, which is accessed by the Graham Farmer Freeway and the Armadale train line. Work will start in 2014 to be finished by early 2018. The location of the site for the stadium has been debated since 2007. In a bid to make it “one of the world’s great stadiums … an entry statement to Perth … a spectacular piece of architecture in its own right,” Premier Colin Barnett has appointed Kansas City-based architectural firm Populous as its architectural consultants. Populous designed New Yankee Stadium in New York, New Wembley Stadium in London and the London 2012 Olympic Games facilities.

SBS doco on West Papua music

SBS screens Charlie Hill Smith’s provocative documentary Strange Birds in Paradise on Tues Jan 3 at 9.30pm. It looks at West Papua’s 250 distinct cultural groups, tracing the lives of two West Papuan refugees living in Melbourne, Donny Roem and former child soldier Jacob Rumbiak and their connection to the outlawed folk songs of their homeland. The pair recorded their songs with Australian producer David Bridie. Recognising the work of West Papuan music legend Arnold Ap and political hero Kelly Kwalik – both assassinated for bringing controversial folk songs to the people of West Papua and the world — Strange Birds in Paradise puts the music in perspective of the country’s genocide, environmental disaster and political oppression by the Indonesian military, and the battle of its freedom fighters.

Rara heads new music services

British streaming music service rara.com — which launched with the backing of all four majors and larger indies — has bowed in Australia. The cloud-based service offers a 10-million strong library and directed at people who don’t normally ‘do’ digital.

In related news JB Hi Fi launched its download service at jbhifi.com.au with three million tracks — not the 6 to 8 million it forecast — for $6.67 a month.

Telstra is launching an all-you-can-eat subscription music and video service as well as a subs service to allow its customers to stream the latest video games direct to their T-Box digital set-top box, The Australian said.

Sony has introduced its 10 million-song Music Unlimited subs service to the Walkman range of portable media players.

Blues awards announce nominations

Tamworth-based Buddy Knox and Melbourne newcomers Dreamboogies gained four nominations for the 2012 Australian Blues Music Awards. These are held on Thursday February 9 as part of the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn. Also picking up multi-noms were NSW’s Darren Jack, Sydney’s Alison Penney and WA’s The Vibrolators.

Venues update

The owners of Melbourne's East Brunswick Club confirmed they have sold the premises and it will not continue to showcase live music after March … Darwin’s Discovery nightclub might reopen. The club closed in August after repeated breaches of liquor laws. But the owners of the Mitchell St building have now bought the lease … Newcastle's Kensington nightclub has won council approval to operate as an all-age venue and remain open until 3am.

MUSICAL CHAIRS

Lang replaces Mott at Fairfax Radio

Adam Lang, Sydney GM and national director of operations of metropolitan radio at Southern Cross Austereo will replace Fairfax Radio GM Graham Mott in March. Mott is stepping back from day to day operations, citing his battle with cancer and stress of running the unsuccessful sales bid by Fairfax. He will stay on as a program consultant.

Foster to head Verve Music

Grammy winning producer and songwriter David Foster is new chairman of Verve Music Group. He reports to Universal Music Group’s chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. Based in Los Angeles, Foster will focus on developing adult, jazz and pop talents. Universal said, "Over the last several years, the adult contemporary music market has grown dramatically with increasing sales and a nationwide radio audience that has swelled to over 70 million, with Mr. Foster being a key driver of that growth." Foster, who discovered The Corrs, also produced Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey, Seal, Gloria Estefan, 'NSYNC, Neil Diamond and Whitney Houston.

Parkes exiting DMG

Jenny Parkes, group sales director at DMG Radio Australia is leaving, 18 months after switching from rival Austereo where she was for 12 years. She said: “I was attracted to the role at DMG as it provided me with an opportunity to build a new sales culture around the change in Nova’s inventory model. The bulk of that work is now done and paying dividends with good revenue growth across the company. I’m now looking forward to my next challenge.”

Blackley returns to 96fm

Ian Blackley returns to 96fm Perth — and to radio — in 2012 to co-host breakfast with Brad 'Fitzi' Fitzgerald and Carmen Braidwood. Meantime, Darren de Mello moves to drive, as host of a new show to rival Mix’s high rating The Big Couch. Blackley was MIX 94.5's number one afternoon presenter when he retired in September after suffering a heart attack live on air in 2010. 96fm parted on controversial terms with on-air talent Phil 'Ugly Phil' O'Neil, Steve Segale, Gavin Miller and Steve Fitton this year.

Laing exiting Fuse Group

Dave Laing exited Fuse Group last Friday less than a year after joining as general manager. “It's been a pretty wild ride these past 11 months, and no way would I be leaving if I didn't have a rather good opportunity land in my lap,” he explained.

Palaitis helming Sydney Fringe

Gallery owner and arts curator Lew Palaitis is new GM of the Sydney Fringe. He replaces inaugural GM Meryl Rogers who was two years in the role.

ARN shakes up Melbourne breakfast

The Australian Radio Network has two new breakfasts shows in Melbourne. For its cereal shift at Mix101.1, Chrissie Swan is moved from 3pm Pick Up to start on Monday January 6. She is joined by Jamie Row, currently doing drive at Nova 969 Brisbane. Clint Drieberg will be its executive producer.

Brig and Lehmo shift studios from Mix101.1 to GOLD104.3 from Monday January 16 to replace Grubby and Dee Dee for breakfast. Executive producer is Catherine Williams. The show’s format will not be changed.

Music Deli loses Petran

ABC Radio’s Music Deli lost its Paul Petran. its presenter since the show launched in July 1986. Deli producer Alice Keath is now its host.

Campbell lands TV gig

Singer and festival director David Campbell will co-host Nine Network’s new look morning show alongside Sonia Kruger. Both came from the Seven Network. The new show replaces Mornings With Kerri-Anne. Campbell will have to juggle his touring commitments behind his new Sony album.

Producer Ethan Johns joins Atlantic

English producer Ethan Johns — who worked with Kings Of Leon, Paolo Nutini, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne and Laura Marling — joined the A&R team at Atlantic Records UK. He will work on artists via his Three Crows Music imprint. Jones is the son of legendary producer Glyn Johns, who worked with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Edwards to sell for ITV Studios Global Entertainment

Dan Edwards takes over as Sydney-based senior sales executive for Australia and Japan for distribution, home-entertainment, publishing, merchandising and licensing company ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Joy appoints Browne as AGM

Conrad Browne will step in as acting general manager at Melbourne gay and lesbian station Joy 94.9 FM for six months while its board finds a permanent replacement for Corey Irlam who resigned last week.

Kaleel rises at 2NSB

After seven years as volunteer presenter, fundraising director and co-manager at Sydney’s 2NSB FM99.3, Yvette Kaleel becomes fulltime station manager.

NEW SIGNINGS

Madonna heads to Interscope

Madonna’s next album will come out through Interscope, in partnership with Live Nation. The singer continues her 10-year multi-rights deal with Live Nation which is said to be worth as much as US$100 million. But earlier this year, Live Nation’s CEO Irving Azoff said that he would find a partner to release Madonna records. The three-album deal with Interscope reportedly has a base of $1 million per album. Madonna was previously with Warner Bros for 25 years, from whom she split after her 2008 album Hard Candy.

Spillane adds Tori Darke to management

Sydney-based country music singer songwriter Tori Darke appointed Mark Spillane’s Ardline Media Group for management. The AMG stable includes Syndicate, Beyond December, My So-Called Life and DJ Lethal. Darke has just released her new single Great Mistake, her third from her Dreams & Chances album. Her first two topped the Cool Country chart.

Dew Process thaws Zulu Winter

Dew Process signed new Brit buzz band Zulu Winter — “scholarly gents raised on literature and art, cerebral subjects and obscure Russian film-makers” — offering track Never Leave as a free download on their Facebook.

Seekae at Village Sounds

Seekae and their brand of “organic electronica” have joined Village Sounds booking agency. Contact is Evan Davis, email evan@villagesounds.com.

Shock wakes up to While She Sleeps

Shock Records’ has released new signing Sheffield metal band While She Sleeps’ nine-track The North Stands For Nothing. An album comes early 2012 produced by Carl Bown and Colin Richardson (Trivium, Machine Head).

AEG Ogden secures World Expo deal

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has appointed AEG Ogden subsidiary venture company Australian Pavilion Services (APS) to provide management services for the Australian Pavilion at the 2012 International Exposition in Yeosu, Korea (May 12 — Aug 12). APS director Peter Loxton worked in management roles at previous Australian Pavilions including the 2005 World Expo in Japan and the 2010 World Expo in China.

New deals for Stone Roses

The reunited Stone Roses, who are tipped to tour Australia mid-2012, have signed two record deals. One is with Universal for the world, the other with Sony-owned Columbia in the US.

Trash beats in overseas management

Sydney-based house electro performer Tommy Trash has scored worldwide co-management with Los Angeles based Simon White of Coalition Management, whose books include Phoenix and Bloc Party. The deal was struck after Trash (real name: Thomas Matthew Olsen) met with White in October. The introduction was facilitated by close friend Tiesto’s management who continue to help look after Trash’s career.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

3 cases of French champagne shipped by Michael Buble for Warner Music Australia’s staff Christmas party in Sydney.

1504 steps for Justice Crew to dance up to get to the top of Sydney’s Westfield Centrepoint Tower as part of a competition.

5 million total US sales so far for Adele’s 21 — the first album to reach this since 2004 when Usher’s Confessions sold nearly 8 million.

52 Australian acts have been invited to play South By Southwest.

60 fans of British boy band One Direction invaded Nova Adelaide’s offices demanding they persuade the band to play their city.

2.5 million users from around the world joined Spotify in the last month.

3000 fans mobbed X-Factor winner Reece Mastin at an appearance at Westfield Marion in Adelaide.

30 million (almost) mobile phones sold in Australia in a 12-month period, the Australian Communications and Media Authority reported.

 

TRIPPING

Are Tim Finn and Neil Finn about to write together again?

Who keeps breaking into Ricki-Lee Coulter’s mailbox and reading her mail?

Which wanna-be rang a journalist claiming to be from a law firm and making threats about a story that appeared. Alas, the dolt’s phone number was traced, and the law firm has now sent HIM a ‘please explain’ letter.

Def Leppard are back here mid-2012, while US sources tell us Tony Bennett and Pitbull are also on their way. The Black Keys informed triple j they’d be here early 2012. Nickelback plan to hit Oz in mid-2012, they told Triple M.

Visiting rapper Xzibit went swimming with crocodiles in Darwin and leaped on a podium in new Sydney nightclub 21 to bust his moves.

Will the music industry use the Federal government’s upcoming review of its funding body the Australia Council to push for a fairer share for music?

At Nine Network’s Christmas party, Andrew O’Keefe serenaded outgoing Kerri-Anne Kennerley with a version of We Will Survive. We also hear his version of Sweet Child O’Mine s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to 15 minutes.

Olivia Newton-John personally rang Seekers’ Judith Durham to say she was doing a version of Georgy Girl for her new movie A Few Best Men. The film’s director Stephan Elliott recalls that during the shoot, cast and crew went out for a pub dinner and ONJ was mobbed. The crew circled, hands linked, to protect her — and Elliott was bitten on the arm by a 70-year old fan!

LIFELINES

Married: Kerry O’Brien, founder and head of Melbourne-based entertainment firm Kerry O’Brien Publicity, and builder Kristin Petersen, after nine years. They have a son, Dylan, 6.

In Court: Maurizio Gianpier Rao, 38, operator of Canberra’s Cube nightclub, pleaded not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to committing acts of indecency on two women at the venue in September. The two, who were 18 year old at the time, said in a statement they had asked how much a vodka & pineapple cost. He’d replied $10 but allegedly told them to give him oral sex in lieu of payment. He was accused of, in incidents through the night, grabbing their breasts and kissing one girl. Rao returns to court in February.

Jailed: former Getaway Plan tour manager John Raymond Zimmerman, 26, for 16 years, and placed on the sex offender’s register. From 2006 he groomed 55 girls online (all but two aged 12 to 15), initially using the band’s MySpace page and then using a personal account. Sentencing judge Richard Maidment told the court Zimmerman encouraged the girls to pose nude or in their underwear and then demanded sex threatening to tell their families.

Charged: two females with assault and affray at Port Macquarie’s Festival of the Sun, the only disturbances at the event attended by 3,000.

Arrested: the Australian Federal Police took action against a NSW man for a piracy network involving the theft and illegal sales of subscription television.

In Court: Andrew George Staib, a security guard at Monsoons club in Darwin, had his licence suspended for a month. The licensing commission heard he punched patron John Walker in the head several times on Dec 20 last year, headbutted him and threw him on the road. The commission declared he used excessive force.

INSIDE TRACK

40^th anniversary celebrations for Morning Of The Earth

When surf film maker Albe Falzon and David Elfick put together the classic Australian surf movie Morning Of The Earth in 1972, there was no plot or story-board. The idea was to capture surf culture’s vision of its brave new world where living spiritually with Mother Earth while searching for the perfect wave in the Northeast, Bali and Hawaii was paramount. Their brief for the soundtrack together was that the songs were the dialogue. “It was a licence to make music with a freewheeling anything-goes approach,” says Brian Cadd who along with the likes of Tamam Shud, John J. Francis, Terry Hannagan, Peter Howe and G. Wayne Thomas contributed to the album.

Originally G. Wayne Thomas’ Open Up Your Heart was dropped from the movie for space. But when he played the album demos to Sydney radio executive John Brennan, renowned for his ability to pick hit singles, he immediately chose Open Up Your Heart. When told it wasn’t in the movie, Brennan roared, “You’d better get it back in, this is going to be a Top 10 smash.” It was. But importantly, fans bought the album than just the single. It was the first local album to go gold — a significant achievement in those days— and then platinum. “It changed the way that the media, especially radio, perceived the album.” Morning is the biggest selling Aussie surf DVD.

Cadd’s theory about the movie and soundtrack’s continued appeal is its mix of the surf culture’s successful alternate lifestyle, the post-hippie dream, the rise of a new breed of sharp engineers and high-tech studios in Australia, and the break-the-rules experimentalism of the music. In 2012, to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the film’s release, Cadd along with guitarist Tim Gaze (Tamam Shud), Mike Rudd (Spectrum), Lior and Gyan will tour the movie and perform the music live in eight shows through January and February. Sold out shows in Melbourne and Sydney in 2008 drew 15,000. This time, Cadd says, they’re pushing into surf centres as Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Dromana as well. See www.morningoftheearth.com.

Dizzee works with Benji

Dizzee Rascal and Good Charlotte's Benji Madden are working together on new material. Twitted Madden, “He has some fire ready to go strictly for his fans. So cold, man, you're all going to love it.” Dizzee has in the past also worked with rock names Dave Grohl and Arctic Monkeys. The rapper’s last album Tongue N' Cheek was released in 2009.

Hudson video pencils it in

Yet another Australian independent video is causing an online buzz. The clip for Against The Grain by Melbourne folk performer Hudson (aka Travis Aulsebrook) was made by award winner film maker, vj and animator Dropbear (aka Jonathan Chong) who’s best known for his work with electro-artist Spoonbill. It landed almost 1 million views in its first few weeks for its inventive use of animated colour pencils. The song, Hudson explains “is about following your gut instincts and doing what you want to/need to, even when the whole world and sometimes your rational thoughts tell you otherwise.” It was one of the first songs he wrote, around the time he was moving from Fremantle to Melbourne last year. Dropbear added an element of daydreaming in school to the storyline, using no less than 920 pencils and 5,125 freeze frames. About 225 hours went into it, Dropbear reveals, “Pushing pencils around sounds tedious, but I get into a meditative zone listening to music that I like.” The video’s opened doors for both Hudson and Dropbear.