Industrial Strength: January 11

11 January 2012

by Christie Eliezer

ARIA’s Pope involved in indigenous awards

Mark Pope, Sydney-based producer of the ARIA awards, is in Darwin this week to meet up with Northern Territory’s peak music association MusicNT and Agentur which organizes the National Indigenous Music Awards. The move signals how the NIMAs want to grow to be one of the major national awards, as a way to showcase indigenous talent to Middle Australia. Pope who dispensed advice to organizers on the phone decided to become more involved by getting on a plane to Darwin — a place he had not visited since touring INXS there in the late ‘80s. “From an outside in perspective, what I do know is that the vibe and positive energy from last year’s Awards resonated in Sydney and beyond,” he said. “And that’s a great sign …. an NT staged and focused event, gaining exposure on the national stage. Proof positive there is tremendous growth and exciting times ahead not only for the Awards but for indigenous music.”

Festivals #1: Woodford makes budget

After the calamities of the last four years, Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland broke even, attended by 100,000 aggregates over six days. “It’s brought us back,” says festival director Bill Hauritz. “The weather held out and this was the best Woodford yet.” One day set a new attendance record. Overall, packing them out were Goyte and his 10-piece, the environmental forum GREENhouse, the four-hour countdown to 2012 The Big Bang which was curated by Jordan Verzar and Circle Rhythm drummer Ben Walsh (who specially wrote a piece of percussion/horns music), the interactive theatrical experience of The Game of the Dreaming festival and the Tibetan monks’ sunset experience.

Festivals #2: Falls to drop Tassie event?

Falls Music And Arts Festival, which runs in Lorne in Victoria and Marion Bay in Tasmania over the New Year, may axe its Tasmanian event, said promoter Simon Daly. A grant request seeking State Government support of A$150,000 (US$153, 600) per year for the next three years for interstate marketing and headliner budget was rejected, making the event financially non-viable. Last year, 48% of attendees came from outside the island and stayed on after to tour around.

Festivals #3: public meetings over Splendour site

Two public meetings will be held for residents to have their say on the proposed controversial cultural events site at Yelgun, NSW, which will become the home to Splendour In The Grass. The first is on Wed Feb 1 at the Byron Bay Community Centre, and the second the day after at Ocean Shores Public School. There was some disquiet in some quarters after the NSW Dept of Planning and Infrastructure recommended approval for three major events a year at the site, capped at 30,000, 25,000 and 15,000 .

Music Managers Forum present event, forums

To celebrate its 15^th year, the Music Managers’ Forum Australia is presenting a series of events and forums at the St Kilda Festival (Feb 7 to 11). As well, it is also putting online the 400 forums, conferences and meetings it has held. Subscribers can have their questions answered. See mmfaustralia.com.au.

* Free demo assessment: Tues Feb 7, 8 pm to 10.30 pm. Mink Bar (POW), 2 Ackland St, St Kilda. Send your best single beforehand via CD to 51 Kooyong Rd Caulfield North 3161 or MP3 to Nathan@mmfaustralia.com.au.

* Metal forum on Wed Feb 8, 8pm to 10.30 pm at Alliiance Francaise De Melbourne (51 Grey St, St Kilda).

* The art and business of image and performance, Thur Feb 9, 8 to 10.30 pm at Alliiance Francaise.

* Home vs Studio, Fri Feb 10, 8 pm to 10.30 pm at Alliiance Francaise.

* Masterclass, Sat Feb 11, 9.30 am to 6 pm at Alliiance Francaise. It covers web career development, securing creative digital rights, technically enhancing your music, digital distribution, using social networks etc.

Noonan wins fellowship

Singer, songwriter and producer Katie Noonan was among those who received a Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship this year. Each of the twelve recipients receives $80,000 per year for two years. The other eleven were film maker Görkem Acaroglu, radical indigenous photographer Brook Andrew, Ghanan-born dancer Joseph Appiah Kojo Annan, Tasmanian lawyer and human rights activist Natasha Cica, Ben Cobham who co-founded lighting and designing company Bluebottle which designs innovative venues for art, set designer Robert Cousins, Perth actor and producer Sam Fox, Arnhem Land-based didjeridu player and visual artist Gunybi Ganambarr, playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer, Sydney-based arts manager Hannah Skrzynski and percussionist/composer Eugene Ughetti who founded Speak Percussion.

WAM advertises for CEO

Perth-based West Australian Music Industry Association is advertising for a full time chief executive officer. More info, go to wam.org.au. Enquiries and requests for a copy of the Position Description may be directed to Geoff Blades or Tony Lester at Lester Blades on (08) 9221 0744.

Levon to play before 1 billion

Pop singer Elen Levon will play to 1 billion television viewers this week. She will sing her song Sun Burns Out in Mandarin at the Gala World Music Festival in Beijing, which is being telecast through the country on China’s largest television network, Beijing TV. Levon’s single Naughty will feature in Gossip Girl on Fox8 across the month of January.

Final Aussie artists invited to SxSW

The list below is the remaining 46 artists of 60+ that were invited to play showcases at South by Southwest Music Festival--out of about 200+ submissions. The artists below have either accepted their invitations or are making final arrangements to play SXSW based on visas, budgets, scheduling of recording, touring or release. SxSW dates are March 13 to 18.

Oh Mercy
Little Red
Big Scary
The Black Ryder
Teeth & Tongue
The Art
Lanie Lane
The Vasco Era
Emma Louise
Luluc
Tonight Alive
Electric Jellyfish
sleepmakeswaves
Split Seconds
Voltaire Twins
Bliss N Eso
Kimbra
Busby Marou
Dead Letter Circus
Pets With Pets
Geoffrey O’Connor
Twerps
World’s End Press
Wagons
Lowrider
The John Steel Singers
Gold Fields
Sparkadia
Electric Empire
Expatriate
Chet Faker
Grace Woodroofe
Cameras
DZ Deathrays
Catcall
Alpine
Bonfire Nights
Jonti
Damndogs
WIM
Bleeding Knees Club
Clubfeet
Jordie Lane
Ben Lee
Husky
Daniel Merriweather

The Aussie BBQ will be on all day Saturday, March 17 at Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street.

MUSICAL CHAIRS

Triple j: Marigliano returns, Kingsmill takes break

After three years in London, Linda Marigliano returns to triple j to host weekday evenings. The show relaunches on Monday January 16 with a new name and a new format with a focus on new music, audience interaction and request element.

Assistant music director Nick Findlay will step up as acting music director while Richard Kingsmill travels and lives abroad until July. Kingsmill returns to resume his post and host new music show 2012, which Caroline Tran will helm until his return. Summer temps Veronica & Lewis take over Weekend Breakfast.

David Williams steps down as Shock CEO

After 24 years, David Williams stepped down as CEO of Shock Entertainment. He founded the company in 1988 with Andrew McGee and Frank Falvo. “After a successful couple of years of rebuilding the business, it is the perfect time to hand the reins over to the next generation of music, TV and film enthusiasts,” Williams said. Shock, now owned by Regency Media, will be helmed by executive GM Scot Crawford. Williams will continue to work with Regency and Shock on developing new ventures. “I’ve enjoyed working with Regency owner Fiona Horman over the last year or so and we’ve identified a raft of new opportunities which should prove to be very rewarding – it’s a fantastic time to be in the entertainment industry.”

Parker moves to 2UE

Chris Parker takes over as GM of Sydney talk back radio 2UE from January 16. He replaces Tim McDermott who is going to DMG Radio as GM of Sydney’s 95.3 and Nova 969. Parker, who’s served time at Austereo and Macquarie Radio, was most recently commercial director at Telstra.

Turnbull at Prime

Bruce Turnbull started as new Maroochydore-based Network PD for Prime Radio Group in Queensland. Replacing Dave Smith, he looks after the ZINC brand. Turnbull was previously doing breakfast at Townsville's ZINC 100.7.

Bevan, Riley, strengthen News Ticketing team

News Ticketing COO Harley Evans this week announced that Lara Bevan and Erin Riley are joining as senior client relationship managers. They will oversee News Ticketing’s key clients including the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Queensland Museum, Supanova and Groovin’ the Moo. Bevan worked 12 years at Ticketek and Ticketmaster, Riley eight years at Ticketek.

Winter bows out of dB magazine

Adelaide street magazine dB’s music, games and DVD editor Ryan Winter leaves this week to fill the newly created role of music resources coordinator at Radio Adelaide. He will continue to be a staffer at FasterLouder.

Bennett booking at the Prince

Melbourne Pub Group, which took over iconic Melbourne live music venue the Prince of Wales, has signed on new band booker Jamie Bennett. He was previously booker at Rocket Bar in Adelaide. MPG has settled rumours about the venue’s future with live music, by confirming that acts will continue to be showcased in its Bandroom and now also in its public bar.

Nova moves Lowe to breakfast

Nova Adelaide moved Shane Lowe from afternoons to be third member of its breakfast team with Maz Compton and Dan Debuf, replacing Matt Saraceni.

Iffland to lead SBS TV and online content

Tony Iffland takes over as director of SBS TV and online content in April, replacing Matt Campbell who left six months ago for production firm Shine. Iffland is currently GM of BBC Worldwide’s Australian operation.

Brennan to manage Bush Bands Bash

Tammy Brennan is new GM of Bush Bands Bash Project, an annual showcase of indigenous desert bands from the Alice Springs region. She was coordinator of Alice Springs’ Cat's Meow Cabaret and her own band Confined.

Grace show axed

Andy Grace’s Night Show on ARN’s WS/Gold stations heard in Sydney and Melbourne was axed last month.

Klapow joins YTT panel

US choreographer Chucky Klapow joins Tina Arena on the judging panel of the new Young Talent Time. He won an Emmy for the High School Musical movie and has performed with the likes of Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul. 14-year old Tyler Wilford from Geelong, Victoria, was chosen to be a team player, beating off a challenge from 30,000 who auditioned. Ten has decided to launch YTT on Jan 22 at 6.30 pm three weeks earlier than scheduled.

Beaufort Street parts with director

Mt. Lawley (WA)’s Beaufort Street festival, which drew 80,000 last year, has parted with its director Dave Cutbush. He told the West Australian he was talking to his lawyer about his renumeration.

David Melzer heads to NT

Melbourne community radio identity David Melzer is the new GM for Northern Territory’s Music Outback, which delivers music to 15 schools and produces MobFest Tanami at the end of September

Marnane, Caldwell, join Foxtix

News Ltd’s Foxtix celebrated its first anniversary by bringing in Bartek Marnane as technology director and Brett Caldwell as national IT and event services delivery manager. Marnane was previously head of infrastructure and service delivery at Ticketek while Caldwell was IT support team leader at Ticketek managing the IT operations for the Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth regions as well as the national IT Service Desk team.

Mannaa returns to DMG Radio

Kim Mannaa, network campaign coordinator at ARN in Melbourne, rejoined DMG Radio Australia last month as integration manager for Nova 100 and 91.5FM. Mannaa started with DMG’s regional services as a creative writer, was promotions manager for Macquarie Regional Radioworks, was promotions project manager for DMG’s vega 91.5fm between August 2006 to May 2009, spent 18 months in the UK, and was with DMG again last January as Melbourne client implementation manager and integration project manager.

MIX Canberra’s 2012 lineup

MIX 106.3 Canberra’s 2012 lineup sees Biggzy joined by Rod Cuddihy at breakfast, Joe Gleeson returning to drive, and Karina Rappel and Cam Sullings taking in other slots.

Don Thomas retires

Don Thomas, manager for over 40 years at 2AD and FM 100.3 retired last month.

TRIPPING

Are Red Hot Chili Peppers talking an autumn or winter visit to Australia? Radiohead didn’t make it to Big Day Out but will they be here in November?

Is Madonna one of those being approached by Kylie Minogue to do a duet for the 25^th anniversary TV special she’s putting together, and which will include team-ups with Nick Cave, Robbie Williams, Dannii and Jason Donovan?

Is NSW’s Coaster festival definitely returning this year?

How effective will the current push to get nightclubs out of Surfers Paradise and into nearby industrial areas, be?

Will one of the immediate results of the Big Day Out/ C3 Presents partnership be BDO getting a permanent site for its Queensland? Its current home at the Gold Coast Parklands is being reclaimed by the owners, and BDO boss Ken West has suggested the new site could be somewhere on the Coast or in Tweed Heads.

The Living End’s Chris Cheney relocated to Los Angeles last month. It means none of its members live in Melbourne any more. Scott Owen lives near Byron and Andy Strachan out in the Victorian countryside.

According to his Twitter account, Perth-based X Factor hunk Johnny Ruffo is in New York working on his debut album.

NEW SIGNINGS

Laneway Festival teams with Music SA

The St Jerome's Laneway Festival teamed with South Australian peak music association Music SA to donate a portion of every ticket sold at the Adelaide leg of the festival for Music SA to develop young acts. Laneway also launched the SA version of its Alleyway competition, to give a local act the chance to play the festival, and another act to perform at one of the sideshows

Victoria Park embraces Big Day Out

The WA town of Victoria Park signed a deal with Big Day Out to stage the event at McCallum Park on the Victoria Park foreshore on Feb 5. Issues as public transport, noise and parking issues are currently being resolved.

New clients for Foxtix

Following the announcement that the Sydney Royal Easter Show had awarded Foxtix its ticketing rights, the ticketing company has also signed with the Queensland Museum, the Geelong Supercats and the Australian Rally Championships to be their official ticketing provider.

UNFD will say anything

Californian indie punk outfit Say Anything will have UNFD release its fourth studio album Anarchy, My Dear in Australia and New Zealand in March.

Moshtix involved in drugs campaign

Moshtix is the official online partner of the Federal Government’s “National Drugs Campaign” that raises dangers of ecstasy awareness to youth as they buy tickets for various music festivals during this summer. Advertisements are expected to run across the Moshtix site for five months, starting from Jan 24.

Twentieth Century, Hopscotch/Entertainment One team up

From February 1, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment handles sales and distribution in Australia and New Zealand for Hopscotch/Entertainment One’s TV and catalogue items.

LIFELINES

Born: daughter Kinga Rose to radio personality Merrick Watts and wife Georgie, their second child.

Engaged: radio personality Hamish Blake and writer girlfriend Zoe Foster.

Dating: the Sydney Sunday Telegraph declared that MTV’s Erin McNaught and British club dj Example (Elliot Gleave) are officially an item.

Divorcing: Adelaide radio announcer Maz Compton and Ben after a four year marriage.

Split: country music singer Adam Brand’s third marriage is over, this one lasting 18 months. He met dancer Jade Hatcher during their stint on Seven’s Dancing With The Stars in 2009. Their 20-year age gap was cited: he’s 39, she’s 19.

Hospitalised: radio announcer Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann had a polyp removed from his throat.

Hospitalised: Adrian ''the Ox'' Tiatto, of rock band GUTstk and major figure of Melbourne’s Rock 'n Roll Wrestling, 41, from a heart attack.

Hospitalised: Shane Weatherstone, one of the organizers of the Utopia Homelands Music Festival in Alice Springs, sustained spinal injuries after a rollover accident last month.

Suing: Sydney rapper Wayne Douglas takes action against the NSW Dept of Housing over injuries he sustained in a no-rent Housing Commission flat it provided him. Douglas told the Human Rights Commission that the termite-damaged floor could not sustain his 250kg bulk, and he suffered leg injuries and blood clots when he fell through the floor to the apartment below.

Jailed: Christopher Angelo Filippou for 31 years for the murder of two men, singer songwriter Sam Willis and brother Luke, following an argument.

Died: Dillon Rivers, former singer with Melbourne hardcore band Lovers Grave, took his life before Christmas. The band posted on Facebook, “Without him this band would have never made it to the where it is today... his energetic performance as a frontman (was) second to none.”

Died: Scottish-born Melbourne-raised country singer Betty McQuade in Brisbane aged 70 after a long illness. Her best known hit Midnight Bus was cited as the best cover of the song by its American writer John D. Loudermilk.

Died: police are investigating the murder on the Gold Coast of NZ-born Tony Williams, 38, singer of the band Sex 'N' Chocolate. He had been hit with a blunt instrument. His body was discovered in his Mermaid Waters apartment by a band member when he failed to show for a gig. Williams was estranged from his wife and had a son, Harlem, 10, and a baby daughter Lyric.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

31 million YouTube views so far for Goyte’s Somebody That I Used To Know.

$1225 highest bid on eBay for a copy of AC/DC’s first single Can I Sit Next To You Girl which featured singer Dave Evans.

$15 million earned by producer The Dream for his work Rihanna’s Umbrella.

$110,000 in funding by the NSW government to assist its all-ages live scene.

1.2 billion apps downloaded worldwide in the last week of 2011.

3 years before Adele plans to release her next album.

20,000 toys collected by Southern Cross Austereo for its Christmas drive.

3^rd artist ever to produce six Top 5 hits from one album is Katy Perry, following Janet Jackson and George Michael.

1.5 million downloads cracked by Aussie app maker Discvr.