Industrial Strength: July 19

Victorian music festivals triumph with Government funding

13 of Victoria’s best-known music festivals were among 96 small, medium and independent arts organisations which shared in $113 million worth of Creative Victoria’s 2017-2020 Organisations Investment Program funding.

They included Melbourne Festival ($25.2m), Melbourne International Comedy ($6.8m), Next Wave ($1.7), Melbourne International Jazz ($1.6m), Melbourne Fringe ($1.4m), Castlemaine State ($732,400) and Wangaratta Festival of Jazz ($475,020).

Other recipients included Regional Arts Victoria ($3m for creative programs, touring, education and resources), Multicultural Arts Victoria ($1.3m to support creatives from diverse backgrounds), Arts Access Victoria ($1.3m to deliver programs for creators and audiences with disabilities), The Black Arm Band ($336,000), Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation ($336,000 to develop skills and provide opportunities) and Wantok Musik ($240,000 to record and release music from Indigenous Australia and Melanesia).

Deadline for SA Music Awards

The deadline for entries for the second South Australian Music Award is Sunday July 31. New categories added this week cover best studio, engineer and best release by an Aboriginal Torres Strait artist. The winners are unveiled on Friday November 11 in Adelaide.

More guests for Kontented podcast

After launching last week with an interview with Spotify Managing Director Kate Vale – whose comments were duly reported in TMN – Sydney-based content strategy company Kontented’s Kontented Kollective podcast will feature more innovative music and digital leaders. These include Chris Nolan, CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group, Kylie Rogers, Managing Director of Mamamia Women’s Network and Nicole Sheffield, CEO of NewsLifeMedia. The link is www.kontented.com/podcast.

Hosted by Kontented CEO and founder, Kate Constantine (née Edwards), the weekly guests will “discuss their innovation, leadership and overcoming challenges and triumphs in their sector.”

On creating the podcast, Constantine said, “Podcasts are one of the most rapidly growing content platforms in media today and as Australia’s largest independent content company we wanted to provide a truly compelling addition to the realm. I felt there was a serious lack of good, check that, great business and entrepreneurial lead ‘smart/thinking’ podcast content, so I thought it was my opportunity to open up my little black book of contacts and showcase some of the titans in my industry.

“On recording the first couple of podcasts we realised just what gold we had struck. These unfiltered conversations with some seriously impressive humans and their companies have genuinely inspired me to be involved in my industry that sometimes can get such a tough rap.”

Kontented Kollective partnered with Australian podcasting tech platform Whooshkaa, which has been confirmed as the world’s first podcasting platform for Facebook’s new audio sharing technology.

Another film soundtrack for Nick Cave, Warren Ellis

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ score for their latest movie Hell Or High Water is released overseas on August 12 through Milan Records, the same day the movie is out abroad. It is directed by David Mackenzie and stars Jeff Bridges. The 15-track soundtrack features nine pieces by the duo, as well as songs by Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Stapleton, Scott H. Biram Ray Wylie Hubbard and Colter Wall.

Director Mackenzie said, “What I love about Nick and Warren’s film music is that it’s epic and expansive without being grandiose. For me as a filmmaker this hits a sweet spot where the score is able to have scale and emotion but not feel manipulative or overwhelming.” The duo’s previous soundtracks include The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford and The Proposition.

Avalanches push back European dates

Australians might have only waited 16 years to hear the new Avalanches record and see them live, at Splendour In The Grass on the weekend. But the Europeans will have to twiddle their thumbs a bit longer. A spate of festival appearances in the UK, France, Netherlands and Sweden are postponed as band member Tony DiBlasi has an undisclosed medical condition that requires him to remain in Australia for treatment. He has been “advised against international travel for the next few months” the band posted.

Wollongong reggae pirate radio operator loses riddum

Dan Morris, self-styled Rastafarian from Wollongong who started to operate reggae pirate station IRIE FM from his home because he couldn’t hear his favourite music elsewhere on radio, copped a $3000 fine and had his equipment confiscated. He said he’d tried to go through proper channels but none of the other local stations had a space for his program.

At its peak, IRIE FM was claiming 800 regular listeners and 500 Facebook followers. Morris came under the scrutiny of the Australian Communications and Media Authority after Morris was profiled in January by Vice.com in a piece titled ‘Meet Australia’s Preeminent Jamaican Pirate Radio Broadcaster’.

Entertainment precinct model for Nambour mooted?

The push for a so-called “noise trial” in Nambour, Queensland – which is in actual fact, a more sensible way of measuring the sound coming out of its music venues from the edge of the designated hospitality area – may have to be abandoned. The Attorney General’s office has advised local council that it would much prefer the idea of an entertainment precinct for Nambour. An irritated Sunshine Coast Music Council spokesman Kel Johnston says it seems to be a bit of politics between local and state authorities when the focus should have been to allow the region’s live music venues to thrive.

Moshcam relaunches with new features

Moshcam, the Australian website which films concerts in HD for streaming, has relaunched as a wider service after a 15-month revamp. The new site includes new features as a section for indie and unsigned acts called New Noise, rock photography awards and a social tool called Palisade that allows viewers of the videos to stream their conversations with others. Moshcam is aiming at a more global appeal, and last month brought in as its new Chairman, private equity firm Archer Capital founder Andrew Rothery.

Jagwar Ma open up on second album

Jagwar Ma’s second album Every Now & Then is set for release this October via Future Classic, three years after their first album. Lead-off track out O B 1 is out to coincide with their first Australian shows in almost two years. The track was produced by Jono Ma with bandmate Gab Winterfield across the lyrics. Long-term studio collaborator DJ Ewan Pearson was on mixing duties, Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa on drums and producer James Ford completing the team. The accompanying video includes footage in the studios working on Every Now & Then and appearances at Coachella, Summersonic and Glastonbury.

Jagwa Ma are up for two secret club dates, somewhere in inner city Sydney (July 20) and somewhere in inner city Melbourne (July 21) – ticket holders will be emailed a day before – and at the Mix Up stage at Splendour In The Grass on Sunday July 24.

SA Contemporary Music grants info session

South Australia’s Music Development Office is holding a free info session later this week for musicians who plan to apply for Contemporary Music grants. The next round closes on August 12 to fund activity that begins after October 1. They cover recording, touring (national & international), marketing, music & skills development and festival & venues.

The session is held on Thursday July 21 from 5.30 pm at Level 1, St Paul’s Creative Centre, 200 Pulteney Street, Adelaide. Contact Becc Bates (mailto:becc.bates@sa.gov.au) if you have any questions regarding accessibility in the venue.

ABC iView now live streaming all channels

From this week, ABC2, ABC3 and ABC KIDS will be available to watch live, alongside ABC and ABC News 24 on iView. All live streams reflect its Sydney schedule. In addition, iView is also offering more exclusive original content. Last night it premiered the new series Moment Of Truth, a 10 x 10 minute documentary series which looks at the hidden lives of Australians.

Perth’s Club Bayview forced to close…

Citing safety concerns, Claremont Council and local police closed Perth venue Club Bayview for at least a month when dozens of patrons were still inside. Council CEO Stephen Goode said the club did not have a valid occupancy certificate under the Health Act, as the building had internal and external alterations over the past 18 months allegedly without a valid building licence or health approvals. It plans to prosecute club operator and owner Prow Pty Ltd, saying it had been given a number of warnings. Prow’s Richard Clark says he is in discussion with Council and that he does have a valid occupancy certificate.

…while Badlands sets to fire up…

New Perth music venue Badlands will launch with shows on Saturdays August 6 and 13, with plans to be announced shortly. From August 19, it trades on Friday and Saturday nights with ticketed shows in the main room. There’s free entry into the beer garden from 7pm–2am.

…and a pop up venue for Stompbox

A pop up outdoor live music venue to accommodate between 800 to 1000 fans will be included in a new WA youth precinct in Osborne Park called Stompbox early next year along with skate park and BMX facilities. The precinct already has $3 million worth of finances from local businesses, says founder CEO Richard Kettle. The complex also includes a recording studio, rehearsal space and serve as a hub for young musicians who want to chill and collaborate.

More Venue Updates: sales, arrivals, new club nights

* The Pier Hotel in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg is up for sale, with the asking price of $13 million. The 2338sq m hotel at Holdfast Shores, marketed as “the longest stretch of licensed property on the coastline” in South Australia has three restaurants, two bars, function rooms and a pokies room.

* Also on the market is Sydney’s Dove & Olive, a busy hotel in the Surry Hills area, which features music acts, consistently generating “over $100,000 per week in revenues.”

* Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club’s bandroom.is each first Saturday of the month hosting Market on High. The first is on August 6; its stalls include vintage and new items including clothing, jewellery and accessories.

* The Gold Coast gets a new nightclub on the Orchid Ave strip in October. It is the brainchild of Elsewhere club owner Benny Roney who says the new venue – yet to be named – will focus on music. Bands will be provided with equipment, and there will also be a space out back for jam sessions.

* After abruptly closing three weeks ago (leaving 40 staff shocked and unemployed), Gold Coast nightclub Shooters may be reopening in a few weeks under new owners but retaining the name. Deals are being finalised at the moment.

* The Brightside in Brisbane introduces a new night called Atomic Soda from this Friday (July 22). Put together with Bedlam Records, 4ZZZ and Society of Sound, the first half is aimed at true hip hop connoisseurs with DJs finishing off the night. The first show features Carmouflage Rose, Byron’s Leeze The Kid, Travy P and Yumo with a late-night DJ set in the Beer Garden.

* Melbourne EDM collective Heavy kicked off a new series of club nights Code Of Practice last weekend, the first at The Mercat.

* The revamped His Majesty’s in Perth, which reopened in April after a four-month closure to update the auditorium, continues to unveil new features. Last week it was its stunning new $400,000 light display, designed by Martin Klaasen, for the staging of WA Opera’s The Elixir of Love. In January will come new seats to replace the 20-year-old ones.

* Sydney’s Lord Gladstone gleefully copped abuse from Pauline Hanson supporters and The Great Aussie Patriot group for its Fuck Pauline Hanson Day last weekend. Lapping up being called “left-wing ANZAC hating, Aussie flag burning street thugs”, the night featured the Chippendale venue serving Chippo Snack Packs and Bloody Pauline cocktails.

* The well-known dance club Goodbar on Sydney’s Oxford Street is being renovated for a relaunch in a few weeks by promoters Scott Robertson (KINK) and Paul Strange (Tank, Home).

Brisbane to welcome Reclink Community Cup

Brisbane is all set to welcome the inaugural media vs. musicians Reclink Community Cup, which is announced for Sunday September 25 at Pine Rivers Show Ground. A launch is being held on July 31 at the Triffid between 3pm to 7 pm for the official teams to be unveiled alongside DJ sets and speakers.

UNESCO grants come alive

The Australian National Commission for UNESCO grants are open for applications. They provide up to $20,000 for activities which align with the Commission’s wide-ranging priorities and objectives, with a focus on civil society projects. In previous years, there has been a heavy university focus in the applications and the Commission is keen to encourage a wider range of applicants. The guidelines and further information can be found at: dfat.gov.au

Magnificent Seven to play at NZ Masters

Seven high profile New Zealand musicians will play at the February 3 opening night of New Zealand Masters Games in the War Memorial Centre in Whanganui. Dubbed The Magnificent Seven, Jordan Luck, Peter Urlich and Eddie Rayner are backed by The Bads guitarist Brett Adams, Exponents founding member and bassist Dave Gent, Bryan Bell of Dead Flowers and drummer Patrick Khutze as they play the works of Split Enz, Dance Exponents and Th’ Dudes.

Sounds Australia’s export masterclass

Sounds Australia and QMusic are presenting an export masterclass on Wednesday July 20 in Brisbane. They will emphasise how genre events – covering jazz, classical, world, folk, Americana and all EDM styles – are becoming more important for Australian acts looking to take their music abroad.

Moderated by Sounds Australia’s Executive Producer Millie Millgate and Export Music Producer Glenn Dickie, the panel includes Kate Atkinson (Folk Alliance / Americana), Lynette Irwin (Jazzahead), Simon Homer (Americana) and Cathy Kirkpatrick (WOMEX). The session is at at 3 Winn St, Fortitude Valley from 6 pm to 8 pm. Millgate and Dickie are also available for one-on-ones with managers and self-managed artists planning to tour in the next 12 months. Go to the QMusic website.

Bowie tributes takes classical tones

Two David Bowie tributes around Australia take on classical tones.

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is teaming with rock names to pay tribute to David Bowie on Saturday October 1 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Fronting the QSO at the 30-song Nothing Has Changed show are Steve Kilbey, Tex Perkins, Deborah Conway, IOTA and Adalita.

The inaugural Rock Symphony In The Vines on October 15 at Hunter Valley (NSW)’s Hope Estate sees the Australian Symphony Orchestra and conductor George Ellis cosy up with Jeff Duff, Steve Balbi and Brydon Stace.

Melbourne gets new Conservatorium

Melbourne gets a new Conservatorium of Music in 2019 as pat of a $105.5 million development. The Victorian Government has chipped in $3 million, and says the development will generate $350 million for the state. The Conservatorium will move from the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus to the Southbank cultural precinct next to the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Southbank Campus of the VCA and MCM. It will include a 400-seat auditorium that will be available for use by arts organisations.

Shorty’s, Transit, win at ACT Awards

Music supporting Shorty’s and Transit Bar were among winners at the ACT Australian Hotels Association awards in Canberra. Organisers reported a record amount of entries this year. Shorty’s won Best Late Night Entertainment Venue while Transit Bar took out Best Live Entertainment Venue.

Adelaide acts heading to Nashville

Adelaide music venue The Jade is on Sunday August 14 putting on a min-festival called Next Stop Nashville. It features a number of South Australian acts who are heading off to Nashville (with artists from around Australia) for six days in September for the Americana Music Festival. They showcase by night and network with fans and Americana music biz execs at seminars and panels.

Adelaide has had a strong Americana (or alt-country) scene for ages. During a drinking session at the Grace Emily by Taasha Coates (The Audreys), Brillig, The Yearlings and Tara Carragher where Nashville stories were swapped, the decision was made to go en masse and take along Sian Walden of Little Acorn Music who had never been there.

HITZ leads Bundaberg ratings

The latest radio ratings in Bundaberg, Queensland, showed Grant Broadcasters’ HITZ leading with a 23.3% share and a greater share of younger listeners. According to Xtra Insights, which is doing 25 ratings in regional areas to emphasise the importance of regional radio, runner up was SCA’s 93.1 SEA FM with 22% and listened to by the over-50 market. The others were ABC Local Radio (17%) and Grant’s 4BU (14.8%).

Streaming, sponsorship, helps BBC rise in ANZ

The rise of demand for content from streaming services as Stan and Presto, and a great input of sponsorship, saw BBC Worldwide post a 5.3% sales growth in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). During this period, BBC Worldwide spent its first full 12 months on Foxtel and Fetch TV. Revenue to March 31 was up £79.1 million (A$138.6 million). The BBC First channel reached 3 million viewers in both countries in its first 12 months. BBC channels in Australia saw sponsorship growth up 19.9% year-on-year. Globally, BBC Worldwide had headline sales of £1.029 billion with a profit of £133.8 million.

Music movies green-lighted by Screen Australia

Among 58 movie and TV projects sharing in $3 million worth of funding are two music themed movies.

The Sound of Mumbai is based on the true story of an Australian music teacher who during a sabbatical in India, discovers a choir of children from Mumbai’s harshest slum. She arranges for them to sing a selection of songs from The Sound of Music at Mumbai’s most prestigious concert hall. It is written and directed by Sarah McCarthy and produced by Michelle Sahayan and made by The Sound of Mumbai Australia.

Baby Cat through Bus Stop Films is about a vivacious young woman with Down Syndrome who is obsessed with street dance. She embarks on a quest to win the Philadelphia krump crew championships, tapping on determination, killer moves and the help of a duplicitous street dancer. It is written and directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith and produced by Eleanor Winkler.

The two movies are part of Screen Australia’s Gender Matters project, which COO Fiona Cameron explains is “unashamedly providing express-lane access to female business ideas and stories.”

More Festival Updates: forum, pill-testing ban, launches

* A hundred artists and community leaders who turned out on a freezing Melbourne night to hear Big West’s board explain why they decided to wind up the festival in December after nearly 19 years, were left furious. The event was put together by the Friends of Big West, which caters for the western suburbs. At the eleventh hour, the board sent its apologies and explained it would prefer a private meeting with the Friends based on what was discussed at the forum. Among these were why there was no proper community consultation with the community, the shape of the festival’s finances, and the possibility of a new board coming on to keep Big West going.

* The possibility of pill-testing at music festivals in Victoria this summer seems a no-no. The Victorian Police released a statement that under current law, anyone found possessing or taking drugs broke the law and would bear the consequences. The State Government has no plans to relax drugs laws for pill testers.

* World acclaimed violinist, composer and conductor Richard Tognetti will launch the 2016 Manly Arts Festival on Friday September 16 from 6 pm at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum. The festival will feature exhibitions, concerts, talks, dance, films and creative workshops. Full details at www.manlyartsfestival.com.au, which goes live in mid-August.

* West Perth skate shop Soggybones is using its recently renovated 400-capacity warehouse to host the 10-hour punk and skate freak-out Hot Freaks on August 27. Adelaide’s Grenadiers headline the 10-act bill.

* Toe To Toe had had to drop out of Brewtality 2016. They will be replaced by Melbourne psychobilly-metal Fireballs, who will play both the Melbourne (August 6) and Sydney (August 13) shows. 55 acts will play five stages in the two cities.

* Regional Victoria’s Rainbow Serpent, expected to draw 15,000 over the Australia Day long weekend, unveiled 27 Australian and international acts as part of its first round of artists.

* After a year sabbatical, Splendour in the Grass’ fashion, food and lifestyle mecca is back, and dubbed The Very Small Suburb. See their website for full details.

* Indonesian string ensemble Candra Kirana (translation: bright, cool) play their first show outside their home country at Cairns Ukulele (August 25 to 28). The six members, from all around Indonesia, have practised the art of Keroncong folk music since childhood

Number Crunching

$613,000 is what Warner/Chappell wants to claim back in its legal fees after the US band Spirit’s estate unsuccessfully took on Led Zeppelin over Stairway To Heaven.

$21,000 raised by Hot Tomato Gold Coast for 6-year old Lilly who has limited movement in her legs and arms. Some of the money was raised from paintings done by Lilly with her mouth. The event had a target of $10,000 to buy her a wheelchair.

25.2% is what music accounted for in total unit sales in the UK, according to The ERA (Entertainment Retailers Association) which included videos (58.2% of the Top 40) and games (16.6%). The entire Top 40 accounted for 15.8 million units.

$67.5 million made by AC/DC between June 2015 and June 2016, ranked them at #17 of Forbes’ annual earning list for rock acts but #1 among rock bands.

Vale

South Australian radio announcer Glenn Gale began his career in 1971 at 3MA Mildura, before moving to 3XY Melbourne, 2SM Sydney, 2ST Nowra, 4IP Ipswich, 4WK Toowoomba, 2NX Newcastle and SA stations as 5KA Adelaide and 5MU Murray Bridge. He was also GM of Coast FM Adelaide. In 2002, he retired from radio and became promotion and marketing man and spruiker with stunt rider and daredevil Clarry Jones. Glenn Gale died in a nursing home after a battle with cancer.

And A Few Other Things…

Lorde told her Twitter followers of the “exciting breakthroughs” she made on her second album after spending three days alone in the wilderness writing songs.

Could we see a Sia and Drake collaboration? The South Australian-born songwriter and performer tweeted to the Canadian rapper last Friday, “I’m trying to get in touch with you. I want to do something! Can you dm me your person? Thanks! Your fan, Sia!”

How much will the Queensland lockouts cause the Government? LNP Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek puts the figure at near $1 million. He was quoting Office of Liquor of Gaming estimations due to a drop in nightclub licence fees as they no longer have to pay for after 3 am. The Government collected $21.3 million in liquor licensing fees for the past year.

Now that the dust has settled after the 2016 finale of The Voice, what’s happened since? Coach Jessie J took off hours after the show ended to New York to promote her new movie Ice Age: Collision Course … winner Alfie Arcuri’s debut single Cruel failed to set the ARIA chart on fire … third-tier winner Ellen Reed will re-record her self-titled debut EP and start work on new songs, including collaborations with fellow Voice contestants Kim Sheehy and Mikaela Dean … Tash Lockhart, a committed Christian, wants to work with Hillsong United on a secular EP.

A music video shoot on a street in Marrickville in Sydney, with someone in a ski mask and waving an air rifle and lead to the arrival of the riot police, has ended up in the Newtown Local Court. Filmmaker Paul James Nicholson pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered firearm in a public place. His filmmaker colleague Gawain Keith McGrath pleaded not guilty.

At least Mel B didn’t try these antics when she was a judge on Australian reality TV shows. During the shooting of an episode of America’s Got Talent, she threw a full jug of water over Simon Cowell – the man who just happened to hire her.

How much can recorder players irritate you? AAMI insurance found out the hard way. It’s pulled its ad featuring a kid tunelessly playing the damn instrument while waiting for roadside help to arrive for the family car. Social media lambasted the ad as “insufferable” and made their dogs howl.

When Fifth Harmony were in New Zealand, 20 fans tracked them to a studio where they were doing a ZM interview. The 20, who met through Twitter, started to sing their songs so loudly in the rain that their leader was called in for a photo shoot.

So why weren’t The Lonely Boys on stage to pick up their best rock song trophy at the NT Song of the Year in Darwin? They certainly intended to, starting out from Ngukurr and stopping overnight in Katherine the night before. Unfortunately the next morning their vehicle was involved in a smash, and they ended up having to hear of their win over the phone while stuck in their Katherine motel room.

If you were at the Fremantle Markets last Friday morning and wondering, yes, that was John Butler going back to his roots and doing a busking stint solo. Butler, used to playing thousands these days, drew a crowd of 60 curious bystanders. Twenty years ago, Butler got his start at the Markets, selling cassette versions of his music.

Bernard Fanning gives 200 Sydney fans an exclusive preview of his third solo album Civil Dusk. He and his band play the album in its entirety at Giant Dwarf Theatre on August 2, three days before its release.

Mt Isa is holding its Outback Youth Has Talent quest at the Mount Isa Civic Centre on Tuesday August 9. Bands, singers, songwriters dance troupes and comedians are angling for the $1000 winner prize, $500 for runner-up and $250 for third.

Sea FM Gold Coast’s Charli Robinson and Paul Gale offered $1000 to any listener who could get a cast member of Thor to ring in. Its star Chris Hemsworth, doing a workout, was persuaded to call in by his trainer.

Expatriate singer Peter Andre celebrated his first wedding anniversary by giving his wife Emily … a signed photo of himself.

From September, AdNews becomes a monthly. The July 22 issue is the last of its fortnightly release, with no issues through August.

Nova 106.9’s Kip Wightman’s inner Brisbane pad, complete with home theatre and heated pool, is on the market for $1.3 million.

Choose Your Cruise have added ‘60s Brit acts Barry Ryan (Eloise) and Wayne Fontana (Pamela Pamela) to Rock the Boat 6 – A Salute to the Sixties. It sails from Brisbane in November with a host of ‘60s names headlined by Chubby Checker.