Musical Chairs: October 19
TMN PROMOTES PETER TUSKAN TO CHARTS EDITOR
The Music Network has promoted Staff Writer Peter Tuskan to the role of Charts Editor, effective October 23.
The charts have of course been one of the keystones of TMN since its inception.
He says, “TMN charts have been a reliable go-to source for the industry for many years now, and this is an incredible opportunity for me to gain experience in an area that is quite unique.”
Tuskan replaces Daniel Respall, who is tacklingfull time university study in 2018.
He began in February 2014 as Charts & Music Manager, three months after he started at the publication as an intern straight out of TAFE.
Respall recalls his time at TMN fondly, starting with Budweiser sending cases of beer to the office just as he started (“I was the only beer drinker in the team at the time”), the perks of endless free gigs, the old TMN office “being strategically placed in front of the best pork rolls in Surry Hills” and the day the TMN website crashed “thanks to a storyabout IKEA stopping production of vinyl shelves”.
Pete can be reached at [email protected].
HUGH NICHOLS DEPARTING CITY OF SYDNEY
Hugh Nichols – who as Strategy Advisor, Live Music & Performance, Research Strategy & Corporate Planning has been instrumental in the City of Sydney’s great achievements for the music industry – is departing on November 10.
He is joining the NSW Department of Planning & Environment as Manager, Statewide Strategy and Planning, in DPE’s new Cultural Infrastructure Project Management Office.
NEW CEO FOR BEATPORT
Robb McDaniels, founder of distribution and services company INgrooves is the new CEO of EDM hub Beatport.
Under new owners LiveStyle, Beatport went back to profitability this year, and McDaniels (pictured above) is tasked with continuing its growth.
“I have known Beatport since its birth in 2004 as the preeminent DJ download store in the world,” McDaniels said in a statement.
“Ever since they easily convinced me to sign up INgrooves as a content partner, I have worked closely with many of the talented executives and passionate employees at the company.”
Beatport’s return to profitability came after Lifestyle dropped its music streaming service and focussed more on introducing more EDM styles including rap/Future Bass, Garage/Bassline/Grime and Leftfield House.
As Beatport CEO, McDaniels will continue to work on the two initiatives he’s been involved with since leaving InGrooves in 2014,
He’ll continue to run his management company Faction Entertainment (Thievery Corporation, Bonnie McKee, Slightly Stoopid) and as a Venture Partner for Dubai-based investment company TechInvest.
4ZZZ TAPS GRACE PASHLEY AS STATION MANAGER
High profile Brisbane community radio 4ZZZ has officially appointed Grace Pashley as new Station Manager. She has been acting in that role for the past two months since Claire Whiting left.
Pashley is a long time 4ZZZ identity, presenting shows as The Amplifier and 4ZZZ Off Air and serving as Digital Content Coordinator.
NEW A&R AT DEF JAM
Long time hip hop manager and A&R exec Steven Victorhas been named by Def Jam as EVP and Head of A&R. He was previously SVP of A&R at Def Jam’s parent Universal Music Group where he signed Desiigner,whose debut single ‘Panda’ topped the US charts last year and peaked at #7 in Australia.
Victor was Chief Operating Officer at Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music, while his management company looked after Pusha T and The-Dream.
“THE DRUNK PROMOTER” MOVING TO NEW VENTURE
Premier Artists agent and punk tour exponent The Drunk Promoter, akaGlenn Stewart, is winding up his touring after the Supersuckers and Guttermouth tours.
In a Facebook post, he revealed he is “in the process of starting a new venture with some friends, and feel that I want to focus most of my energy on the new project.
“I still might do an international tour or two throughout 2018, but my new role will focus a lot more on Australian bands and working with venues – and even relocating back to Queensland eventually.”
EMILY ULMAN DEPARTS TOFF IN TOWN
After seven years as booker of Melbourne live music venue The Toff In Town, Emily Ulman has moved on. She continues to book The Gasometer.
LAWRENCE MOONEY REPLACES ED KAVALEE ON BRISBANE BREAKFAST
Comedian Lawrence Mooney is joining the Triple M Big Breakfast 104.5FM in 2018, replacing Ed Kavalee who is returning to Melbourne after four years.
He will remain with Southern Cross Austereo along with TV commitments as Have You Been Paying Attention?
Mooney has been a regular contributor to the show, which also features Greg “Marto” Martin and Robin Bailey, and filled in for Kavalee when he was on paternity leave last month.
SAM CAVANAGH TO EP NEW TRIPLE M DRIVE SHOW
Sam Cavanagh takes over as Executive Producer of Triple M’s new drive show with Mick Molloy and Jane Kennedy.
She was previously 12 years with Hamish & Andy on the sister Hit Network.
The new drive show launches in Melbourne on October 23, and expands nationally to 30+ markets from January.
UK DIGITAL EXECUTIVE CLAIRE MAS JOINS ISLAND
Claire Mas, one of the UK’s most experienced digital executives, has joined Island Records as Head of Digital.
She most recently oversaw the digital and communications strategy at LA/London based record label, publisher and tour promoter Communion Music Group.
There she worked with such acts as folk rock band Bear’s Den, and singer songwriters Lucy Rose and Dan Croll.
CHANGES AT QLD PERFORMING ARTS TRUST BOARD
A new Chair and four new appointments have been made to the seven-member Queensland Performing Arts Trust (QPAT) board, which governs the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane.
The new Chair is Professor Peter Coaldrake AO.
The four new names are Dare Power, Charles Berry, Susan Rix AM and Leigh Tabrett PSM have extensive skills and experience in a range of corporate and arts sector roles.
One of the ongoing board members is Leanne de Souza, Executive Director of the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) and foundation board member of the Queensland Music Network (Q Music).
ANNABELLE SEEHAN HEADS TO NZ
Annabelle Sheehan will leave the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) at the end of the year to take up the role of chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission.
After taking over the role in 2015, she secured or supported more than 30 productions which injected $53.7 million into the SA economy during the 2016-17 year.
A number of projects to go into production will contribute a further $14.7 million.
JO ELVIN STEPS DOWN FROM GLAMOUR
Australian expat journalist Jo Elvin is stepping down as Editor of UK Glamour magazine after 17 years.
Saying while she had had “so much fun” it was “time for pastures new”.Her move comes as the Conde Nast monthly title goes digital in a “mobile-first, social-first” strategy focusing on beauty.
Elvin worked at Dolly and did publicity for Neighbours before relocating to London where she helped launch Sugar and B magazines.
TAKE THAT ON SMOOTHFM
During their Australian tour, Take That will be guest hosting on smoothfm 95.3 Sydney, smoothfm 91.5 Melbourne and smoothfm DAB on Sundays at 4 pm between October 23 and November 12.
DISNEY, ESPN, JOIN ANZ SALES TEAMS
The Walt Disney Co in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN Digital and Maker Studios will merge their sales teams under Head of Sales Nik Weber.
GABBA GAINS DAVID SANDURSKI
The Gabba aka the Brisbane Cricket Grounds has appointed David Sandurski of the Melbourne Cricket Ground as its new Head Curator. The Gabba’s last major concert was Adele earlier this year.