Applications for AIR’s Music Passport Fast Track fellowship open tomorrow

Applications for Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR)’s inaugural Fast Track Fellowship program opens tomorrow (Thursday, November 23) at 9 am AEST.

As reported earlier in TMN, the idea is part of the Victorian Government’s Music Passport program (through Creative Victoria) to support small to medium-sized independent Victorian record labels to build international connections.

It will allow two label employees or owners to work at a global indie label for a minimum of two full months between January and May 2018.

Applications close Thursday, November 30 at midnight AEST.

AIR GM Maria Amato tells TMN, “We are thrilled that the Victorian government recognises the need for small business labels who operate in Victoria to have greater insight into international markets including cultural differences which will help them transact and connect in the global marketplace.”

Amato believes that such an initiative will help understand if and how overseas labels work differently depending on the country and style of music.

For instance, does a hip-hop label in New York operate at a variance of a heavy metal company in Germany or Brazil.

An initiative as Fast Track would also help an indie make hard choices in whether to devote scarce money to overseas distribution or overseas touring or overseas contact making at events like SXSW or MIDEM.

Amato points out, “This opportunity is only being offered to two lucky Victorian labels and is a pilot program but the idea is that the participants will report to Creative Victoria about their experiences whilst overseas so that other businesses can benefit from the experience and knowledge gained from this pilot program.”

Steve Cross, co-founder of Remote Control Records tells TMN that in the event that his company scores one of the fellowships, a representative would be sent to the United States or the United Kingdom.

One of the company’s major priorities is to “increase our understanding of digital streaming services.

“I envisage working with one of our label partners to (gain) education and experience in dealings with digital services throughout the world, get some introductions to the right people and raise the profile of Australian music and businesses.”

Remote Control is one of the most successful indies in Australia – helped by having the Adele phenomenon in this territory through its tie-up with Britain’s XL Recordings.

According to other sources, Adele’s 25 sold over half a million units in Australia by the end of 2016 and was top-selling album last year.

Physical formats make up 35% of Remote Control’s sales, with digital making up 65%.

Approximately. 37% of digital income for its Australian roster is from the international markets – a figure which Remote Control obviously wants to expand by plugging further into the global community of diverse music fans.

Global statistics show that running a record label is still a high risk with an unknown reward, spending as much as 15.6% of their revenue on artist development. This is a higher percentage than what technology, software, aerospace, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries spend on R&D.

Although AIR figures suggest that the local indie sector has close to a 40% share, support from mainstream radio for local indie music is still minimal from commercial radio.

Even Remote Control, which has notched up #1 and Top 5 album releases, has battled to get a look-in.

While AIR delivers Fast Track for indie labels on behalf of the Victorian Government, a similar and autonomous initiative for artist managers is through the Association of Artist Managers (AAM).

Minister for Creative industries Martin Foley said in a statement. “The Fast Track Fellowships are an example of how we are backing our music industry and the people and businesses that drive it.

“This program is all about taking our industry to the next level and creating genuine opportunities for international growth. It’s the first program of its kind and we are proud to work with AIR and AAM to make it happen.”

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