Application deadline draws near for $1m Amex Music Backers Fund

Australian artists and local music businesses have just over one week left to get their application in for American Express’ Music Backers fund.

The million-dollar fund, announced back in August, will help 50 musicians get access to some of the country’s best recording studios for a day in December as part of its Studio Week.

Each Studio Week artist will also get help from a producer to bring their track together, and join a virtual workshop hosted by industry leaders to ensure they get the most out of the program.

Producers to assist include Simon Cohen, Rohan Sforcina and Anna Laverty, and of judges will also give a $5,000 grant to one of the 50 participants to help release and promote their track.

In addition to Studio Week, Amex is currently handing out grants ranging from $2,000 and $50,000 to get artists, businesses and the community back on their feet as the country begins to reopen.

Prior to announcing the fund, Amex commissioned research into the music sector. The findings reported that an overwhelming majority of Australians considered the industry an important contributor to the local economy.

However, the research also found 84% of industry workers experienced a loss of income due to the pandemic. This comes as no surprise, given many industry workers also found they were ineligible to receive JobKeeper payments.

The Music Backers fund arrives at a much-needed time for musicians.

“The pandemic has impacted artists hard; it has made creating and releasing music, and connecting with fans, more challenging than ever,” UNIFIED Music Group’s Nick Yates said.

“This latest initiative from American Express will provide signed and unsigned artists the opportunity they need to keep doing what they do best, and in turn ensure the country is able to continue to listen to new music.”

Keen applicants have until November 9 at 9am (AEDT) to submit their expressions of interest.

Click here for more information and to apply.