Industrial Strength: Record Store Day, closing venues, number crunching & a few other things…
RECORD STORE DAY ANNOUNCES THREE AMBASSADORS
The 2019 Record Store Day has announced Kate Ceberano, Dave Faulkner of Hoodoo Gurus, and Sydney band Hockey Dad as ambassadors.
For the 12th year, Australia will celebrate Record Store Day on the same date with thousands of indie stores around the world.
Set for Saturday, April 13, more than 180 indie music stores around the country will throw open their doors to live music, DJs spinning the vinyl, treasure hunts, parties, barbecues, coffee carts, face painting and, of course, vinyl crate digging.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems return for the fifth year as a sponsor.
Record companies, as usual, are planning a series of limited edition vinyl releases for the collectors.
Many stores are importing pre-loved vinyl especially for the day, as well as raiding their vaults for vinyl, CD and memorabilia treasures.
Even the odd cassette or two will appear. The vinyl resurgence continues alongside resilient sales for CDs.
The worldwide party, that celebrates the culture of the indie record store, reiterates the importance of the traditional music outlet as one of the major avenues for the public to still discover the many genres of music releases each year.
Stores around the world will open their doors to celebrate with music lovers, the musicians who make the music they love, and the people who sell it.
VENUES UPDATE: CLOSINGS, CHARGES, OPENINGS
* Melbourne loses a music, comedy and theatre showcasing space, Dancing Dog Café in Footscray, after 17 years.
Owner Ben Coyle blames rising rent and zoning changes as reasons and confirms that the doors close on March 28.
* A 54-year-old man is dead after being punched in the face by another patron at Hobart’s Mobius Lounge Bar nightclub. Police have charged an 18-year-old man.
Land and Environment Court Justice Nicola Pain ruled the government followed the proper procedures, by exhibiting the demolition proposal for the required period of time and considered design excellence as required.
* The McIvor Hotel in Bendigo, in Victoria, will become a live music venue named Entree Music Bar at the end of April after a revamp under new owners the Power family.
John Power, a live audio-visual technician who’s been doing the sound at the Golden Vine for the last eight years, says it’s been a dream of his to host a music venue.
* Nine Network reports that WA police are investigating a series of sexual attacks on up to 20 young men after they had their drinks spiked at nightclubs in Claremont and the Perth CBD.
* A 44-year-old has faced court after a complaint from a 19-year-old that his drink was spiked at The Avenue at Club Bayview and woke up to find himself being sexually assaulted in a stranger’s car.
* ACT police have released CCTV footage as part of their inquiries into an incident at the 88mph nightclub in Canberra. Two gents had a bit of a verbal barney, which ended abruptly when one allegedly punched the other twice and knocked him out cold before exiting the club.
HUTCHENCE DOCO SET FOR TRIBECA PREMIERE
Richard Lowenstein’s documentary Mystify about the life and times of Michael Hutchence will make its US premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, which stages April 24 to May 5.
Its Australian premiere is yet to be announced.
Also screening at Tribeca are films and docos on D’Angelo, Linda Ronstadt, New York record store Other Music, Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon, Sublime, Woodstock, the Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman and one looking at hip hop and fashion.
AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITERS CONFERENCE LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS
The Australian Songwriters Conference (ASC), usually a four-day skill and career development event, has made a move into annual memberships and monthly songwriter workshops.
“The conference is usually held on a biennial basis, and we have always wanted to expand on that so that we can assist songwriters on a more regular basis than just once every year or two,” explains ASC founder and CEO, Lisa Butler.
The ASC Members Program allows songwriters regular online access to industry resources, career and song crafting tutorials, podcast interviews with industry pros and member forums that include songwriting challenges and critiquing.
Members also get discounts on ASC events and activities and give them free entry to ASC Circles, monthly workshops being opened around the country. ASC membership costs $150 for twelve months.
ASC Sydney Circle has already opened with Circles starting in Melbourne and Gosford, NSW, in March.
They open in Canberra, Newcastle, Gold Coast and Hobart in the next several months.
The aim is to have ASC Circles in every capital city and major regional centre in the next 12-18 months.
ASC Circles offer songwriters workshops, speakers, peer and professional critiquing and song pitching opportunities, as well as networking and social events.
“Songwriters are the foundation of the music industry,” Butler emphasises.
“That’s why the ASC is launching these new programs.
“Songwriters need and deserve regular and ongoing assistance and opportunities. “
For more information about the ASC and its programs, go to www.australiansongwritersconference.com
LIVE MUSIC FINALISTS FOR QLD MUSIC AWARDS
The Queensland Music Awards released for top two finalists for their People’s Choice vote.
Festivals: The Big Pineapple, Blues On Broadbeach
Metro Venues: The Zoo, The Triffid
Regional Venues: NightQuarter, Solbar
I HEART RADIO RIDES A WAVE
iHeartRadio and crowdsourced navigation app, Waze, have integrated their apps in Australia.
It offers the two million Australian drivers currently using the Waze app a seamless driving experience – with access to iHeartRadio’s live radio, music streaming, podcast and entertainment service for the duration of their journey.
Geraint Davies, COO of iHeartRadio Australia said: “The integration of the Waze and iHeartRadio apps is the perfect combination for commuters in Australia.
“Offering the ability to listen to your favourite breakfast show, drive show or podcast, while also taking the fastest route – thanks to the huge community of Waze users constantly updating local traffic conditions – makes this a great partnership.”
AUCTION DEETS FOR CONCERT FOR KATE
Live and eBay auction details for the benefit concert for artist manager and festival executive Kate Stewart include You Am I ARIA gold and platinum records, and other contributions from Powderfinger, Grinspoon, photographer Tony Mott, Tim Rogers, Midnight Oil, Silverchair, Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes, and items from Stewart’s personal collection.
The eBay auction began yesterday, ending Sunday, March 17, and for these items, you can place your bids at [email protected].
PEACHES MGMT LAUNCHES
Peaches MGMT is a new independent artist management company launching today in Sydney by Nicole Lepusic. She started interning at Arow Agency before integrating into the artist services manager role, which incorporated working in artist development and assisting in managing the roster.
“I also run Sofar Sounds in Sydney and am a freelance engineer/producer so you can definitely say I’m well across the industry,” she tells TMN.
Peaches MGMT (www.peachesmgmt.com), “a personal project I have been working on for a long time”, has already signed its first act, Brisbane’s Beamish Brothers.
“They actually played a Sofar Sounds gig in Sydney and afterwards they approached me about management, and the rest happened quite naturally!
“When I first heard them play live was probably the biggest moment for me that I was internally fan-girling a little.
“For being a duo they are so tight and have the most killer harmonies and presence, but they also collaborate and have written with some pretty huge artists and labels (Sony, Universal, Warner).”
Coming up in a busy year for the duo is a name change and “a chance for them to explore a more mature sound in their music and reach new goals and fans.
“Through navigating the markets that they are reaching and through a complete new rebrand, this will definitely be a year for them that they aren’t holding back.”
DRUG BUSTS AT HIDDEN, FARMER & THE OWL
Not the best in timing, but last weekend saw more drug arrests at music festivals in NSW.
Perth festival Hidden’s triumphant debut in Sydney’s Olympic Park, headlined by rapper Lil Yachty and producer Kayzo, drew a crowd of 2,500.
165 were searched, and three were charged with drug supply. They appear at Burwood Local Court on March 27.
In Wollongong, a total of 8300 were out and about at MacCabe Park, for a Rufus Du Sol gig on Friday (18 charged) and Farmer and the Owl festival on Saturday (five drug detections, three criminal infringement notices and two cautions, according to a police report).
AUSSIE LANDS A COUNTRY MUSIC FIRST ON NPR LIST
Australian country music performer Rachael Fahim has been named the world’s first country music singer in the NPR Austin 100 list ahead of this year’s SXSW in Austin.
The NPR Austin 100 list picks 100 of the thousands of acts from around the world who’re playing SXSW.
NPR Radio reaches 20.9 million a week.
Only three Aussie acts made the list this year, the others including Angie McMahon and Odette’
In the past, among Aussies getting a boost were Gang Of Youths, G-Flip, Middle Kids and Tkay Maidza.
FRANCE HONOURS SERGE THOMANN
French-born Melbourne photographer and former deputy mayor of City of Port Phillip, Serge Thomann, has been awarded the Chevalier (Knight) de l’Ordre national du Mérite for distinguished services, Noise 11 reported.
He was given the medal in Melbourne by French ambassador Christophe Penot for his involvement in the city’s French community, helping those in dire straits, promoting all things French including “on the sidelines cheering for any French sporting teams visiting Melbourne” and being president of the Association French Assist Melbourne.
VVV MANAGEMENT SIGNS NZ’S DEVIN ABRAMS
VVV Management has signed New Zealand-born songwriter & producer, Devin Abrams. He is repped at the company by Tom Larkin.
Abrams’ hit single ‘Woke Up Late’ by Drax Project feat. Hailee Steinfeld is currently sitting at #25 on Spotify’s “Global Viral 50” playlist, Top 40 on Billboard Pop Songs chart and US Pop Radio chart.
Abrams started out 20 years ago as primary songwriter, producer and performer with award-winning electronic act Shapeshifter.
He left the band in 2014 and developed his solo project, Pacific Heights, to showcase his production and songwriting within art-pop, electronica, and modern classical.
In 2016 Pacific Heights won Best Electronic Album at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and nominations for the Taite Music Prize and APRA Silver Scroll Award.
CALOUNDRA FESTIVAL UP FOR FUNDING
Sunshine Coast Council was debating on continuing its $675,640 a year funding of October’s Caloundra Music Festival.
It considered a tourism report that attendance had rise by 17% to 30,000 over four days and, according to Cr Tim Dwyer had been providing significant benefits to the community, music sector and economy on the Sunshine Coast since it started in 2007.
AMAZON MUSIC PROVIDES ID
Those in the US who listen to Amazon Music on an Echo smart speaker now have a new feature called Song ID which will announce the song title and artist’s name before each song is played.
Listeners can turn off the feature with a voice command, if it becomes irritating after awhile.
Amazon says the idea is to provide customers “with a personal DJ” and hopefully help them discover new music.
NUMBER CRUNCHING
2.9 billion minutes of television shows and movies were watched across Australia’s five broadcast video-on-demand platforms last month, reported ThinkTV, adding it was a record.
$3 door charge when original lineup of Limp Bizkit plays a gig in LA, the pricing strategy motivated by the title of new album 3 Dollar Bill, Y’all.
$10,000 donated by Jack White to restore a run-down historic Negro Leagues Baseball Stadium in his hometown of Detroit.
1 million users in India join Spotify in its first week, but that ‘s just 0.07% of India’s population.
$5,000 donated by the Beyond The Valley festival to those affected by the Gippsland bushfires in Victoria, and for whom they have set up a GoFundMe page.
$1 million of concert and sporting tickets donated by Live Nation to war veteran in the US.
2.4 billion will play mobile games this year.
BUSH BANDS BASH SET FOR SEPTEMBER
The annual celebration of Aboriginal music will take place on September 8, with Alice Springs Telegraph Station coming alive with Bush Bands Bash.
Six bands from across the NT and the Tri-state region will be selected to attend Bush Bands Business mentoring sessions and then perform at the Bash, along with two bands as part of the Sandtracks tour and three solo female artists.
The Bush Bands Program, under program manager Laurie May, is a culmination of two industry events: Bush Bands Business and the Bush Bands Bash concert.
GIRLS ROCK ADELAIDE FUNDRAISER
Girls Rock! Adelaide is holding its first camp in July and has a fund-raiser on March 30 at Lion Arts Factory with Heaps Good Friends, Dead Roo, Hey Harriet, Contract Love and Teenage Joa.
The camp provides a safe, empowering space for female, trans and gender-diverse youth aged 13-17, and uses music to “inspire confidence, encourage creativity, celebrate individuality and ensure opportunity”.
NZ’S TAITE PRIZE FINALISTS
While the Australia Music Prize held its winning ceremony in Melbourne yesterday, New Zealand’s equivalent, the Taite Prize, unveiled its ten finalists for most creative record in the last 12 months.
They are Alien Weaponry, Avantdale Bowling Club, Jonathan Bree, Julia Deans, Marlon Williams, Mel Parsons, Tami Neilson, The Beths, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wax Chattels.
The winner will be announced, along with the IMNZ Classic Record Award, the Independent Spirit Award and the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 16.
GOLDEN ROBOT SIGNS TROPE
Sydney based Golden Robot Records has scooped up another US act, in the wake of signing guitar stranglers John Sykes and Gilby Clarke.
This time it’s LA alt-rock band Trope, best described as A Perfect Circle or Tool with female vocals.
Formed in 2016, their debut album Eleutheromania is due for imminent release.
SOUND ADVICE AT 4ESYDNEY
MusicNSW’s Sound Advice program comes to Parramatta as part of 4ESydney’s 5th music festival and conference.
The sessions are at Information & Cultural Exchange (I.C.E.), 8 Victoria Rd on March 29.
Imparting their knowledge on how to manage your social media (Vanessa Picken of Comes With Fries), how to self-promote without being annoying! with publicist Viv Mellish and Christopher Kevin Au (journalist, host of MTV’s Call and Response, manager of Triple One) and Kal (Slim Set, FBi Radio) and hosted by singer and rapper Majeda Eatte.
VALE JOHN HANNAY
Larger than life John Hannay came from a Queensland hospitality family. After a stint at artist management (he got them kidnapped for the publicity value), he moved in the ‘70s to run the Whisky A Go Go in Brisbane when it was firebombed. .
He took over The Roxy and Spring Hill Hotel, and most recently, The Beat Nightclub, providing a safe space for the LGBT+ community.
He battled cancer and died at the age of 74.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS…
Which junior publicist was “punished” for mouthing off at the boss by making her go on the road to look after a middle of the road act instead of her usual grunge acts.
The National are heading back to Australia as part of a massive world tour. No dates yet. On some of their US shows in June, they are accompanied by Courtney Barnett.
John Farnham cancelled a string of dates due to ill-health. No one’s saying when he’s back on the treadmill but we’re hearing it could be almost a month.
A Darwin woman whom cops allege they found with 99 ecstasy tabs in her handbag at a music festival, escaped jail by convincing the beak they were just to share with friends at the event.
Slim Dusty’s estate sent a cease and desist letter to Jason Carruthers who performs as The Slim and Friends Tribute Show. His shows are now cancelled, after Dusty’s widow Joy Kirkpatrick stated, he was “using my husband’s name and reputation for his own benefit and commercial gain without permission from me or my family”.
While there seems to be an empty space on radio playlists around the world where Michael Jackson songs once resided, MJ’s statue has been removed from Manchester’s National Football Museum after the documentary Leaving Neverland and its sexual abuse allegations were aired in the UK. Fans rallied outside Channel 4 Studios in London for showing the doco.
A Japanese DJ called Mayumi Kai was puzzled when she started receiving texts in English from around the world expressing their condolences. Not able to speak English, she got them translated, to discover Prodigy fans were getting confused with Keith Flint’s wife of the same name. Reports are divided whether she was also a club DJ or a model but it is believed that their relationship breakdown led to his depression.
Jack White & The Saboteurs have warned Australian fans that anyone who rolls up to their shows clutching on to their mobiles, will have them surgically removed at the door. “We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON” they hissed.
Legally blind Adelaide singer Rachael Leahcar was refused passage by an Uber driver because of her guide dog Ella.
The last Blockbuster video store in Australia, in the Perth suburb of Morley, is closing its doors at the end of March, leaving only one remaining in the world, in Bend, Oregon.
A 71-year-old presenter on Albany Community Radio (WA) was sacked because he kept shattering the station’s 1950s music format with the likes of Mumford & Sons and Kate Miller-Heidke. Phil Dodds turned up at the station’s AGM and was shown the way out by security guards.
The Nashville TV show, which was screened in Australia, is to be turned into a Broadway musical.