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News October 27, 2015

Industrial Strength: August 14

Art Music Awards to honour George Dreyfus

Famed classical music and screen composer George Dreyfus AM will be given the Distinguished Services to Australian Music gong at this month’s Art Music Awards, it was announced this morning. Held Monday August 26 at the Parade Theatre, NIDA in Sydney, the awards cover contemporary classical, jazz and experimental music. Dreyfus’ honour was decided by the Australasian Performing Right Association and The Australian Music Centre which jointly organize the awards.

A musical tribute will be played to Dreyfus by host James Morrisonand his sons William and Harry playing stand up bass and guitar. Dreyfus’ son Jonathan joins them on piano for the iconic piece Larino, Safe Haven. We’re not sure if another Dreyfus son Mark will join the proceedings onstage: he is after all the Federal Attorney General.

Guest performers include NIDA CEO Lynne Williams, Tony Gould, Australia Council chairman Rupert Myer and musicology lecturerJoel Crotty. Performers include Black Arm Band doing dirtsongagainst moving imagery and text inspired by poet Alexis Wright, Sandy Evans with the Nexas Quartet and ground breaking audio-visual artist Robin Fox presenting his Laser Show. The awards are curated by Genevieve Lacey.

Opportunity Knocks #1: AAM opens applications for Mentor Program

The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) has opened its Artist Manager Mentor Program for applications, with support from APRA AMCOS. Launched last year, younger managers are mentored by the AAM executive and major members. This year, each successful applicant and their mentor will take part in an induction event to be held early October. Go to www.aam.org.au, deadline is Friday August 30. Additional funding is provided from a partnership with Warner Music Australia and the Jimmy Little Foundation, to support the existing, and increase the number of, indigenous managers.

Opportunity Knocks #2: First Break continues search for new talent

First Break, the search for new talent by Commercial Radio Australia and the Mushroom Group, is back for a second year. It is open to unsigned acts which have not broken into the top 100 Australian national airplay chart. Winners get metropolitan and regional commercial radio airplay for twelve months, and financial support for two singles, touring and marketing. The total prize is valued at over $2 million. See www.commercialradio.com.au.

Opportunity Knocks #3: Tropscore calls for entries

Tropscore offers musicians the chance to try their hand at composing music for a film. The music has to provide the moods for Apart, an animated short film by Nick Baker and Tristan Klein about two characters living a long distance relationship. The winners perform their score to 90,000 at Tropfest on Dec 8 at Centennial Park and get a cash prize. There’s also Tropscore Jr for musos under 15. See tropfest.com/au/tropscore. Deadline is October 10.

Opportunity Knocks #4: Amplified calls for performers

Music Tasmania is calling out for acts who want to perform at Amplified 2013. It will present a series of shows in local venues November 29–30, culminating in an outdoor concert. Artists will be selected by a committee made up of venue owners and media. Seewww.amplified.org.au, deadline is Aug 16.

New DJ/production school opens in Perth

Lab 6 is a new electronic music production and DJ School. It’s at Level 2, 241 Stirling Street in Perth, with lessons by producers, dechnicians and more. http://labsix.com.au/ More info Email: info@labsix.com.au

LivingSocial ticket packages hit 1 million sales

After launching in Sydney and Melbourne in April, online live events marketing platform LivingSocial has sold over a million tickets in Australia, its Sydney-based head of entertainment and live eventsPatrick Smith told Industrial Strength. It offers VIP ticket packages that include meet’n’greets of artists and athletes, merchandise and hotel/dining. It is rolling out in other Australian cities, and in New Zealand in October. Its local partners include Live Nation, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Arts Centre, Sydney Allphones Arena, AEG Ogden Venues, Cavalia, Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, Circus Oz, Zaccariah Group and A Day on The Green. Smith explains, “We’ve allowed those partners to work with us in a way that makes the most sense for their business.” The platform has 2.44 million subscribers in Australia and NZ, aged 25 to 54 earning over $100k a year. “We have proven that we are a huge marketing platform and that customers respond to value rather than straight out discounting,” he said. LivingSocial is owned by Amazon.com (29% stake) and financial groups.

Final speakers announced for BigSound

In a new announcement for Brisbane’s BigSound (Sept 10—13) one session will have Gurrumul, his label head Mark Grose of Skinnyfish Music and producer Michael Hohnen on the cultural and business decisions that saw a blind indigenous singer songwriter from NT who singing mostly in language, develop into a multi-platinum global attraction. Gurrumul joinsfellow keynotes Billy Bragg, Amanda Palmer, Kasey Chambers, Regurgitator, John Watson and Simon Raymonde (Bella Union). Its Music+Design announced keynote speakers, Nick Cave (via satellite), Vello Virkhaus (V-Squared Labs), and John Warwicker (Tomato). MTNS and Major Leagues, winners of triple j’s Unearthed competition will be part of the event’s showcases.

Promo Visits #1: Jessie J

Jessie J is in Sydney August 23 – August 26 for Universal Music Australia to promote her new single It’s My Party. It’s out this week, and she performs it on X Factor on Monday. She’s sold 1 million units in Australia. She’s currently putting the final touches to her second album, due later this year.

Promo Visits #2: MKTO

Californian duo MKTO hit Australia September 1 to 7 for Sony Music Entertainment Australia behind their Top 10 single ClassicMalcolm Kelley and Tony Oller, who were here on promo in March, will perform on X Factor and finish off their visit in Hamilton Island for an outside broadcast event for Channel 7’s Sunrise on Friday September 6.

11% profit rise for JB Hi-Fi

Electronics and music retailer JB Hi-Fi posted a better-than-expected 11% rise in profit to $116.3 million. In May its prediction was $112.0 million to $116.0 million, analysts forecast $115.4 million. JB Hi Fi expects to open 12 new stores in the 2013/4 financial year and increase sales by 6% to 8%.

MUSICAL CHAIRS

John Wardley appointed executive director at MCM

John Wardley is new executive director of MCM Entertainment Group, which operates digital creative agency Igloo, video technology business Movideo and media content provider MCM Media. Wardley worked in senior marketing roles in the US and Australia for Coca-Cola (he launched Coke Zero into the ANZ market), Reebok and Dairy Farmers, and was most recently Marketing and Innovation director for George Weston Foods.

Warp’s Adam Brooks runs Modular’s London office

Modular Recordings founder Steve Pavlovic tapped Adam Brooks from Warp Records to run its new London office. It coincides with the current chart success of Tame Impala, the label’s inaugural FOR festival in Croatia, and upcoming releases from Pond and Cut Copy.

Changes at the top for UCB

UCB, which manages the Vision Radio Network, has two changes at the top, effective September 1. CEO for the past 12 years, Ian Worby, becomes executive director as UCB Australia takes on new mentoring roles in projects in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Phillipines, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. UCB’s GM of Media, Phil Edwards, takes on the CEO role.

Dario Phillips to program Music Tasmania

Artist manager and entrepreneur Dario Phillips is new program manager of Music Tasmania, chosen from ten applicants. Phillips was Manager of the Year at the 2010 Amplified awards, president of Contemporary Music Services Tasmania and runner-up in the Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards in the Spirit of Tasmania, Enterprise & Trade Achievement.

New MD at Nova Brisbane

Georgina Ingham-Myers who filled in as music director at Nova Brisbane while Kate Casey went on maternity leave, takes over those duties permanently. Casey has decided to return to work on a part-time basis to focus on her young family, and will work on dmg’s network music projects, and cover annual leave in Brisbane.

Universal Music launches Caroline International …

The Universal Music Group launched Caroline International, an independent distributor and label services provider. These include marketing, promotion, A&R, commercial, sync and administrative service while using Universal Music’s sales and distribution platforms and relationships. Its London headquarters will be run by Michael Roe (who founded the international arm of EMI Label Services in 2008) as its managing director, while Fiction Records managing director Jim Chancellor will be joint managing director and head of music. The US operations has Dominic Pandiscia as president. Caroline International will cover UK, Continental Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Latin America and Asia with dedicated teams in each. Its roster includes Peter Gabriel, KoRn, Yuck, Century Media, Metropolis and Welk Music Group.

…and brings in Roadrunner’s Jonas Nachsin to run Spinefarm

Universal Music tapped former Roadrunner US president Jonas Nachsin to run its hard rock/metal imprint Spinefarm Records. He will be its worldwide general manager, based in New York. Spinefarm started out as an independent in 1990 in Finland and became part of Universal in 2002.

Jane Scott exits Regional Arts Australia

Jane Scott exited as executive director of Regional Arts Australia to become CEO and artistic director at Craft Vic.

Ryan Winter heads to the Gov

Ryan Winter ((BPD Agency, SLAM SA) is the new publicist at Adelaide live music venue The Gov. He was Music Resources coordinator at Radio Adelaide and replaced there by Luke Penman,Local Noise program director.

Three additions at ACMA

Joining the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as part-time members for five years are TV producer Anita Jacoby(she co-founded TV production house Zapruder’s Other Films withAndrew Denton and made shows as Enough Rope and The Gruen Transfer), Rosemary Sinclair who is managing director of Australian Telecommunications Users Group and National Water Commission CEO James Cameron.

TV’s The Couch goes to radio

Fred Mafrica, host of Perth community TV show The Couch, takes the concept to 100.9fm Noongar Radio. The Couch Top 30 airs Wednesdays 6 to 10 pm with interviews and live performances by local artists. To get on, contact Top30@thecouch.com.au.

Changes at SAFM/ Triple M

Scott Menz, SAFM Adelaide’s ACD and executive producer of theMichael, Hayley & Burgo breakfast show is on the move. Well, moving downstairs to Triple M to be the new afternoon announcer / operations, taking over from Andrew ’Cosi’ Costello who left to concentrate on his TV show South Aussie With Cosi. The new SAFM brekkie EP is Lauren DeCesare.

Byrne back at Ipswich

After heading to Sydney for stints at Triple M, 2Day and Mix106.5,Mike Byrne has returned to River949, Ipswich to co-host the breakfast show.

NEW SIGNINGS AND TEAM-UPS

Deadlys team with Community Radio Network, National Indigenous Radio

In addition to broadcasts on SBS and NITV, the Deadlys awards at Sydney Opera House teamed with Community Radio Network satellite service and the National Indigenous Radio Service for syndicated broadcast. This year’s event includes performances by Jessica Mauboy, Christine Anu, Archie Roach tackling Song To Sing with a gospel-style choir, and a tribute to Yothu Yindi’s Dr Yunupingufeaturing his grandson Rrawun Maymuru of NT band East Journey, Paul Kelly, Kutcha Edwards and Jodie Cockatoo-Creed.

Big Day Out co-promoter teams with Brazil company

C3, the Austin, Texas-based partner of Big Day Out, has partnered with leading South American live entertainment promoter Time 4 Fun (T4F) to stage Lolla Brazil in Sao Paulo in March. C3 runs Lollapalooza in Chicago, Chile (with Lotus Producciones) and Brazil (with GEO).

Possum Records Australia pacts world deal with Paul Mendez

Sydney-based Possum Records Australia signed a long term worldwide deal with Scottish DJ and producer Paul Mendez. “He has long been one of the worlds most respected DJs and producers” points out Possum managing director Phil Israel. A veteran DJ of 20 years, Mendez notched up six Top 100 and two top 5 hits on the electronic dance download store Beatport in the past 12 months. Working in his Las Vegas studio, he remixed for Avicii, Calvin Harris, Example, Icona Pop, Robin S and Rudimental. First release on Possum is summer anthem Beachside feat. Australian R&B singerAlston.

Havana Brown, Matt Corby, gain Kobalt Neighbouring Rights

Kobalt Neighbouring Rights, a division of Kobalt Music Group, signed Australia’s Havana Brown and Matt Corby as part of a signing spree with Thirty Seconds to Mars, Train and pop star A*M*E. “Neighboring rights” was introduced in 1961 by the Rome Convention, to extend copyright protections to producers, performers and broadcasters in addition to the author and/or composer of a work to protect them from piracy. KNR also has Björk, Jake Bugg, Gotye andMichael Jackson’s estate as clients.

Stereosonic, 99designs, collaborate on T-shirt competition

Stereosonic and graphic design marketplace 99designs have thrown open an online competition for graphic designers to design an official T-shirt for this summer’s festival. The rules: designers must “interpret the vibrancy and popularity of Stereosonic and summer, whilst taking into account current fashion and musical trends.” Said Stereosonic’s brand manager, John Curtin: “Stereosonic showcases the world’s leading and emerging electronic artists. We wanted to extend our support to graphic designers and highlight the relationship between design, music and fashion.” The top two winning designs will each receive a major prize of $1,500 (USD) cash and five copies of their winning t-shirt. Ten runners up will receive a Stereosonic merchandise pack. Deadline is Mon September 9, check out: http://99designs.com.au/stereosonic or for more information:http://www.stereosonic.com.au.

Sony signs NZ X-Factor boy band

Sony Music Entertainment signed New Zealand boy bandMoorhouse, who came to attention on The X Factor NZ. The act from Christchurch, average age 18, has over 1 million cumulative views on YouTube. “We have worked really hard to get here, to be on the same label as Stan Walker, who we look up to, is a complete honour,” breathed band member Brock Ashby.

Mind Over Matter get permanent shock

Shock Records signed Sydney hip hop duo Mind Over Matter to its imprint Permanent Records. Willow (Rowan Lockyer) and Smiles (Martin Brown) began freestyling together at St Pius X College. Currently working on their third album, lead off single Real Life’ (with K.I.K.I) hit the iTunes Hip Hop charts. They’re doing a national tour behind new single Somebody’s Love.

Loon Lake team with Caroline

Melbourne’s Loon Lake are the first local act to join the new Caroline Label Services. They release their debut album Gloamer (“the time after sunset and before dark”) in October, produced by Steven Schram with band drummer Nick Nolan. Second single lifted from the album is Carolina out on August 16. Established in June, Caroline has already released albums by She and Him (Spunk), Laura Marling(Virgin) and City and Colour (Dine Alone).

Modular pacts Shine 2009

Modular Recordings picked up Finnish duo Shine 2009 for Australia, UK and Europe. Sami Suova and Mikko Pykäri released their debut album Realism in 2011 through their own label. The first Australian release is the single Eurozone, followed by an album later this year.

Universal Music Publishing inks deal with Ridley Scott

Universal Music Publishing cut a strategic partnership with filmmakerRidley Scott’s company Scott Free London. UMP will administer the publishing rights from Scott Free London’s film and TV projects. It will license music from the catalogue and provide music advice for Scott’s film and TV projects.

Wollongong record store, venue, launch festival

Wollongong record store Music Farmers and venue Yours & Owls jointly set up a new festival called The Farmer and The Owl on November 23. It will be an entire day of music, art, markets and food across city venues. Fifteen bands will play, with The Drones andDappled Cities first to be announced.

Bennies get poisoned

Poison City Records signed Melbourne ska-punk outfit The Bennies, with plans to release a new album (produced by Sam Johnson) in November. Since its 2011 album Party! Party! Party! the act has played through Australia, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Foxtel plays with Guy Sebastian

Foxtel appointed singer Guy Sebastian as the ambassador for its new IPTV service, Foxtel Play. It launched with around 40 live channels and a number of catch-up and video-on-demand titles.

Kicktone appoints Bradford Public Relations

Kicktone, the online platform that helps indie bands sell their music directly to their fans, has given its PR account to Adelaide’s Bradford Public Relations, reported Mumbrella. Bradford which launched last October, has picked up a number of clients including app development firm Appster.

C.ex Group gets naming rights to Coffs Harbour stadium

Coffs Harbour (NSW) hospitality and entertainment C.ex Group struck a five-year naming right deals for the 20,000-capacity Coffs Harbour International Stadium which hosts sports and entertainment events.

TRIPPING

Which Sydney band had such a miserable time in Canberra with one of their members, that they left him behind when they returned?

The all-star Yothu Yindi tribute segment at the National Indigenous Music Awards in Darwin last Saturday went down such a storm that there was murmuring from some promoters that it could be staged at various festivals through the year. But logistics put a damper on that idea.

New Zealand’s Lorde has gone double platinum in Australia with her EP The Love Club, helped no doubt by her scintillating last-minute set at Splendour In The Grass. Meantime the teenager’s star continues to rise in the United States. This week she became the first female solo artist in 17 years to top Billboard’s alternative songs chart.

Which band had to sack a roadie after he was involved in three assaults in one week?

Which one-time major UK band is looking at the singer of a Sydney-tribute band (which does its songs) to replace its vocalist?

Nine Network put Australia’s Got Talent up against Seven’s X Factorthis week but came off with a bruised nose. AGT got 1.044 million viewers while X Factor pulled 1.314 million.

British singer and model Katie Price is house-hunting in Sydney, she told 2Day FM’s Kyle and Jackie O show. She’s been offered a judging job in a reality TV show next year.

So what do promoters get up to when they’re chilling? Chugg Management’s latest newsletter sports a photo of Chugg in Europe, hanging out on German promoter Ossy Hoppe’s Contignac property in Provence with some donkeys.

Listen Like Thieves: Melbourne’s The Smith Street Band used social media to recover frontman Wil Wagner’s new amp which was nicked at a show at the Old Bar in Fitzroy ten days before the band was to go on tour. First they posted photos of the two thieves taken from the venue’s CCTV and asked people to track them down. One of the two got in contact, and Wagner gleefully kept fans up to date via social media as the thief negotiated for the return of the amp! It was delivered by taxi to a certain location, and Wagner posted a pic of the prodigal amp when it came home to papa.

In the meantime, thieves broke into Brisbane producer Jodan’s car after a gig and took off with his MacBook which had five years of music on it. Again the sticky fingered one was caught on CCTV and warned to get in touch via helpjordangethismacback@gmail.com.

Dan Sultan will fly from Nashville, where he is recording, to Cairns to appear at the indigenous Big Talk One Fire concert on August 16, and then return to the United States the next day, catching connections in Brisbane and Dallas.

Police want pubs and nightclubs to pay every time they call cops out to handle out of control patrons. Queensland Police Union presidentIan Levers told the Brisbane Courier Mail that commercial premises should fork out $250 when two cops are called out, rising if arrests and paperwork are involved. The Queensland Hotels Association dismissed it as a “thought bubble” and that cops’ services is covered by the $1 billion that the sector pays in taxes a year.

LIFELINES

Born: daughter Ava Jean Ann to Aaron Chilcott, Star FM Gippsland content director, and wife Penny (ex- Coast FM Mandurah).

Dating: Missy Higgins and Broome playwright and comedian Dan Lee, says The West Australian. The paper reported, “For the past few months, the couple have fuelled rumours of a blossoming romance after they were spotted together at various social events, publicly displaying their affection.”

Engaged: at one of Pink’s concerts in Sydney, Shirley Kirk from Tamworth held up a sign asking the singer to propose on her behalf to her girlfriend of three years, Courtney Mann. The singer did the honours. Kirk was originally going to propose herself during the show, but since they had spots right in front of the stage, decided it’d be a safer bet she’d get a yes if Pink asked.

Diagnosed: Bob Spencer, guitarist with The Angels, Skyhooks andFinch revealed a cancerous tumor had been discovered on his left kidney. “But I’m going to be fine!” he states determinedly.

Recovered: Kate Langbroek of Nova 100 Melbourne revealed to listeners that her son Lewis has beaten a three and a half year battle with leukaemia.

Vale: Byron Bay artist Reg Gregor OAM passed away in a Lismore hospital after a lengthy period of ill-health, including losing a leg to diabetes. Gregor loved working with musicians, and worked with The Goodies, painting onstage as they played, and auctioning the artwork to the audience for charity.

Vale: ABC Local Radio Hobart’s film critic Jonathan Dawson, 71, after a lengthy illness. He began as a radio and TV producer at the ABC in Melbourne, directed TV series and made documentaries.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

$3000 bottle of Lous XIII de Remy Martin cognac drunk in celebration by Guy Sebastian after his Lupe Fiasco duet Battle Scars was certified platinum in the U.S. for selling over 1 million copies.

2,000 jazz lovers attended the Palmer Street Jazz Festival in Townsville.

12.5% growth in subscription TV ad revenue to $237 million dollars in the six months of the year to 30 June, say figures by ASTRA. For the 2012/13 full financial year, subs TV ad revenue increased 9.5% to $465 million.

US$21.65 billion fortune lost by Apple founder Ron Wayne after he decided in 1976 to focus on a slot machine business and sold his stake for $773.30.

5% drop in Sony Corp shares after the Japanese company rejected calls by its major stake-holder Daniel Loeb to spin off its music and film divisions.

10,000 tickets sold in 45 minutes by Big Day Out New Zealand.

£320,000 spent by Robin Thicke on marijuana, the singer estimates.

INSIDE TRACK

360 works on Album II

After his appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, 360 stayed on in America to work on the follow up to his Falling and Flying. He’s been giving tasters via Facebook and Instagram of producers as Lifted, Trevor Lawrence aka Trevbeats and Jason Mater. These includeThe Son’s All I Know (Filthy Collins Remix) feat 360 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4h1_HVANAc) and the Trevbeat produced 30 Minutes Tops (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DykcLAizs1E) and, also posted on 360’s Facebook, Kerser’s reply to 360’s diss called Old Matt.

Wolf & Cub unveil video for I Need More

Wolf & Cub this week unveiled the video for new single I Need More, as well as the album art and track listing for their self-produced Heavy Weight album, out September 13 through MGM. The video was collated from 50 B-grade biker movies by directors SPR/PPL (SuperPeople, aka Andy Irwin & Luke Byrne, who’ve worked on W&C visuals since their first EP. Luke is singer Joel Byrne’s younger brother. Of the video’s concept, Joel admits “I’m quoting my brother here. He was able to articulate the concept better than I could. In a nut shell it’s about the biker lifestyle of excess which ties in with the I Need More theme.” The single “is not representative of the album as a whole, because the album is a mixed bag stylistically speaking. But I Need More is definitely representative of the rockier moments on the record… about half of the album overall.” As to their own biker prowess he admits, “I know how to ride one actually – not well – and it’s been a really long time. I know the basic ins and outs. One of the other guys would too because he grew up on farm.”

Gurrumul’s tribute to Yothu Yindi

Gurrumul Yunupingu’s new single Maralitja – Crocodile Man is a tribute to the late Yothu Yindi leader Dr Yunupingu – a man whom he called “wawa” or “brother”. The song was one of Dr Yunupingu’s favourites from Yothu Yindi’s multiplatinum album Tribal Voice. Gurrumul unveiled his version last year when Yothu Yindi were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Musical collaborator Michael Hohnen explains, “The passing of Dr. Yunupingu was significant to Gurrumul, and there is an enormous level of respect there – of what he stood for, the history he has created, and also what they achieved together. He loved that man for many reasons but remembers this song Maralitja Man or Crocodile Man as a sharing of an identity with which they were both born – the identity of the saltwater crocodile.”

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