Industrial Strength: August 8
FOXTEL ARTS HOURS SLASHED
Foxtel Arts has had its hours slashed to six hours. Effective October 11, it will share time and broadcast signal with Foxtel Smooth, its contemporary music partnership with NOVA Entertainment.
Foxtel Arts content will run from 6pm to midnight, daily while Foxtel Smooth is on operation mode from midnight until 6pm.
“We have taken this decision because it makes a lot of sense both in financial terms and audience optimisation,” explains Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television
“Foxtel Smooth’s peak audiences are in daytime, whilst for Arts, audiences tune in during the evening, so this is really about combining the best of both worlds for our customers.
“Yes this is consolidation, however, as our television and video world continues to evolve, it is imperative we review every aspect of the business.”
The changes see Lifestyle YOU scrapped, with its content spread across Lifestyle Channel, Arena and on demand.
APPLE TO PAY $1B FOR INDIAN MUSIC/MOVIE FIRM?
Reports are that Apple is in talks to buy out Indian film and music company Eros Group, and flapping a $1 billion cheque under its nose.
The pow-wows would give Apple a leap in content ownership, with 10,000 Bollywood movies and a huge number of music tracks. It is also eying the company’s digital platform Eros Now which has 100 million users and 2.9 million subscribers.
G. YUNUPINGU LAUDED AT GARMA OPENING
In an emotional moment, Dr G Yunupingu was lauded at the opening of the ceremony by his family and by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the opening of the19th Garma Festival held on Gumatj land.
Yolngu leader and land rights champion Galarrwuy Yunupingu pleaded with the politicians to activate constitutional change for Indigenous Australians.
“You will know that at Uluru we started a fire. A fire that we hope burns bright for Australia,” he said.
While the late singer’s brothers sang a reworked song about fire, the rest of his family and friends cried and encouraged everyone in attendance to hold their hands up in the air to farewell his spirit after a moment’s silence.
Dr Yunupingu’s uncle Djunga Djunga Yunupingu said his nephew’s music underlined the need for reconciliation.
“Two Laws. Two People. One Country. This was the work of my nephew Dr G Yunupingu who in his songs spoke to the nation in his own language, of himself as a Yolngu person and the land that he was born to.”
He added, “He left us without truly knowing his place in this nation.”
The Prime Minister, who won praise for speaking in Yolngu and not stuffing up the pronunciation, expressed his condolences at his passing, adding, “He brought the language to all Australians. His music will be forever cherished.”
ELTON JOHN ADDS VICTORIAN SHOW
Chugg Entertainment and Roundhouse Entertainment have added a regional Victorian show for Elton John’s Once In A Lifetime Tour.
The A Day On The Green show will be at Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley on Sunday October 1. He is joined by Busby Marou and Melbourne singer-songwriter Chris Watts.
This follows tickets snapped up in eight minutes in Hobart and within a day in Mackay, Cairns and Wollongong.
Chugg said: “The demand was too great to ignore. The response when we went on sale was over the top – Elton’s shows sold out in minutes.
“A lot of people from the southern states did not get a chance to buy trips to Cairns or Mackay before the shows sold out.
“The amount of emails, calls and messages on social media wanting a show in Victoria was overwhelming and so when Elton asked to do a Victorian show we thought A Day On The Green was the perfect fit.”
TWEETS FOR THE SWEET
The hottest brand on Twitter throughout July in Australia was Apple’s faux movie starring The Rock launching the Siri function.
At #2 was Myer announcing Katy Perry’s Witness Tour, at #4 was gaming company @Bethesda’s release of the Prey and Pyre games, and at #9 on Spotify Australia where former One Direction member Niall Horan discussing his favourite songs and emojis in a video interview as part of his reaching 100 million streams on the social media platform.
SYDNEY PIRATED DVD SELLERS GET JAIL SENTENCES
Sydney’s Parramatta District Court handed out sentences to Mosaic Defredes, 40, and accomplice Allison Daniel, 32, for running a movie and DVD operation which sold 1 million DVDs.
The twist in the story s that Defredes is actually a pastor, who ran Blacktown Christian City Church, and Daniel a member of its Jesus Freaks youth group.
She also pleaded guilty to attempting to dishonestly obtain an Australian passport in the name of Paul Ryan for Mosaic Defredes between late 2015 and early 2016.
Defredes copped four years and six months and Allison Daniel a two year sentence but has also been ordered to be assessed for community service.
Australian Screen Association investigators followed the trail of 1.2 million DVDs (shoplifted in Sydney and mass-made for cheap in China) which were seized in 2013 and claimed they’d have fetched $21 million.
KANYE SUES OVER CANCELLED TOUR
Kanye West is suing Lloyd’s of London for $10 million. Eight months ago, he and company Very Good Touring Inc, submitted a loss claim over the cancellation of 21 dates of his Saint Pablo Tour after the rapper booked into a neuropsychiatric centre in Los Angeles,
Lloyd’s has refused to pay out, insisting that his medical condition was caused by his use of marijuana.
NEIL FINN JOINS REFUGEES CAMPAIGN
Neil Finn has swung his support behind #500Now. The New Zealand campaign calls for all politicians standing for election this year to commit to taking an additional 500 refugees immediately.
Finn said, “Refugees bring with them amazing culture, intelligence and skills that we don’t get from other places.
“They’re good hardworking people who just want to lead a decent life like the rest of us. I think we should let in at least 500 more.
“We’re so lucky to live in New Zealand that we can afford to be generous.
“Go and meet some refugees. They’re out there contributing really well and doing amazing things, so don’t close yourself off to them. Open your heart to empathy and compassion.”
Finn showed his support by inviting Syrian rapper Shareef on stage to join him in a version of Don’t Dream It’s Over, available on YouTube.
Shareef grew up in Damascus. In 2011 his school was bombed so at age 15 he had to work to support the family. 18 months later he was arrested at an army checkpoint and detained for three days.
During that time, they broke his nose and teeth and shot him through the leg.
He fled to Lebanon which rejected him, as did Turkey or any other Arabian country. In limbo, he started posting his songs online and developed a following in the Middle East. He finally got refugee status in NZ, and Finn invited him onstage for the first time after he arrived last year.
FUND RAISER CAMPAIGN FOR PERTH’S MATT WILLIAMS
A fund raising campaign for Perth promoter and band manager Matt Williams has begun onlineto help pay medical and living fees.
Until last April, the 22-year-old was energetically running his own business, managing bands and comedians, and helping out on music events.
But after being diagnosed with a digestive condition called Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, he cannot work.
His partner of nine years, Stack Woodward, says that adding to their financial woes is that they need to relocate from their current location in Mandurah as it gives no support, last month their local hospital said it could no longer provide him with Ensure which sufferers of the illness need as a supplement for malnutrition, and getting a disability pension from Centrelink is a slow process.
CBAA ADDS MEDIALAB
In a partnership with the Community Media Training Organisation, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has introduced a new format for its hands-on training program Media Lab.
It covers interviewing in the field, editing techniques and mastering techniques.
WAM’S HIGHER NOTE SERIES RETURNS
Perth-based WAM has brought back its Higher Note two-day workshop series returns offering development and networking opps for emerging WA songwriters.
Facilitated by Scott Adam (North Metropolitan TAFE) it covers strategy, publicity & social media, business management, touring and legal.
It is held on Thursday September 14 – Friday 15 at the State Theatre Centre of WA in Northbridge. Expressions of interest by Thursday August 17 it costs $110 for WAM members and $160 for non-members.
AUSTRALIA COUNCIL CHANGES ELIGIBILITY
In the wake of March’s transfer of funding from the Catalyst program back to the Australia Council, some clarification of eligibility has been announced for Four Year Funded organisations in receipt of Catalyst grants
From October 1, if your Catalyst project funding concludes after May 2018 it will be counted as one of your applications to the Australia Council for 2017.
If your Catalyst project funding concludes after September 2018 it will be counted as one of your applications to the Australia Council for 2018.
THE ANGELS BRING IN FRIENDS FOR BOOK TOUR
Guests at different dates for The Angels’ Brothers, Angels & Demons Tour, accompanying the double album of that name and Bob Yates The Angels book have been announced
They are Diesel (who has played many gigs with them and was once managed by former Angels drummer Brent Eccles), Rose Tattoo (one time Alberts stablemates who will be joined on this run by former Angels guitarist Bob Spencer), MI-SEX (whose Murray Burns reckons seeing the Angels live saw them change their approach to their own live show) and Hitmen DTK (who readily admit to being inspired by The Angels), as well as the blues-rock Dave Wilson Band.
“We have reached a moment in time when we are celebrating the whole journey,” says guitarist and co-founder John Brewster. “These bands are part of that journey. It just seems right to include them in our, and the fans’, celebration.”
The 15 shows run from October 12 to December 2, with a book tour before that.
APPLICATIONS FOR STADIUM NAMES
The WA Government has opened the bidding process for naming rights to Perth Stadium and Perth Arena. It says that ideally it wants the bid to go to a WA company and with the venue to have the name Perth somewhere.
Alcohol, tobacco and fast-food companies will not be considered.
MORE LIVE MUSIC FOR NAMBOUR
There’ll be a focus on more live music on Nambour, says Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson.
The town has already been economically by the departure of the Moreton Sugar Mill and downsizing of Nambour Hospital. In the latest move, 350 staffers of Sunshine Coast Council are relocating to the new Maroochydore CBD.
The idea is to turn the old council offices into student accommodation, attract more private businesses and introduce bars and live music venues to the new precinct to generate money.
AU REVIEW CELEBRATES 9TH BIRTHDAY
The AU Review is celebrating its 9th birthday with a free bash (as long as you RSVP via the website) on Wed August 30 at Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel.
First round of acts are up and coming bands Bad Pony from Sydney’s inner west and Boat Show from Perth whose debut album was titled Groundbreaking Masterpiece and recorded in three hours, and WA’s Dream Rimmy doing a DJ set.
EXPLODING WHITE MICE REFORM FOR FILM FEST
One of Adelaide’s legendary punk bands Exploding White Mice reunite for the first time since 1999 for the Adelaide Film Festival. It has the theme Vive Le Punk!
It promises some “hand-picked gems” that celebrate the 40th anniversary of the punk movement.
The Mice, whose 1983 debut album was titled Nest of Vipers, play the Producers Hotel on October 12 as a joint presentation by the festival and Music SA and will include a number of current Adelaide punk acts.
Festival CEO and Artistic Director Amanda Duthie said the festival was “imploding with excitement” to have the group perform at the one-off event:
“South Australia is such an epicentre for invention and creativity and so much amazing music has originated here, including one of Australia’s major punk outfits,” she said.
The full program is yet to be announced.
But entry is Benjamin Dowie’s short documentary Brumley’s Suitcase, which follows three Adelaide musicians (Dan Crannitch, Taash Coates and Kelly Menhennett) as they join with musicians from Austin, Texas, to bring to life a suitcase of songs half written by songwriter Albert E Brumley.
VALE
* Australian born Anthony Lycenko learned his craft in London in the ‘90s, working as studio engineer alongside major producers and engineers as they worked on albums by U2, Sinead O’Connor, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, The Pet Shop Boys, Pulp and Suede.
He returned to Australia in 1998, becoming studio manager and chief engineer at Rockinghorse Studios in Byron Bay.
He worked on platinum releases by Pete Murray and Busby Marou but in later years focussed on unsigned acts while lecturing to music students at Griffith University.
* Rick Carey learned to play guitar in the RAAF and after World War II met Thel Hoctor, a teacher and aspiring singer, at a club. They formed a country duo, signing with EMI Regal Zonophone in 1954 and staying with the label for 25 years.
The act, who married, were inducted into various halls of fame and became a major live drawcard, consistently on the road until Thel died of cancer in 1988. Rick and daughter Lynne released an album Beyond The Dream in 2008. He was 89 when he passed.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS…
A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with the firecracker incident at Shannon Noll’s concert in Sportsman Way, South West Rocks, NSW. The incident saw one band member end up with burns on his foot when he tried to stamp out the cracker, and the drummer who received shrapnel wounds and lost some hearing. The man is on bail and appear in Kempsey Local Court on September 25.
The Veronicas revealed on social media they have returned from Los Angeles to Queensland to be with their sick mum Colleen. She is hospitalised with an unidentified illness.
Following last week’s Human Rights Commission report that over half of uni students across the country have been sexually harassed, the Adelaide Advertiser reported that stricter rules were recommended earlier this year at the James Morrison (jazz) Academy in Mount Gambier after a complaint. Morrison is not involved in any way to the complaint.
Queensland radio presenter Irene Barrett revealed on Network Ten’s Studio 10 morning show how an international pop star raped her when she was 14 at a music festival in the 1960s after she’d asked him for an autograph. Years later, when she was a producer on Ten’s Good Morning Australia, their paths crossed. She asked why he did it. “He didn’t say much he just started tapping his foot.” Barrett won’t reveal his name except to say he’s still a major star and she’s talking about it now ‘cos he should own up to it. “I just don’t think he should have got away with it.”
Global Perth EDM band Pendulum are no longer with Warner Music. “We’re looking forward to the freedom of being able to release what we want,” they told Music Week. Now back after a five-year hiatus, future releases will be through their own Earstorm Records.
Queensland country music performer Neil Clarence Duddy, 51, was sentenced to nine months jail suspended for two years after pleading guilty in the Ipswich District to exposing himself to a 12-year boy via webcam and sending him links to porn sites.
Nine Network’s video on demand platform 9Now has now passed 4 million registered users.
Word is that Brisbane-based The Voice grand finalist Ellen Reed is in the lead to represent Australia at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal.
Grinspoon have sparking well on their current sold-out Guide To Better Living 20th Anniversary Tour but they haven’t even considered whether to make new music. Guitarist Pat Davern says any such conversation will start only at the end of the tour near Christmas.
WA country folk and blues singer-songwriter Karin Page spent 18 months of touring Australia in a caravan with her partner and guitarist Adam Nyeholt, playing music wherever the road took them. New single Lonely Night came out of that trip. “So many of us portray this “perfect life” on social media, yet so many of us struggle with mental health issues and often feel lonely inside,” she explains.
Aussies continue to widen their global audiences. Hobart death metal band Psycroptic is heading to India for six shows, in Shillong, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune.
In the meantime, Sydney alt/punk/rockers The Mis-Made are kicking off a five-week European tour (their third) as they drop their debut album Changeling” via MGM. They start off at Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool UK then heading to nine other cities, and wrapping it up with a show in London. They return to Australia for an October run.
Oasis Supersonic, about the British band fronted by the barely-talking Gallagher brothers, premieres in Australia on August 24 at 9pm on Foxtel channel MAX.