Industrial Strength: July 5
UNDR Ctrl, yeahsure, merge
Creative music agency UNDR Ctrl and creative content agency yeahsure this morning announced a merger. UNDR Ctrl will represent yeahsure for their services across video, photography and design.
Yeahsure’s Patrick Rohl and Jack Toohey met at last year’s Splendour In The Grass while shooting Mark Ronson and The Rubens. Current yeahsure clients include Groovin’ The Moo, Mountain Sounds festival, The Island LIVE, The Lab SYD, and the acts Gang of Youths and Nicole Millar.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to take the agency to another level” beams UNDR Ctrl Director Paul Stix. “Pat and Jack are extremely talented filmmakers, their vision is inspiring and their work is of the highest quality. We will be representing the services of yeahsure with the same approach that we have to booking gigs for our music artists, connecting them to the right people, collaborating with key brands and exposing their work to new audiences.”
UNDR Ctrl reps Bag Raiders, Total Giovanni, Roland Tings, Just A Gent, World Champion, San Holo, Set Mo and Rainbow Chan. The Sydney based agency celebrates its second birthday by taking over Oxford Art Factory on July 30. In December it presents for the fourth time the music industry’s charity 5-a-side football tournament Musica Copa.
Change of venue, date, for Face The Music
This year’s Face The Music conference and showcase in Melbourne has a change of venue and date. Held on November 17 and 18, the summit will be located within the soon-to-be-announced Melbourne Music Week Hub in the city. New programmers Ashley Sambrooks and Zac Abroms promise panels with i“revolutionary artists, media top-guns, savvy entrepreneurs, writers, broadcasters, and philosophisers from all over the world.” The showcases will feature “some of the most beloved (and some of the yet unknown) talent in Aussie music, from some of the most respected (and some of the soon-to-be worshipped) labels in the country.” A big announcement is due in mid-August.
Guvera to face creditors this week
The first of Guvera’s creditors’ meeting is on this Thursday (July 7) in Sydney at the Deloitte office in Parramatta. Up to 150 creditors are expected to amble up. They include the Australian Tax Office and APRA AMCOS. 60 staffers lost their jobs, but a Guvera statement said a third will be rehired in other Guvera divisions.
Directors of the Australian music service have to come up with a deed of company arrangement. They are also expected to explain how they raised $185 million in investment and only generated $1.2 million in revenue. If the plan is boo-hooed by creditors, the two subsidiaries who went into administration last month – Guvera Australia and Guv Services – will be put into liquidation, the Australian Financial Review said. Deloitte is hoping this will not be a result.
A second creditors’ meeting is scheduled for August 1.
QLD Government commits more funding to Safe Night Out
As the first of Queensland’s lock-out laws kicked in last Friday, the State Government committed an extra $1.7 million for the Safe Night Out precinct support services. Most nightclubs stayed open until 5 am with DJs blaring out music, with warning of the possibility of greater drug intake by patrons during the “booze-free” hours. Police were out in force to ensure rules were being followed.
The live music sector is continuing its battle to cast the laws on the scrapheap. Before they became live, the Brisbane Kick On saw 20 acts play for free in a number of venues, with petitions at each demanding they be wound back before the harsher 1 am close arrives on February 1. Brisbane building construction multi-millionaire Scott Hutchinson, a fervent live music follower, announced he would “bankroll whatever is necessary” for a campaign. Police Minister Bill Byrne stated the February introduction would go ahead as planned, and with a review of the laws set for July 2018. Hutchinson is adamant that a public backlash over the next few months would eventually see a reversal.
A suitor for Keystone Group?
Less than a week after Sydney-based hospitality group The Keystone Group went into administration for a $80 million expansion debt, it might have a suitor. Liquor industry website The Shout reported that the Urban Purveyor Group (UPG) is eying some of its 17 venues as part of its plan to double its size in the next two years. “We are reviewing The Keystone Group’s numbers, but have nothing solid to report at this time,” UPOG CEO Thomas Pash said.
QMusic expanding team
As part of a move to expand the commercial potential of September’s BIGSOUND and its other activities, Brisbane-based peak music association QMusic is scouting for a full-time Business Development Manager from around the country. The role involves delivering corporate partnerships for BIGSOUND, deliver a philanthropic giving program to support the development of artists in remote and regional Queensland and work with the QMusic management team to commercialise new and existing elements of QMusic’s business. Initially applicants should email their CV to joel@qmusic.com.au. Candidates with sufficient skills and experience will be sent a position description and invited to submit a formal application. These close on Friday July 15.
Drones to celebrate Bakehouse’s 25th
Melbourne studio Bakehouse celebrates its 25th birthday with a party on its premises on Saturday July 16 in conjunction with Leaps and Bounds Festival. A free feast is laid on in the courtyard, with bands playing, and The Drones headlining upstairs in the Scrap Museum. Drones singer Garreth Liddiard reflects: “Bakehouse has always been our fave place to jam. We started going there about 2002 with The Drones and Dan Kelly’s band ’cause we lived down the road and it was dog friendly. It’s kinda where we met all of our friends including Helen (Marcou) and Quincy (Jones) who are two of the most supportive and generous people anyone could hope to meet.“
When Marcou and Jones took over the derelict mansion and stables in Richmond to set up Bakehouse, it was more than just a rehearsal studio. It was turned into a creative hub filled with revolutionary ideas – one of which, the SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) rally, went on to change Melbourne’s live music scene forever as well as the music community’s collaboration with the Government.
Big name concert for Cottesloe Beach?
WA’s Cottesloe Council will this week make a decision on an application by Zaccaria Concerts & Touring to stage a five-hour event on Cottesloe Beach on November 26 for 6000 punters. Zaccaria Concerts is keeping schtum about the identity of the international headliner but a councillor, during a pubic meeting, let slip that the act is in the same league as Lionel Ritchie or Mariah Carey. There hasn’t been a concert on Cottesloe Beach since 2004, when The Beach Boys drew 2000. Also in November Zaccaria is staging the Mix 94.5 Flashback Live at Crown Theatre o Nov 4 with ten acts delivering 30 hits.
Helpmanns to honour Stephen Page
This year’s Helpmann awards named Stephen Page as recipient of the JC Williamson Award, the highest live performance accolade in this country. Page is Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre and “his contribution to Australian culture over the last 25 years has been nothing short of extraordinary,” says awards organiser Live Performance Australia President Andrew Kay. “His body of work seamlessly crosses genres. He continues to reinvent Indigenous storytelling across those genres.”
Past winners include Paul Kelly, Kylie Minogue, Dr Jimmy Little, John Bell, Michael Gudinski, Barry Humphries, Dame Joan Sutherland and David Williamson.
Adelaide’s longest running CD store closes
Adelaide’s longest running CD store If Pigs Could in Vaughan Place closed last Friday with a music wake. It began life in John Davis Music 65 years ago and taken over by married couple Deborah Baldassi and David Winderlich in 2013.
They turned the store in a creative space, with regular arts and poetry events, in-store music, exhibitions and political discussions alongside a catalogue of classical, jazz, world and folk. However they failed to turn a profit during the festive season. This year the pair began a Save Our Bacon campaign to raise $10,000 in four months which included a Rent Party on March 30. But in the end they were asked to vacate by the landlord.
John Schumann donates ‘19’ guitar to war memorial
The guitar John Schumann used to create his Vietnam War–era song I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green) is now on loan to the Australian War Memorial. It will be displayed on Vietnam Veterans Day to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan. Long Tan was Australia’s most costly single battle of the Vietnam War: 18 men died as a result of the battle, and 24 others were wounded. The date was July 21, 1969, the same day that the Americans landed on the moon and grabbed more media space.
War Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson said 19 – based on 3 Platoon, A Company, 6RAR/NZ’s battle in the mine-infested Long Hai Hills of Phuoc Tuy province “has become the anthem for all Australia’s Vietnam veterans.
“However, it did so much more than tell the story of 3 Platoon. His beautifully crafted song helped bring thousands of veterans finally home. But equally importantly, it sparked understanding and empathy across the rest of the nation. It is an anthem burrowed deep into our hearts.”
Venues Update: closures, new arrivals, penalties
* Melbourne lost another venue on the weekend, this time Shadow Electric at the Abbotsford Convent. It had been their home for two years, but had to move as the Sacred Heart Courtyard is to be redeveloped. Shadow Electric will go back to promoting music and arts in different venues while their open air cinema will move to another permanent, as yet unannounced, site.
* The Town Hall Hotel in Sydney’s Balmain, a long time supporter of live music, has re-opened with a new look and new menu by Balmain Pub Group which bought the Darling Street establishment earlier this year for a reported $7 million.
* Wollongong gets a new late night venue from late August. Heyday will be found on the West Crown Street site of the old Hostage Nightclub. Heyday will serve quality food until 3 am. It is the latest venue for young Wollongong entrepreneur Adam Murphy whose initiatives included Humber Bar.
* Adelaide music venue HQ will close on January 28, 2017 after 25 years. New owners of the North Terrace building plan to demolish it for $200 million towers.
* Dance promoter Darkbeat has begun a weekly Saturday night house and techno club at Warehouse 3000 in the Melbourne CBD. It has a 5 am licence.
* The NSW Government has given a $100,000 grant to fully upgrade the National Theatre in Braidwood.
* The Royal Hotel in Temora, NSW, had its trading suspended for three months until September 30 after its latest skirmish with the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. It’s been charged with a total of 30 liquor license breaches, including selling to minors, tolerating bad behaviour and trading on restricted days. The latest was for selling plonk during an earlier forced closure.
They’re back, by George
After eleven years, Brisbane band George play at Brisbane Festival 2016 to mark the 20th anniversary of their forming. Katie Noonan, Tyrone Noonan, Geoff Green, Paulie Bromley and Nick Stewart began their rise in 1998, with their debut album Polyserena debuting at #1 on the ARIA chart, going double platinum after spending 36 weeks in the top 50. They play the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Concert Hall on September 29.
Meantime, last week they also did a set at the Zoo club in Brisbane to thank owners Joc and C “for inspiring me and so many others and for giving us a loving home for 23.5 years,” Noonan posted on her Facebook page.
58 regional projects get funded
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund has allocated $604,352 in funding for 58 arts and culture projects in regional and remote communities in WA, SA, VIC, Tas and QLD. It is part of the March round. Over a quarter of the project funding in this round go towards projects in which arts workers are the primary beneficiaries. The full list is recipients is at www.regionalarts.com.au
HOT FM leads in Toowoomba
In Toowoomba’s first ratings in 16 years, HOT FM led with a 31% market share and station of choice with the under-54s. ABC Local Radio (14.3%) pulled the over-55s. Then came 4GR (9.2%), triple j (8.2%), 4WK (3.4%) and 4AK (1.2%).
Lou Bradley to curate inaugural Nimbin Roots
The inaugural Nimbin Roots (September 17, 18) is a celebration of Americana, early blues, alt-country, Australiana and traditional music. It is curated by singer songwriter Lou Bradley, who was involved in the one-off four-day Murwillumbah Country Roots, which welcomed over 2,000 punters in the Tweed Shire.
Nimbin Roots will focus on up and coming indie acts, chosen from 150 applications. They play in four venues — the Bowling Club, the Nimbin Bush Theatre, the Phoenix Rising Café and The Church. The use of a number of venues is intended to allow people to soak in the Nimbin culture. More information and tickets, at www.nrfest.com.
Bradley says, “As a writer and grassroots musician myself I’m a firm believer in the importance of where music starts and where it comes from. That’s what music is, and the Nimbin Roots Fest really represents that.
“After being around in the industry for so long I really don’t see the difference between a high profile artist and low profile artist To me, the art is the same and I can’t fathom the reason why one should have more attention than the other. I see a lot of artists out there who aren’t getting as much commission as they need. The public needs to hear music that’s a little more real.”
More Festival Updates: sell-outs, new locations, cross promotions
* Bluesfest Byron Bay is withdrawing all its 2017 tickets next week until the first round of artists is announced. Director Peter Noble says 2017 (April 13 to 17) is promising to be “a very special year”, given the artists who’ve already locked in. “Whilst I don’t always get all the artists I approach to play, this coming year, so far, is looking like one for the books.” As for the legends, “We are now in the process of finalising negotiations with some of the world’s most famous artists”.
* After its debut last year, Forgotten Island returns this year on September 27 and 28 to a new location. This year it is the Indonesian picturesque island of Gili Trawangan, off the north west coast of Lombok and a few hours from Bali.
* First release tickets for Yours & Owls sold out in just over a week. The second release is selling fast, promoters revealed. It is held over the NSW Labour Day long weekend (October 1 & 2) at Stuart Park near the North Wollongong Beach. In response to punter feedback, the event will run across two main stages and the site expanded to create more space for folks to move around in.
* Queensland’s Teneriffe Festival, this year given a bit of reinvigoration by new management, is estimated to have drawn 50,000 – same as in previous years, festival Chairman Jillian Kingsford Smith said.
* Tamworth Country Music and Gympie Music Muster are promoting themselves at each other’s events for the first time. Tamworth execs head up to the Muster to spread the word about its acts and its money-can’t-buy experiences including a competition for four. The Muster will be invited to have a presence for the January 2017 edition in Tamworth, as a show of a unified country music industry.
Number Crunching
$100,000 in auction bid for the white ruffled shirt worn by Prince in the Purple Rain movie – 32 times the asking price. His Yellow Cloud guitar used throughout the 90s yielded $137,500.
936,000 metro viewers for the live semi-finals of Nine’s The Voice last Sunday, a dip as Seven’s House Rules had its final (1.249 million metros) and the younger demographic was wooed away by Ten’s Masterchef (1 million).
13th week at #1 in the UK for Adele’s 25, after it returned to the charts after her Glastonbury set, dragging her other two albums back in the Top 20.
$200,000 raised at the Melbourne Reclink Community Cup after drawing 11,000 to Elsternwick Park.
NZ rapper’s web series changes name
New Zealand rapper Coco Solid’s (Jessica Hansell) successful animated web series Hook Ups returned to the screen yesterday in NZ for a second season with a new name. It is now sporting the title Aroha Bridge on account that audiences trying to google Hook Ups ended up being shown porn.
Aroha Bridge continues the tale of siblings Kowhai and Monty forming a band to break into the music industry to get away from their chaotic multicultural family headed by a Maori mother and German Samoan father. The series was based on Coco Solid’s comic strip.
Joondalup’s arts development scheme
The WA City of Joondalup is offering grants for its Arts Development Scheme Fund. It wants to bring performance arts companies and artists into the City, for shows and workshops. They can apply for up to $10,000.00. The aim is to widen audiences through projects at schools, leisure centres, libraries, shopping centres, parks, community facilities or the City’s initiatives including Joondalup Festival and Little Feet Festival.
And A Few Other Things …
Wolfmother will open for two Guns N’ Roses East Coast shows, in Pittsburgh (July 12) and Philadelphia (July 14). The Wolves are on the road behind their Victorious album. “We’re super psyched to be playing with Guns N’ Roses,” they drooled. “It’s a massive honour for us to be a part of what we believe to be the biggest rock show in the world.
Melbourne singer songwriter Bonnie Anderson’s The Ones I Love is #2 on UK’s Official Music Week’s Club and #3 on the Pop Commercial Chart.
Returning to her hometown Wollongong with a tribe of Ten Network identities to launch its new partnership with the WIN network, Natalie Bassingthwaighte recalled the first time she visited WIN’s Mount Saint Thomas studio. She was 13, and appeared during a telethon as a backup dancer.
Australian models Gemma Ward and Jordan Barrett are among international celebs appearing in Fergie’s new M.i.l.f $ music video.
Perth’s ‘90s band End of Fashion are returning to the road.
Melbourne hard rock band Miss Destiny kick off a 20-date American tour on July 15, winding up on August 7. The tour features new drummer Kirk Scotcher (ex-Ratsak/ Kromosom), replacing Emily Jans who had a baby after being involved in their recording last year of their debut album, out on July 12 on R.I.P. Society Records. Scotcher becomes the only male member of the lineup.
Tamworth country singer/ guitarist Mel Little is battling an aggressive tumour in her brain which has left part of her body paralysed. Friends and well-wishers are holding fund-raisers for her surgery.
Radio 2BRW in Braidwood, NSW, has moved to a new location on the grounds of the Braidwood Services Club, allowing presenters a view of the fairway.
While Sydney house music act Colour Castle’s Walk Right In stays at the top for a sixth week on the ARIA Club Chart and triggers off national dates between July and September, the Loleatta Holloway-sampling track is popping abroad. The original, and remixes by Siege and Beni & Pantheon, are getting airplay on UK radio, while it’s been a fave in Ibiza’s summer. Hannah Wants opened her huge set at Amnesia and Billy Kenny is spinning it at Mambo Ibiza.
NSW band Shining Bird’s sophomore album Black Opal will sport cover art by Australian artist Luke Sciberras. The album, recorded over two years in the Blue Mountains, includes collaborators as didge honcho Charlie McMahon (Gondwanaland). Black Opal is set for an October 7 release through Spunk Records in Aus/NZ & Europe.
Barry Lea of Star 102.7 Cairns is one of 24 castaways in Australian Survivor, filmed in Samoa, pitching for the prize of $500,000.
Long time South Australian music promoter turned property developer Bob Angus gets a new $42.4 million estate named after him. Angus Estate, in Mansfield Park, is being developed by his Monopoly Property Group.
As Pauline Hanson returns for another round of mangling the English language, a crowd-funding campaign has begun to turn her fish and chips store into a halal takeway, The Brag reported.
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