Industrial Strength: June 26

MUSOS WIN CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH THIRD YEAR IN ROW

For the third year in a row, the musicians’ team The Rockdogs won the Reclink Community Cup in Melbourne on the weekend at Abbotsford’s Victoria Park.

Braving the chilly 11 degree weather, they beat the community radio team The Megahertz. Final scores were Silver Jubilee Rockdogs 6 8 44 v Megahertz 6 3 39.

The doggies were probably given a boost when Spiderbait’s Kram and Even’s Ash Naylor rushed out onto the field with drums, guitar and amp to pound out some music to inspire their chaps on.

About 12,000 cheered the teams, raising $200,000 for Reclink’s work with the vulnerable.

Tim Rogers judged the medals, Dan Sultan gave the teams an inspiring ‘get out there and do it for the gipper’ speech, and Rory Burnside, Rockdogs coach and lead singer of Rudely Interrupted was awarded the Steve Connolly medal for Best On Ground.

In lieu of the inevitable streakers, Bitch Diesel ran across the field in comical nude bodysuits, taking bandmate and Megahertz player Ruby Koomen with them.

Greens senator Richard Di Natale and member for the seat of Cooper, Ged Kearney, made appearances.

Performing through the day were Uncle Jack Charles, Rudely Interrupted, The Cartridge Family, Kutcha Edwards, Cable Ties and The Aints. While an instant super-group paid tribute to AC/DC’s Malcolm Young with Rock Your Little Heart Out.

The Reclink Cup will now hit the road for games in Brisbane (July 29), Hobart (August 5), Adelaide (August 12), Sydney (August 19), Fremantle (September 9) and Canberra (September 16).

ED SHEERAN STOPS SHOW FOR LOO BREAK… TWICE

“I’ve been gigging since I was 14 and I’ve never done that… and now I do it in front of 60,000 people!”

Ed Sheeran had just finished ‘Galway Girl’ during the third of four record breaking sell-outs at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, when he announced: “I need a pee.”

Off he trundled, and returned to a cheer… and three songs later midway through ‘Photograph’ sheepishly announced, “I’m so sorry Cardiff”, rushed off.

Ever the pro, he picked up the line when he returned.

G FLIP HEADS BACK TO EUROPE

She might have just returned from touring Europe and the UK, but singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist G Flip has already announced plans to head back.

She’ll perform 13 shows between October 6 and November 2 taking in cities such as Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Dublin, Zurich and Paris.

Championed by the BBC and Beats 1, G Flip already features on a number of “Best Songs of 2018 (So Far)” lists including Pitchfork, Esquire and The Independent.

The new video for second single Killing My Time was shot on a hand-held camera at airports, a tongue in cheek nod to her hectic schedule.

In July, she’ll play Splendour and open for Superorganism at their sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.

 UKJARIA RESIDENCIES ANNOUNCED

The Australia Council announced the first recipients of a new residency offered through the UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills.

Queensland-based composer Gordon Hamilton and beatboxer Tom Thum will start at the Centre in September, developing new works to premiere at shows in Germany.

Sydney-based composer Nick Wales will undertake his residency in November.

He will lead an international interdisciplinary team including Japanese sculptor Shun Ito in the first stage of developing a new work titled ‘Kinetic Wonderland’.

The residency has been offered thanks to a new partnership between the Australia Council and UKARIA Cultural Centre.

CEO of UKARIA Alison Beare said the residency was highly competitive, commenting, “The strong response to our call out is a testament to the fantastic opportunities which can be created through these kinds of partnerships.”

Aside from financial support, residents have access to a state-of-the-art recital centre and adjacent accommodation.

Australia Council music director Paul Mason thanked UKARIA saying, “We know providing time and space for artists to develop work at key moments can have a huge impact.

“UKARIA provides an ideal setting for these artists to collaborate and refine their work.

“We look forward to seeing what these artists will continue to produce for years to come thanks to this opportunity.”

AUSTRALIA RANKS #8 IN MERLIN NEW MEMBERSHIP

Digital rights agency Merlin added more new members (107) in 2017 than in any year since its launch, CEO Charles Caldas said.

Most of the fresh applications coming from Latin America and Asia.

Australia ranks seventh in newcomers after the US the UK, Japan, Netherlands, Canada, Egypt and Argentina.

Following Australia are Brazil and Colombia.

NEW EDM RAVE FOR VICTORIA

Country Victoria gets another EDM festival, this one’s called Bears Gone Bush.

It stages September 28 – September 30 at Our Friends Farm, Tallarook (the home of Boogie Festival and New Year’s EVIE).

The bill by Melbourne dance party Animals Dancing includes acts from Germany, Japan, Netherlands and France.

SOUND ADVICE FOR EMERGING MANAGERS

MusicNSW’s next free discussion and industry speed meet Sound Advice is on July 4 at 107, Redfern.

The event begins at 6 pm looking at self-management, with tips and strategies offered by Jess Pollard (CareerSet/ musician), Cecil Coleman (Native Tongue Publishing/Body Type) and Nathan Farrell (Calibre Artist Management/Nathan Farrell Entertainment) and hosted by Erica Mallett (Coda Conduct/triple j host).

A speed meet follows with most of the names from 7.15 pm.

Music NSW also as funding via its Opportunity Development Grants for those attending industry showcases as BIGSOUND or Electronic Music Conference, or been asked to be a support band on a big Australian tour.

They could cover flights, accommodation and more, information and application details are here.

NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN XXXTENTACION MURDER

New details have emerged in the June 16 murder of XXXTentacion after the apprehension of Dedrick Williams as main suspect, and his alleged accomplice.

Police say the two had targeted the 20-year old rapper and followed him to the motorcycle dealership, Riva Motorsports in Broward County, Florida.

XXXTentacion entered the store at 3.30 pm, followed two minutes later by the two men who exited an SUV.

Williams was wearing a white tank top and bright orange sandals and bought a mask from its parts department.

They drove their SUV to the north exit of the car park and waited for the rapper.

When he tried to exit in his BMW at 3:55pm, they cut off his path. They demanded “property”, according to police.

A brief struggle ensued and XXXTentacion was shot.

Williams was arrested two days later when police took shots from the store’s CCTV and matched the orange sandals he was seen wearing on his Instagram account.

A lot of ill-informed rumours circulated the internet in the aftermath.

As reported in TMN, rappers Soldier Kidd and Soldier Jojo had to deny their involvement.

Conspiracy theorists stated on Instagram that the alleged killers had spent time in a house in Southwest Florida.

A 20-year old turned up a number of times at the house on the afternoon of the shooting, hoping to find the killer. During one visit he masqueraded as a pizza delivery guy.

The house was occupied by an elderly couple, aged 73 and 76.

The woman told a TV crew, “We can walk, [but] that’s about it. We’re not going out to try and kill anybody.”

TIDAL, KANYE, TO COURT OVER FALSE EXCLUSIVE

Tidal and Kanye West have to face court for West claiming when The Life of Pablo came out in February 2016, that it would only be available on Tidal.

Cue a rush of fans rushing to sign up to Tidal to hear said music.

A class action duly followed when the record arrived on other streaming services a month later, Tidal tried to stop it but a judge has disagreed.

BRUNO, RIHANNA, HITS PASS 1B YOUTUBE VIEWS

Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic and Rihanna and Drake’s Work are the latest hits to pass 1 billion YouTube views.

Mars has hit 1 billion each for five other videos, equalling Colombian singer Maluma and just behind Justin Bieber who has six 1-billion view videos.

Ri-Ri has hit that milestone with four other videos. She ties with Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj for leading female artists.

THIS THAT NAMES DATE, HEADLINER

Newcastle festival This That returns to Wickham Park on November 3, with trap and bass merchant RL Grime headlining.

This That moved to Wickham Park after Foreshore Park become unavailable due to construction on the inaugural Newcastle 500 Supercars race.

They’ve decided to stay on because of the large space and proximity to public transport and the highway interchange.

COPYRIGHT AGENCY BATTLE WITH GOVT CONTINUES

The Copyright Agency’s battle with the NSW government reached mediation last week. But it was not resolved and now continues to the Copyright Tribunal.

NSW’s is the only state government which has for five years not paid for the huge amount of copyrighted material copied and distributed by public servants.

UK CHARTS TO ADD VIDEOS

The UK charts enter a new era from July, adding streaming and downloading data of videos for its weekly countdown.

It was developed with the British music biz and digital platforms, as Spotify and Apple Music add videos and YouTube preps its first subscription service.

GROUNDWATER ANNOUNCES FULLPROGRAM

After a 77% increase in attendance last year, Groundwater festival on the Gold Coast has announced a full program – and “will showcase a diverse range of era’s and genres from the roots of country music – the heritage of bluegrass and folk – to modern country rock,” said program director Mark Duckworth.

One of the highlights is “30 years of pride – a tribute to James Blundell” where he will be accompanied by Brewn. Ben Ransom, Johnny Taylor, Cameron Daddo, D. Henry Fentron, Tanie Kernaghan, Drew McAllister and Felicity Urquhart.

 PERTH’S UKIYO HITS 9.5M SPOTIFY STREAMS

21-year-old multi-instrumentalist and producer, Ukiyo, has hit 9.5 million Spotify streams.

To add to that, he’s released a new single, the eccentric instrumental Clicky which comes off his July 25-due EP Fantasy.

“Instrumentals have a special place in my heart, definitely stemming from my love of soundtracks…

“I started and basically finished Clicky in one hot Aussie summer day.

“The track started with all the percussion stuff which is why it got that name – most of my tracks start with a silly name like that, but somehow this one stuck.”

He plays The Corner Hotel in Melbourne on July 1, supporting American artist Quinn XCII.

CEO STEPING DOWN

Henry Boston, inaugural executive director of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA is stepping down in October “to take some time out to explore other opportunities that will help me scratch a creative itch.”

He began in July 2013, as the first exec after the Chamber formed in October 2010.

Chamber chair Helen Cook said: ‘Henry has firmly established the Chamber as a united voice for our highly diversified sector in this state.

“That voice has been heard throughout Western Australia and around the country.

“In the finest form of flattery, it has also been emulated, with Queensland taking our advocacy model and establishing a similar body in Queensland.’

Executive recruitment firm, Gerard Daniels Australia will begin a national search for a replacement shortly.

MY BRILLIANT KOREA

Musicians in South Korea will make more money from their products starting next year.

The government has approved a change in law increasing copyright holders to get 65% of the profit earned by streaming their product, up from 60%.

NOONGAR RADIO RECOGNISED IN BUSINESS AWARDS

Perth’s indigenous radio station 100.9fm Noongar Radio took out runner up in the NAIDOC Perth Business of the Year category for the third consecutive year.

During NAIDOC Week 2017, it broadcast a staggering 40 hours of specialised outside broadcasting at 11 events over 10 locations.

One of these was from Wooroloo Prison Farm with human rights activist Merv Eades speaking to inmates on rebuilding their lives.

KEEP SYDNEY OPEN’S PARTY PARTY

Playing at Keep Sydney Open’s political party launch Party Party (Saturday June 30, Kings Cross Hotel) are DJ sets from Basenji, Roland Tings and Jack from Bag Raiders.

For the full list of 17 performers, check out the official Facebook event.

MELBOURNE FRINGE LAUDED FOR INNOVATIVE MARKETING

The Melbourne Fringe was one of six Victorian organisations sharing in $100,000 of funding as part of the 2018 Innovation in Marketing Fund.

It received– $15,571 for creating ‘Fringr’ a game designed as an online dating game that encouraged customers to book tickets to events by emerging artists by matching tastes and preferences.

BIG SKY GIRLS CHOOSES TEN

After a search through Queensland’s regional and remote communities, the Big Sky Projects has chosen ten songwriters aged 15 and 25 to attend creative and professional development workshops in Brisbane.

Mentors tapped by Sugarrush Music include Jackie Marshall, Kellie Lloyd, Roz Pappalardo, Sabina Lawrie, Brianna Carpenter, Paula “Jonesy “Jones, Sarah Howells, Leanne Tennant, Sian Evans, Francesca De Valence, Danny Widdicombe, Craig Hawker, Jeff Lovejoy and Craig Spann.

QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC BRINGS GURRUMUL’S ALBUM ALIVE

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu died just weeks after he finished Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) and, as such, was sadly not around to see the acclaimed response to it.

Queenscliff Music Festival which hosted the NT singer-songwriter in 2008 and 2012, is presenting the world premiere live performance of the album.

His producer Michael Hohnen will be its artistic director, bringing in a number of acts (Sarah Blasko is the first name announced) and a 16 piece orchestra from the Australian National Academy of Music, conducted by Erkki Veltheim.

GUNS N’ROSES RE-RELEASE HAS 80 ITEMS!

The Locked N’ Loaded edition’ of Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction will include a record 80 items to justify its $1,000 cost.

These include 4CDs, 49 previously unreleased recordings, videos, vinyl, skull-face rings, a turntable mat, collectable coins, replicas of early concert flyers, temporary tattoos, a dozen lithographs visualizing each song, and a 96-page hardcover book with personal photos supplied by Axl Rose.

AND A FEW OTHER THINGS …

If Europeans were having spasms of apoplexy over Australia elbowing ts way into Eurovision, wait until New Zealand clambers aboard. European Union (EU) trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström, is in NZ to launch trade talks between NZ and the European trading bloc, is hinting towards the possibility.

Patti Smith is covering Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning on her current European dates.

Alex Lahey says that the balance of men and women in her touring party through her current US tour has created such a family vibe that at one stage she brought on the six-year-old nephew of the bus drivers to play guitar for a song.

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters recalled the time Taylor Swift saved him from total embarrassment at a party at Paul McCartney’s. At 10.30pm, when Grohl planned to leave, the bash started to get “really good”. Paul got up and started playing this song on a piano, and it was a new song.

“It was amazing just to sit in his living room and watch him play piano. He finished and everyone turned to me and said, ‘Alright Dave, play a song!’”

“I can’t play piano and I was a little out of sorts at that point,” he continued. “All of the guitars are left-handed and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, what do I do? What do I do?’ and at that point, Taylor Swift stands up and goes, ‘I’ll do a song’. So she saved my ass.”

Guy and Julie Sebastian’s The Sebastian Foundation charity has just opened another women’s refuge.

The former singer with a big name NZ band had his charge of domestic violence reduced to common assault. The band kicked him out after his ex-girlfriend made the allegations on Facebook. He pleaded not guilty in court/ The names of the man and the band were suppressed as his lawyer argued it would cause them financial distress.

Rose Tattoo who are currently storming through Europe – at a French festival they met Kristian Nairn aka Hodor from Game of Thrones who turned out to be a massive fan – want to do some recording. But they don’t have time, says bassist Mark Evans. They return to Australia in spring, then back to Europe, back to Oz for Christmas, and in February they hit America for a wide range of shows including the Monsters of Rock cruise from Miami.

Ali Simpson confirmed she and LA-based Aussie singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell are in a relationship.