Industrial Strength June 6
KATY PERRY CONFIRMS PROMO VISIT
Fresh from her appearances on the weekend’s One Love Manchester and hosting a private party in Los Angeles for Nova’s Red Room Global Tour, Katy Perry will visit Australia on a whirlwind promo tour.
To spruik her new album Witness, out this Friday, Perry informed Australian fans: “We’re going to have some beer, some meat pies, and some Tim Tams, and oh yeah, talk about some new songs!”
One more concrete entry in her schedule is an appearance on The Voice Live.
NT’S SONG OF THE YEAR DRAWS RECORD 350 ENTRIES
Northern Territory’s peak music association MusicNT has announced that in its sixth year, a record 350 entries were received for the eleven genre categories of the 2017 NT Song of the Year.
MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith said that additional prizes from Native Tongue Publishing and Tourism NT “really encouraged artists to get involved.”
The winners are announced on July 8.
Judges include staff from Spotify, triple j, ABC Darwin, APRA and The AU Review among others.
Smith added, “After taking a brief listen through the hundreds of entries we received this year, I’m intrigued to see who the judges choose as the overall winner.
“It’s so exciting to see so much up and coming Australian talent come from the Territory.”
BIG NAMES FOR STUART FRASER BENEFIT
John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, Noiseworks and Diesel play a benefit concert for guitarist Stuart Fraser (pictured), who’s played with all those names and more. Fraser, who began his career as a teenager in the Sydney band Feather,was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.
Playing It Forward will be held on June 28 at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena.
Barnes says, “I’ve played with Stuart since he was very young. He’s one of the nicest people I know and one of the best guitar players in the business.
“It’s so great to see so many people in the music industry rally together for such a good human being.”
Proceeds will go to Fraser’s medical bills as well as to the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre and Support Act Ltd.
62 INDIE ARTS PROJECTS SHARE IN VICARTS GRANTS
Sixty-two independent arts projects will share in more than $1 million in VicArts funding, the Victorian Government announced.
It will create opportunities for almost 900 independent artists and 350 technical, administrative and other support roles in the independent arts sector.
For every dollar invested by the government in this program, a further $2.50 is generated by the sector.
Music projects include the 2017 Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music ($45,000), the INLAND concert series ($16,000), the Niche performance piece exploring the meaning of popular culture ($15,000) and a mentorship project for emerging African musicians in Shepparton to create new songs and shoot videos for them ($12,000).
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said, “VicArts grants ensure we have a pipeline of new creative projects and initiatives that create employment, build careers and sharpen Victoria’s leading edge as the creative state.”
HONOUR FOR RICHARD TOGNETTI AT HELPMANNS…
Live Performance Australia will honour award-winning violinist Richard Tognetti AO, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra for the past 27 years, as 2017 recipient of the JC Williamson Award for services to the live music industry,
He will be honoured at the Helpmann Awards, on Monday July 24 at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney.
Tognetti is also lauded for his development and promotion of educational programs for children, support for emerging artists and contributions to charitable organisations.
…FOR MARCUS CANNING, GINA WILLIAMS, IN WA…
Fringe Worldfounder and CEO Marcus Canning was recognised for his contribution to the arts community with the arts and culture award as part of the West Australian of the Year awards.
Singer and songwriter Gina Williams was lauded for her revival of the Noongar language.
…AND ANNIE CRUMMER IN NZ
Among the recipients of New Zealand’s 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours yesterday was singer-songwriter Annie Crummer. She got a MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for her services to music.
She was involved with groups such as Netherworld Dancing Toys and Herbs, released two solo albums and has been a driving force in increasing the representation of Pasifika people in the country’s music charts.
Crummer has strong ties with Australia, having toured frequently through the years. She also trod the boards in the Australian run in the Rent musical and played Killer Queen in We Will Rock You in Melbourne.
CBAA CALLS FOR WORKSHOP
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is inviting submissions from those interested in running a workshop at its annual conference on the Gold Coast November 9—12.
You don’t necessarily have to be part of the community radio community. It’s looking for submissions covering creative community partnerships, community-powered journalism, succession strategies for executive roles, financial management and emerging technologies. Deadline is June 12.
SHEERAN PERTH SHOW CAPPED
When Ed Sheeran’s first Perth show on March 3 sold out 55,000 tickets, Frontier Touring added a second one, for March 2. To avoid Friday’s traffic jams and public transport issues, the state government capped it at 38,000, the West Australian reported.
The decision was made after the government carried out a risk-management study.
The issue is that the new Perth Stadium is only going to be finished in early May.
A spokesperson for Perth Stadium told the newspaper that both it and Transperth could not be 100% sure if public transport or the Swan River pedestrian bridge linking the venue would be finished by then.
80% of the venue’s patrons are expected to use public transport and car park spaces are limited.
This has caused an issue for Frontier, as the 38,000 tickets sold out in an hour, and it was obviously hoping to sell more to equal that of the first show.
The fear also is that limited tickets could see fans turning to resale platforms and paying huge sums for tickets that might not be honoured.
FOOTSTOMP BRANCHES OUT TO NZ
Brisbane-based Footstomp Music has expanded to include New Zealand in its project management. This includes radio, TV, press, blogs and tour publicity.
“It’s time for relevant independent Australian artists to have the opportunity to include New Zealand in their strategic touring and release plans,” the company said in a statement.
Since its inception in 2010, Footstomp clients have included NZ acts Shihad, The Naked & Famous, Hollie Smith and Shapeshifter.
GEORGIA POTTER GETS LLOYD AWARD
Georgia Potter of alt-pop trio Moreton was the first recipient of the $15,000 Carol Lloyd Award, set up in memory of the late “original rock chick”.
Potter can use the money to record an album, or cut an EP and do a tour.
According to organisers, 70 applications were received. The final five were Emily Wurramara who sings in English and
Anindilyakwa, Cairns blues-and-roots act Leanne Tennant, music theatre and composer Angela Toohey and singer/ poet / activist Teila Watson aka Ancestress.
FOXTEL ARTS SCHEDULES TONY AWARDS
Foxtel Arts will screen the 71st Tony Awards on Monday June 12 at 10 am from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Hosted by actor Kevin Spacey, it will also be streamed on Foxtel Play.
RADIO BIRDMAN SCREENINGS
Living Eyes and Umbrella Entertainment unveiled national screening dates for the new Radio Birdman documentary Descent Into The Maelstrom.
The world premiere is in Sydney on July 19 at Event Cinemas George Street. It will be followed by a Q&A with the band’s Deniz Tek and Pip Hoyle and film director Jonathan Sequeira and moderated by music scribe Murray Engleheart.
The Melbourne premiere at Cinema Nova on July 2 will have a Q&A with Tek.
For other cities, see radiobirdman.com.
FUNDING FOR LIVE DARWIN ARTS
The Live Darwin Arts Program supports new and existing arts and creative initiatives to activate Darwin’s CBD for next month to June 2018. There is funding of up to $50,000 for non-profit arts organisations, individuals and groups for proposals that meet the criteria.
Deadline is June 30, apply at www.nt.gov.au/livedarwin.
An info session is held tomorrow (June 7) from 11 am to midday at Arts NT, Level 1, 9—11 Cavanagh St, Darwin.
NEW ZEALAND’S UNOFFICIAL ANTHEM IS…
As reported last week, for New Zealand Music Month, the NZ Herald asked readers to choose their favourite Kiwi song as the ultimate unofficial national anthem.
13 songs on the options list included Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over, Dave Dobbyn’s Slice of Heaven, The Exponents’ Why Does Love Do This to Me? and Lorde’s Royals.
The 7000 who voted chose one hit wonders Patea Maori Club’s Poi E. It topped the charts in 1984, a rarity for a Maori song. It’s since been adopted as an anthem by the country’s hip hop community.
AUDIOCRAFT LAUNCHES PODCAST AGENCY
Audiocast has launched a podcast agency to help its clients work with freelance podcast producers, writers, researchers, sound designers, and music composers to make Australian podcasts sound better.
The creatives include Cinnamon Nippard (triple j), Selena Shannon (FBi Radio), Bec Fary (SleepTalker), Catherine Freyne (ABC). Jennifer Macey: (Sydney Opera House’s This Kid Life), Hannah Reich (FBi) and Olivia Rosenman (2SER).
Meantime, The Audiocraft Conference on Saturday June 10 at Aerial UTS Function Centre is sold out.
AARADHNA, KINGS, TOP PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS
R&B singer Aaradhna and hip hop chart topper Kings were multiple winners at the Pacific Music Awards in Manukau, New Zealand.
Aaradhna, who toured Australia last year, took four— best Pacific female, album for Brown Girl and song for its title track, and music video for Welcome To The Jungle.
Kings’ four included male artist and urban artist. Three Houses Down took group and people’s choice
The Moana hit soundtrack provided Opetaia Foa’I (his song was We Know The Way) with a special recognition award, and for his daughter Olivia Foa’I who took home best Pacific language song for Tulou Tagaloa.
VALE HAL HALL
California-born multi-instrumentalist Hal Hall migrated to Australia in the mid-60s. He quickly used his ability to play piano, clarinet and alto and tenor saxophone to set up big bands, first in Sydney and then Adelaide.
His SACAE Concert Band famously won the National Band Championships of Australia several times from 1980, and was the first head of jazz studies at Adelaide University. He was inducted into the South Australian Hall of Fame in 2015.
MELBOURNE HOSTS INAUGURAL CREATIVE STATE SUMMIT
The inaugural Creative State Summit is held in Melbourne June 29—30 at ACMI and Arts Centre Melbourne. It’s bringing together change makers, creative disruptors and industry leaders from around the world to share ideas and insight, and to help shape Victoria’s creative future.
Some of the ideas will involve the arts collaboration with the tech, screen, design and games industries.
Topics cover dangerous ideas, commercial vs creative, a creative state, the future of storytelling and art vs. science.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS…
- Are there plans for Jimmy Barnes’ Stories & Songs show behind his Working Class Boy best seller – twenty shows last December in Australia and 12 in New Zealand this February – to be staged in the UK, Scotland and Ireland later in the year?
- Is Ten planning to revive Australian Idol after a reboot of its American cousin? The show ran here between 2003 and 2009, with alumni including Guy Sebastian, Matt Corby, Ngairre, Shannon Noll, Rob Mills, Paulini, Casey Donovan, Damien Leith and Stan Walker among those who’ve prospered (or stayed afloat).
- Is Southern Cross Austereo looking at the star power team of Carrie Bickmore and comedian Tommy Little to replace Hamish & Andy after their departure this year, to maintain their 2.5 million listenership, as Media Diary in The Australian has heard?
- A memorial is being planned in Melbourne for one time Mushroom Records GM Gary Ashley who passed away in London after a 12 month battle with cancer.
- Love is in the air: Conrad Sewell and Alli Simpson are now officially an item, while Gin Wigmore and husband Jason Butler are expecting their first in September.
- The Chinese Laundry is the latest Sydney venue to be granted relaxed trading hours, now allowed new patrons until 2am, and continue alcohol service until 3.30am.
- When Lorde slipped into New York City’s Liquiteria for a smoothie, she got chatting with 19-year old Emely Paula who told her (1) she considered Lorde one of the best performers for, like, ever and (2) she’d just started there as a cashier two weeks before. Lorde tweeted her after, asking her to accompany her to the Governors Ball Music Festival last weekend where she was playing.
- After five years, Gurrumul has finished his latest album, with most of the sessions at Avatar Studios in New York City The news was imparted by his Darwin-based label Skinnyfish Music which added, “It’s his (sic) biggest most powerful album he has ever done.”
- While NZ broadcaster MediaWorks had its financial challenges, some of its executives got NZ$8.7 million from a generous share-based incentive scheme.
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