Industrial Strength: Music community pulls together for Bali 2; Aus Day honours; NZ songwriter postcodes; $10K ArtStart grants

More Australia Day honours

Aside from the radio names honoured on Australia Day (detailed already in On The Dial), some music names also had their day in the sun.

R&B singer songwriter John ‘Swanee’ Swan picked up his medal for South Australia’s Senior of the Year. The elder brother of Jimmy Barnes has fronted bands as Swanee, Feather and The Party Boys since he was 14. He now helps young musicians focus on creating without drugs and alcohol, and co-founded the Autism Music Fund.

In Gympie, Queensland, Geoff Waldon, Director of the Australian Institute of Country Music, was named the city’s Citizen of the Year while country music singer and X Factor contestant Caitlyn Shadbolt its Young Citizen.

Melbourne songwriter and children’s entertainer Mike Jackson got a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Adelaide-based Bill Spurr was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). Among his many positions which saw him work with the music industry were as Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association, the first Chief Executive of Australian Major Events and as Chief Executive of the SA Tourism Commission from 1999 to 2007.

Music community pulls together for Bali 2

The music community is rallying around doomed Australian drug smugglersAndrew ChanandMyuran Sukumaranwho face execution in Bali as early as this week.

NSW artistBen Quilty, who visited the two men in jail this month, has pulled together a Music For Mercy on Thursday (Jan 29) concert/ candle light vigil in Sydney.Rob Hirst, Josh Pyke, Megan Washington, Glenn RichardsofAugie March andandJulian HamiltonofThe Presetswill play.

Kate Miller-HeidkeandTim Rogershad offered their services if the concert date fitted their schedules.

Other artists involved in some way in various campaigns are ofTemper Trap’s Dougy Mandagi, Missy Higgins, Steve Kilbey, Steve BalbiandJenny Morriswhile UK’sNapalm Deathasked Indonesian President Joko Widodo (a fan of theirs) for clemency.

APRA announces NZ songwriter postcodes

A month after releasing which suburbs had the most Australian songwriters, APRA unveiled similar data for New Zealand.

Auckland’s Grey Lynn/Kingsland were the number one spot in the country for songwriters. They have the most writers for seven genres – electronic, dance/techno, pop/rock, alternative, urban, metal and music for screen. 15 of the Top 20 songwriting postcodes are in Auckland. Mangere/Mangere Bridge tops gospel.

Second most popular postcodes were Wellington’s Newtown/Brooklyn which also top the most jazz, classical, country and blues writers Te Aro and Mount Victoria lead in the number of folk, new age and children’s music. Napier’s Hospital Hill/Marewa/Onekawa makes an appearance in the metal Top 10.

Stan goes live …

Fairfax and Nine Network video-on-demand streaming service Stan went live yesterday (January 26) with 750 titles. Subscribers get unlimited access to its library of TV shows, movies and documentaries for $10 a month.

Stan has deals with Sony, BBC Worldwide, ABC, SBS, and Viacom. Hotly anticipated Better Call Saul will be fast-tracked on February 9 after its U.S. premiere, with other exclusives including Transparent and Mozart In The Jungle.

…while Netflix preps for March 31 release …

US-based Netflix says it will invest in Australian content after its March 31 local launch. “Tens of thousands” of Aussies have registered interest in signing up for its $10-a-month offer, in addition to the 200,000 to 300,000 Aussies who access it via the US service. With 4.33 million subscribers globally signing on in the fourth quarter of 2014, the tip is that 1 million Aussies will sign on by 2018.

… and Quickflix continues capital raising

Australian DVD rental and streaming company Quickflix continues to raise capital. Last year it went to the market to raise $5.7 million but only got $650,000. In recent moves, founder and CEO Stephen Langsford injected $172,000 of his own funds, raising his stake from 4.97% to 7.18%.

Company CFO Simon Hodge put in an additional $34,200. According to reports, Quickflix is worth just $3.63 million, a 70% decline from its value in January 2014. It has 122,000 subscribers in Australia and New Zealand. In NZ, it is facing additional competition from local services Lightbox and Sky TV’s Neon.

Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, heading to Australia

Jazz greats Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock confirmed that their first tour together in 37 years will visit Australia. A world tour of duo piano concerts has been announced, set to kick off in Seattle on March 14, will take in Australia as part of a mid-year run through Asia, New Zealand and Europe.

Sydney third Laneway city to sell out

The Sydney stop of Laneway festival on Sunday (February 1) has sold out, organisers announced today. Last weekend’s first two shows, in Singapore and Auckland, also sold out.

New site for Rabbits Eat Lettuce?

Erik Lamir-Pike and Shane Lowe, promoters of the six-year-old EDM fest Rabbits Eat Lettuce are adamant the three-day event will be staged over Easter, but in a new location.

There was a drama two weekends ago when police stopped a “taster” on private land in Ebor, Coffs Harbour after council slapped an injunction saying it had not given permission for it. Promoters claimed the local police chief had a “personal vendetta” against their events. Those who couldn’t enter the “taster” can attend the Easter event for free.

$10,000 ArtStart grants

The Federal Government's ArtStart program opened for applications for activity taking places July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to those who completed an accredited creative arts course (Certificate IV or above) in the last three years; or will complete one by the time the project begins.

The grants support a career or business development strategy for arts practices through services, resources, skills development and equipment. Applications close March 3. See australiacouncil.gov.au.

ATO slugs artists over digital income

Following the Australian Tax Office’s decision to tax artists from some crowd-funding campaigns, it now says income from YouTube (and other digital sources) is up for tax. It ruled “The income the taxpayer receives from Google for their YouTube videos is a reward for providing services relating to their activities as a special professional […] Therefore, the income can form part of the taxpayer’s assessable professional income.”

Gurus’ Mark retiring, what’s his scene?

The Hoodoo Gurus’ drummer of 30 years, Mark Kingsmill, is retiring at the end of March. The band explained, he "had enough of this vagabond rock 'n' roll lifestyle we all lead." He advised them of his intention some months ago. They will replace him. But Dave Faulkner emphasised, “Trust us, we will not settle for anything less than someone we feel is a perfect fit."

Red Bull Academy takes over studio

Applications open for the 17th Red Bull Music Academy in Paris in Oct/Nov. To coincide, Red Bull will take over Studio 301 in Sydney between Feb 2 and 6 for a week of lectures from Red Bull alumni, parties, radio broadcasts and artist collaborations by the likes of Flight Facilities, Seekae, Jonti, Charles Murdoch and Touch Sensitive. Applications for Paris close on March 4.

Adelaide’s HQ, Newmarket, site for sale

The 3000 square metre complex on Adelaide’s North Terrace – which houses the HQ nightclub and the live music showcasing Newmarket Hotel – goes on sale in February. But owners emphasise it’s business as usual until the end of 2015. Whether the venues will be relocated after that is not known.

McAlister Kemp on “indefinite break”

ABC Music have a Hits set in March from country music duo McAlister Kemp as they take an “indefinite break” to work on solo projects. After six years and three albums together, McAlister will concentrate on writing, producing and recording. Kemp wants to crack the U.S. Although their last official show was at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, they will uphold commitments to dates in March and Cruisin’ Country in October The hits set includes unreleased and new music including new single 100 Years The ANZAC.

Telstra launches Global Media Switch

Telstra launched a video delivery platform Global Media Switch following its acquisition of video tech firm Ooyala. It provides “codec-level connectivity directly from the content source to the broadcast destination in real time.”

“Video contributors can take direct control of service booking, scheduling and delivery to broadcasters themselves in a cost-effective way, and even advertise content to other media providers to further maximise revenues,” pointed out Jim Clarke, Telstra Global Enterprise & Services’ Director of Marketing, Products and Pricing.

Jetco’s Tamworth-Brisbane route delayed

Regional airline Jetgo planned to relaunch its Tamworth to Brisbane route in mid-January in time to cart people to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Alas, due to protracted talks with Tamworth Regional Council about security services at the airport (Jetgo refuses to pass on overtime costs of security to its customers) the launch was pushed back to Feb 2, and now March 2.

Vale

Adelaide radio broadcaster and mentor Vaughan Harvey passed away. He worked at 5AD and 5KA (where he worked up the ranks from turntable operator to PD, New Director and Manager) and then ran the Vaughan Harvey Radio School, which trained new generations of radio names.

The funeral of radio presenter and producer Joel Grealy is held on Friday. He worked at 2BE Bega, 2WL Wollongong, 2CC Canberra and 7BU Tasmania.

2AIR Coffs Harbour co-founder and presenter Aileen Shipman died aged 75. Married to country singer Bill Shipman, they were part of Reg Lindsay's Touring Country Music Show for four years in the ‘60s. They moved into radio presenting a country music program on 2CHY before lobbying to set up 2AR.

Newcastle singer and actor William “Keith” Rudkin, died at 81 after a battle with lung cancer.

Australia Council surveys Australians’ arts activity internationally

The Australia Council for the Arts is conducting a survey on how Australian artists and arts organisations engage internationally. The results of this survey will shape its future strategy “for supporting international arts activity, which will play a key role in our work to foster Australian arts without borders and increase Australia's reputation for great art and artists.” The survey is conducted by Bailey and Yang Consultants until February 9 here.

Record year for Bendigo’s Capital Theatre

Bendigo’s Capital Theatre had a record year in 2014, with almost 90,000 attending shows, functions and performances there. Its manager David Lloyd says it shows the need for a larger venue in Bendigo.

Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar-Daley, join re-enactment of Freedom Ride

Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daley are part of a four-stop 50th anniversary re-enactment of the famous 1960s Freedom Ride through regional NSW by civil rights activists for indigenous rights.

It includes 100 University of Sydney students and staff and some original Freedom Riders (with its late leader Charles Perkins, a University of Sydney alumni, represented by his film maker daughter Rachel). Kelly and Cassar-Daley play at the Moree stop, as well as at the University of Sydney’s commemorative concert on March 20.

Melbourne to get new musical mecca

Melbourne rehearsal studio The Wick relaunches in late March as music mecca Wick Studios, Beat magazine revealed. Wick Studios, in cultural hub Brunswick, will have 15 state of the art rehearsal studios, two recording studios, two live music venues (with 400- and 200-capacities) a photo/video studio and a beer garden.

Mark Ronson promo

Grammy winning producer and musician Mark Ronson visits Sydney first week of February to promote his third album, Uptown Special. It is his fourth visit to these shores as a Sony Music artist. His track Uptown Funk has been at #1 on the ARIA chart for six weeks and certified 3x Platinum here. The album debuted at #1 this week in the UK, where the single is also at top spot.