Industrial Strength: Voting begins for Indie Music Awards; Tkay lands US shows; $40k hit for SA late night venues; Sony Music buys Century Media; Australia loses another streaming service

Voting begins for Independent Music Awards

Voting has started for the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards on October 22 in Melbourne. The process closes off on midday August 31.They are held for the 10th year by AIR (the Assoc. of Independent Record Labels) with support from major partner Rdio. 400 judges are invited to cast their votes in eight categories. They come from community radio, ABC, commercial radio, newspapers, magazines, online press, street press, blogs, industry, AIR member labels, artists and the broader music industry.

The first awards night was held in 2006 at the Blackett Hotel in Sydney, with four categories. Hilltop Hoods scooped two (Independent Artist, Best Performing Independent Album), Gotye won Most Outstanding New Independent Artist and Blue King Brown took Best Performing Single/EP. Since then AIR has given out 90 awards, to winners including John Butler Trio, British India, Gurrumul, The Drones, Dan Sultan, Adalita, The Jezabels, Chet Faker, Hermitude, Flume, Vance Joy, Paul Kelly, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Violent Soho, Remi and Courtney Barnett.

Sony Music buys German hard rock label Century Media

It's official. After industry whispers trickling down following a report by Music Business Worldwide, the major label has announced it has acquired Century Media Records. While figures haven't been released, reports suggest Sony paid an alleged US$20m for the label and its acts, which includeLacuna Coil, Arch Enemy, Devin Townsend, Steve Hackett, Queensrÿche, Kansasand Stitched Up Heart.

The deal, whoch sees Century Media become awholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment,will seeowner Robert Kampf as CEO of the Century group.Thelabel will continuings itsdistribution deal withRED in the US andSony will now also operateinternational distribution.

Three US shows for Tkay Maidza this week

Tkay Maidza who’s working on her debut album in Los Angeles and New York, this week does three dates in California opening for Rita Ora. The 19-year-old then returns to Australia for her own16 dates from September 10 to October 4 through Select Music and 5/4 Entertainment. She had to add new shows in Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart, and this week a third show in Melbourne.

$40k hit for South Australian late night venues?

As part of the South Australian Government review of its late-night code of conduct, venues with under 200-capacity showcasing music until midnight no longer need planning approval. But draft changes to the Late Night Code, currently open for public consultation, could see venues trading until 2 am face considerable financial outlay. Proposals include plastic cups after midnight, drink marshals to keep an eye on patron behaviour, and metal detectors and CCTV for venues with over 200-capacity. On the weekend, Adelaide’s Sunday Mail, which saw Internal Government forecasting, reported that introducing plastic glassware alone would cost venues up to $10,000. Installing CCTV and metal detectors would add another $30,000.

Almost 37 Adelaide CBD venues and 40 suburban pubs will be affected, said the Sunday Mail. They’d have to hit the option button on closing early and losing business or paying out thousands of dollars.Deputy Premier John Rau said that he would continue to listen to the live music sector and address its concerns.

Australia loses another streaming service

The Australian market lost another streaming service. Ezyflix launched in 2013 offering movies and TV shows. But it struggled to find a market, and was bowled over when the better funded Netflix, Presto and Stan roared in. Its parent company Access Digital Entertainment shuttered it. Those who purchased UltraViolet titles being directed to MyUV to continue accessing their digital titles.

Launching Pad #1: Artist First online music merchandise

Artist First Pty Ltd is a new online music merchandise company launched by Dave Jiannis of Epitaph Australia, partnering with Love Police ATM and the Staple Group. Jiannis explains, “Artist First will provide each band with their own online store branded with their logos and images, linked to their existing website and social media pages. Artist First are ARIA accredited so pre-order bundles will be a big focus.” Running the day-to-day operations will be Caz Worsley, one-time Head of Marketing at Shock Entertainment, and recently Consumer Marketing Manager at Converse Australia. More info at artistfirst.com.au.

Launching Pad #2: Vision Lennox Head

Vision Lennox Head is a new Christian radio station broadcasting on 88.0 FM offering “contemporary adult music and uplifting talk”. More info at www.vision.org.au or freecall 1800 007 770.

Launching Pad #3: Melbourne International Games Week

The Melbourne International Games Week runs from October 23 to November 1. It brings together “a host of games and technology events that will strengthen connections within the industry and celebrate Victoria’s leadership in the games sector,” said the state government. Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley, who made the announcement at games development hub The Arcade said events include a one-day ganes developers conference, a summit for educators on how games can inspired teaching, and games festival PAX AUS – the only PAX event outside the USA – expected to attract 55,000 enthusiasts.

Launching Pad #4: The Tron Music Trust

The Tron Music Trust is set up to develop musicians in the Waikato in New Zealand’s North Island. Organisers say the region is under-represented in funding from Government agencies, and need to mentor a network of original players. It is chaired by singer songwriter Chris Williams with former Split Enz member Mike Chunn as Patron. See www.facebook.com/tronmusictrust.

Huff, puff, Perth readies for inaugural Reclink Cup match

The inaugural Perth Reclink Cup is held this Sunday at Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean from midday, courtesy RTRFM, Morse Code and Monster. The musicians making up Bandgropers include Davey Craddock, Emperor, Sugar Army and Scalphunter while the media’s Newshounds, are mostly from RTRFM with X-Press, The West Australian, Twin Cities FM, APRA and TheMusic. RTRFM GM Jason Cleary said, “I know our community will embrace it with open arms but very modest skills. I am a little bit worried about running around a massive football oval but it is for a very worthwhile cause!”

Number Crunching:

1st album ever by a Welsh act in Australia this week by Bullet for My Valentine. Shirley Bassey had two albums which reached #2, Tom Jones had two #2 albums and Bonnie Tyler reached #3.

$1.1 billion is what Deezer could be valued at as a result of its current fund raising round.

88 levels of Melbourne’s Eureka Tower run up by KIIS 101.1's Matt Tilley to raise $100,000 for the city’s homeless.

$409.89 is the secondary average of AC/DC’s September 15 show at Wrigley Field in Chicago, 50.6% above the tour average, and the cheapest ticket available listed for $155.

19.7% share of the US market by Sony ATV sees a 5% drop from the last quarter but leading the publishers.

Now Quickflix drops Chinese partner

Troubled Australian streaming video on demand service Quickflix has abandoned plans to acquire a Chinese film and TV company for Chinese language content. It cited “due diligence of the Shanghai-based company and advice received in relation to Chinese regulations and restrictions.” But it “recognises distribution of content into China and of Chinese content to the rest of the world is a significant opportunity and is continuing to develop a China strategy.”

There’s a mystery about the unnamed Chinese firm, but it is apparently profitable and with ties to US studios. There was speculation in the Australian media that the deal really was the Chinese company buying into Quickflix’s infrastructure and customers and avoiding tax. Quickflix lost $3.83 million for the year (as of June 30, only had $913,000 cash on hand) and lost 13% of its customers in the three months to June.

Venues Update: petition for Stefanovic, close-down, sale

* Melbourne’s Laundry Bar has a petition to convince talk show host Karl Stefanovic to DJ there for a night. They say their patrons want him, adding: “We've been trying to get Karl Stefanovic's management to return our phone calls and emails for months now.”

* Adelaide’s Duke Of Brunswick was to be closed yesterday after an eviction notice was served on publican Glen Duncan for unpaid rent. There’s been a long-time dispute with the landlord over who pays for its upkeep.

* Vince Sofo and Paul Adamo, in between renovating The Espy Hotel in Melbourne, are opening a new music venue and restaurant on the site of the Old Colonial Inn in Brunswick.

* Lalor Park Hotel in Sydney’s Blacktown is up for sale.

* Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel in Chippendale, soon to be turned into a performing arts school, announced its final hurrah will be on September 26. Acts that were part of its colourful history are being contacted to play.

* The Northcote Social Club in Melbourne is celebrating its 10th anniversary next month by renovating the band room and deck.

* After a successful blitz in Perth’s entertainment precinct when more cops on the beat cut down anti-social behaviour, police are considering whether to make it a regular occurrence every two weeks.

Silver Scrolls Top 5 is battle between Native Tongue, Mushroom NZ

It’s a battle between Native Tongue Music Publisher and Mushroom Music as 10,000 APRA New Zealand members have voted for the final five from the 20 nominees of the country’s Silver Scroll song awards. The winner will be announced at the ceremony at Vector Arena on September 17. They are:

Marlon Williams: Dark Child (written by Williams and Tim Moore), through Native Tongue Music Publisher.

Mel Parsons’ Get Out Alive (Parsons) Native Tongue Music Publisher.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Multi-Love (Ruban Nielson & Kody Nielson) Mushroom Music New Zealand.

Anthonie Tonnon’s Water Underground (Tonnon) Native Tongue Music Publishing.

Lorde’s Yellow Flicker Beat (Joel Little and Ella Yelich-O'Connor) Native Tongue Music Publishing on behalf of SONGS Music Publishing LLC / EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

The 'Lost Scroll' of 1981 will also be presented, and guitarist and songwriter Bill Sevesi inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame. The final five from 1981 are:

The Swingers’ Counting The Beat (Phil Judd, Mark Hough, Wayne Stevens), Mushroom Music Pty Ltd.

Split Enz’s One Step Ahead (Neil Finn) Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L.

The Screaming Meemees’ See Me Go (Tony Drumm, Peter Van Der Fluit, Michael O'Neill* and Lawrence Landwer-Johan) *Mushroom Music NZ Ltd.

The Clean’s Tally Ho (David Kilgour, Hamish Kilgour, Robert Scott) Mushroom Music Pty Ltd / Mushroom Music NZ Ltd.

Blam Blam Blam’s No Depression In New Zealand (Don McGlashan* and Richard von Sturme) *Native Tongue Music Publishing.

Fund to upgrade regional arts venues

WA’s Culture and the Arts Minister John Day announced $2.4 million is available for the upgrade of regional arts and entertainment venues in 2015-16. The first round for applications closes on October 29. Also coming is a new regional touring fund to increase regional communities' access to performing arts tours.

Mackay venue wins top award

The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) won the 2015 Australian Performing Arts Centre's Association's (APACA) Drover's Award for Performing Arts Centre of the year. It recognises achievements in technical, marketing, management, audience development and community engagement.

Festivals update: strong arrivals, ODs, name changes

* The inaugural Maroochy Music and Visual Arts in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast drew 5,500 to Horton Park on the weekend. An ecstatic Festival Director James Birrell said many of the acts asked to come back in 2016. Local businesses posted a rise in revenue, while the local taxi company had a 25% rise to 5000 call-outs in 24 hours.

* Two punters at Darwin’s Lostfest were hospitalised after taking an unknown purple pill. Two men were arrested for possession of MDMA and LSD.

* The inaugural Between The Hills in regional Victoria changed its name to Panacea “to avoid any confusion with existing The Hills Are Alive/NYE on the Hill festival brands.” The two festivals met amicably over a coffee for a pow-wow.

* After seven years, Hobart’s Mofo, which drew 40,000 this January, will have a complete new approach in 2016, curator Brian Ritchie said. We get a better idea when program is unveiled in October.

* TV presenter Rahart Adams will host Nickelodeon’s fourth Slimefest next month. Performing are Boyce Avenue, The Veronicas, Timmy Trumpet & Savage, At Sunset, Reece Mastin and Samantha Jade.

* A new festival in Berry, on the NSW South Coast, is Fairgrounds, organised by Handsome Tours at Hazelberry Park on December 5. Acts include Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Father John Misty, Mercury Rev, CW Stoneking Ratatat and Royal Headache with markets and movies to add to a laidback ambience.

* Northern Territory’s Original Recipe has been moved to November to Oz Music Month to better spotlight NT acts. They are asking for suggestions on events, gigs and workshops, contact Amy at amy@musicnt.com.au

* Wollongong’s Yours & Owls Music & Arts is tapping talent from NSW high schools to open the event. Send a video clip or recording of a gig to www.yoursandowls.com.au.

* The inaugural Big Rivers in Katherine drew 900 to the Old Tick Markets to see Blekbala Mujik, Bininj, Mambali, Wakal Bengkunh, NT Express, Grant Thompson and Lazy Late Boys.

Vale

Peter Anson was guitarist with The Missing Links, Jeff St. John’s backing band The Id, The Foreday Riders and made blues/country albums with Roger Janes. The Missing Links were a Sydney garage/R&B act (1964 to 1966) who sported long hair, smashed their gear onstage and experimented with backward tapes (1965’s H'tuom Tuhs) before The Beatles. They inspired the punk movement, especially The Saints who covered Wild About You on their first album, (I'm) Stranded (1977). Jeff St. John described Anson as “the epitome of cool” with “just the right amount of the larrikin in him with a ready, cheeky smile never far from his face.” Anson died after a battle with cancer.

Roger Smalley became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for his contribution as Associate Professor of Music at the University of West Australia and for his challenging compositions played by orchestras around the world. Born in Manchester, he emerged during the psychedelic era in the group Intermodulation. Immersed in the electronics movement, he became close friends with Karlheinz Stockhausen. Smalley died in Sydney at 72 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

And a few other things …

Sydney’s Allphones Arena is rumoured to be up for a name change in 2016 after new naming rights deal to be announced. It would be its fourth name since it opened in November 1999. It started as Sydney SuperDome, then became Acer Arena in 2006 while Allphones took over the name in September 2011.

Courtney Barnett was spotted playing outside London's Camden Tube station for evening commuters – but only as part of the shoot for future music video.

Daniel Unwin, guitarist with Melbourne band Crossfire Hurricane, was accidentally shot in a finger and bundled off to hospital. He was moving a wardrobe as part of his day job with a removalist when a gun dropped from the top of it. A co-worker quipped, “If this hit you in the head it would hurt.” Unwin took it off him, when it went off. The 31-year old owner of the house has been charged with having an unlicensed gun and faces court in October.

Brisbane lifestyle magazine Bmag went through a revamp which, among other things, saw more coverage of music and arts.

In the meantime, millennial male targeting US website CraveOnline, which has an Australian version, has also gone through a facelift which includes more art and entertainment content.

Bon Jovi are leaving Mercury Records after 32 years.

As part of the Hope 103.2 Blanket Appeal for Parramatta Mission, breakfast co-host Dan Widdowson did world record stunt to raise profile for the hundreds of blankets sent in by listeners. He buried himself in 50 blankets. The good news was that he broke the old world record of 42 blankets. The bad news was that Widdowson discovered he suffers claustrophobia.

Byron band Valhalla Lights’s 32 minute documentary Shades of Black was selected from hundreds of entries as one of ten finalists in the Salt Lake International Film Festival in America. It chronicles their challenge in recording and recordin and release their debut album Krypton after the death of vocalist Phoebe Black whom they replaced with Ange Saul.

Congrats to Kerrie Turner of Mix 102.3 and Cruise1323 Adelaide’s news room on the birth of her daughter.

As we reported before, Catherine Britt’s battle against breast cancer, has not stopped the country music singer songwriter from getting on with her music career. She’s now exhibiting a new bare head look. While shooting a video, she looked at her hair loss as a result of chemo, and decided on a clip-clip.

Out in New Zealand is a book on the rise and fall of Pauly Fuemana, who joined OMC (Otara Millionaires Club) after a rough upbringing on the streets. Their 1995 single How Bizarre went to #1 in a dozen countries including Australia and the US pop charts – and is still the biggest global hit by a NZ act. He died in 2010 from ill-health. The book How Bizarre (Awa Press) was written by Simon Grigg, owner of Huh! Records which released the record. Griggs wrote, “Sometimes those dreams can go badly awry, even when you achieve what you’ve hoped for.’

The Australian arm of Beamly, a social network for television viewers, has entered voluntary administration.

The Basin Concert had its $15,000 funding application turned down last night by Launceston City Council.