Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office ready for action

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) will virtually launch a five-year strategic plan this week.

An Indigenous-led initiative of music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS, NATSIMO is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators.

Its purpose is to advance its members’ careers through advocacy, programming initiatives and development opportunities.

The launch is on Friday (October 30) at 11:30am AEDT on its Facebook.

Performing will be Busby Marou, along with a collaboration from up-and-coming talents JK-47, Jarulah Slabb and The Boy of Many Colors.

NATSIMO vision is four-fold.

Value for ATSI members to understand the value of their music to advance their careers, and advocate for their rights;

Promote the growth of a self-determined ATSI music industry;

Connect its members and the music industry whilst encouraging Best Practice;

Champion opportunities for ATSI songwriters and composers to advance their careers.

“At the NATSIMO, we want to encourage the music industry to be better when working with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members,” says the office’s Darwin-based national manager Leah Flanagan who joined in late 2019.

“Not only is our focus to support the growth and development of our songwriters and composers, but it is also crucial for us to work with the music industry to make sure that the wide variety of perspectives from our members are adequately heard, addressed and valued.”

Working alongside Flanagan at the NATSIMO is Writer Representative Donna Woods, who is based in Brisbane.

They are curating a masterclass series for 2021, which will focus on song craft, creativity, professional development and more.