Musical Chairs at Peermusic, Dark Mofo, TikTok & More

New Managing Director at Peermusic Australia

Ralph W. Peer is the new managing director of Peermusic Australia. 

The grandson of the publishing company’s late founder Ralph S. Peer, he will be based out of the Sydney offices.

He will be expanding its film/TV business in the region with a focus on offering music supervision and scoring packages to local production companies in Australia and New Zealand.

Peer joined Peermusic in August 2019 in business affairs in the London office while overseeing African and Middle East operations.

In 2022, he became managing director of Peermusic in South Africa.

The latest move sees him in charge of all creative and administrative operations in Australia, Fiji, New Guinea and New Zealand.

Leigh Carmichael Stepping Down From Dark Mofo

Leigh Carmichael will step down in June 2023 as creative director of Tasmania’s pushing-the-envelope mid-winter Dark Mofo festival.

“After ten years curating the Dark Mofo program, it’s time for new energy and new ideas to move the festival forward,” he announced.

Carmichael will remain with the festival’s production company DarkLab and its “other cultural projects and pushing for better venues and more public infrastructure for Hobart so that it can cement its place as a vibrant cultural city.”

This year Dark Mofo had 300,000 visitors. It generated $3.5 million from 72,000 tickets sold, 65% purchased by interstate visitors.

New Global Head of Music at TikTok

London-based Paul Hourican is responsible for organising campaigns with TikTok’s Australian team – and those around the world— in his new role as global head of music operations.

He was U.K. head of music operations, now filled by head of artist partnerships David Mogendorff.

Songtradr’s David Sayer Joins Xelon Digital

Melbourne-based digital music specialist, David Sayer, has joined distribution firm Xelon Digital as its business development manager.

Founded in 2007 and with offices in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the U.S. and Europe, Xelon Digital represents 700 labels. 

In 2022, it helped Luude and Tami Neilson reach the top of the charts in various territories.

Sayer’s focus will be to develop and expand Xelon’s domestic and international business.

Part of Australia’s digital music sector for 30 years, Sayer was an account manager at Valleyarm Digital, and most recently, director of artist and label services at Songtradr.

“David brings years of industry experience to the role and is a great inclusion to the Xelon family,” said Xelon’s managing director, Ash Gay. 

“Not only has he worked with many great labels and artists, but his understanding of the digital landscape is a natural fit at Xelon.”

New Additions At Arts Law

Arts Law, which provides free or low-cost legal advice and education to Australian artists and arts organisations, made two new appointments.

Jasmins Derbas joins as a paralegal and the main contact point for clients booking legal advice sessions and for volunteer lawyers.

She was a graduate fellow at the NSW Bar Association’s Legal Assistance Referral Scheme.

Jeremy Heddle is the firm’s new communications officer, coming from a film, video and media production background.

WAM Unveils WA Music Month Team

Music association WAM unveiled the team behind the November 1—30 WA Music Month.

Part-owner and artist director of 360 Artists Logistics, Hayley-Jane Ayres is programmer of the conference element WAMCon.

Kimi Murphy, whose background is Habitat Events, Geisha Bar and Northbridge Brewing Company, has the role of event manager.

Venue booker and owner of Sweet Mate Music. Luke Rinaldi, is performance programmer.

Artist management and bookings company BASE MGMT Sinead O’Hara is Scarborough Beach Party programmer.

Libby Lincoln at NORPA

Libby Lincoln joins Lismore-based NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) in the newly-created role of executive director.

She was previously at QPAC, Brisbane Festival, Qld Music Festival, Riverfestival and most recently head of arts and cultural transformation for the City of Gold Coast.

Collarts Appoints Dr Jane Montgomery Griffiths

Monash University’s Dr Jane Montgomery Griffiths is head of performing arts at Collarts’ new School of Performing Arts, overseeing acting, writing, directing and stage management.