PPCA & Australia Council open sixth round of recording grants

The October 2013 team-up by the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) and the Australia Council to offer grants to artists to record new music has led to a number of success stories.

One-time bartender Courtney Barnett used hers to record her debut album Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit over eight days.

It reached #4 on the ARIA chart, won the Australian Music Prize, declared one of the best albums of the year by trend-makers around the world and made her a global cult name.

Other recipients were classical guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Mia Dyson and Laura Jane Lowther aka KUCKA.

Last year’s included singer-songwriter and guitarist Alexandra Lynn aka Alex the Astronaut, Justin Marshall, Melbourne percussionist for The Putbacks, WA composer Lachlan Skipworth, Zindzi Okenyo aka Sydney artist OKENYO and jazz composer/ saxophonist Sandy Evans.

Now comes the sixth round, offering five $15,000 grants to assist Australian artists create new recordings.

Dan Rosen, PPCA chief executive said, “On behalf of PPCA, we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Australia Council to offer these grants and contribute to the diversity of Australian music.

“This initiative is very close to our heart at PPCA and we look forward to helping more local artists realise their musical ambition.”

Paul Mason, director of music at the Australia Council added: “Our partnership with PPCA is an exceptional example of how a collaboration between government and industry can deliver great outcomes for artists.

“It’s also a fantastic demonstration of confidence from PPCA in the quality and energy of the music we’re producing in Australia.”

Applications close on March 19 through Australia Council.

Applicants should register with PPCA (for free) under its Artist Direct Distribution Scheme.

PPCA represents thousands of Australian recording artists when their music is used in public.

In 2018 it distributed more than $43 million to its registered artists and record labels.