Sounds Australia takes local acts to Europe & NYC

Over the next month, music export association Sounds Australia, in partnership with the Australian Music Centre, is taking 60 Australian classical, jazz and art artists to Europe.

It has also announced the latest edition of its flagship Aussie BBQ for SummerStage in New York’s Central Park.

Jazzahead!, Bremen, Germany, April 25 – 28

30 Australian jazz artists and industry are attending, with Sounds Australia’s program supporting them with networking functions and trade stands to improve their presence and international opportunities.

The Australia Council for the Arts is a supporter of the two-year program of market development for Australian jazz in Europe.

It will also exploit the Australian Music Centre’s membership of the Europe Jazz Network.

Sounds Australia and the Australian Music Centre will host a Meet The Australians Happy Hour on Friday, April 26, combining networking with gin cocktails.

The following night, bassist and composer Linda May Oh Han will be part of jazzahead!’s Overseas Night showcase.

Jazzhead will feature an Australian playlist curated by Jeremy Rose, saxophonist, composer and founder of Earshift Music, found on Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube.

Classical:NEXT, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, May 15 – 18

Aside from an Australian stand on May 16, Sounds Australia and the Australian Music Centre will host the annual Meet The Australians Reception, allowing 1,200 professionals from 45 countries to meet the Australian delegates and try some Vegemite and cheese toasties.

Last year Belle Chen become the first Australian artist to showcase at Classical:NEXT.

This year three domestic ensembles – Offspring Ensemble, Sonya Lifschitz & Robert Davidson, and Zephyr Quartet – will be performing, demonstrating the growing international appetite for Australian art and classical music.

Classical: Next’s playlist of Aussie classical and art music was curated by acclaimed pianist and composer Belle Chen.

Hear it on Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube.

SummerStage, New York City, June 22

The Aussie BBQ will showcase A.B. Original (marking the hip hop duo’s US debut), Hermitude, San Cisco, The Teskey Brothers, Tkay Maidza and WAAX.

Staged in partnership with the Australian consul-general in New York and the Australia Council, it is Sounds Australia’s first showcase in New York City since the CMJ Music Marathon in 2015.

The Australian consul-general to New York, Alastair Walton, said the showcase would have “long reaching connections and impact.”

He added, “Earlier this year the consulate brought the triple j Hottest 100 countdown to New York and supported The Rubens on their North American tour.”

Sounds Australia, the New York consulate and the Australia Council will also throw a luncheon so Australian artists, managers and labels in town for A2IM Indie Week (June 17—20) to meet and network with key US and international music industry tastemakers and media.

Head to the official Sounds Australia website for more details.