The Seed announces first fundraiser concert, crowd-funding campaign

The Australian music industry’s non-for-profit grants scheme The Seed this morning announced its first fundraiser and crowd-funding campaign to support its 2016 activities.

An all-star cast of Missy Higgins, San Cisco, Emma Louise, Paul Kelly and John Butler will play The Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne on Monday October 12 from 8pm. Zan Rowe of triple j will host the night. Tickets went on sale this morning at $95 +bf.

At 5.30pm on the same day at the venue is an industry-only table tennis tournament called Hits From The Pong. Tickets for this are $225 +bf (which includes entry to the concert) and available by emailing Stacia Goninon at stacia@johnbutlertrio.com.

John Butler, who set up The Seed with Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) said, “The Seed Fund is in its eleventh year. Holy shit! That's amazing. What started as a crazy idea to give money away to emerging Australian artists has literally turned into a self seeding movement and this gig in so many ways is the epitome of what the Seed is all about; the Australian music industry, supporting the future movers and shakers of Australian music culture.

“Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, San Cisco and Emma Louise all coming together to raise money for emerging artists and managers in this country…That's fuckin’ rad. It's been an absolute honour to be part of the Seed Fund, it's such a grand gesture, supported and made possible by so many generous culture makers in the Australian music industry. It's gonna be a fun night!"

The Seed offers financial and creative support and professional development guidance to emerging talent who’re making an impact on the culture. Through grants, workshops, partnerships and initiatives, The Seed has supported and popularised the idea of Australian talent operating on self-sustaining independent business models and giving back to the community. The Seed’s management workshop is lauded by rising managers as a game-changer for them and which provided them networking opportunities to create new initiatives.

Among supporters of The Seed’s vision is Paul Kelly, who reflected, "I couldn't get a record deal in 1984 so I borrowed money from a friend to make a record called Post. Not everyone has friends who can afford that but I see The Seed Fund as the kind of friend that can."

More info from:http://www.theseedfund.org, https://www.facebook.com/theseedfund, https://twitter.com/theseedfund and https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSeedArtsFund.