Guy Sebastian and Kimbra among writers to join virtual SongHubs

APRA AMCOS’ intensive songwriting residency SongHubs has started four days of virtual collaboration, with top songwriters and producers logging on from home.

The program’s flagship residency was meant to take place at Sydney’s Studios 301 this week and will now run on Zoom between April 21 and 24.

But due to COVID-19 restrictions, it has now become The Virtual Tower and is made logistically possible with an innovative online studio set-up created by SongHubs consultant François Tétaz.

Participants including Guy Sebastian, Kimbra, Fergus James and production dup DNA can work together on new songs remotely.

Kearney-Nurse is in-demand after her 2018 SongHubs LA co-write ‘Conditions’, written with Dyson and Lyndsey Jackson, was just featured on the US TV show Songland.

Per the usual SongHubs format, participants will be assigned to groups of three each morning and tasked to complete a song by day’s end.

Leading The Virtual Tower sessions is curator Donna Caseine, LA-based executive vice president of creative at Reservoir Media, whose roster includes Ali Tamposi, The Orphanage and more.

Along with selected members, top international producers including Azul Wynter (Post Malone), Thom Bridges (Yellow Claw, Offset) and Ricky Manning (Lennon Stella, Carlie Hanson) will join.

“It would have been wrong to cancel or even postpone SongHubs: The Tower because creating new music is so necessary right now,” said Milly Petriella, APRA’s member relations boss.

“Our aim is to ensure members can collaborate across time zones and not miss out on the invaluable opportunity to work and connect with some of the biggest producers and writers in contemporary music.”

True to SongHubs tradition, a ‘virtual’ listening party will take place after the final session for everyone to playback their new tracks.

Since SongHubs launched in 2013, over $2 million in performance royalties has been earned from commercial by Briggs, Troye Sivan, Morgan Evans, Dean Lewis, Client Liaison, Peking Duk, The Chainsmokers and more.

SongHubs: The Virtual Tower is supported by Studios 301 and Marsh.