WAM report shows 2014 surplus, membership revenue up

At its annual general meeting at the Universal Bar in Northbridge, West Australia’s peak music association WAM reported a surplus of $38,140 for 2014, after a loss of $123,351 in 2013.

The board elections resulted in most of the members returned, with the exception of marketing, PR and communications professional Leanne Casellas replacing photographer Stefan Caramia who stepped down.

Last February saw Mike Harris arrive as CEO, and Al Taylor, Group Manager of 303Lowe, as the Board President in May. The first few months focused on re-budgeting and reworking WAM’s Business Plan. According to the WAM report, “This helped to secure triennial funding, that was at serious risk.”

Income through the year was $1.54 million, compared to $1.5 million in 2013.

Membership delivered a 10% increase in revenue. WAM revealed that 84% of members are from metro, 13% regional and 3% from overseas. The majority (55%) are musicians, songwriters and bands. Managers are 6%, then producers (5%), booking agents and club DJs (4%), promoters, and studios and rehearsal rooms staff (3%), festival and record label employees (2%) and those working for clubs, government organisations and media (1%).

The report cited the following as 2014’s highlights:

* 846 entries for 16 categories in the Song of the Year quest, which offered $40,000 worth of cash and prizes.

* 10,000 attending the three-day WAM Festival to see 105 acts play in 17 venues. The debut Block Party drew 3,000.

* The high profile of the WA Music Awards before 500 guests with wins by Timothy Nelson & The Infidels, KUČKA, Jodie Regan, and musician Martyn P. Casey and artist manager Phil Stevens inducted into the WAM Hall of Fame.

* The continued success of the Singapore West Australian Music Exchange (SWAM). Five WA acts played two events there, while three Singapore acts played in Perth as part of the WAM Festival.

* The expansion of WAM’s industry workshops, including a broadening of alliance with APRA AMCOS for four Music Industry Sundowner Sessions, a new series of four specialised workshops, and Higher Ground aimed at advancing the skills of local music managers.

* The Regional Program contributing to the advancement of regional artists, culminating in the production of the successful Sounds Of The Southwest and Sounds Of The Wheatbelt projects; a showcase of Wheatbelt Songwriters at Dowerin Field Days; the Pilbara Touring Circuit; and the Regional Roundtable.

Plans for 2015 include finalising more partnerships with companies to expand WAM’s initiatives.

CEO Mike Harris expressed concern about the further closures of music venues, for which the association has investigated the reasons, and urged the WA music community to fill in the Perth Venue Action survey to help provide background and solutions to live music venues’ relationships with music fans.