Welcome to another week of Industry News! Can you believe it's been 30 years since the ARIA charts began? Signings, ARIA charts, and competitions announcements are aplenty - and some disappointing news for Midnight Oil fans...
Brisbane Powerhouse welcomes new artistic director Kris Stewart
After directing his final Festival of Voices in Hobart, Kris Stewart has taken on the role of Artistic Director at Brisbane Powerhouse. After an international search for the role, Stewart was chosen owing to his strong industry experience, including founding Sydney Fringe Festival and New York Musical Theatre Festival as well as a role as resident director for blockbuster musical, Wicked.
Submissions now open to be included on Kiss My WAMi CD/DVD
WA’s music showcase compilation is now open for submissions for Kiss My WAMi, a four disc set comprised of the best music from WA and a DVD with local video clips. All are selected by an independent panel of music industry experts and it receives wide exposure through triple j, 96FM, NOVA 937, RTRFM and other commercial and community radio across Australia.
Midnight Oil has no plans to reform
Speculation following Peter Garrett’s resignation from politics about the reformation of Midnight Oil has been put to rest with Gary Morris, long term manager, announcing that he is relinquishing his role in the wake of this recent assumption.
“Midnight Oil’s legacy is undeniable, we have achieved great things together, there is much to be proud of in the band’s list of achievements, we are brothers in arms and I will always be there for them,” said Morris. “However in light of recent speculation as to whether the band will reconvene now that Peter is quitting the political arena, now is the time to make my own position clear as to my future involvement with Midnight Oil.”
Queenscliff Music Festival 2013 emerging artist grant applications now open
The QMF 2013 emerging artist grant, funding up to $10 000, are now open and will close on Wednesday July 31st at 5pm. The grant is a huge leg up to budding artists to start putting themselves out there with the use of these funding boost.
Avicii and P!nk top this week’s ARIA Singles and Album Charts respectively
Avicii has come in at number one on the ARIA Singles top five this week with the song, ‘Wake Me Up’, followed by OneRepublic’s ‘Counting Stars’, Robin Thicke’s relentless ‘Blurred Lines’, Lorde’s ‘The Love Club’ and Miley Cyrus’ ‘We Can’t Stop’, in that order.
The albums top five are as follows:
1. P!nk ‘The Truth About Love’
2. Harrison Craig ‘More Than A Dream’
3. Jay Z ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’
4. Robin Thicke ‘Blurred Lines’ (debut)
5. Bliss N Eso ‘Circus In The Sky’
The Courier-Mail People’s Choice Awards nominees announced
The Queensland Music Awards and The Courier-Mail have announced this year’s nominees for the People’s Choice Awards, a vote-driven competition that allows the public to decide. By voting, fans have the chance to win a festival prize back valued at over $2500 including passes to Splendour in the Grass, Big Day Out and many, many more of Queensland’s biggest events. Head to http://www.qmusic.com.au/index.cfm?contentID=614&articleID=10176 for more information.
BIGSOUND 2013 live artists announced, tickets on sale now!
A massive lineup of tomorrow’s hottest artists has been announced, including Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Jonti, KINGSWOOD, Darren Middleton, Gossling, Blue King Brown’s Natalie Pa’apa’a and many more. Head to www.oztix.com.au for one and two day passes on September11-12.
Deadly Awards finalists announced
The finalists for the 2013 Deadly Awards have been announced across all categories with public voting open now. ABC TV’s award-winning drama, Redfern Now is a multiple finalist and favourite across television and acting categories in the awards. To vote, head to www.deadlys.com.au/vote.
The Music Licensing Directory launches music crowdsourcing service
The Music Licensing Directory has launched a music crowdsourcing service where music supervisors, advertising agencies, production companies and individuals who need music for any purpose can launch a context and find music to license for their needs. For more information, head to www.musiclicensingdirectory.com.
The Newcastle Music Industry Forum announced
MusicNSW in partnership with the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music has announced that “The Newcastle Music Industry Forum” will be held for local music lovers, aspiring artists and the Newcastle music industry as a free panel at the Newcastle Conservatorium at 6.30pm, Thursday 15 August. To RSVP, email creativearts@newcastle.edu.au.
Diamond in the Rough 2013 Artist Talent Search now open (New York)
All artists on ReverbNation are eligible to submit their music at www.GypsyDiamond.com/enter to be in the running to win a record label contract, production deals, and other sponsorship prizes.
Victory Records to distribute Mutant League Records (Chicago)
Chicago-based label, Mutant League Records, has entered into a worldwide distribution agreement with Victory Records. The deal will commence with new full-length album releases from Seaway and Knuckle Punk in coming months. For more information, head to www.victoryrecords.com.
Summer Flake signs with Rice is Nice
Rice is Nice records has welcomed the Adelaide indie-pop artist, Summer Flake, set to release her debut album, You Can Have It All. To celebrate, she’s released her first single, “Blue”, which you can listen to here: http://www.riceisnice.net/news/rice-is-nice-welcomes-summer-flake/.
Details for the Art Music Awards announced
The Art Music Awards, presented by APRA and the Australian Music Centre, now in its third year, will return on Monday Augut 26 at Parade Theatre, NIDA in Sydney, hosted by James Morrison to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s outstanding talent in contemporary art, music, jazz and experimental music. For more information, head to www.apra-amcos.com.au/.
Sydney Festival’s Reconciliation Action Plan(RAP) to be launched this Friday July 26
The Sydney RAP will be launched at Sydney’s Town Hall by Reconciliation Australia’s Karen Mundine, General Manager of Communications and Strategic Directions on Friday July 26 at 9.15am.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard sign with Dot Dash/Remote Control
Record label Dot Dash/Remote Control have welcomed psychedelic-garage punk band from Melbourne, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. To celebrate, the band will release their third album, Float Along – Fill Your Lungs on September 27 this year.
In Hearts Wake join New World Artists for Australian bookings
In Hearts Wake have formed new partnerships with We Are Unified, New World Artists and Avocado Booking. These new affiliations also come with the announcement that the Byron Bay based hardcore band will tour with The Amity Affliction.
4ZZZ announces gold prizes for Radiothon 2013
4ZZZ’s annual ‘survival themed’ membership drive will be taking place from August 24 until September 2 with a stack of prizes up for grabs if you subscribe. Subscribing during the 2013 Radiothon means you’ll go in the draw to win massive prizes, such as a party and bar tab at Chilliwow, a motorized scooter, a gold pass to the Dendy and a festival pack including tickets to events like Big Day out and Soundwave.
The ARIAs celebrate 30 years of the charts
The very first chart was released on July 10, 1983, with Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at the top. Since that time ARIA has published over 1500 weekly ARIA Charts, resulting in 440 #1 Singles, 527 #1 Albums and in the process became the country’s authoritative guide to the music that the Australian public are buying and listening to each week. In thirty years of ARIA Charts history, Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ is the longest running #1 Single, clocking up 13 weeks, while Dire Straits ‘Brothers In Arms’ is the longest running #1 Album at 34 weeks.
Jono Fernandez joins Select Music
One of Australia’s most accomplished artists in dance music, Jono Fernandez has joined Select Music, with a discography of over 50 releases. His next release, “Things Can Only Get Better” is out on Onelove Jul 26, with his new single to be release in August followed by a national tour in September to be announced soon.
TA-KU hosting Pedestrian Coach Sessions
Perth producer TA-KU is holding sessions for readers to interact live online with him and learn how he makes his beats. To sign up for the course, head over to Pedestrian: http://www.pedestrian.tv/coach/profile/ta-ku/269963e4-8f7d-4ae2-9cf4-301....
Australian Singing Competition announces semi-finalists
10 young singers have been selected from over 80 entrants around Australia and New Zealand to compete in the semi-finals of the 2013 IFAC Australian Singing Competition, where competitors are vying for a number of awards and opportunities valued at over $170000. The semi-finals concert will be held on Wednesday 11 September at the Independent Theatre, North Sydney.
Dayna Young joins Select Music as Senior Agent
Formerly of Archery Club, Young also brings her assistant, Joel Siviour and artists such as DCup, The Aston Shuffle, Miami Horror and Sampology.