23/3/05
Western Australia's contemporary music industry is booming with new albums, tours and industry development programs to be supported by Government grants announced today.
Local singers, bands and music organisations will be hitting the recording studio, touring nationally and internationally and developing the skills of emerging artists with the latest round of ArtsWA Contemporary Music Panel Grants awarding $211,543 to 23 applicants.
Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale said the funding boost was further evidence of the Gallop Government's commitment to encouraging and developing the vibrant local music scene through its four-year $5million Contemporary Music Strategy.
"The Government's Contemporary Music Strategy has helped raise the profile of local solo artists and bands, assisted in the development of new markets and has built links with the national and international music industry," Ms McHale said.
"As a result, a number of Western Australian solo artists and bands have been enjoying increasing success, through industry recognition, larger audience numbers, increased music sales and chart success at home and overseas."
The grants follow the success of local bands' performances at the annual South by South West (SxSW) music industry international showcase and conference in Austin, Texas last week.
Little Birdy, Gyroscope and The Panda Band were able to join John Butler Trio and accept the invitation to perform thanks to ArtsWA grants of $10,000 each.
"It is very satisfying to see local musicians achieving success and having the opportunity to showcase their talents at events such as the South by South West music industry conference," the Minister said.
Additional grants were awarded to the Australian Music Collective with $5,000 to market and support local acts in international showcase events in the lead up to the SxSW event and to collaborative partner, the WA Music Industry Association who worked with ArtsWA and Austrade to support the Western Australian artists attending SxSW, with a grant of $7,000.
Ms McHale said the latest panel grants would fund a variety of projects that would boost the profile of local original musical talent.
"With so much talent in WA making the selection process highly competitive, the panel once again had a difficult task in determining successful grant recipients," she said.
"The calibre of the applicants is testament to the depth of talent in the State."
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GRANTS PROGRAM RESULTS:
23 applications were supported to a total of $211,543 through four categories:
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Mr Neil Rabinowitz, West Leederville - $3,000
Launch, promote, market and distribute the new CD of local experimental music collective, 'found: quantity of sheep'.
Mr Jonathon Craig, Northbridge - $27,670
Continuation of the Jigsaw program and production of the Jigsaw compilation CD.
Black Steel, Balga - $10,341
Professionally market the new Black Steel album.
WA Music Industry Association Inc, Northbridge - $6,000
A pilot program to assist WA artists to more effectively develop, plan and undertake Eastern States tours.
Buzz Dance Theatre Limited, Perth - $3,500
Work with Mike O'Brian who will create and record a musical composition (filmic soundscape) for the company's new production called PreTender.
MENTORING & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Ms Rebekah Barnett, Maylands - $6,500
A mentorship in songwriting, arrangement and production skills with Matt de la Hunty.
Mr David McKinney, Swanbourne - $7,680
A series of collaborative skills exchanges in songwriting and music production between three leading WA contemporary music industry professionals.
Mr Michael Pigneguy, Como - $4,313
Professional development undertaken with leading local practitioners.
PRODUCTION
Mr Domenic Mariani, South Fremantle - $12,200
Production of a 'Majestic Kelp' CD of original material by Dom Mariani and a music video clip for national and international release.
Noise-A-Thon Records, Ballajura - $7,014
The production, release and promotion of 12 singles in 12 months.
Mr Joel Smoker, Stoneville - $9,500
Production and promotion of a CD of original songs.
Ms Sarah Newman, Mount Claremont - $7,500
Record, mix, master, manufacture and launch an EP of original contemporary music.
The Panda Band, Bayswater - $14,990
Recording, production and marketing of The Panda Band's debut album in 2005.
TOURING
Mr Ryan Grieve, Mount Lawley - $14,835
Undergo a promotional tour to showcase local record label Cardboard City Records and its artists.
End of Fashion, Fremantle - $12,260
Undergo an Australian tour to support the first single release from the forthcoming 'End of Fashion' debut album.
B-Movie Heroes, Maddington - $4,450
Performances at the Apollo Bay Music Festival in Victoria, coinciding with the launch of the band's second full-length album.
Caveman! Presents, Fremantle - $9,780
Seven day tour of the Eastern States to coincide with the national release of the 'Kill Devil Hills' debut release, 'Heathen Songs'.
Heads We're Dancing, Mount Lawley - $8,128
A 12 day tour of the East Coast to promote the release of the CD 'Headspace'.
Mr Philip Barry, Bayswater - $2,972
A tour by The Tricks to Victoria for seven days to promote a pending album release.
Mr David Johnson, Hilton - $4,876
A tour through Germany, France, England, Belgium and Denmark showcasing songs from the solo release 'Leaving Time'.
Mr David Miller, Sorrento - $4,605
Promotional tour to Japan and Europe to support a debut album due for worldwide release in March 2005.
Jebediah Pty Ltd, Fremantle - $19,434
Extend a scheduled Japanese tour in April to include showcase dates in London, New York and Los Angeles.
The Snowman Empire, Kensington - $9,995
East coast tour in April 2005.
NB: Contact details for the grants recipients are available by contacting Renee Zaffino, ArtsWA Contemporary Music Project Officer on (08) 9224 7318.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
