In This Issue: we bring you the industry partnerships that are launching 2015, the new fund of £25k to fund up-and-coming artists, and which iconic music venue will be closing this year, plus the latest signings and the ARIA charts.
Pushworth and Nightmare Music form Alternative Touring Partnership
Sydney-based international promoters Pushworth and Nightmare Music have announced the formation of an alternative touring partnership, set to kick off this year.
Their collaboration will bring a number of international artists to Australia and New Zealand, including Bellrays (US; pictured), Supersuckers (US) in autumn, the B-Boys World Champions Tour, and another as-yet unannounced double-headline tour this winter.
Both agencies are firmly established in the music industry, with Pushworth celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, and Nightmare Music’s 27-year history of discovering new territory: they were the first promoters to bring artists like Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, and Cheap Trick down under.
Pushworth’s Managing Director, Manny Kyriakidis, has said, “Pushworth’s partnership with Nightmare music is one that all parties hope will take alternative touring in this country to a new level. Pushworth and Nightmare Music have always focused on supporting artists that are complicit in raw and real experiences. This partnership is a natural progression to continue these kinds of artists coming to Australia.”
Music Gateway Creates £25k fund for Aspiring Talent
Musical collaboration marketplace Music Gateway have recently announced the creation of a fund of £25,000 — roughly equal to $50,000 AUD — to provide support for aspiring talent within the site.
The fund aims to assist artists who need music industry services, advice, and partial funding to help them break into the industry. Benefits range from introductions to significant people, promotions of artists and their releases, or financial contributions to projects through the Music Gateway platform.
The CEO, Jon Skinner, has said, “The core of our users are full-time pros not only from the music industry but across the creative sectors, and frankly they don't need their hands holding. However, we've seen the volume of aspiring talent steadily grow on our platform and this gives us a great opportunity to give back. We want to continue with our open door policy in supporting all of our users, regardless of their experience.”
You can find out more at www.musicgateway.net
Studios 301 Enlist Footstomp Music as Artist Relations Consultants
Australia’s well-known recording, mixing, and mastering studio complex, Studios 301, have enlisted the services of Footstomp Music as artist relations consultants.
Footstomp Music is a music services company that specialise in artist, project, and event management, as well as label services and artistic development. They have worked with hundreds of artists locally and internationally, and they join Studio 301 to help make artistic and financial sense of the individual needs in the studio processes of recording and mastering.
Footstomp Music Director Graham Ashton said the following, “I have been hoping to align Footstomp with a studio since our inception and with some good luck and good timing we are stoked to be working with the best in the business.”
Studios 301’s General Manager Anthony Garvin said, “At the core of 301 is a passion for helping musicians and songwriters bring their art to life. Together with Footstomp, we are excited to be helping a broader range of artists make great records.”
The Carlton Dry Independent Music Charts
This week we bring you the latest from the Carlton Dry Independent Music Charts. First up is the singles chart:
1. Chandelier — Sia
2. Geronimo — Sheppard
3. Talk Is Cheap — Chet Faker
4. Roll Up Your Sleeves — Meg Mac
5. Run — San Cisco
6. Sunshine — Flight Facilities Feat. Reggie Watts
7. Gold — Chet Faker
8. Drop The Game — Flume & Chet Faker
9. The Weekend — Generik feat. Nicky Van She
10. Sheppard — Sheppard
And the albums chart, which is also lead by Sia this week!
1. 1000 Forms Of Fear - Sia
2. Down To Earth - Flight Facilities
3. Bombs Away - Sheppard
4. King - Kerser
5. Throw Me In The River - The Smith Street Band
6. Land Of Pleasure - Sticky Fingers
7. Thinking In Textures - Chet Faker
8. Caress Your Soul - Sticky Fingers
9. iTunes Session - Chet Faker
10. So We Can Remember - Thundamentals
Rdio Announced as the Official Streaming Partner of The Australian Independent Record Labels Association
Global music streaming service Rdio has been announced as the official streaming partner of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). This partnership will further solidify Rdio’s commitment to supporting local artists, building on their support of the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards last year.
Colin Blake, Rdio’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand has said, “Rdio is committed to supporting the local music industry, not only in Australia but in all corners of the world. We are excited to build upon our existing relationship with the Australian independent community and assisting local independent artists in extending their reach in 2015.”
The CEO of AIR, Dan Nevin, has also added, “AIR and Rdio share a strong vision for the promotion of Australian independent music, so naturally we are excited to further develop our partnership with Rdio. We look forward to working together and connecting more people with the great music being produced by the Australian independent sector.”
Iconic Live Music Venue 'The Bakery' To Close in May
Artrage have recently announced that the iconic Northbridge live music venue The Bakery will close permanently this year. The property was sold in August 2014, and a major development has been planned for the site. But they’re not closing quietly — Artrage CEO Marcus Canning has promised to celebrate their 13 years spectacularly.
First in the round of celebrations is the FRINGE WORLD Festival Artist Club (also known as The Budgie Smuggler), which will run every night of the festival from January 23rd to February 22nd. Following that, the club will opens its doors for an exclusive run of shows, including USA’s indie-pop artist Ariel Pink and Syrian techno-pop pro Omar Souleyman as a headliners.
The Bakery will be holding events right up until their closing date of May 9th, with artists such as Megan Washington and Deltron 3030 already confirmed to perform. Every Saturday from April 29th, a curated live music program titled The Last Toast will kick off, covering the venues diverse musical history and providing a chance for a last farewell to the beloved venue.
Signings This Week
Singer-Songwriter L-FRESH The LION has recently signed to Elefant Traks while he finishes up his shows in Western Australia. He’ll be starting to work on his next album this year. Co-founder and manager of the label Tim Levinson said, “We're thrilled to welcome L-FRESH The LION to the Elefant Traks family. He's an incredible live performer and an inspiring songwriter who makes dope music. There's no one like him and he brings a great voice and talent to a roster that we're very proud of. We're so excited about it.”
Melbourne ten piece band Dorsal Fins have recently signed to Remote Control Records, and announced the release date of their debut album Mind Renovation. The record will be released through Gripless / Remote Control on February 13th, while the lead single and title-track is already available to listen to on their Soundcloud. The date for the single’s launch party is set for January 31st at the Gasometer in Melbourne.
The Belligerents have signed to 123 Agency and announced a headline tour in support of their new single “In My Way”, which will stop at two venues in Queensland and two in New South Wales. Following that, they’ve also locked in a support spot on the Kingswood‘Microscopic Wars II’ National Tour. They have an EP planned for release in late 2015.
ARIA Charts
SINGLES
1. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars
2. Take Me To Church — Hozier
3. I’m An Albatraoz — AronChupa
4. Blank Space — Taylor Swift
5. Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix) — Omi
6. Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran
7. TAKE ME OVER — Peking Duk feat. Safia
8. Only One — Kanye West feat. Paul McCartney
9. Lips Are Movin – Meghan Trainor
10. Cosby Sweater — Hilltop Hoods
ALBUMS
1. 1989 - Taylor Swift
2. X - Ed Sheeran
3. In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith
4. Wanted On Voyage - George Ezra
5. Frozen: The Songs - Soundtrack
6. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 - Soundtrack
7. Walking Under Stars - Hilltop Hoods
8. Hozier - Hozier
9. The Veronicas - The Veronicas
10. Four - One Direction
