'Get Well Simmo' Concert - 15 bands on June 13.

One of NT music's much-loved legends Colin Simpson - 'Simmo', mixer extraordinaire and guitarist from Horse Trank - was taken ill last week and is now recovering after surgery in Adelaide.

A concert to wish Colin well will be held on Saturday June 13th at Brown's Mart, 4pm - 1 am. So far 15 NT bands have signed up, including Horse Trank, Drum Drum, Burrfoot, Jigsaw Emdee, Blastcorp, Roy Mackonkey and heaps more. The organizers are also looking for volunteers to assist with the promoting and running the gig.

For more details contact Kris at Happy Yess: 0420 934 872, happyyessmanager@gmail.com

Darwin Festival needs volunteers

Darwin festival is now calling for volunteers. Volunteers are required for a whole range of activities including ticketing, ushers, public liaison, event logistics, administration and more.

Volunteers will receive free entry to various Festival events, a 2009 Darwin Festival T-Shirt, not to mention the satisfaction that comes from being a fundamental part of one the biggest events on the Darwin calendar. For more details click here.

And if you think the beaming rock chick in the photo looks familiar - she is! Zeb Olsen: NT musician, valued Music NT Forum member and this year's 'poster girl' for the Darwin Festival volunteer brigade!

B2M: on their way

As part of the Indigenous Music Emerging Artist Award they received in 2008, 

NT band B2M will undertake a tour from 29th of June to 4th July. It will cover the Granites Mine and the communities of Lajamanu and Yuendemu.

 

The six young band members will also deliver a series of workshops in the communities working with local bands, sound engineers and musicians, to share their experiences of the industry.  

For full details click here.

Regional Arts Fund - Applications Are Open

Opportunities for NT musicians...

Arts NT announced this week that applications are now open for the Regional Arts Fund (RAF), an Australian Government initiative managed and delivered in the Northern Territory by Arts NT through the Arts Grants Program. For more information please click here.

Hot tips for Recordings

This post lists some great tips for those heading into the studio. Always a time when things can either go amazingly well or stunningly bad... Famous last phrases like "fix in the mix", "that'll do", "i like the rawness of it", "can you hear that buzz??" still haunt many musicians. Check it out here for the full lowdown.

Why you shouldnt price your Cd's at Gigs.

This is a great article talking about selling merchandise and how if you don't actually put any prices on them you may actually sell more.... Strange but true. Check it out here

Semishigure on SBS Radio!

Kylie Smith - drummer for Darwin pop-punk band Semishigure - recently gave an interview to the national Japanese Language Program on SBS Radio, about their new EP 'eggs in a twig' - and about playing in the "only Japanese band in Darwin"! The interview is now online. If you can speak and understand Japanese (!) - you can download it from this link.

New Nail in the CD Industry Coffin...

Danger mouse became famous when he produced the mash up of the Beatles "White Album" and Jay Z's "Black Album" entitled "The Grey Album". Currently Danger mouse's Label EMI is refusing to release his new work so he has taken it into his own hands. Read more here.

Jessica Mauboy closes Arafura Games

Last night NT singer Jessica Mauboy sang the national anthem at the Closing Ceremony for the 2009 Arafura Games. The venue was the Darwin's casino. Read all about it here.

Increasing your fan base

Withe the decrease in income from CD sales and the majority of artists maintaining their independence the importance of developing a strong passionate fan base is relevant now more than ever. This blog has some ideas and tips covering how to engage with your fans in a fun, unique way ensuring they actively engage with you and become passionate advocates for you and your music. Check it out here.

VROOM NT Launched

The VROOM NT website was launched last night in Darwin giving musicians and venues access to a database of venues to enable greater access to touring through out the NT and Australia. VROOM is in BETA phase at its launch and is ready for musicians to start using it. Check it out here

Pete Seeger - 90 not out!

You might recall a few weeks back the Top End Folk Club put out a call inviting NT musos to help celebrate folk musician Pete Seeger's 90th birthday, with a tribute afternoon of live music at the Darwin Railway Club, Sunday May 3. 

Given the local interest in the folk legend, thought you might like a squizz at the man himself (pictured), holding his own on stage at Madison Square Garden, at his birthday bash concert... Not bad eh?! Seeger was joined by Bruce Springteen, Tyler Ramsay, Emmy-Lou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Taj Mahal and a cast of thousands at the benefit concert in honour of his big day.  Check out the details here.

"Haul" of Fame: NT song winner at Katherine Music Muster

“The Long Haul” by Ernie Constance and Jeff Brown (pictured) took out two wins at the 2009 Katherine Country Music Muster Northern Territory Country   Songwriter's Awards. It was both Northern Territory Song of the Year and also won the Contemporary section. For the full list, see their website.

The realities of the music industry at the moment is that the majority of albums produced in the NT will be self-released. This is a daunting thing in the sense that you put all this effort, creativity and money into the album only to end up with hundreds of copies still sitting under your bed. What are some key tips for making the most of the release?? How do you ensure you are maximising its chances of success?? Check this link for more info. (Its a little USA focused but the principles are good).

Jessica Mauboy to headline at Barunga Festival.

NT artist and rising Australian music star JESSICA MAUBOY will headline at this year's Barunga Festival, "performing for one hour from 7pm on Saturday night". According to the Barunga Festival website, Jessica and her band will be choppered into the festival in spectacular fashion. Also on the site, an excellent video invitation from MAGGIE, inviting you to attend this year's Festival (see below). The Barunga Sports and Culture Festival runs from June 5-8th 2009, full details at the website.

Choosing a good Manager

The meaning and role(s) of a "manager" have changed dramatically over the last decade, as the traditional CD/Radio/Retail business model has given way to the "new" music business. Traditionally, a manager managed an artist's efforts to get signed to a label, and once signed, he/she managed the relationship between the artist and the label. The label itself managed marketing, distribution, artist development (ah, the good ol' days), radio promotion, producer and writer relations, etc.

But given the state of labels today, the unsigned artist must assume that he/she will never be signed - and build a career accordingly. A traditional manager is often unable and ill-equipped to successfully manage and develop an artist's career in this new "DIY" environment. Check this site for more.

Cooperblack on Reverbnation

Cooperblack have made available exclusive to Reverbnation 8 live tracks from their gig at the Darwin Entertainment Centre, February 14 this year. It was recorded and mastered by Subsonic Studios for the ABC in Darwin. 

Frontman Jeremy Conlon also promises a new, Digital-Only EP coming out in June. For details check the website.

Gurrumul signs European deal

Hot on the heels of news about Gurrumul's UK deal (see below), word from Skinnyfish Music has just come in:  that the album Gurrumul has just entered the UK charts at #182 with a bullet.

Earlier this week Skinnyfish Music announced that Gurrumul has signed a deal to release his self-titled debut album throughout Europe. Following his successful performance on The Jools Holland Show Gurrumul will return to perform at the "Dreamtime at the G" concert this weekend. For more information check the site.

Barunga Festival Website

The Barunga Festival is on again on the Queens Birthday Weekend and They have launched their new website. Check it out for all the latest news on one of the best festivals in the NT.

Darwin Festival Song Competition - extended deadline!!

News just through: the deadline for artist submissions to the Darwin Festival Song Competition has been extended until Friday 22^nd May. 

This is a great opportunity for NT artists far and wide to have their music featured on statewide TV and radio, plus get noticed by industry players. You could also win a slot performing at the Festival and next year's Byron Bay Bluesfest. Click here for details and to download the entry form.

VRoom Launch - Time change

A free online resource listing venues around Australia for original music touring. Launching in the Territory next Thursday May 14, The Rox at Kitty O'Shea's.  Please note the time change of this event - it now starts at 6.30pm and will go until 8.30pm.  RSVP to 8981 1995 or manager@musicnt.com.au

Big Sound Summit Artist Showcase - Closing 25 May

Australian artists will have the chance to perform in front of some of the international music industry’s most influential figures at this September’s BIG SOUND Music Industry Summit and Showcase in Brisbane. 

Now in it's eighth year, BIG SOUND has grown to become the biggest annual music event of its type in Australia. 

Fifty of the country’s brightest bands will also showcase their music to the world in some of Brisbane’s best venues. If you would like to apply to be one of these bands, visit this website and submit your showcase application by May 25. Online application forms can also be found here.

Super Raelene Bros launch Myspace site

This two-piece hail from the Red Centre's Mbantua, and were described by one eager reviewer as the Territory's answer to the "White Stripes". 

They've just re-jigged and relaunched their website.

Check them out - and their music - at www.myspace.com/superraelenebrothers

Meet Music NT's new Board...

The Music NT AGM was held April 21st. Three new Board members nominated with five others saying 'farewell'. Office-bearing roles will be confirmed shortly. To meet the new Board members,  get (re)acquainted with ongoing members, and find out about who they are and why they love NT music, all you need to do is click here. It's well worth it...

CD launch this Friday for 2 Cats 1 Hat

 Hello... Okay? (Come here Tom) is the name of the debut album by Darwin all-female hip-hop outfit, 2 Cats 1 Hat. They will launch it this coming Friday, May 8 from 8pm at Studio 93, Darwin Entertainment Centre, supported by Kris Keogh as Blastcorp.

The Cats return to the Studio after playing to a crowded house there on February 6th, as part of the 'Jam In The Wet' series of live + local artists, where they wowed the audience with an energetic cabaret-style show.

Tickets from DEC.

 

Gurrumul on Jools Holland

Gurrumul on his first tour to the UK this week performed on the 'Later Live with Jools Holland' show. This is a rare opportunity and signals an impressive UK debut for the NT artist. Congrats also to Michael Hohnen and the rest of the band. Check them out below...

Forget Myspace and Facebook....Build you own website

Now days it is easy to build your own site to distribute your music on your terms. Sell you own mp3's, run your own email list and communicate with your fans. There's no reason why you cant do that for next to no cost and with far more potential than your myspace or facebook account. Check this blog for more.

Realize Your Dream - applications now open!

The British Council is again in pursuit of Australia's most talented creatives to win one of five Realise Your Dream Awards in 2009. Now in its seventh successful year, Realise Your Dream offers a unique opportunity for winners to expand their creative horizons through an individually tailored professional development programme in the UK's creative industries. 

Each prize includes an $8,000 NAB Cash Passport and a return British Airways World Traveller airfare to London. It is open to Australians working or studying in the creative industries including visual arts, design, architecture, music, digital media and performing arts. 

Entries are now open and close Friday 3 July 2009. Visit the website for details.

Jessica Mauboy at the Logies

NT songstress Jessica Mauboy graced the red carpet - and the stage - at last night's 2009 Logie awards. 

Rock Whiz's consummate Rock Chick Julia Zemiro (pictured above left) was also in attendance...

Mauboy performed 'Been Waiting', the title track from her new album, in front of a packed crowd in Melbourne.

See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfDmkXa1X6k

Pics from The Age online photo gallery.

Creating a strong online presence

For the independent, D.I.Y. musician, establishing a balance between online and offline efforts is becoming increasingly difficult. It seems that every new social networking site that pops up is one more task to add to your overflowing list of things to do. With each website you’re trying to fill the shoes of musician, marketer, sales person and booking agent if not more. It’s a full time job in and of itself–simply too much for musicians who also hold down some sort of job outside of music to help support themselves. How is one supposed to keep up? Check this to find out how

Four NT bands announced for BASS IN THE GRASS '09

A young contingent of NT bands has been announced as part of the line up for this year's BASS IN THE GRASS, Saturday May 23rd, Darwin Amphitheatre, Botanical Gardens.

• Unbroken Expanse  
• Enth Degree 
• Push Crew  
• The Aviators 

You can visit the BASS IN THE GRASS website to find out more about all of the bands, how to book tickets and full event info.

Music NT would like to congratulate Unbroken Expanse, Enth Degree, Push Crew and The Aviators. We hope you enjoy the gig and get the most out out of the day. Show the interstate mob what you're made of! Happy networking!

Position Vacant: Happy Yess

News just through from Music NT Forum member and Happy Yess co-founder Kris Keogh.  The iconic Darwin venue Happy Yess is looking for a new manager. After 3 years of trusty service, current venue manager Zeb Olsen is moving on.

Kris says applicants should have "great organizational and computer skills, be able to work independently and alongside the HY activity committee, and be passionate about local, original music."

All enquiries and applications should be directed to Simon Stafford at simon.stafford@amsant.com.au

Applications close Monday May 11th.

Australian songwriters win international prize

Let's be honest.. given how mercilessly flogged Kate Miller-Heidke's 'I Got The Way' was  on NT local radio last year, it's fair to say that might you have more than a passing interest in the following good news for the young Australian singer. Kate - along with fellow Australian songwriter Keir Nuttall -  recently won the Grand Prize at the US-based International Song Competition for their song 'Caught In The Crowd'. Here's some of the email ISC Director Candace Avery sent to Music NT manager Mark Smith:

"Hi Mark... The International Songwriting Competition has announced its 2008 winners. We are very excited because for the first time ever, the coveted ISC Grand Prize has been awarded to Australian songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall of Brisbane for their fantastic song "Caught In The Crowd."... I am also pleased to tell you that out of over 15,500 entries, songwriters hailing from Australia did extremely well in this year's competition, winning First Place in the Pop/Top 40 category, Second Place in the Gospel/Christian category, Third Place in the Country, Lyrics Only, and Music Video categories, and many Honorable Mentions in multiple categories.  

For more info on the Australian winners you can visit the ISC website