Winners announced - 'Best Profile Page' on MuNT Forum!

Members Pott Street and ZedMajor have each won a free pass to the iNTune Music Conference for having the best 'Profile Pages'  on the Music NT Forum. Read more here.

Not only did they customise their backgrounds, but their pages also best embrace what the Forum is all about - participation, interaction and original music in the NT. 

The next prize will go to the 200th member - and the Forum member who signs them up! Use the 'Invite Members' option on the front page of the Music NT Forum. Entries close COB August 17. 

Vale Michael Jackson: Elvis has left the building... again.

One of the most influential figures in pop music is dead. The "King of Pop" Michael Jackson died reportedly from a heart attack in Los Angeles on Friday 26th June, from a cause as yet undetermined. He was 50.

Much has been written about Jackson's ongoing battle with health problems. The media went into characteristic 'feeding frenzy' mode in the aftermath of his death, with thousands of mourners around the world staging public vigils and Jackson's music selling out at stores all over the world and on-line. Hoax theories surfaced on the net the day of the news. 

Read more here. And see the local 'Thriller' dance in Darwin Mall here - an unwitting tribute...

Six local bands at Isotopia

Six local bands from in and around Darwin will take to the (outdoor) stage at this year's Isotopia Festival at Litchfield National Park, July 3 - 5.

Listed on the Isotopia website are Darwin's 2 Cats 1 Hat, Sideshow Aly (above) and "supergroup" The Moving Targets, with Gurruwilling Band and The Ramingining All Stars  (TBC) from NE Arnhem Land, and Batchelor's Willy 'Longhorn' Love.

For full details of the program visit the Isotopiafestival.org.

Recording their first album: The Bone Collectors

Darwin band Jess Ribeiro and The Bone Collectors had a big year in 2008. In November Jess featured as a 'Next Crop' artist live on triple j Breakfast during an outside broadcast in Darwin, with single 'It'll Come To Pass' also receiving airplay under the 'unearthed' banner.

2009 has been big as well... Relocating to Melbourne, The Bone Collectors added bass player Evan Lorden (Creatures of a Daydream) and scored a residency at the famed Wesley Anne Hotel.  This weekend they go into the studio to record their first album after the release of EP 'Pilgrimage' during the Long Way To The Top End tour to the Adelaide Fringe in March.

Watch out for Darwin shows by The Bone Collectors during the upcoming NT Music Month, 16 August - 16 September.

NT Acts honoured at APRA Awards

At last nights APRA Awards in Melbourne two NT acts took out top honours, with Gurrumul winning APRA Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year and Jessica Mauboy, fresh from her performance at Barunga Festival taking out Urban Work of the Year. For more info Click here

See pics from 'Concert For Simmo'!

See photos here from the biggest gig in NT local music history, 'Concert For Simmo' held at Brown's Mart Saturday June 13 '09. 

And more pics from Carline Tapp!

Thanks to Zeb Olsen, Ali Tapper, Caroline Tapp and Eleven Greenstones for the pics.

British Council announces ACCELERATE - opportunity for Indigenous musicians

ACCELERATE: Indigenous Australian Creative Leadership Program  is a an opportunity for Indigenous musicians and artists across the creative industries in Australia. 

The British Council (Music NT Forum member) is calling for nominations from outstanding Indigenous candidates across the creative industries (including music ), to undertake a life changing and career-accelerating opportunity in the UK and Australia. The program is designed to boost and further the careers of three Indigenous Australians, and encourage the development of new relationships between the UK and Australian creative industries. Nominations close July 17.

For more information please visit the ACCELERATE website and you can read more about it here.

Concert for Simmo: Go hard or go home.

Over 500 people attended the massive 'Concert For Simmo' at Brown's Mart on Saturday June 13 with over $10 000 raised. All proceeds will go towards the recovery of Colin Simpson of Horse Trank fame (pictured), one of NT music's beloved sons, recently taken seriously ill. With Simmo in attendance without a doubt it was the biggest local music event to ever hit the NT with an incredible outpouring of generosity from the many musicians and artists who make up the local music community. It also doubled as a rip-roaring celebration of the third anniversary of iconic NT original music venue, Happy Yess. Read the full report here...

Music NT would like to say a massive THANK YOU to all involved, and send very best wishes to Simmo for a speedy recovery.

Music NT launches NT Music Month

On June 12 Music NT proudly announced the launch of the inaugural NT Music Month, 16 August - 16 September 2009. It will take in 10 major NT music events including the Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine Festivals,  Home Brew Concert and Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs, the Desert Harmony Festival in Tennant Creek, the NT Indigenous Music Awards with a special triple j unearthed showcase in Darwin, in August. For more details click here.

Music NT Forum members are also invited to attend the NTMM Program Launch on Friday June 19. RSVPs essential  - visit here for full details and your online invitation.

And stay iNTune with the latest updates and information by visiting the NTMM web page.

The power of trying

Yoda says "Do or do not, there is no try" That might be ok for Jedi's but for us mere mortals trying is often the way we discover new ways of doing things and achieve success. This is a great article on setting up a music magazine by Mark Pollard from Stealth Hip Hop publication which was one of the leading Australia Hip Hop magazines. Check it here

Are you meeting the grade online...

This is a great blog from Nick at Way Cool Jnr.com (who is also heading up to Darwin for the iNTune music conference in August) about a checklist for artists in the online world. Where do you fit in this list, A, B+, D?? The future seems to be online and here is the cheat sheet to make it happen... Check here.

Connecting musicians in Alice.

This Friday June 12 from 8pm Music NT members are invited to an information session at The Lane, Alice Springs, entitled "APRA Songwriters Connect". 

Present and performing will be some of Alice's best and brightest musicians, including Warren H. Williams (pictured), Super Raelene Brothers, Ferguson, G J Dawkins and Matt Hill. Food and Drinks available. Learn more here or contact Rory Davis, 

Music NT on 0413 754 264.

Calling all guitarists - this week!

Darwin Festival is looking for guitarists to be part of an exciting festival event this Thursday night, 11 June.

It will be held 6-7.30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, First Floor, Building Orange 6, Charles Darwin University.

The Darwin Festival is forming a guitar orchestra to rehearse and perform a special composition as part of a larger festival event, and is looking for committed guitarists from all genres and backgrounds. 

More details at the Darwin Festival website.  
Phone 08 8943 4205 or send an email to: program@darwinfestival.org.au

Twitter Guide for Musicians

Twitter is the 3 year old over night sensation. It seems everyone is embracing the "What are you Doing? question and now musicians are developing ways that they can use twitter to promote and market their band. Check this to find out how.

PoPpoOrTuNiTy knocks!

CAAMA wants 

your kids!

A compilation CD is being put together these school holidays with talented kids in the Alice region. CAAMA is recruiting musical teens to be part of this great school holiday initiative. 

For more details hit the CAAMA website or contact Stephanie Harrison on 0409 703 961, s.harrison@caama.com.au

You can also read more about it on the Forum page of the Music NT Forum. Don't miss out!

Getting Booking Agents to take you seriously

Played a few shows and got a good following? Looking to venture interstate to check out the scene? Whats the best way to make the trip worth while and how do you try and get a booking agent interested in your band. Check this to find out more

Nominations are open for NT Indigenous Music Awards '09

The NT Indigenous Music Awards will be held on Friday August 21st at the Gardens Amphitheatre, Darwin. Music NT is is happy to announce that nominations for these prestigious Awards are NOW OPEN. For the first time nominations for the selection of Territory talent is being opened to the national music industry sector. Nominations can be made by individuals WORKING IN ANY AREA OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY. Final judging of Award winners is by an independent panel of NT and interstate music industry professionals.

For more info - and to download a nomination form - click here.

Music NT to co-host green room at Barunga.

Music NT and APRA (NT) will co-host an artist 'green room' at the Barunga Sports and Culture Festival this weekend, June 5 - June 8. Yilila (pictured), Jessica Mauboy, Spring Water Band and Zennith will play, amongst others. For full program details click here.

Dave Garnham - new manager of Happy Yess.

Music NT Forum member Dave Garnham is having a busy week... Not only are he and his band The Moving Targets gearing up for the launch of their first EP (June 26), Dave has just scored the job as new manager of Darwin original music venue, Happy Yess. He starts next week, replacing Zeb Olsen after 3 years of faithful service. Congrats Dave!

For more click here. And stay tuned to the Forum for an interview with Dave about the Targets' new CD...