Darwin Railway Club: Reopening October

In April we posted news of a fire at Darwin Railway Club, which damaged the kitchen, left the iconic venue without a proper roof and all but suspending regular trade.

Word through from proprietor Anna Stewart that although they still don't have a roof (!), "things are coming along. We have been given an extra 200 000 dollars from the NT Govt. so we intend to get a good PA and lighting rig etc, and make a permanent sexy stage opposite the old bar". We'll also turn the kitchen into commercial kitchen." 

The hope is for the DRC to reopen in October, to commemorate the Club's 35th birthday, and invite former PM Bob Hawke - who amongst other 'alleged' notorious deeds, was also to have held "a big union rally there many years ago". How can he say no...

And best of luck to Anna - long-time admin officer at Brown's Mart - moving on at the end of this week.

Important cut-off date for APRA

The cutoff date to lodge online APRA Live Performance Returns is approaching, August 31st. Songwriter/composer members must lodge these forms to get royalties paid for their live performances.  For more info visit the APRA website.

National Indigenous & NT Writer Services Representative Rob Collins especially wants to get the word out to the NT's Indigenous songwriters, as he says "the number of Indigenous songwriters who lodge LPRs has been historically dismal". 

NT songwriters from who are not members are very much encouraged to join.

NT IMAs '09: a big night for NT hip hop.

MC Hora from Push Crew and local hip hop outift Pott Street (above) won major awards at this year's NT Indigenous Music Awards - both are Music NT Forum members.

MC Hora won the Peoples Choice Award 'Song of the Year' for The Turn Around, as voted nationally at ABC Dig Music online. Pott Street took out the coveted 'Emerging Act of the Year' award, winning a $10 000 touring grant. They say it will be "put towards a tour of the NT and its communities mid-2010", and that they "are absolutely stoked and over the moon about the win and can't wait to take our music on the road and to the people of the Territory live and in the flesh!!"

Read more here.

Key Forum on Creative Industries at Garma

The 11th Garma Festival – Australia's leading cultural exchange event – will be held from 7-11 August 2009 at Gulkula, North East Arnhem Land, NT.

At Garma 2009, the theme of the Key Forum will be Creative Industries. It will include important and practical discussions on issues and practices surrounding cultural outputs and inputs and commercial opportunities afforded Indigenous Australians. One of the central issues to be discussed will be the extent and nature of the Creative Industries interface with Indigenous Australians, including cultural and commercial rights, and the place of traditional art. For more detail about the Key Forum click here.

For more information about Garma 2009, click here.

How endorsement can help.

Ever looked into getting an endorsement from a music company? Even heard of one before?! What's involved and how easy or difficult are they to get?!!

Young NT drummer Alex Brindell (above) from The Moving Targets has just received an endorsement from UFIP Cymbals. He talks exclusively to the Music NT Forum about how such an endorsement can help support a musician's career. Read more here...

Librarian Idol: taking it Down South

'Librarian Idol' Andrew Finegan - the NT's much-loved moonwalker-come-slam-poet-come-musical comedian  - has a new cabaret show. The NT's hardest-working librarian has relocated to Melbourne taking his keyboard with him. Called 'The Insecurity Hour' Andrew says he will be performing  "a best of, B-sides and rarities show consisting of a lot of stuff that I've written and performed over the past three years in Darwin - and a few new things." The venue is The Butterfly Club, July 23-26.

As you might expect from this "Librarian Idol",  proceeds will go towards buying books for the Ulei Junior Secondary School Library in Vanuatu... 

Create your own online itunes..

Got some music recorded? Not sure how to get it on itunes? Through to magic of the internet you can now set up your own online digital distribution outlet through a site called "Band Camp". Its free, easy to use and you can even brand it with you name and logo. Check it out here.

Leah Flanagan Band win big!!

News just through that MuNT Forum member Leah Flanagan Band is one of the five recipients of Peter Garrett's new Breakthrough Fund. They won out of a field of 42 and are the only winning entry from the Northern Territory. Massive congratulations!

Breakthrough is a pilot initiative of the Cultural Ministers Council. It provides each of the artists or groups with up to $25,000 to record a high-quality broadcast standard EP or CD which can be used to gain airplay on radio. Breakthrough funds are provided to cover recording costs, production and engineering fees, mixing, mastering, design work and printing, as well as publicity and media costs. The Breakthrough pilot initiative will be evaluated over the next 12 months.

Well done Leah and crew!! Read more here...

Wanna play Peats Ridge?

Applications for musicians, installation artists, roving and theatrical performers open this week for Peats Ridge. The festival is held at Glenworth Valley, NSW, December 29th to January 1st. Its music is an eclectic mix, ranging from folk to indie, roots to reggae, electronic to funk, world music to hip hop and soul to blues. See www.peatsridgefestival.com.au.

Showcase opportunity for AWME

The Australasian World Music Expo returns to the Melbourne Arts Centre from 19-22 November. It is calling for applications from artists wishing to showcase in before international and national festival bookers, booking agents, record labels, managers and media. Trad and contemporary Indigenous and world music performers are particularly encouraged to apply. Preference given to those whose music is export-ready. Send a bio, high-resolution photo, and music samples via MP3 or website links to info@awme.com.au by 5pm on Friday, 24 July.

Music NT's Original Music Showcase at Darwin Festival

With the start of Darwin Festival 2009 only days away, original music again features strongly as part of the program.  Music NT is proud to be a programming partner in bringing local content to the premier music festival in the Northern Territory. Click here to find out more about our 2009 Original Music Showcase performers...

New addition to Music NT!!!

Congratulations to Music NT Manager Mark Smith and wife Michelle - on Sunday at 11:03am they welcomed their first baby into the world. Says Mark, a "Healthy little boy. Mico Ray Smith. Mum and baby are all ok. (except for lack of sleep)."
Such great news - feel free to send through any messages of congratulations and well wishes to Mark on his Music NT Profile. Just click here.
Onya Mark!!! Have you bought Mico his first drum kit yet?!!!

The power of fans and how to get them

This great article sums up the ideas of marketing leader Seth Godin about the power of fans but also about how to use marketing in the best way. Check it here

NEO win Darwin Festival Song Competition

Darwin Festival Song Competition winners The NEO (above) played at Darwin Festival Opening Night Concert, August 13, with East Arnhem counterparts, Garrangali Band (below).

Read about The NEO's big win - and more - in this feature on the Music NT Forum.