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.