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.