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.