The mob at Alice Songwriters Retreat, Ross River Resort. Pic: Milyika Scales

Music NT Alice Springs coordinator Milyika Scales took some great photos at the Songwriters Retreat for Central Australian musicians, held at the Ross River Resort at the very end of 201o.

Fourteen Alice Springs region musicians took part in the Retreat, held December 10 – 12, at Ross River Camping Ground just outside of Alice Springs.

Facilitated by Jake Savona and Vida Sunshyne Borquaye from band Mista Savona, it was the perfect environment for the musicians to focus without distractions on the fine art of songwriting.

Milyika said the Retreat was an “inspiring, fun, creative and educational time.”

Participating musician Matthew Hill, said “Personally I was inspired by the generous nature of the jamming as well as the circle of 5′ths theory!  Thanks Mili for organising a great weekend!”

Musician Ben Allen said of the weekend: “I had a got an enormous amount out of the Retreat. It made me realise that I have to slow down with my songwriting and consider the structure of my songs a little more. It also gave me a bit more of an insight to the diversity of musicians around Alice, and I got to jam with other people again, which I didn’t realise how much I’d missed. And – there was vegan food! Thanks to all participants and organisers…”

Colin Lillie was so inspired by the Retreat that he put out an invitation on the Music NT Forum, for the musicians to meet monthly in Alice Springs, to continue their songwriting collaborations.

The musicians who participated were: Laura Anderson, Jessica Laruffa, Colin Lillie, Catherine Satour, Emma Chessell, Sabine Gonelli, Bec Matthews, Kelly-Lee Hickey, Matt Hill, Scotty Brown, Norbert Morris, Simeon Shepherd, Mark Smerdon and Ben Allen.

See over 50 pictures of them in action in the gallery Milyika posted on the Music NT Forum or on Facebook.

Were you at the Retreat? Send in your comments about your experience!!

Words: Megan Spencer. Pics: Milyika Scales