iNTune Darwin speaker Scot Mesiti from Sonic Bids has been in touch with another opportunity for NT musicians, this time for Indigenous musicians.

He says, “We currently have a fantastic opportunity through Sunset Events and One Movement called the Australian Indigenous Music Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to provide an opportunity for Indigenous artists [throughout Australia] to gain high level industry experience and exposure, and to ultimately achieve their career objectives.”

Five Sonicbids artists will be selected as finalists.

Scot adds, “Sonicbids will also be giving each Showcase artist 3 months FREE membership.”

To find out all of the details, please visit the Sonic Bids AIMS website.

A record 65 participants and 7 bands are attending this year’s Bush Band Business in Alice Springs.

Bush Bands Business (BBBiz) is a series of workshops for Indigenous musicians and technicians in preparation for the Bush Bands Bash performance, 6pm, Saturday September 11^th at Alice Desert Festival, Alice Springs.

The BBBiz bands include Tjupi Band (winners of the triple j’s One Night Stand Competition in Alice Springs), Desert Mulga, Iwantja Band, and Sunlight Band and Alunytjuru Band from the successful Turlku 4 CD, currently receiving national media attention and airplay. Mentors for BBBiz include Manuel Ngulupani Dhurrkay, Tableland Drifters and legendary singing star Warren H. Williams.

Now in its third year, the goal of BBBiz is professional development. Music industry trainers and professional musicians and technicians mentor the Bush Bands Bash musicians, with the bands able to rehearse under the guidance of experienced mentors.

This year the Bush Band Business will run September 8-11^th at the Ross River Resort Campground. This three-day ‘Band Camp’ will provide the musicians with invaluable skills development and rehearsal opportunities, as well as the chance to focus completely on their music before their ‘big gig’.

Desert Divas: Indigenous Women’s Music Showcase is also another initiative presented by Music NT, designed to showcase emerging contemporary Indigenous female musicians and singers from Central Australia in front of the national industry. The artists – from remote communities and Alice Springs – will also particpate in a skills development workshop in the lead up to the their performance, with NT singing legend, Shellie Morris.

The Desert Divas performance will take place 12.30-2pm, Saturday September 11, Alice Desert Festival Play Stage, Anzac Oval, Alice Springs.

The Bush Bands Business and Desert Divas programs are both part of iNTune Music Conference Alice Springs and NT Music Month.

Music NT’s Indigenous Music Development Officer Micah Wenitong is clocking up the miles again, on another music mission!

Over coming days he’ll travel to Tennant Creek to work with musicians at the Desert Harmony Arts & Cultural Festival (poster below), on Saturday 4th – Sunday 5th of September.

From there he will travel to Alice Springs, September 6-12th,  to be a part of the Bush Bands Business (BBBiz) mentoring, education and professional development program for musicians performing at this year’s Bush Bands Bash, held at Ross River Resort and presented by Music NT. Micah will also support the bands performing at the Bush Bands Bash gig, on September 11, from 6pm, at Alice Desert Festival.

After a big week in Alice, Micah will journey from Central Australia to far northern NT, to Milingimbi just off the coast of Arnhem Land, to work with musicians living in the Milingimbi Community (Friday 17th – Tue 28th September).

These events are all part of NT Music Month, presented by Music NT.

If you’d like to meet Micah while he’s on the road, please email him at micah@musicnt.com.au or phone him on 0438 856 137.

Applications are now open for CONTROL, the dynamic new five stage program designed to equip music managers with crucial business skills, is now calling for applications.

Mid career music managers from around the country are encouraged to apply. The program is presented by the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), and supported by the Association of Artist Managers. Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Australian Government. AMIN is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.

“I did the pilot program in 2008 and even after 15 years of managing bands, it was a real eye opener for me,” said music managerHeath Bradby (Karnivool, Drapht, Downsyde, Snowman) “I’m working smarter, not harder, now. My work/life balance is a lot better. The course was incredibly beneficial, and I would urge my peers to make the time to do it.”

CONTROL provides music managers with practical guidance on developing and maintaining sustainable businesses. It will include a comprehensive review of the different business models found in the contemporary music sector, as well as deep analysis of each business model brought to the workshops.

There will be two residential workshops. The first will be held in Terrigal near Sydney from 14-17 November 2010, the second at the end of the program in August 2011. Music industry advocate and lawyer, Shane Simpson, will moderate the first workshop, working with a number of business and music industry advisers including leading UK music manager and educator Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder) and Australian music managers Michael McMartin (Hoodoo Gurus) and Keith Welsh (Boom Crash Opera, rooArt, Rough Cut, The Music Network).

The course structure:

• Stage 1
  An online tutorial in SWOT analysis and business planning to be completed by all participants prior to commencement of the residential workshop

• Stage 2
  A residential workshop to be held near Sydney from 14-17 November 2010.

• Stage 3
  Preparation of a business plan to be delivered late February 2011.

• Stage 4
  One-to-one feedback on the submitted Business Plan in early March 2011.

• Stage 5
  A two day residential program in the Fundamentals of Financial Modelling to be held near Adelaide in August 2011.

There will be no cost of participation in the program (including all meals and accommodation during the workshops). Travel will be at each participant’s expense.

CONTROL Guidelines and application forms are available from www.amin.org.au

Closing date for applications is 24 September 2010.

Country Town Collective will perform at the 2011 Long Way To The Top End Tour to the Fuse Music Showcase in Adelaide. Photo: Zephyr L'Green.

Exciting news from the Long Way To The Top End camp…

Organiser Alice Rae reports that, ” A massive 18 original live music acts from Australia’s Top End and Central Australia” will make their way to the Fuse Festival Music Showcase during the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival. (Please see the full list of bands below.) That’s six more than in 2009 when 12 Darwin-based bands made their way to Adelaide to play as part of the Fuse Festival Showcase, at the renowned live music venue, the Wheatsheaf Hotel.

In 2011 Long Way bands will perform from 15th-21st February at the Wheatsheaf Hotel and two additional venues: the Crown & Sceptre Hotel and Worldsend.

Jigsaw Collective and Sideshow Aly are just two of the Long Way To The Top End 2011 bands who will also perform in regional towns on the way to Fuse, travelling by bus on a return trip from Darwin to Adelaide. The 2011 tour is co-supported by Music NT and Artback NT, which is designed to expose the wealth of NT music talent across two states. “This is an opportunity for young and emerging bands to tour, promote their act and perform to new audiences,” says Mark Smith, manager of Music NT. Adds Alice, “It’s also intended to build links between NT and SA bands, encouraging SA bands to make the trek to Alice Springs, Darwin and other NT communities in the near future.”

Coordinating the event for a second time, musician Alice Rae will also perform at the Fuse Showcase with Country Town Collective, a band she co-founded in Adelaide before moving to Darwin in the mid-2000s. Alice is excited about the 2011 Long Way line up. “Leading the charge are Darwin heavyweights The NEO and Roymackonkey,” she says, and “five bands from Central Australia including roots-reggae outfit Minority Sun, Broome-based guitar duo Desert Child, energetic funk act Colourfide ex-Gold Coast (now based in Tennant Creek), and breakthrough Darwin rock band, Sweet Amber.”

Fundraiser gigs are also part of the lead up to the tour, with the first scheduled for 7pm, September 4th at the newly-refurbished Darwin Railway Sports & Social Club, Somerville Gardens, Parap. For gig details visit the Music NT Forum Events Calendar.

For more info about the Long Way To The Top End 2011 tour please visit the official website. And stay tuned to the Music NT website for further Long Way To The Top End 2011 tour updates!

“Meet the Bands…” The Bloody Marys, Cobble Stone, Coconut Groove, Colourfide, Country Town Collective, Desert Child, Jigsaw Collective, Katelnd and Leo, Kim Orchard, Minority Sun, The NEO, Roymackonkey, Scozzie, Seldom Party, Side Show Aly and J9, Sweet Amber, The Unknown Artists and Zed Major.

Ali Mills performs 'Waltjim Bat Matlida' at IMAs 2010.

The seventh annual Indigenous Music Awards (IMAs) were held at the Amphitheatre in Darwin’s historic Botanical Darwins on Saturday August 28, 2010, in front of a 1500-strong crowd from all over Darwin, the NT and Australia.

The slickly-produced live show featured amazing performances by Warren H. Williams, Saltwater Band and Gurrumul Yunupingu, the Chooky Dancers, Ali Mills, Tableland Drifters, with Natalie Pa’apa’a from Blue King Brown – in town for Darwin Festival – also teaming up with Saltwater Band for a suprise collaboration towards the end of the show.

Elcho Island world music superstar Gurrumul Yunupingu – also part of Saltwater Band – was wildly welcomed to the stage by the crowd, as the recipient of the 2010 ‘Act of the Year’ Award. Garrangali Band picked up 3 awards, including ‘Album Of The Year’ with Wildflower ‘Best Emerging Act’.

Ali Mills and Rob Collins did a great job of hosting proceedings, with Ali Mills also receiving the ‘Special Recognition Award’, “for her significant contribution to the Indigenous music industry” after performing a cracking version of ‘Waltjim Bat Matilda’ to a delighted crowd. In another surprise appearance, Elcho Island’s famous Chooky Dancers performed a special tribute dance dedicated to their founder and mentor, the late Mr Garawirrtja.

And winners of the ‘School Band Award’ – Seven Star Band from Yirrkala CEC – will have a music video produced by the ABC as part of their prize, with other development and training also part of this Award.

See the IMA photo gallery on the Music NT Forum.

And the Awards also heralded an important development: it was announced that from 2011 the IMAS “will open nationally to all Indigenous musicians” around Australia.

Music NT would like to extend a massive congratulations to all of the winners, nominees and performers, and those involved in delivering such a great production.

The full list of winners for the 2010 Indigenous Music Awards are listed below.

Gurrumul: Winner of the 'Act of the Year', 2010 IMAs.

Act of the Year – Gurrumul Yunupingu

Emerging Act of the Year – Wildflower

School Band Award – Seven Star Band, Yirrkala CEC

Artwork/Design of the Year – Garrangali Band

DVD/Film Clip Award – ‘History’ by Gurrumul Yunupingu

Traditional Award – ‘Sea Rights Bungul’ – Mulka Project & Dhuwa Dhapi – Mulka Project

Song of the Year – ‘Sea rights’ by Garrangali

Album of the Year – ‘Garrangali’ by Garrangali Band

Hall of Fame – Kumanjayi Murphy

Special Recognition Award – Ali Mills

More news about the IMAs on ABC online, photos on ABC Darwin website, in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian – Wildflower.

The very first iNTune Music Conference will be held in Alice Springs from September 10-12, 2010. Music NT is very proud to present iNTune Alice – the first of an intended future regional rollout for iNTune, for the Northern Territory.

Milyika Scales is Music NT’s Alice Springs coordinator; she and Manager Mark Smith have programmed iNTune Alice, tailoring it to meet the specific and unique needs of Alice Springs region musicians and industry.

Speakers: Sarah Howells (triple j), Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing), Cain Gilmour (CDU), Vanessa Hutchins (Artback NT), Andy Rantzen (Australia Council), Susan Benham Page (Australian Business Arts Foundation), Warren H. Williams (musician) / Trevor Brown – (musician & composer) / Dom Dilallo (venue manager) / Darren Pfitzner (Arts NT Regional Arts Broker), Mark Smith (Music NT), Alice Rae (musician) / Katie Harford (Country Arts WA), Rob Collins (APRA), Vicki Gordon (VGM Media & Marketing), Nick O’ Byrne (AIR), Di Mills (Woodford Folk Festival, Dreaming Festival), Scott Large (Red Hot Arts, Alice Desert Festival), Rebecca Matthews (manager and musician), Tammy Brennan (composer), Stephen King (Media Arts Lawyers), Megan Spencer (Music NT/DIY marketing/broadcaster/filmmaker).

There has been a last minute cancellation to the iNTune Alice line up; Music NT regretfully announces that Dan Sultan won’t be attending iNTune or the Bush Bands Business this year due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Although we are disappointed, particularly about losing him as a mentor for the seven Indigenous bands attending the Bush Bands Bash, we are happy to say that both events will continue with fantastic line-up of speakers and mentors such as country music great Warren H. Williams, triple J presenter Sarah Howells, and Australia Council Music Board representative and music producer Andy Ranzten. (Please note that Dan Sultan will still appear at the Alice Desert Festival).

And – don’t be surprised if there are some more great speaker and a session additions at the last minute! We’ll keep you up posted on the Music NT website.

Register here for iNTune Alice. The final deadline for online registration is September 9.  (NB Earlybird registration for iNTune Alice has now closed).

And don’t forget that the Hot Shots Music Photography Exhibition will be traveling to iNTune Alice – on display for the duration at the Totem Theatre. Vote for your favorite pic at iNTune where the winners of Hot Shots will also be announced!

10-12 September, 2010

Totem Theatre, Anzac Oval Reserve, Alice Springs, Northern Territory

$50 INDIVIDUALS / $120 BANDS (UP TO 4 MEMBERS)

www.intune.net.au

PROGRAM

Day 1: Fri 10^th September

5pm, Registrations & launch, Totem Theatre

6pm–midnight, Conference Club, Totem Theatre (backyard) sponsored by The Rock Bar

Network and relax with iNTune Alice delegates & panellists, to the sounds of the Desert Festival in the background. Sponsored by the Rock Bar.

6pm-7pm, APRA Connect, Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Rob Collins

Calling all APRA members, songwriters & composers!  APRA Connect is an informal session aimed at helping you make the most out of your membership. APRA’s NT & National Indigenous Representative, Rob Collins will be on hand to answer any questions you have about music copyright, industry advice, and of course talk about APRA’s wide range of services, grants & opportunities, including the up-coming APRA Professional Development Awards.

8.20pm, Unearthed iNTune Showcase Band presented by Music NT and triple j, Alice Desert Festival Main Stage

triple j Unearthed winners Catch the Fly grace the Alice Desert Festival Main Stage with their unique local hip hop and prize-winning sound.

Day 2: Sat 11th September

Session 1: 10am, ‘Feedback on Five Bands’, Alice Desert Festival Play Stage

Panellists: Sarah Howells, Clive Hodson, Dom Dilallo

Local bands play their best 5 minutes of music to industry experts who will give them critical feedback and suggest directions in which they could move forward in their work.

Session 2: 12.30pm – 2pm, ‘Desert Divas’: Indigenous Women’s Music Showcase, Alice Desert Festival Play Stage

All delegates & panellists

Desert Divas showcases emerging contemporary Indigenous female musicians and singers from Central Australia. With artists hailing from both remote communities and Alice Springs, Desert Divas represents the strength and diversity in Indigenous women, and the culmination of skills development workshop in the lead-up to the festival.

Session 3: 1.30pm-2.30pm, Long Way to the Top End 2011 – OHS Session, Totem Theatre (outside)

Speaker: Alice Rae (others TBA).

This is an opportunity for bands signed up for the Long Way To The Top End tour to catch up, brainstorm and talk OHS. All aspects of the tour including travel, accommodation, insurance, sponsorship, fundraising, publicity, getting ready to tour, with Health and Safety will be on the table for discussion.

Session 4: 2.40-3.30pm, ‘Raising Money’, Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Nick O’Byrne. Panellists: Andy Rantzen, Susan Benham Page, Darren Pfitzner.

Arts funding can assist musicians to tour, develop and record music. This session looks at different funding streams available and how to maximise your chance of getting that grant.

Session 5: 3.50pm – 4.50pm, ‘On the Road: Touring within and without the NT’, Totem Theatre (backyard)

Facilitator: Mark Smith. Panellists: Katie Harford, Vanessa Hutchins, Alice Rae

Touring has survived the downturn in the music industry with more and more artists hitting the road and building audiences.  This session will give an insight into opportunities available for touring as well as the realities of being on the road.

Session 6: 5pm – 6pm, APRA Songwriter Speaks, Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Rob Collins. Panelists: Warren H. Williams, Trevor Brown

6pm  Bush Bands Bash, Alice Desert Festival Main Stage **NB This is an Alice Desert Festival Event**

6pm-12am, Conference Club, Totem Theatre (outside), sponsored by The Rock Bar

Network and relax with delegates & panellists with the sounds of the Desert Festival in the background.

DAY 3: Sunday 12th September

9am, Registrations, Totem Theatre

Session 7: 10 – 11.30am, ‘Feedback on Five Acoustic & Singer Songwriters’,  Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Megan Spencer Panellists: Clive Hodson, Trevor Brown, Andy Rantzen

Local singer-songwriters play their best 5 minutes of music to our panel of music industry experts, who will give them critical feedback and suggest directions in which they could move forward in their work.

Session 8: 11.30am – 12.30pm, ‘Women in Music: Directions & Perspectives’, Totem Theatre (backyard)

Facilitator: Sarah Howells Panellists: Vicki Gordon, Nick O’Byrne

What does it mean to be female in the contemporary music industry? How have things changed the past few decades and where to in the future?

Session 9: 12.40-1.40pm, ‘On the Bill’, Totem Theatre (inside)

Panellists: Di Mills, Scott Large

So you’ve done some gigs around town and are now looking out to other opportunities.  Festivals are still a major launching pad for many acts but how do you get noticed?  What are they looking for from an act and if you are booked how can you make the most of this opportunity?

Session 10: 1.50 – 3.15pm, ‘Remote Control’, Totem Theatre (backyard)

Facilitator: Matt Hill Speakers: Warren H. Williams, Nick O’Byrne, Megan Spencer

An interactive session that seeks innovative solutions to a unique situation. Explores traditional pathways, cutting edge technology and social media to distribute and market music from remote areas.

Session 11: 3.20-4.20pm, ‘Sync & Publish: Your music in other peoples products’, Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Stephen King. Panellists: Clive Hodson, Nick O’Byrne, Tammy Brennan, Megan Spencer

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Learn how & why to get your music featured in film, TV, advertising, video games, theatre and more.

Session 11: 4.30-5.15pm, ‘Management: DIY or ?’, Totem Theatre (inside)

Facilitator: Megan Spencer. Panellists: Rebecca Matthews, Vicki Gordon

A look at the role of management in a changing music industry.

5.15pm, Desert Voice, Totem Theatre (inside) **NB This is an Alice Desert Festival Event**

7pm, Sunday Night Concert: Dan Sultan & Dallas Frasca, Totem Theatre (inside) **NB This is an Alice Desert Festival Event**

Music NT has is seeking bands for one performance slot at Fuse Festival 2011 held exclusively for Northern Territory artists. One selected band will receive a $1500 stipend to travel to perform at Fuse, courtesy of Sonicbids. Fuse Festival is the longest running music business event in Australia. From February 16th to 18th, 2011 Fuse showcases the best new talent from across the country- 60+ acts in 20+ venues over two nights, attended by music industry professionals from across the globe.
Music NT supports the growth and development of original and contemporary music in the Northern Territory. They present a number of events to further their mission including the Indigenous Music Awards, NT Music Month, and the iNTune conference, which is one of the biggest and most exciting music industry events in the Northern Territory.

Fuse East/West 2011 is one of the leading music industry events in Australia. It’s great opportunity opportunity to connect with over 50 of the world’s leading music industry professionals. Fuse will showcase Australia’s hottest new music, provide insightful panel discussions and money-can’t-buy networking opportunities.

The Closing Date for submissions is the 18th November so get in quick.  To register head to the Music NT Sonic Bids Page HERE

A raft of amazing original music events has been scheduled as part of the second annual NT Music Month, an initiative started by Music NT in 2009.

NT Music Month 2010 runs from the 27th of  August – 27th of September!

NT Music Month is designed to celebrate and expose original NT music to both the Northern Territory and the rest of Australia. It’s a great thing to be a part of if you are a Territory musician – or support if you’re a an NT music fan!

Original NT music events will be held in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Galiwinku, Jabiru, with more to be added before August.

The aim of NT Music Month is to increase the profile of original music throughout the Northern Territory and Australia. And to do that Music NT has partnered with major NT festivals, arts bodies and venues to present a series of workshops, showcase gigs, special events and the iNTune Music Conference - all to shine a light on the unique talent that dwells here.

Visit ntmusicmonth.com to check out the amazing Calendar Of Events – or email manager@musicnt.com.au if you have an original Territory music event that could be a part of this year’s NT Music Month.

www.ntmusicmonth.com

Full house at the iNTune Music Conference Darwin, 2010.

The speakers arrived from all over the country for the 2010 iNTune Music Conference..

Seventeen from interstate attended with a contingent of eight local speakers from Darwin.  Surprise speakers were also added to the program at the last minute, including ex-Living End drummer Travis Demsey and James Mangohig from Sietta, with Music NT Board member Adrian McNamara (Winanjikarri Music Centre) also stepping in to chair the Festivals masterclass. Metal drummer extraordinaire David Haley gave a great, sold out drumming masterclass at Happy Yess – and a brilliant live radio interview on ABC Local Radio Breakfast, with Leon Compton – and Steven Schram‘s Production masterclass at Subsonic was one of the Conference highlights for local music producers. Briony Petch from ‘After Dark’ on 105.7 ABC Darwin was a also a welcome addition to the iNTune program, giving great advice to local musicians on the ‘Radio Daze’ panel.

The Conference reached capacity and was sold out by the time doors opened at 9am Friday August 27. Musicians, bands, managers, teachers, students, producers, engineers and music composers from all over the Top End attended in  droves. The  iNTune Music Showcase featuring Worldfly and Unearthed iNTune Showcase Band The Moving Targets, was a big hit with delegates and speakers, as were the Darwin Showbag gigs at Happy Yess, and Leah Flanagan‘s album launch at the Lighthouse on Thursday evening (seriously rave reviews all round from the interstate speakers who attended..) Nhulunbuy band Sleeveheads – who were front and centre at iNTune – also played a killer set at the Darwin Railway Club late on Saturday night, after the IMAs. Opportunities were also being discussed between a number of local acts and visiting music publishers, programmers and bookers…

The 7th annual Indigenous Music Awards – hosted by Ali Mills and Robbie Collins and presented by Music NT – were another huge success on Saturday August 28, with hundreds attending the live concert and awards ceremony in Darwin’s Botanical Gardens. Interstate speakers were blown away by the night, sitting with the crowd at the front of the Amphitheatre to soak up the NT Indigenous music extravaganza. It included amazing performances by Warren H. Williams and band (featuring Music NT Chairman/axeman Cain Gilmour on lead guitar), 2009 Hall of Famers Tableland Drifters, Ali Mills, the Chooky Dancers, Saltwater Band with Gurrumul Yunupingu, and many others. What a stunning night of music!!! (Full details on the winners and the big night to come on the Music NT website soon!

iNTune speaker Steph Hughes – presenter of triple j’s Home and Hosed – has literally stepped off the plane home, and written a blog praising the many NT bands she encountered at iNTune. Read it here.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the artists involved in the events above; massive thanks to all of the speakers and delegates who attended iNTune and made the Conference such an incredible experience, and massive thanks also to the volunteers and staff at Music NT who made the event so enjoyable and professional. Can’t wait until next year!

Zack from Tennant Creek band Colourfide - all smiles at iNTune!

It will all happen again at iNTune Alice in a few weeks time – register now before it sells out too!

Check out the photo gallery of the iNTune Music Conference Darwin here.

View iNTune Darwin conference program here and speakers bios here.