The stars align… East Journey will perform at the 2012 NIMAs. Pic: Peter Eve

MusicNT is proud to announce that triple j and the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have aligned to ‘unearth’ a new Indigenous act! Plus, The Medics, Yabu Band & East Journey will perform at the NIMAs 2012!

Now in their second year of ‘going national’ – and held annually under the stars at the Gardens Amphitheatre in Darwin – the National Indigenous Music Awards are a celebration of Indigenous music that honours contemporary and traditional artists.

The NIMAs are presented annually by MusicNT, the Northern Territory’s peak music industry body.

Busby Marou and The Medics came together on May 16 – along with rising hip-hop reggae act Dubmarine – at a special launch at the Brisbane Powerhouse, to give a shout-out for the triple j Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards competition. MusicNT Manager Mark Smith also spoke at the launch. (View photo gallery here.)

The aim of the competition is “to unearth the best unsigned Indigenous act in the country”.

Busby Marou performed at the launch in Sydney.

One act will be selected, and flown to perform at the Awards ceremony.

Unsigned Indigenous acts can now upload their tracks to triplejunearthed.com. One outstanding act – to be selected by the triple j team – will win the opportunity to perform at the National Indigenous Music Awards – aka the ‘NIMAs’ – in Darwin on August 11, 2012.

To be in the running Indigenous artists need to have 2 tracks uploaded on the Unearthed site before midnight Sunday July 1st, 2012.

Over the years, triple j has played a significant role in breaking Indigenous acts into the mainstream music landscape. triple j Unearthed Executive Producer Steph Carrick said, “we are thrilled to be partnering with the NIMAs to encourage Indigenous acts to upload their music to the site. “

“Not only could they find themselves playing at the NIMAs, but by being part of Unearthed all artists will have the possibility of airplay on our digital radio station and on triple j. We can’t wait to see what great new talent we’ll find!”

triple j Weekends Presenter Maggie Collins added, “this initiative between triple j Unearthed and the National Indigenous Music Awards will unearth talent from every corner of the country. We hope to find some hidden gems out there just on the cusp of breaking through!”

MusicNT Manager Mark Smith said, “this is a significant moment in Indigenous music and I’d like to thank triple j for getting involved.”

“Importantly I cannot thank enough, all the Indigenous radio stations and media in general who have tirelessly supported and promoted Indigenous artists for decades, giving them airtime, accolades and importantly, recognition and encouragement.”

He added, “without this support we would not be here today. This initiative is a pivotal point in the journey of Indigenous music”.

The winner of the NIMAs triple j Unearthed competition will be flown from anywhere in Australia, and given two nights accommodation in Darwin, as well as promotion on triple j Unearthed digital radio and on triple j.

They will also attend the 2012 iNTune Music Conference in Darwin.

While the rest of the NIMAs line up is still under wraps for the moment (the full line up will be released in June!), The Medics (Qld) and multi-award winning Yabu Band (WA) have been announced for this year’s NIMAs concert.

Also joining them will be Northern Territory rising star Rrawun Maymuru, winner of the 2011 ‘New Talent of the Year’ NIMA Award, who will perform for the first time on the NIMAs stage with his band, East Journey.

Promising a showcase of emerging and established acts, the NIMAs will bring together contemporary Indigenous artists from all music genres. Nominations are now open for the National Indigenous Music Awards, online at nima.musicnt.com.au, closing COB June 29, 2012.

Everyone is encouraged to nominate in the four national categories of ‘Act’, ‘Album’, ‘Song’ and ‘New Talent Of The Year’. Dates to remember…

• May 16 – Unsigned Indigenous acts can upload their tracks to triplejunearthed.com
• June 27 – Full NIMAs line up announced
• June 29 – National Indigenous Music Awards nominations close
• July 1 – triple j Unearthed competition closes
• July 5 – triple j/NIMAs Unearthed Winner announced
• August 11 – NIMAs Ceremony & Concert, Darwin Amphitheatre, Northern Territory.

Plus…

• View the full gallery of photos from the Competition launch in Brisbane here.
  
• Read more about the NIMAS here.
• Read more about the Competition at triple j Music News.
  
• Visit the official NIMAs website and Facebook page.
• Visit triple j Unearthed.

Words/Sources: AUM, triple j music news, NIMAs website. Additional: Megan Spencer, MusicNT.

• A grant of up to $50,000
• Applications for this grant close 2 May 2012
• Decisions will be advised in July 2012
• Funded projects can start from 1 January 2013

Funded projects must finish by 31 December 2013

About the grant

Program grants provide operational funding for a limited number of dynamic organisations with a track record of achievement in presentation, service delivery, skills development or other relevant areas. Proposals must contain a significant level of activity and a variety of programs that span the 2013 calendar year.

The creation, presentation and promotion of new Australian works is a priority for the Music Board.

Eligible organisations will be considered on their merits each year to ensure that new and vibrant organisations have access to operational funding for a one-year period. Successful Program grant recipients have no guarantee of future funding in this category. For organisations re-applying to this category in 2012, the Music Board will not take into consideration previous funding levels, and applicants need to justify their funding request.

Program grants represent one of an organisation’s possible two applications to the Music Board per year. A second application must be for an activity that is not currently funded through an organisation’s Program grant.

Organisations cannot be in receipt of a Key Organisations and Program grant during the same funding period.

Costs

Applicants to this category can apply for operational costs and the costs of the program of activities.

If you are applying for the commissioning of new work as part of your program then you need to provide specific infromation about the work being commissioned – including the composers name, a brief description of the work, a brief composer bio and details of when and where the work will be presented.

Requests for amounts above $50,000 may be considered, but must be discussed with Music Staff prior to application. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the ability to transition into the Key Organisations category in the future.

The funding cap reflects the maximum amount available through this category. The amount requested in any application must be supported by a clear, well argued budget. The average amount funded in this category in 2011 was $41,203. For an indication of grant amounts previously funded in this category, please view Assessment Meeting Reports for previous rounds.

Contact

New applicants to this category must discuss their application with Music staff before applying and other applicants are strongly encouraged to do so. For further information, or to discuss your proposal, please contact:

Morwenna Collett
Program Manager, Music
Phone 02 9215 9301, Email m.collett@australiacouncil.gov.au

The Northern Territory Arts Grants Program offers artists, organisations and community members access to support initiatives that further the vision of exploring, expressing and showcasing Northern Territory identity through arts and culture.

Closes 30 April 2012.

A total of $200 000 in funding is available to develop, present and promote arts projects, to support emerging artists and to further skills and arts expertise.

• Arts Development – Supports projects across all art forms for the research, development or creation of new work or community cultural development projects with up to $15 000.
• Presentation and Promotion – Supports projects which present, exhibit, distribute or promote NT arts practice with up to $15 000.
• Skills Development – Supports art initiatives that foster skills, knowledge and experience of participants and build community capacity with up to $15 000.
• Emerging Artists – Supports emerging artists to access funding for arts development, presentation and promotion or skills based projects with up to $ 10 000.

For more detailed information download the current NT Arts Grants Guidelines or contact a Regional Arts Broker for advice on 08 8999 8981, 1800 678 237 (free call) or email arts.office@nt.gov.au.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online from 2 April 2012.

This year will be the first time that applicants can apply online for arts project funding by using the newly developed grants management system designed for the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS).

The online application will follow the same question format as the 2012 application forms which are available in word and pdf document form on the Arts NT website. For this round Arts NT will accept both printed and online applications.

Going off at Mindil.. eMDee. Pic: Eva Pettifor

As any ‘Darwinite’ knows, the Dry Season isn’t ‘officially’ kicked off until you’ve seen a dragonfly, felt a cool breeze on your face, or until the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets start!

Thursday April 26 heralds the beginning of the 2012 ‘Dry’, as the Markets swing into full gear from 5pm, with a dazzling array of food, stalls and live entertainment – moreover, live and local original music.

Fresh back from a successful 14-day run with The Bang Collective at the Sydney Royal Easter Show playing to over 100 000 people, tonight Darwin duo eMDee begin their annual Mindil Markets music residency, with their unique power-drum n’ didge.

Opening night also sees Darwin jazz-fusion ensemble Jigsaw Collective occupy the Markets’ famous Sound Shell, playing songs from their recently-released CD, ‘Live At The Lighthouse’.

While known as a great tourist attraction – and located on the beach about 2kms from Darwin’s CBD -  Mindil Markets is a place where many a Territory musician has made their mark – and/or started their music career – playing to thousands of locals and visitors a night. Sometimes as buskers, roving musicians or playing the main stage, the Mindil Markets Sound Shell.

Leah Flanagan, Mark Hilton, Dave Garnham, The NEO, Jisgsaw Collective, eMDee, JK, Brooke Barnett, Country Town Collective and Elemental are all just some of the many of original NT music artists and bands who have graced the Sound Shell and various stages, over the Markets’ 25-year history.

The NT heats for the Telstra Road To Discovery talent competition (formerly ‘TRTTamworth’), are also held annually at the Mindil Markets.

Dave Garnham. Pic: TRTT

The twice-weekly Markets (Thursday and Sunday) provide a perfect open-air music venue under the stars. Local bands and musicians can apply to play at the markets by contacting programmers via the market’s respective websites.

You can also buy CDs from music stalls like ‘Blue Bunny’, which sells contemporary and traditional Indigenous music from NT music label, Skinnyfish Music.

Nightcliff Markets (held 6am-2pm Sundays) and Parap Village Markets (8am – 2pm Saturdays) are two other markets in the Darwin area which support local live local music in their weekly programs of entertainment, year-round.

Visit the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets website to see which local artist or band is playing each week! And apply to play at a market today!

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: Mindil Beach Sunset Markets website, Off The Leash website.

2011 CMTP recipients, Tjupi Band from Papunya.

Round 23 of the Contemporary Music Touring program is now open!

The round will be open for six weeks, closing at 5pm eastern standard time (EST) on Friday 1 June 2012.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program helps emerging and established musicians take their music on tour to Australia’s regional and remote areas.

The program provides assistance with touring costs such as transport, accommodation, insurance, production and marketing.

The program supports all types of genres including, but not limited to, jazz, fusion, blues, hip hop, world, new classical, pop, funk, country, folk, electronic, alternative and rock.

Applications are welcome from performers, managers, agents, music organisations and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry.

Previous Territory recipients have been Seldom Party, Harold Injimardi Dalywaters and Tjupi Band.

Applications for tours from 1 January 2013 are welcome to apply for funding in round 23.

Guidelines and application forms can be found here.

Please contact the Contemporary Music Touring program team if you have any questions about the application process on: music.touring@pmc.gov.au or freecall, 1800 819 461.

Read more about the CMTP here.

Source: Australian Government

This Saturday April 21st, 2012, is ‘International Record Store Day‘.

Which is great.. It’s a chance to rally to support those music shops that support the hard-to-get, obscure, progressive, independent, local and downright freaky music that sometimes can be hard to lay your hands on in the music franchises or the more mainstream/corporate music store chains.

If you’ve lived ‘down south’ you’ll know that ‘the indie record store’, although a dying institution, still does exist.

While many have closed down, the recent resurgence of vinyl, specialised merch and hard-to-get recordings has meant some have thrived, expanded or have even made a comeback – even in the face of the digital music download ‘revolution’.

But as anyone in the Territory knows, for the most part indie record stores are few and far between – let alone ‘record stores’.

Living in the Territory also means ‘supply’ is often an issue – not just with music!

Even if you order music from existing stores, there’s no guarantee it will turn up. Or they will have the titles you’re after in their catalogues.

This ‘lack’ has meant Territorians have had to be resourceful. We use the internet as our record store. Have done for years now.

Also as our ‘local’. It’s easier to go to iTunes, Bandcamp, Reverbnation, Facebook and MySpace – yes, MySpace – to download, track down and/or hear a release by a local artist, than it is arguing with music shop attendants who have “never heard..” of the band you just saw in your local the other night. (Or to suffer for the umpteenth time,”Nah, we don’t stock that kind of music in here, mate”.)

And before you say “who has CDs any more”, often the best way to get hold of a local release is at a gig – NT artists are good like that. Many press CDs and sell them at their gigs. Or USBs. Or net vouchers. “Be prepared”.

So this International Record Store Day, while you won’t find any NT record stores on the massive Australian store list published to go with this excellent occasion, you can still rejoice…

In the knowledge that you’ll be able to find lots of NT music online. Just enter your favorite NT band name into the search engines of iTunes, Bandcamp, Reverbnation, Facebook, Fandalism, and see what you find. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Or got to a local gig and visit the ‘merch table’ afterwards.

“Like Music? Buy Local”. Now there’s a motto.

• Read more about Record Store Day here.

Words: Megan Spencer, Mark Smith. Sources: AIR E-News, Record Store Day website

Have you got what it takes to be in the 2012 Bush Bands Bash?! If the answer’s yes, then you need to apply right now!

The Bush Bands Bash is the biggest showcase of desert music in Australia – a true celebration of music from Central Australian communities, and beyond..

Special guests from further north such as Manuel Dhurrkay from Saltwater Band and Narbarlek – both from Arnhem Land – have also made guest appearances, mixing their unique coastal music with the strong desert sound.

Each year at the Alice Springs Desert Festival in September, the best in desert bands take to the stage in front of a huge audience, many of who are from interstate and members of the national Australian music industry.

In recent years Bush Bands Bash has received nation-wide attention, featured in media in Melbourne, Sydney and online.

Bands who are successfully chosen to play as part of the annual Bush Bands Bash – now in its ninth year – also participate in a week-long professional development program at Ross River, just outside of Alice Springs.

Mentors and music industry professionals from across the NT and Australia also attend Bush Bands Business with the musicians, to impart valuable information about how to sustain a career in the Australian music industry, and to support the bands are ‘match ready’ for the stage.

Download an application form HERE and make sure you get your application in before May 31st, 2012!

Email a completed application form to info@bushbandsbash.net.au or phone for help with your application on (08) 8952 6117.

Or visit the Bush Bands Bash website for more information.

• Read more about the 2011 Bush Bands Bash.
• Read about Tammy Brennan, the new Bush Bands Bash Coordinator.
• Read more about Bush Bands Business.
• See photos from the 2011 Bush Bands Biz.

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: Bush Bands Bash website, Music NT website.

Darwin band Emma Rowe & The Two Other Guys will support NOOK touring acts Big Scary & Frank Turner, in Darwin.

MusicNT is delighted to announce a partnership with Darwin-based NOOK Event Management.

MusicNT and NOOK have entered into a ‘memorandum of understanding’ (MOU) which supports local music.

NOOK will provided 5% of net income from their Darwin shows to support MusicNT’s local music activities.

NOOK also guarantees a minimum of 1 local band to support all NOOK shows.

Manager of MusicNT Mark Smith says that “MusicNT was excited when NOOK approached us to look at ways they could support the local scene.”

“The music scene in the Northern Territory is in a stage of significant growth and there is no doubt that NOOK has been a part of that development.”

“Their desire to “give back” to the local scene is heartening and MusicNT is pleased to be a partner in this in this ‘no strings attached’ initiative.”

NT band Jasmine Revolution supported NOOK act Husky in 2012 at Darwin Railway Club.

“This is a positive move from NOOK to further recognise and support the local industry and MusicNT is happy to work with the support of NOOK, to ensure that the NT music scene continues to grow and develop.”

Music NT is committed to growing the local industry and looks forward to delivering increased opportunities for local music through this initiative – and a number of other initiatives – this year.

James Gough, co-owner of NOOK Event Management says “”the partnership between NOOK and MusicNT will deliver some tangible outcomes for local acts, including networking, support slots and exposure alongside some of the best emerging and established artists from Australia and around the world”.

“We have already seen more than fifteen local acts play in front of sell-out crowds since October last year, and we are excited to expand our roster of NT live music artists and take them on this exciting journey with us”.

“A financial contribution towards the NT music industry solidifies how serious and passionate we are about it’s growth”.

MusicNT continues to support all original music activity across the Northern Territory as it has always done.

• Read more about MusicNT here.
• Read more about NOOK here.

 Sources: Mark Smith, Music NT; James Gough, NOOK. Edit: Megan Spencer.

Dan Sultan & Shellie Morris: headliners at the 2011 NIMAs. Pic: Glenn Campbell

Nominations for the 2012 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) are now open!

Presented in partnership with Music NT and the NT Government, the NIMAs honour both contemporary and traditional artists.

In 2011 the NIMAs evolved from a Northern Territory-artists only event, to a national representation of Indigenous music. The strong response it received from the rest of the country in its very first year, ensures that the NIMAs are here to stay!

For over 40,000 years, music has played a fundamental role in Indigenous culture. The National Indigenous Music Awards 2012 (NIMAs) are a celebration of Indigenous music.

Dubbed the ‘Blackfella ARIAs’, this year there are four National Award Categories:

• New Talent of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Album of the Year
• Artist of the Year

The NIMAs also include five NT Artist Award categories, dedicated to recognising the contribution and talent of Indigenous Northern Territory musicians:

• School Band
• Cover Art
• Film Clip
• Traditional Music
• G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award

Nominations are now open to the music industry, and, for the first time this year, to the general public via nima.musicnt.com.au, or download the entry form here.

Signed and unsigned artists are eligible for NIMAs nominations.

Nominations close by COB  Friday 29 June 2012.  (NB: nominations are not required in all categories.)

This year’s NIMAs ceremony will be held on Saturday August 11, at the Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin Botanic Gardens.

Stay tuned to the Music NT website for announcements of the music program!

With national stars Dan Sultan, Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address and Warumpi Band rocking the huge crowd at the Amphitheatre last year (and the hundreds who watched the NIMAs online), it was the NT’s Shellie Morris who stole the show in a special performance with her family, the Yanyuwa Song Women from Borrolloola.

Under the banner of the 2011 Song Peoples Sessions project (produced out of Tennant Creek), together Shellie and the Song Women sang songs which the Yanyuwa ladies have sung since birth, showing the audience the importance of preserving the intangible cultural heritage of Indigenous languages and song cycles.

In the process they created a new form of musical cultural expression, bringing this ancient form into a modern context.

“These Awards are becoming more significant every year. It’s a great time for Indigenous talent to gain recognition for their efforts. Artists and their management should use this as an opportunity.. knocking on their door right now”, says Shellie.

With the help and support from Australia’s music industry, the NIMAs will continue to evolve and grow into being the country’s leading music awards for Indigenous music. To that end Mark Pope (ARIA Awards Producer 2001 – 2011) visited Darwin in January 2012 to offer strategic input to the event’s organisers.

“The Awards are becoming as important to our industry as the ARIAs. Every Indigenous act in Australia should be nominated for the NIMAs”, says industry veteran Michael Chugg from Chugg Entertainment.

• Visit the NIMAs website to nominate now!
• Or download the entry form!
• Read about the 2011 NIMAs here.

Sources: NIMAs media release AUM, Music NT. Edit: Megan Spencer

• An initiative for up to $30,000 for Indigenous-led arts projects
• Applications for this grant close 10 April 2012
• Decisions will be advised in May 2012
• Funded projects can start 1 June 2012

The Indigenous Experimental Art Fund is a new initiative supporting Indigenous-led projects that benefit the development of contemporary Indigenous media, interdisciplinary and hybrid art practitioners.

This is a 3-year program supported by the Inter-Arts Office and the Music, Theatre and Visual Arts boards of the Australia Council. The fund is not solely for Indigenous practitioners, but projects must be led by Indigenous artists, producers and curators.

The main focus for this category is to:

• support the practice of Indigenous artists working experimentally across art forms
• foster new connections between artists, new projects and partnerships with institutions
• facilitate the development and presentation of contemporary experimental art projects which are Indigenous-led.

The Australia Council invites applications from established and early career Indigenous artists who are exploring new artistic processes, engaging with artistic risk and fostering new art form practices. In addition applications are encouraged for Indigenous-led projects that support collaboration between artists working with media, performance, sound, visual and hybrid arts, writers, curators, producers, institutions, communities and audiences.

Your project can span up to 18 months. Your proposal will be more competitive if you seek additional funding from other sources.

The main focus for this category is to support research and development, creative development and production and presentation.

Contact

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their application with the relevant Australia Council team member. For further information, or to discuss your proposal, please contact:

Susan Wacher
Inter-Arts Program Officer
Phone 02 9215 9005, Email s.wacher@australiacouncil.gov.au

Kathryn Gray
Inter-Arts Program Officer
Phone 02 9215 9077, Email k.gray@australiacouncil.gov.au

Skype Inter-Arts (by appointment), Toll Free 1800 555 677