Alice Springs-based CAAMA Music have released a brand new compilation CD, “Desert Pop, Lock & Drop”. Proving just how versatile music from the Northern Territory can be, local singers Cassandra Williams and Mei Lai Swan came up with a sound that CAAMA says it’s been “heading for”. Other tracks range from hip hop (courtesy of 13 year-old Darlyhne Lillico) and pop rock (Tom Ghea, ‘Falling Star’), to lush ballads by Jessica Laruffa (‘Feelin’ This’) and Kirra Voller (‘The Ending’), and reggae from the Yuendumu Community. Find out more at the CAAMA website.

Listen to Desert Lock Pop and Drop now!

Stephen is a Solicitor and the Practice Manager of Melbourne, media law firm, Media Arts Lawyers Pty Ltd.  Stephen currently represents a large number of clients in all spheres of music and entertainment from artists including Pete Murray, the Hilltop Hoods and Troy Cassar-Daley to the music publishing company, Native Tongue and music management company Forum 5 (Bertie Blackman).   Stephen’s role also includes the management and running of the firm and the firm’s staff of lawyers.  Stephen’s passion remains working with new and developing bands and artists and he is currently working with bands such as The John Steel Singers, The Middle East, Dangerous and ME!

Stephen is admitted in both Australia and the UK and maintains active relationships with labels and management in Australia and the UK and has been actively involved in sourcing deals for clients on both sides of the world. Stephen has previously worked in private practice in the UK representing the British Musician’s Union and a number of well known British artists and the independent record companies, Mute (Moby and Depeche Mode), Nude (Suede) and Taste Media (Muse).  Stephen moved to Australia in 1999 to work as Business Affairs Manager for Mushroom Records.  Stephen was involved in the restructure of the newly merged Festival Mushroom Records including the signing of many of the labels key acts including, motor ace, machine gun fellatio, Muse and George and label licenses with TVT, Echo Records Gut Records and Hollywood Records.

Stephen formally managed the electronica duo Pound System, who had a successful live performance and recording career with Festival Mushroom Records and he is the owner of independent music publishing company, Ink Music.

Vanessa Hutchins has been in the entertainment Industry for over 18 years and has a broad range of skills including production and project management, design and creation. Originally from Newcastle, Vanessa gravitated north in the early nineties and has worked Territory wide since. A local fixture at Territory events, from mixing small bands at Browns Mart, to follow spot operator on Angus at the ACDC Mararra gig in 1997, Vanessa has spent lots of energy on staging events, these include Production Manager for the Indigenous Music Award 2007 & 2009, and the National Aboriginal & Islander Art Award for the past four years.

Vanessa has additionally worked outside the Territory as Production Manager for Legs on the Wall, Stalker Stilt Theatre & the Marugeku Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Performing Lines, Yirra Yaakin and Major Australian Festivals. With these companies Vanessa has toured widely, including China, America, UK, Europe, South America, Japan as well as out of reach Australian venues.

She returned to Darwin in 2006 to produce and coordinate the 2007 Arafura Games Opening Ceremony. In 2008 she Event Managed Bjork for Sydney Festival on the Opera House steps and in 2009, All Tomorrow’s Parties, curated by Nick Cave for the Sydney Festival on Cockatoo Island.  Vanessa has toured music throughout the Territory through her position as Artback NT Performing Arts Manager.

Nick is the General Manager of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). It’s AIR’s job to help small music businesses, independent record labels and independent artists run their businesses better. AIR holds the annual Australian Independent Music Awards and publishes the Australian Independent Charts. Prior to his work at AIR he was a part The John Butler Trio’s management and co-ordinator of The JB Seed Fund.

Nick is the General Manager of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). It’s AIR’s job to help small music businesses, independent record labels and independent artists run their businesses better. AIR holds the annual Australian Independent Music Awards and publishes the Australian Independent Charts. Prior to his work at AIR he was a part The John Butler Trio’s management and co-ordinator of The JB Seed Fund.
As a founding member of Music Victoria (the Victorian Music Industry Association) he now sits on its inaugural board.  Nick started his career as a musician, studying classical music at the VCA and playing rock, hip hop and jazz wherever he could get a gig. These days he spends his down-time in Melbourne playing the vibraphone or locked up in a studio writing and releasing rad electronic pop music. He also releases the odd compilation album and plans pretentious parties for hipsters.

The One Night Stand concert in Alice Springs on March 27 at Traegar Park was a huge success, especially for local artists, Tjupi Band.

Not only were they the opening act – for the likes of John Butler Trio, Gyroscope, Washington and Bluejuice – their set was broadcast nationally on triple j radio.

The spotlight shone well and truly on this talented desert reggae band from Papunya, 250 kms NW of Alice Springs. They have also won a place at the mid-year JB Seed Management workshop in the Blue Mountains, with their music receiving huge national exposure, both on radio and online.

Jason Butcher, Tjupi Band, backstage at One Night Stand Alice Springs. (Pic. triple j).

• Read an interview with the Tjupi’s lead singer Jason Butcher (right) online at triple j Unearthed website.

• Watch the Tjupi Band’s live set here and here.

From her beginnings as a classical pianist, Bec Matthews has travelled a diverse musical path which has lead to her current status as one of Australia’s most talented and charming players of the kora (21 string West African Harp). Bec is a regular performer and workshop co-facilitator at numerous Australian festivals. No stranger to international stages, Bec has performed and conducted workshops in Canada and the UK, and has also enjoyed several musical residencies in The Gambia, West Africa. Currently Bec manages Melbourne- based artist King Marong and several of his performance groups including the long established ‘Safara’ and the recently formed ‘One Africa’. Bec also performs with and manages the afro-fusion outfit ‘Afro Mandinko’.

Vicki Gordon is one of the most highly respected independent music industry consultants and artist managers in Australia. She has dedicated her career to the development of Independent artists for the local and International market and works closely with emerging Indigenous artists trying to break into the mainstream. She is a pioneer for women in the music industry having been awarded a Human Rights commendation award for her commitment in this area and is an active presenter and speaker at music industry festivals. In 2002 she was the first Woman on the Board of Aria, in 50 years, to represent the Independents. Vicki currently manages Emma Donovan and Ursula Yovich.

Since 1994, Tammy Brennan has been performing as a singer and composer of Western and Eastern classical, jazz, experimental electro-acoustic, electronic, dance and folk music.

Brennan began her career residing in Brisbane as an opera singer, later moving to Sydney and forming the electro-acoustic performance company ‘Pavo Cristatus’. In 1999 Australian Designer of the Year Akira Isogawa invited Pavo Cristatus to compose and perform the music for his celebrated fashion shows. While in Sydney, Brennan featured as a vocalist/lyricist on the album ‘Skin’ written by (Sony) artist Endorphin. Brennan is most well known for her vocal appearance on ‘Anguish’ which featured on the Australian film ‘Looking for Alibrandi’.

Susan is Director AbaF South Australia and Northern Territory and established both chapters. Susan’s career spans 25 years in arts management in SA and NSW. Prior to joining AbaF Susan was Director – Performing & Visual Arts Unit Gosford City Council in NSW. She has also managed significant performing arts, cultural tourism, and visual arts galleries. Her experience covers programming, production, marketing, strategic business planning and staff management. She has served on a variety of arts boards ranging from opera to historic houses. Susan was a regular guest lecturer at the Hunter Valley Institute of TAFE,

and is currently a guest presenter in the Arts and Cultural Management program of the University of South Australia. She also serves on UniSA’s Arts Management Program Advisory Committee.

A passionate advocate for Community Arts and Cultural Development in creating performance opportunities for artists, is what motivates Di in her role at Queensland Folk Festival, Producers of the Woodford Folk Festival and The Dreaming. In working with over 1000 performers across these events, Di will share her knowledge in the veritable minefield of do’s and don’ts along the way, which can make the difference of successfully making it into the programme (or not).