Applications are now open for the second-ever $50,000 Carlton Dry Global Music Grant, created in collaboration with the Ausralian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) as part of their annual industry awards.
Created last year as a way of assisting an emerging Australian artist or band boost their international profile and publicity, the inaugural Carlton Dry Music Grant was awarded to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at the 2013 AIR Awards last October.
As previously reported, the mighty Melbourne seven-piece used the $50k towards funding their first ever tour of the US and Canada, playing an extended run of American East Coast dates, performing at Canadian Music Week and Austin Psych Fest, where they “picked up more than a few new fans with [their] hair-whipping garage psych,” according to the Austin Chronicle. The prize money was also used towards renting a lodge in the Catskills Mountain towards working on the band’s forthcoming 6th album, with LP #5 already in the can and recently completed at New York’s legendary Daptone Studios.
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All in all, a very productive use of the Carlton Dry Gobal Music Grant, ensuring its return for 2014.
Australian bands or artists interested in applying for the $50k grant can be either emerging or established, but must be self-released or released via an independent label as part of conditions of entry; additionally the prize money can only be used exclusively to “help tour, showcase, record or relocate overseas to further their careers.”
Interested artists should head to AIR’s website to view the full selection criteria and lodge their application – before entries close on 1st September. Following review by a judging panel of industry experts, the winner of the 2014 Carlton Dry Global Music Grant will be revealed at the 2014 AIR Awards this October.
“This Grant is something that AIR is very proud of. We can’t think of a more direct way to help a great emerging artist in their career,” said AIR’s Chairman of the Board, David Vodicka in a statement. “There is so much talent in Australian music right now … We can’t wait to see the entries that come in this year,” added Rob Elder, Brand Manager for Carlton Dry
This Week’s New Tracks On Triple J
Adds:
Meg Mac – Roll Up Your Sleeves [littleBIGMANrecords/Inertia]
Allday – You Always Know The DJ [ONETWO/Warner]
Bon Iver – Heavenly Father [Sony]
Grimes – Go {Ft. Blood Diamonds} [XL/Remote Control]
Kingswood – I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me [Dew Process]
Mastodon – Once More ‘Round The Sun [Reprise/Warner]
The Occupants – Streets [Pavement Records]
The Presets – No Fun [Modular/Universal]
Spots:
FKA twigs – Two Weeks [Young Turks/Remote Control]
Husky – I’m Not Coming Back [Liberation]
Para One – You Too [Because Records/Warner]
Pepa Knight – Clams [Rare Finds]
Industry News
The Seed Announces 2014 Music Grant Recipients
The self-funding music grants program set up by John Butler, The Seed, has announced the list of recipients of programs for 2014. Among the successful applicants are alt-electro artist Wafia, indie band Fox & Fowl, Cristian Campano – who will all get the opportunity to work with a renowned Aussie producer as part of the new ‘It’s All About The Song’ category. Artist managers Monique Rothstein (Little May, Convaire), Deb Suckling (Sahara Beck, Jackie Marshall, My Fiction Us) and Ben Robinson (Crooked Colours), will all get up to $5,000 in support. While 24 managers – involved with the careers of Ash Grunwald, Thy Art Is Murder, Eagle And The Worm, Jordi Lane, Tully On Tully, The Trouble With Templeton, Tin Sparrow and more – will also take part in The Seed’s annual management workshop. Full details and 2014 recipients at theseedfund.org. (The Music Network)
Aussie Street Press To Cease Weekly Edition
Brisbane street press Scene Magazine is undergoing a major rebrand for the first time in 21 years. The magazine will cease its publication as a weekly and instead go to a new monthly format. Next week’s issue will be its last as Scene Magazine, and from 9th July it will now be known as scenestr – in line with the company’s website. “The changes are about continuing to meet the challenges of new media head on,” Publisher Howard Duggan said in a statement. (via Scenestr)
Google Acquires Songza
Following on from their $3 billion acquisition of Beats Music, Google has reportedly finalised a deal to acquire music streaming and discovery site Songza. Though its not yet known how much the company paid for Songzab, it was rumoured that back in June Google offered $15 million to Songza. Google is planning to incorporate Songza’s music curation and playlist features into its own Play Music All Access subscription service and possibly integrated with the forthcoming, controversial YouTube music streaming service. (via Billboard)
MusicNSW To Host Free Music Law Workshop
In the latest of its free music workshops, MusicNSW has teamed up with Arts Law and Sydney TAFE Music to present ‘Better Get Yourself A Lawyer!’ – an evening of discussion and advice from Australia’s most successful music industry lawyers, representatives and advocates, including reps from APRA/AMCOS and Elefant Traks’ Tim Levinson, aka Urthboy. Taking place at Sydney TAFE’s The Apprentice on Tuesday 22nd July, the workshop will cover management, label and booking contracts, publishing and sync agreements, business structures, booking agents, merch, copyright issues and how artists can solve legal disputes. More info here (via MusicNSW)
Australia Gets First Online Certificate III In Music Course
The Kimberley Training Institute in Broome has announced the launch of the first fully online Certificate III in Music. The nationally accredited course offers training in songwriting, performance craft, and music business skills, and is available across Australia courtesy of the Institute’s Hon. Dr Kim Hames today in Broome. The Cert III in Music is fully self-paced, allowing individuals to work flexibly around their careers and lifestyles. Study can be undertaken via a computer or using a mobile, iPad or tablet via a free app. More info here (via Kimberley Training Institute)
Artist Signings
Violent Soho Sign US Label Deal
Brisbane’s rising stars Violent Soho have inked an international deal with international punk label Side One Dummy (home to Gaslight Anthem, MXPX) which will see the band’s critically acclaimed 2013 album Hungry Ghost released in the USA and Mexico on 30th September. The band head out on their nearly sold out national tour this month, kick starting tonight at the Bakery in Perth.
Zola Jesus Signs To Create/Control
Create/Control, in partnership with Mute, has welcomed eclectic US artist Zola Jesus to their roster. The deal comes as Nika, the 25-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer behind Zola Jesus, issues ‘Dangerous Days’, the first single from her forthcoming new album (listen here)
I Forget, Sorry! Signs Reichardt
Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Reichardt has become the newest member of Sydney’s I Forget, Sorry! collective for the release of his debut single ‘Sunflower’ featuring Boy & Bear’s Tim Hart. Reichardt’s credits as a producer include collaborations with One Above (Hilltop Hoods, Chance Waters), Matik (Seth Sentry, Pez), and Bliss N Eso.
Epitaph Expand Roster With Sleepwave
Sleepwave, the new band from former Underoath singer Spencer Chamberlain, are the latest act to join Epitaph Records. The St. Petersburg, Florida alt-rock band have already toured with the likes of The Used and Taking Back Sunday this year, and will announce details of their forthcoming debut album soon.
