Reckoning Entertainment Changes Name And Opens Three New Divisions
Music publicity, management and consulting company Reckoning Entertainment has rebranded, changing its name to Shake Appeal as part of an expansion that includes new divisions in multimedia, creative writing, and social networking. The move arrived on the eve of the company’s third birthday, and joining long-term staff Nik Tropiano, Alissa Cronau and Jess Searle are Tim Sneddon, heading multimedia (music videos, EDMs, and artwork), Melissa Majdandzic for creative writing and Catherine Tanswell for social media. Shake Appeal’s clients include the Fat As Butter festival, Come Together and Harbour Party NYE, and have worked for the likes of The Presets, Shihad, Public Enemy, Regular John, Crystal Castles, and They Might Be Giants. (via Shake Appeal)
Fight Over South Australian Music Funding Amendments
As InDaily reports today, the South Australian Labor Party are looking to vote against the SA Greens proposed amendment in parliament to the Gaming Act taht would increase funding to live music for the first time in 10 years. The Greens proposal looks to boost the current pool of funding of $500k (which represents less than .5% of the total Arts funding budget) that goes into the Community Development Fund that allows touring and artist grants. The proposed Gambling Act amendment seeks to increase funding based upon CPI adjustments, through $350k in additional funding to a total of $850k to the live music sector. Supporters are pushing for bi-partisan support for the amendment, but is concerned that it will be swept aside without exposure. As Music SA has previously detailed, the current $500k fund to live music was first established when poker machines were initially introduced in South Australia. (via InDaily )
Shock Records Announce New Team
Celebrating 25 years, Melbourne indie label Shock Records has undergone a re-structuring and announced an all-new staff lineup. An industry veteran of 15 years, Shock’s General Manager is Craig May, who’s CV includes work at Dew Process, Sony, EMI, Stomp, and Festival Mushroom. Label Managers are Maya Janeska and Jacqui Wilson, Belinda Fitzsimmons is Head of Promotions while Helise Andreoli moves up to Promotions Manager. Robyn Fawcett is named new Digital Marketing Manager, Shock veteran Karen Edwards is the Digital & Licensing Manager, and Mick Tarbuk is the Marketing Co-Ordinator. (via The Music Network)
MusicNSW To Host Newcastle Music Industry Forum
Music NSW and the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music have announced a new partnership to present The Newcastle Music Industry Forum, the first of a brand new series aiming to promote local music, inspire artists, and stimulate the Newcastle music industry. The free, all-ages panel and networking event will focus on discussions about touring and live performance and feature Spit Syndicate’s James ‘Jimmy Nice’ Boserio, Andrew Kelly (Big Apachee), Meg Williams (Association Of Artist Managers, Spark and Opus), Jay van Lieshout (sound/production/tour manager), and Katie Rynne (Select Music). The forum takes place at the Newcastle Conservatorium at 6.30pm, Thursday 15th August and free entry by RSVP to [email protected]. (via Indent)
Modular Recordings Replace Booking Agency
Modular, home to Tame Impala, Architecture In Helsinki, The Presets and more, has launched a new booking and talent agency called The Musique Agency, which will replace and incorporate the existing roster of booking group Magic Cactus. Modular’s Paul Stix will partner with Magic Cactus’ Martin Doyle (Ivy League, Inertia, GoodGod Small Club) to bring his mgmt and booking clients The Laurels, Holy Balm, Straight Arrows, and Super Wild Horses to The Musique Agency. Modular Agency artists that won’t be making the move to The Musique Agency include internationals Friendly Fire DJs, Hot Chip DJs and Azari & III.(via TheMusic)
Australia Council Funds 20 Festivals
The Australia Council of the Arts has funded 20 regional and community festivals, to a total cost of $382,000 through their Festivals Australia program. The successful recipients include the Red Deer Music and Arts in Queensland ($15,000), Central Highlands Multicultural Festival in Emerald ($13,000) for their ‘Live at the Showground’ project involving workshops live mixing, recording, and videography, the David Chisholm-curated Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music ($12,000), South Australia’s Fleurieu Folk Festival ($11,800), NT’s Skinnyfish Music ($23,440) for a circus skills residency for potential performers at the Barunga and Yugul Mangi festivals, and the Tiwi Islands Shire Council ($45,853) for hip hop artist Jimblah’s songwriting and recording workshops at the Milimika Tiwi Islands Festival at Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island. (via MusicNSW)
Former Manager Of The Rubens Starts New Record Label
The original manager who unearthed The Rubens, Tim Baker, has launched a new label named Slow Country Records, including a distribution deal with MGM. The first signing to the Slow Country roster are Sydney quartet The Mountains, who are managed by Baker, and release their debut EP Country Doors on Saturday 2nd August. A statement on the Slow Country Records website reads: “We believe the current music landscape has become bland and mediocre with Major Labels and PR Agencies flooding the airwaves and interwebs with ‘the next big thing’.” (The Music)
