New Australia Council Board Appointed

Minister for the Arts Tony Burke has announced the inaugural members of the new Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, making the new appointments in line with legislation of the Australia Council Act 2013, commencing this week from Monday 1st July. The 12 new members are Chair Rupert Myer AM, Robyn Archer AO as Deputy Chair, Australia Council for the Arts CEO Tony Grybowski, Waleed Aly, Lee-Ann Buckskin, Adrian Colette AM, Khoa Do, Proffesor Matthew Hindson AM, Mary-Ellen King, Sophie Mitchell, Samantha Mostyn, and Tim Orton.

“I thank all of the Governing Council members for their significant contribution to the development of the Australia Council and in particular for their advice and input towards the shaping of the Creative Australia policy and the Review of the Australia Council,” said Mr Rupert Myer. “We are very fortunate to have a new Board comprised of talented, accomplished and energetic people, characterised by diverse backgrounds and representative of the wide ranging arts and corporate skills envisaged in our new legislation.

From 1 July to 31 December 2013, current Boards and Committees will progressively be replaced by interim Peer Assessment Panels and Sector Strategy Panels to assess grant applications, and provide strategic advice to the new Board. In the interests of continuity for artists and organisations applying for support, current Board and Committee members will be invited by the new Board to sit on the Peer Assessment Panels, whilst all current Board Chairs will be invited to be the inaugural Chairs of the relevant Sector Strategy Panels. Mr Myer said that by November 2013, the new Board would aim to have its permanent processes in place for 2014 and beyond. (via australiacouncil.gov.au)

Chance Waters Signs To Island/Universal

Rising Sydney hip-hop music maker Chance Waters has signed a deal with Island Records that welcomes him to the Universal label of artists. The signing follows what has been a successful twelve months for the artist following the release of his second album Infinity, including a nomination as Unearthed Artist of the Year at the 2012 J Awards and two songs in the station’s Hottest 100 (‘Maybe Tomorrow’ (ft. Lilian Blue)‘ at #89 and ‘Young & Dumb (feat. Bertie Blackman)‘ at #45). “I’m ridiculously excited to team up with Island, this is a career defining moment for me,” said Chance Waters of the signing. “They’re an amazing team who understand my sound and creative direction and the best home I could hope to have found for my music.” Michael Taylor, Head of Island Records Australia, said: “Chance has a special gift of being able to convey an affecting message through his melodies. He’s a gentle soul who’s also a hard-core troubadour.”

Melbourne Venue Howler Appoints Bookers

Melbourne’s newest live music venue Howler, located just off Brunswick’s Sydney Road and launched last June, has appointed two bookers to co-ordinate live events at the combined arts and music space. Melbourne publicist Vanessa Bassili, of Little Old Me Publicity, will be managing band bookings for the venue, available for contact through the venue (via [email protected]). Little Old Me Publicity will continue to work closely with local and international artists on releases and tours while coordinating publicity for Howler. Nick Casey has been named Head Curator for the venue and will book theatre, comedy, DJs, and other events for the venue. As an active member of the independent theatre and arts scene in Melbourne for over a decade, Mr Casey will bring his vast experience in directing, acting, writing, producing, and set design to curating unique events at Howler. Nick Casey can be contacted at: [email protected]

Shock Records Partners With New Label Quarter Four

A new partnership has been forged between emerging label Quarter Four and Australian record label stalwarts Shock in a deal to create and distribute compilation albums featuring a wide range of music genres for the Australian and New Zealand market using Shock’s in-house Manufacturing, Distribution, Sales, Marketing, Promotions, Licensing and Sync.

Quarter Four was founded by Liam Teer, who created more than 250 compilation records for EMI Music Australia between 2003 and 2013, going on to achieve 8.5 million units in sales and platinum status achievements in series such as NOW, 100% Hits, and the popular Beer Songs and 101 Series. “Over the years that I have known Liam, I’ve always been astounded at the depth of his music knowledge,” said Shock’s General Manager Craig May. “I’m super excited to see what concepts he’s going to come up with.” Liam Teer added: “I’m so happy to be working with Craig and his team at Shock! There clearly remains a very healthy market for great compilation product, and I can’t wait to release the first of many exciting concepts we have on the drawing board this spring.”

News Ltd Sell Moshtix

Popular ticketing service Moshtix has been sold off, with owners News Ltd accepting an offer for the company from current CEO Harley Evans in a purchase that was made effective as of Sunday 30th June. Last year, Evans replaced Adam McArthur as the Chief Executive of News Ticketing following Mr Evans’ positions at the Ticketek and the Dainty Group. Moshtix staff and clients were notified of the sale last Thusrday 27th June and told that the business would continue as normal. As part of the sale, News Ltd agreed to offer a “range of transitional” services but it was reportedly believed that the operations of its sister company Foxtix would be winding down. Moshtix was first founded in 2003 and has grown to become one of Australia’s leading ticketing services with some of the nation’s most renowned venues and events on its books, most notably Splendour In The Grass. (via TheMusic)

Community Station 4ZZZ Kicks Off Radiothon 2013

“Survival Of The Zed!’, goes the rallying cry for Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ which is kickstarting a 10-day membership drive this August, held annually to entice passionate listeners and community members to subscribe and support the costs of running the station. Following the collective sigh of relief offered by the Government finally hearing the cry for funding support to ensure the future of community radio’s digital broadcasting, the 2013 theme for the Radiothon is ‘survival’ – both after 38 years of community broadcasting and of the coming apocalypse; “whether it’s due to economic collapse, mega-tsunamis, full power outage, rampant zombie-ism, bird flu, swine flu or man flu” reads the station’s press news. This year, ‘survivors’ will be rewarded with Major Prizes up for grabs during the membership drive, from August 24th to 2nd September, including Gold Passes to Brisbane’s The Zoo and The Dendy cinema, Bar Fly package at Chilliwow, Festival Pack including passes to Harvest, Warped, Big Day Out and Soundwave Festivals and a Wicked Camper/Golden Plains Travel Package. More details in the coming weeks at www.4zzzfm.org.au

Dallas Frasca Named “The Next AC/DC” By Europeans

Aussie rock band Dallas Frasca wowed the record-breaking crowds at Le Mans 24hr Circuit in France recently, where over 250,000 people were treated to the riffage of the singer/guitarist and her band. The arena show kicked off Dallas Frasca’s six week Summer Festival Tour across Europe leading them to be labelled as “the next AC/DC.” The Melbourne trio also recently signed to French record company, Verycords, to distribute their second album Sound Painter, which has already found success in Australia after its 2012 release and leading to international touring in the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA including support slots with Patti Smith, Aerosmith, Van Halen, The Tea Party, Billy Joel, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Sound Painter‘s lead single ‘All My Love’ also came third in the AAA category of the International Songwriting Competition amongst 16,000 entries judged by a panel that included Ozzy Osbourne, Tori Amos, Janelle Monae and Tom Waits. Dallas Frasca’s tour continues through Europe this month, details at www.dallasfrasca.com/tours

The Red Paintings Dazzle International Critics

Inventive Australian rock band The Red Paintings’ current You’re Not One Of Them Australian Tour is drawing to a close as the band prepares to head overseas to tour America, Europe and the UK, and if the stirring critical reception their debut album The Revolution Is Never Coming is anything to by, they will be welcomed with open arms. After receiving a rare perfect score review from our Tone Deaf reviewer, the album has been gaining glowing reviews from Rolling Stone, Blunt, and Victim of Sound. The orchestral five-piece have already completed a run of sold-0ut shows across the US as support for Mindless Self Indulgence, who invited them back for their extensive UK & Europe tour, including an invitation to headline the Bizarre Stage at the Rebellion Festival, and a July opening slot with …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Check www.theredpaintings.com for more info.

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