Coalition Yet To Outline Support On Community Radio Broadcasting

Following on from the Greens announcing their $27m pledge to community radio as part of a greater push for funding towards the arts, including $12 million towards having musicians get Centrelink and tax breaks, the Labor party have outlined their position on the future of community broadcasting. Following the Commit To Community Radio campaign applauding the Greens’ policies, the ALP issued a response stating “a re-elected Rudd Labor Government will continue to support the community broadcasting sector to serve their audiences into the future;” chiefly through continued funding of the digital roll-out of community radio. CBAA president Adrian Basso says that “while modest”, the Federal Government’s pledge of $6 million over three years combined with the recent Greens announcement now puts pressure on the Coalition who are “lagging behind” to outline their own support of the community broadcasting sector. “The Coalition needs to listen to the calls from the community and reveal how the party will support community broadcasters before it’s time to vote,” says Mr Basso. “Historically, the Coalition has been very supportive of community broadcasting,” he adds but noted that voters “deserve to know where [all] the major parties stand… before we go to the polls on September 7th.”  (via Commit To Community Radio)

White Night Melbourne Applications Now Open

Musicians, performer, bands, and artists can now apply to participate in Melborune’s 24 hour arts and music festival, White Night Melbourne, which recently announced that it is returning in 2014 after a successful debut earlier this year. Expressions of interest for the event are now open at the official website, until Tuesday 1st October, and put the call-out for everything from musical groups, to buskers, dancers, venues, and even food trucks and “out of the box projects.” White Night Melbourne’s Helpmann Award-winning debut in February this year drew crowds of 300,000 into the CBD with a programme that boasted over 300 local and international artists performing in more than 80 free events across 40+ venues. The live music selection, curated by Felix Riebl of The Cat Empire, included a concert stage at the steps of Flinders Street Station that went into the early hours of the morning with a lineup featuring Eagle & The Wor, Hiatus Kaiyote, and The Cat Empire themselves. (via White Night Melbourne)

Arts Victoria Changes Music Grants Funding

Arts Victoria is introducing the new VicArts Grants program, as outlined in the 2013/2014 Victorian State Budget, to bring together a number of different music funding avenues as part of new streamlined and accessible program. The updated Contemporary and Live Music Development will continue to offer a range of support in recording, touring, presentation, and promotion to musicians, but will be going entirely digital for the first time ever when the first funding round opens this Monday 2nd September. All submissions will now be made through Arts Victoria’s online Grants Portal, which is now open for registrations ahead of the official opening in September. Project and applicant eligibility criteria has also been redeveloped with the maximum level of arts funding increased to $20,000 for individuals and $75,000 for organisations. The two annual funding rounds will remain in their usual timeframes – usually March and September each year. Applications for the new VicArts Grants program open on Monday 2nd September and close on Wednesday 18th September for projects starting from January 2014. Further information, including full program guidelines, can be found at www.arts.vic.gov.au (via Arts Victoria)

Seekae Sign To Future Classic

Popular Sydney trio Seekae are currently touring the country previewing material from their forthcoming third album(due early 2014), which will mark a milestone as the 100th release for the band’s new label home, Future Classic. The Sydney-based record label have signed Seekae as the latest addition to their steadily growing roster (that includes Flume, Jagwar Ma, and Flight Facilities). “We’re stoked to have a record like this for our 100th Future Classic release,” says label head Nathan McLay of the milestone. “We’ve been Seekae fans since their first release and from what we’ve heard so far this album is going to be incredible.” Seekae have already given fans a first taste of their new record in lead single ‘Another‘, featuring percussionist Alex Cameron on vocals and mixing by David Wrench (Caribou, Bat For Lashes). (via Future Classic)

Village Sounds Names Ex-EMI Exec As New CEO

The Village Sounds Group, founded by Jessica Ducrou that co-produces Splendour In the Grass, Falls Festival, and Homebake, has placed Matthew Evans in the newly-create role of CEO. Previously positioned as EMI’s CFO of Australasia, Evans will manage Village Sounds Group’s stakes in the aforementioned music festivals, along with Ducrou’s part in Village Sounds Agency, Secret Sounds Touring, Secret Sounds Connect and the new North Byron Parklands site in Yelgun used for Splendour and Falls. Evans noted he was “thrilled” to take on the new role, while Ducrou praised him for “his exceptional set of skills and experience, to lead the management and growth of the group” as they enter “a truly exciting phase for [the] business.” (via TheMusic)

UNFD Expands Roster. Signs Saviour, Represents Taking Back Sunday, Bayside, & Neck Deep

Australian heavy and hardcore label UNFD has announced they have signed on Perth’s Saviour to their artist roster for the release of their new album First Light To My Death Bed, out 4th October. Saviour took part in the UNFD-presented East Coast Rampage Tour and will tour with new labelmates Northlane along the East Coast this September. Meanwhile UNFD will represent Taking Back Sunday, New York’s Bayside, and UK’s Neck Deep in Australia and New Zealand as all three acts sign on with Hopeless Records as part of a new worldwide deal. Taking Back Sunday will release their next full-length album in early 2014 through Hopeless, and Wrexham natives Neck Deep will release their debut album early next year and the five-piece are headed to Australian for the first time ever this November. (via UNFD)

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