With the nation-wide closing of venues igniting concern about the government’s indifference towards a culture of Australian live music, and the country’s Arts Ministers bickering over the long-delayed National Cultural Policy, the recent awarding of federal-govenrment funded grants to a promising list of up-coming artists can be seen as cause for inspiration.
As The Music Network’s Industrial Strength column reports, it was revealed today that the successful applicants for the International Pathways grants have resulted in $20,000 in funding handed to the likes of The Rubens, Sarah Blasko, and San Cisco, among 14 deserving Australian artists awarded funding through from the Federal Government, after 48 applications were received with a total request of $743,726.
According to Australia Council of the Arts the International Pathways “initiative supports international touring by Australian musicians,” providing “up to $20,000 for artists and their manager(s) undertaking international tours of five dates or more in at least three different cities or towns.”
The final 14 successful applicants were selected by a panel made up of a “representative from the Australia Council’s Music Board along with peers with artform and business expertise,” says Paul Mason, Music Director of the Australia Council.
If history is seen as indicative of the future, than such an endowment will serve these recipients well, with previous recipients, including thrash pop duo DZ Deathrays and Sydney-via-London experimental trio PVT having made quite a name for themselves following receiving the grants from International Pathways in 2012.
DZ Deathray’s $15,632 contributed to their international tours in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Japan and accumulating in the opportunity of playing alongside legendary acts like the Foo Fighters. The successful applicants for the International Pathways grants have resulted in $20,000 in funding handed to the likes of The Rubens, Sarah Blasko, and San Cisco.
It seems it is prime time for these showcased Aussie recipients to strike while the iron is hot.
About to head out on a national tour and play Triple J’s One Night Stand, The Rubens are capitalising on the release of their New York-produced self-titled debut last year to critical acclaim and WA-based San Cisco having, in a similar vein, signed onto American label Fat Possum – funding for an overseas campaign can only boost these bands’ label-based international presence.
Their handsome sum of dough, according to the Australia Council, contributing specifically to a “first market visit to the UK/Europe and North America” for the former and a similar tour-route of “Europe and America, including SXSW from February 20th to April 10th 2013” for the latter.
Comparably, ethereal songstress Sarah Blasko, in addition to performing on Australia’s most revered stages such as the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, will also perform at Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue, Barbican, London on the back of the grant which will pave way for a similar European and US double-up tour .
In addition to these three, a number of Victorian bands have received grants, ranging from $10,000 for soul-certified Melbourne 9-piece Saskwatch (who have just announced a new single and national tour) to $19,330 for Riverboats Festival highlights, The Bombay Royale – with a Eurocentric tour pencilled in the books for both these recipients.
For all those punters out there, you better catch these bands in your local pub while you can. Who knows where they will be this time next year?
Here’s the full list of successful applicants for this years International Pathway grants.
Australia Council of the Arts International Pathways Successful Applicants 2013
Agnes Kain (NSW) $7,194
To support a tour to China in April 2013
All Mankind (NSW) $17,200
To support a tour to Germany and Europe throughout 2013
Australian Chamber Choir (VIC) $16,000
To support a 15 Concert tour titled “BRIDGE OF DREAMS” to Germany, Denmark, Poland and France
Dyson, Mia (VIC) $13,758
To support a15 date tour of the USA to promote the release of Mia’s album “The Moment”
Ensemble Offspring Incorporated (NSW) $11,866
To support a tour to Europe in 2013 to perform and promote new Australian music
Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra (NSW) $12,990
To support a tour to New Zealand, as part of the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra’s 10th Anniversary Tour of Australia
Manricks, Jacam (OS) $10,000
To support a tour to France Canada and USA to promote Jacam’s new album “Cloud Nine”
Poulson, Julien (TAS) $10,000
To support a world tour by the Cambodian Space Project to festivals, arts centres and venues in Asia, USA, UK and Europe in 2013
San Cisco (WA) $20,000
To support a tour to Europe and America, including SXSW from February 20th to April 10th 2013
Sarah Blasko (NSW) $20,000
To support a two week tour of the UK and Europe, including a showcase at the Barbican in London.
Saskwatch (VIC) $10,000
To support a tour to Europe to perform 20 shows in May/June 2013
Speak Percussion (VIC) $13,500
To support a tour to Europe and America.
The Bombay Royale (VIC) $19,330
To support a European tour to promote their debut album, which will include performances at WOMAD and SZIGET.
The Rubens (NSW) $20,000
To support the Rubens on their first market visit to the UK/Europe and North America.
