Aussie Musicians Get $33.6 Million Payslip For 2013
Last year Aussie music-makers enjoyed a combined $243.5 million in payouts from recording rights collecting agency APRA, now fellow rights agency PPCA has announced that they handed out a total of $33.6 million to members of the royalties agency in the 2012-2013 financial year. That’s a 16% boost from the previous year’s $29m figure.
PPCA (and ARIA) CEO Dan Rosen applauded the positive results of the agency’s work in “representing our registered artists and record labels and ensuring they are compensated when their creative work is used in businesses across the country.” But Mr. Rosen also emphasised that: “Whilst we are delighted to be able to provide increased distributions to artists and labels, PPCA is conscious that there are still a number of areas where creators, and those who invest in them, are not yet adequately compensated for their creative efforts and investment. PPCA will continue to work hard to achieve fair returns for our stakeholder’s creative content.” (via The Music Network)
Hilltop Hoods Offering $10K Grant To Emerging Hip Hop Artists
Hilltop Hoods and APRA are once again offering a $10,000 grant to give emerging Aussie hip hop and soul artists a leg-up. The HTH Initiative will help the winning act manufacture, market, and release a full-length album and is open to applicants Australia-wide. The prize also includes legal advice from David Vodicka and Media Arts Lawyers, plus Zoo York Clothing and Shure Microphone prize packs.
The HTH Initiative winner will be selected by Hilltop Hoods’ handpicked panel of judges, adding MC/beat-boxer/producer Tom Thum to the panel from 2013. Applications are open now and close on 28th February. The winner will be announced on 27th March. For full details and info head to HilltoopHoods.com or APRA | AMCOS.com.au
Sydney Entertainment Centre Renamed As Venue Rescued By Sponsorship Deal
The Sydney Entertainment Centre will become the Qantas Credit Union Arena as part of a new sponsorship deal following a last-minute rescue that secures the 13,250 capacity venue for another two years. The SEC was at risk of being dozed at the tail-end of 2013, but will now remain open until 2015 as it undergoes redevelopment as part of a plan to overhaul Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct.
As current operators AEG Ogden hands over the venue to the Qantas Credit Union, which has 90,000 members and nearly $3 billion worth of assets. Bands already booked to play the renamed venue include Dave Matthews Band, Arctic Monkeys, Thirty Seconds To Mars and the massive co-headline tour from Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails. (via The Daily Telegraph)
The Delta Riggs Sign Up With 123 Agency, Plot New Album Release
Melbourne’s 123 Agency will now be handling live bookings for The Delta Riggs throughout Australia and New Zealand. The news arrives as the Melbourne rockers are set to unveil the follow-up to Hex Lover Killer, their AMP-nominated debut album issued through The Delta Riggs’ own Rah Rah Radio label.
In anticipation of releasing their new album, entitled Dipz Zebazios, The Delta Riggs will treat Melbourne to a special album preview show at the Northcote Social Club (details and tickets here). “It’s a definite sonic shift for us,” says frontman Elliott Hammond of the new self-produced LP, featuring his distinctive vocals and the band’s trademark rock swagger, but underpinned with a new experimental edge and ‘urban grooves’. (via 123 Agency)
Lost Highway Launches Down Under, Catherine Britt First Local Signing
Legendary Nashville record label Lost Highway is launching an Australian imprint, via Universal Music Australia, to support and sign vital country and roots music based Down Under (as well as in New Zealand and the Pacific region). Highly acclaimed Aussie singer-songwriter Catherine Britt has been named as the first local signing for the new Lost Highway impint.
A recipient of numerous Golden Guitars Awards and APRA and ARIA nominations, Britt has been writing, recording, and performing since the age of 14 and performed alongside the likes of Paul Kelly, Elton John, Tim Rogers, Kasey Chambers and many more. Britt is currently writing and recording her forthcoming sixth studio album, to be released on Lost Highway Records Australia later in 2014.
Universal Music Australia Signs Gang Of Youths
Sydney band and Triple J Next Crop 2014 pick Gang Of Youths have inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group Australia. Of the new signing, UMPG Director of A&R Heath Johns praised the “incredibly dynamic live band” for their “powerful and masterfully crafted tunes” as well as calling frontman Dave Le’aupepe “a songwriter with rare talent.” For his part, Le’aupepe calls the deal “completely unexpected but altogether, extremely gratifying.”
Gang of Youths, who describe their sound as “emotional-ass concept rock”, have gained buzz in the US afer playing CMJ and supporting the likes of Sky Ferreira and Smith Westerns, and have finished an Aussie tour playing with Vampire Weekend and Frightened Rabbit. The band are headed to New York to put the final touches on their debut album through Sony Music with producer Kevin McMahon (The Walkmen, Titus Andronicus, Real Estate and Swans), before hitting SXSW 2014 and touring the UK.
