Sounds Australia, in partnership with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, are seeking expressions of interest from experienced and innovative local screen composers to make up the inaugural delegation of a Trade Mission in Los Angeles from 11th – 15th November 2024.

The aim of the Mission is to raise the profile and visibility of Australian music across the Media and Entertainment sectors in LA.

The successful applicants will have six nights accommodation covered, a contribution of $1,000 AUD towards flights, and be introduced to relevant US buyers and creatives across the Film, Television, Gaming and Advertising sectors, directly promoting the quality and capacity of our industry practitioners in the entertainment capital of the world.

The networks created from this trade mission are designed to develop ongoing, long-term artistic collaborations that will engage international audiences in the future.

Eligibility

All applicants/composers must be:

· Australian citizens, residing outside of the USA;
· and A composer member of APRA AMCOS

Assessment Criteria

An external panel of U.S. Industry advisors with diverse and relevant experience will assess the EOIs against the following criteria:

· Relative strength of the Applicant’s existing experience and calibre of work in Australia.

· The significance of the artistic and commercial impact of commissioned work(s) across film, tv channels, production houses or similar.

· High Evidence of Composer’s Work in Screen Media including:

    • Films: Listing of movies or documentaries scored by the composer, with links to IMDb profiles or official film pages.
    • Television: TV shows or series for which the composer has created music, with links to episodes or show websites.
    • Advertising: Commercials or branded content scored by the composer, with links to videos or advertising campaigns.
    • Gaming: Video games or mobile games with music by the composer, with links to game trailers or official game sites.
    • Other Screen Media: Any additional screen media (such as web series, VR experiences, etc.) featuring the composer’s work, with relevant links to the media.

· Examples of high-quality compositions, including any compositions suitable for sync licensing (include information about availability of tracks, instrumental versions and stems).

· Experience working with music supervisors, directors, and production companies.

Expectations for successful applicants

The applicants are expected to be available for the Monday – Friday (11th – 15th) to take dedicated one on one meetings with relevant LA based producers, editors, showrunners, and directors. The program will also potentially include keynotes or ‘in conversations’ for additional insights in to current trends and pathways for Australians into the LA market.

These meetings will run through the days, with evenings dedicated to broader networking events with relevant screen and music industry sectors

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Applications close 30th August at 11.59pm AEST
Successful applicants will be informed by the last week of September.

 

After much consultation with the sector, Sounds Australia is excited to announce the launch of a large-scale initiative at Amsterdam Dance Event (October 15 – 20, 2024), one of the most significant gatherings in the world for electronic music and its industry.
 
A pop-up activation over October 16 and 17, Australia House (ADE) will highlight the talent and global careers of our local dance and electronic community. Over two packed days, Sounds Australia will be facilitating meetings, networking events and press-focused activity, ensuring the pavilion serves as the prime destination to celebrate and connect with Australia’s dance and electronic cohort in market for ADE.
 
Ranked the third biggest EDM market in the world as determined by Spotify followers, Dance is one of Australia’s most thriving music exports right now, with local artists featuring prominently on festival and club lineups, winning high-profile awards and selling out huge global tours. Capitalising on this burgeoning time for the industry, Sounds Australia is leaning in and looking forward to strengthening pathways between Australia and the rest of the world.
 
In order for us to best curate activities within Australia House at ADE, please let us know if you are planning to be in Amsterdam during ADE by filling out this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/xa4y2Z64ph
 
For Australian artist managers interested in attending ADE, there is specific funding available from the AAM through the Music Australia International Conference Contribution program. Applications are now open, closing on Sunday June 9: https://www.aam.org.au/maicc
 
AIR will have similar funding on offer for industry professionals from Australian independent labels. The next round of funding will open in June. For more information, visit’s AIR’s website: https://air.org.au/maicc/
 
There are also multiple grant programs from Music Australia which are open now, closing on Tuesday July 9: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/

Funding may also be available from your state government. Please check our Funding page to see which grant programs are currently open: https://soundsaustralia.com.au/funding/

 

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Publishers program.

Designed to ease the financial burden for selected Music Publishers who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected AMPAL Members wanting to undertake professional development by attending an international trade conference and undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip.

Applications for events occurring throughout 2024 will be divided into 2 rounds of opening and closing dates:

ROUND 1: Applications open for conferences taking place between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024

ROUND 2: Applications open for conferences taking place between August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024

WHAT DO FUNDING RECIPIENTS RECEIVE

Contributions of up to $5,000 AUD will be awarded to selected Australian-operated music publishers who have been established for a minimum of two years. Funding will help cover essential costs associated with their attendance and international activity at their chosen event, such as travel expenses, accommodation, and event registration costs.

Whilst we realise the majority of music publisher representatives attending these events will be flying in and out of Australia, we understand some may be flying into events from different locations around the world – or already be based near the event location – and therefore they may not require the maximum $5,000 AUD of funding to attend the event. We therefore ask applicants to specify the funding amount they require to attend the event, and only ask for funds required.

Applications for Round 1 close Thursday March 28. For more information, and to apply, head to https://www.ampal.com.au/news-and-events/2024/3/music-australia-international-conference-contribution-publishers

 

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), in partnership with Sounds Australia, presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program.

Designed to ease the financial burden for selected Independent Labels and Distributors who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected AIR Associate, Full and Australian Distributor members wanting to undertake professional development by attending an international trade conference and undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip.

Applications for events occurring throughout 2024 will be divided into 2 rounds of opening and closing dates:
ROUND 1: Applications for conferences taking place between May 1 and July 31, 2024
ROUND 2: Applications for conferences taking place between August 1 and December 31, 2024

WHAT DO FUNDING RECIPIENTS RECEIVE?

Contributions of up to $5000 AUD will be awarded to selected Australian-owned and operated independent labels and distributors who have been established for a minimum of two years. Funding will help cover essential costs associated with their attendance and international activity at their chosen event, such as travel expenses, accommodation and event registration costs.

Whilst we realise the majority of label and distributor representatives attending these events will be flying in and out of Australia, and we understand some may be flying into events from different locations around the world – or already be based near the event location – and therefore they may not require the maximum $5000 AUD of funding to attend the event. We therefore ask applicants to specify the funding amount they require to attend the event and only ask for funds required.

HOW MANY APPLICANTS WILL BE FUNDED?

There is no predetermined number of funding recipients. The number of applicants who receive funding will depend on how much funding is available per round, and the strength of applications received.

Please note that only one person per label/distributor will be funded.

Applications for Round 1 close this Friday March 22. For more information, and to apply, head to https://air.org.au/maicc/

About the role

Sounds Australia is looking to hire someone (permanent, full time) to join our compact team, preferably in the Ultimo office, however candidates from outside of Sydney will be considered.

We are a small team who work very collaboratively, driven by the goal of fast-tracking Australian music success internationally.

We are looking for someone with at least 5 years’ experience in the music industry who has the ability to travel to domestic and international showcase events where necessary.

Candidates should be detail driven and systems oriented, with competency in photo and video editing (Photoshop, Premier Pro, Illustrator) with proficiency in social media applications to build brand presence and engagement.

Genre specific candidates welcome, especially those with a background or expertise in the Asian or LATAM region, dance/electronic music.

Objectives

      • To raise the profile and visibility of Australian artists and industry in key international markets.
      • To encourage, develop and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with key industry and government partners and stakeholders.
      • Provide the best possible showcase environment for Australian artists to secure international outcomes.
      • To provide industry value-add networking and business matching opportunities at international events.
      • To share and present international music market intelligence through a series of local export training practices.
      • Represent Sounds Australia at international market events where required.

Key responsibilities

      • Encourage, develop and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with key international personnel and businesses for the purposes of promoting Australian music offshore.
      • Assist in coordinating and implementing showcase and networking events at international conferences and festivals.
      • Provide resources, information, insights and advice to support the Australian Music Industry in their export activities.
      • Contribute to the monitoring, developing and reporting on all initiatives relating to the role during the annual acquittal periods.
      • Contribute to the development of promotional strategies and content around Sounds Australia’s international market presence at conferences and festivals.
      • Contributing to the Sounds Australia website and social media channels.
      • General reporting to the Executive Producer on all aspects of the role.

Skills & experience:

      • At least 5 years’ experience in the music industry.
      • Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain strong connections and collaborations within the music industry across various genres and markets, facilitating partnerships, promotions, and strategic alliances
      • Demonstrated experience in working across different music markets, including local, and international, understanding the unique dynamics and preferences of specific territories.
      • Current knowledge of the international and domestic music industry, with a particular focus on export markets.
      • Experience and knowledge in specific music genres demonstrating an understanding of nuances, history, and trends.**Preferred, but not required

Competencies:

      • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively articulate ideas, actively listen, and convey information clearly and concisely to team members and partners.
      • Demonstrated capability to prioritise tasks effectively, manage deadlines, and allocate time efficiently to accomplish various responsibilities.
      • Ability to create and implement organised systems, workflows, or processes that streamline tasks and enhance productivity.
      • Initiative and problem solving skills within a team setting, offering innovative solutions and working towards consensus-driven outcomes.
      • Works collaboratively demonstrating a strong commitment to teamwork with the ability to build effective partnerships with colleagues, stakeholders, and external entities to foster on-going mutual respect and trust
      • Capacity to think critically and problem-solve effectively while under pressure, making timely decisions to ensure tasks are completed on time.
      • Capable of juggling multiple tasks without compromising quality, maintaining attention to detail across various simultaneous responsibilities.
      • Uses resources (intellectual, material, time, technological) in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
      • Competency in photo and video editing (Photoshop, Premier Pro and Illustrator)
      • Proficiency in social media applications to build brand presence and engagement

To apply for this role please submit a short cover letter outlining why you would be suitable for this role and a current resume via Bamboo.

While this role is one that requires specific skills and experience, we are encouraging people from all diverse groups who are interested in this position to put an application in, even if they’re not sure if they meet every single bit of the selection criteria.

For more information on this role, please feel free to contact Esti Zilber, Executive Producer Sounds Australia (ezilber@soundsaustralia.com.au)

Applications close: 8 January 2024

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) held their 9th annual Libera Awards digitally today, out of New York City. The event, recognised as the largest Independent music award show in the world, capped off days of panels and one-on-one meetings as part of A2IM Indie Week, which moved onto a digital platform for the 2020 event. Over the course of the week, supported by Sounds Australia, 25 Australian professionals braved the time zones and actively participated in the virtual edition.

Sounds Australia wishes to congratulate the Australian artists who won at the awards:

Julia Jacklin took home Best Folk / Bluegrass album for Crushing (Polyvinyl Record Co.) and also performed the incredible ‘Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You’ as part of the award ceremony, which also included performances from the likes of Orville Peck (who won best Country Album and Breakthrough Artist/Release) and Wyclef Jean, who closed out the night.

Julia Jacklin has appeared at a number of Sounds Australia events including THE AUSSIE BBQ at SXSW, Liverpool Sound City and Sound Gallery @ Komedia at The Great Escape all in 2016.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard won Best Metal Album for Infest The Rats’ Nest (ATO Records). They performed at the 2014 Canadian Music Week THE AUSSIE BBQ, at the iconic Horseshoe Tavern, alongside the likes of You Am I. They were also nominated in the Best Outlier Album category for Fishing For Fishies.

Amyl and the Sniffers won Best Punk / Emo Album for Amyl and The Sniffers (ATO Records), who performed with us in the UK at THE AUSSIE BBQ in London and Brighton’s The Great Escape, as well as The Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg in 2018.

We’d also like to congratulate the managers of the winning acts and acknowledge their tireless work for their artists – Alistair Burns (Julia Jacklin), Andrew Parisi & Simone Ubaldi (Amyl & The Sniffers) and Eric Moore (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard).

These amazing Australian acts joined an impressive list of winners which included Mavis Staples, Sudan Archives, Weyes Blood, Fontaines D.C. and IDLES.

Although they didn’t receive an award (this time), it was fantastic to see Alex Cameron and Courtney Barnett nominated, further demonstrating the depth and talent of Australian music right now.

For the full list of winners and more details about the Libera Awards, head to liberaawards.com

The hard-working people who provide the soundtrack to Australian life need your help, right now.

Sound Of Silence (SOS) is a national initiative from a Music Industry Taskforce* that represent our diverse music industry to bring immediate relief for an industry at the existential brink.

Through a raft of targeted activity, we hope to alleviate the severe hemorrhaging of income that has come with widespread cancellations of festivals, concerts, shows and local gigs.

The music industry and those at its peripheries cannot survive without an alternative source of revenue that has disappeared along with live shows, a figure that has literally gone from 100 to zero in under a week.

The workers in our industry live from gig to gig. Shows are their lifeblood and it will take more than the containment of COVID19 to return them to economic stability. The ramifications are far-reaching and seriously long-term.

The music industry has historically banded together to donate time and money to those in need, as seen recently with bushfire relief efforts – it is always there to lend a helping hand. Now it needs the Australian music-loving public to do the same.

This is a real and present crisis, and this is a very real SOS.

If we don’t act now the soundtrack to Aussie life will stop and all we will hear is the sound of silence.

SENDING OUT AN SOS – THIS IS HOW TO HELP

Visit www.thesoundofsilence.com.au and if you are in a financial position to do so, please donate to Support Act – which is a music charity that provides crisis relief services to artists, roadies and music workers who are directly affected during this time.

● In the absence of touring, merchandise is the most instant investment you can make into any artists career, you can support by visiting any number of the artists stores directly through the store links on the SOS online superstore, or create an equally lasting connection by purchasing the Sound Of Silence, special custom tee designed by Jack Irvine (Billie Eilish, Skeggs) with all proceeds going to Support Act.

● Consider donating your refunds for cancelled shows or a portion of your refund to the venue or Support Act via Sound of Silence (SOS).

● Hang onto your tickets for rescheduled dates. By keeping your ticket, you keep funds in the industry when it is most needed. It also means the artists don’t have to start their marketing campaign all over again therefore saving money and resources in promoting the shows.

● Keep streaming and buying Australian music and merchandise – directly from artist websites, through local record stores (online), Bandcamp, Patreon or via your favourite streaming services – Spotify and Apple.

● Spread the word – contact your preferred radio station and ask them to play your favourite Aussie artists or write a letter to your local MP.

● Message your favourite musician or venue and offer moral support. Or ‘Pay It Forward’ and buy a gift voucher for your favorite artist at their favorite rehearsal, recording or production studio.

● If you know any workers affected by the recent event cancellations and postponements, check that they are aware of I Lost My Gig. The latest figures compiled by ilostmygig.net.au (ILMG) continue the alarming trend in lost income for the creative industries. Reported losses now top $200 million reported in just 5 days while reported people directly affected in the industry sits at over 400,000.

● And most importantly, when we are able to gather en masse again and share in the power of the live experience, please buy tickets to gigs and go and see your favourite acts.

If you’ve been personally affected by this crisis, you can always talk to Lifelife Australia on 13 11 14 or online at https://www.lifeline.org.au

*Music Industry Taskforce:

● AAM – Association of Artist Managers
● ABC – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
● AEG Presents
● AFA – Australian Festivals Association
● Apple
● AIR – Australian Independent Record Labels Association
● AMIN – Australian Music Industry Network
● AMPAL
● APRA AMCOS – Australian Performing Rights Association
● Architects of Entertainment
● ARIA – Australian Recording Industry Association
● ATSI Music Office
● Bar Open
● Bolster
● Chugg Entertainment
● Comes With Fries
● CrewCare
● EMC – Electronic Music Conference
● Ferris Davies PRM
● Frontier Touring
● Illusive Presents
● Jonathan Seidler
● Live Music Office
● Live Nation
● LPA – Live Performance Australia
● Morning Belle
● Moshtix
● Mushroom Group
● Music ACT
● Music Australia
● Music NSW
● Music NT
● Music SA
● Music Tasmania
● Music Victoria
● Nova Entertainment
● PPCA
● Q Music
● Secret Sounds
● Select Music
● SGC Music
● Sounds Australia
● Spotify
● Support Act
● TEG
● Ticketek
● Ticketmaster
● triple j
● UNIFIED Music Group
● VMDO – Victorian Music Development Office
● WAM – West Australian Music