Category: International News

Introducing: SOUNDS SESSIONS

Posted on by Dom Alessio

Sounds Australia is excited to announce the launch of SOUNDS SESSIONS, a curated series of global conversations, which will be held on our new online industry portal, Inside Sounds.

For the inaugural series we’ve partnered with A2IM to present encore screenings of panels that were initially streamed as part of this year’s A2IM Indie Week. After each session, participants will have the opportunity to join some of the speakers in a special Q&A held on Zoom.

It kicks off next Tuesday August 3 at 9am AEST with the panel “What Does The Future Of Live Music Look Like?”

Registration is essential as spots are limited, so those Australian industry professionals interested in attending one or all of the sessions need to email mmillgate@soundsaustralia.com.au to secure their place.

Week 1 – Aug 3
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF LIVE MUSIC LOOK LIKE?

Rev. Moose (NYC) Katherine Friedland (NYC) Tobi Parks (Des Moines)

Week 2 – Aug 10
ELEVATING UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES

Melanie McClain (NYC) David Krinsky (San Fran) Janett Berrios (Florida) Shane Gill (Vancouver) Andre Benjamin (NYC)

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE BONUS PRESENTATION (15min) – KENYA

Week 3 – Aug 17
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON STREAMING; ARE YOU CONNECTED TO THE WORLD?

Anna Siegel (NYC) Hiba Fatima Irshad (NYC) Arun Sajjan (Dubai)

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE BONUS PRESENTATION (15min) – TURKEY

Week 4 – Aug 24
MUSIC AND INFLUENCER COLLABORATIONS ARE THE FUTURE, BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE COPYRIGHT ISSUES?

Heather Johnson (Seattle) Nate Beck (Washington) Sam Seum (LA)

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE BONUS PRESENTATION (15min) – SOUTH AFRICA

Week 5 – Aug 31
DO LABELS STILL SIGN ALBUM DEALS W SINGLES ARE THE PRIMARY RELEASE FORMAT?

Elliot Resnik (NYC) Tony Alexander (Memphis) Susan Busch (NYC)

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE BONUS PRESENTATION (15min) – NIGERIA

Week 6 – Sept 7
BUILDING FOR RESILIENCE: HOW INDEPENDENTS ARE TAKING STEPS TO OWN THEIR FUTURE

Katie Alberts (Atlanta) Zac Zarrilo (Philly) Whitney Dublin (NYC) Dan Nevin (London)

Global Music Match Returns For 2021

Posted on by Dom Alessio

Following the colossal success of the debut Global Music Match in 2020, the worldwide matchmaking program returns from June 7, featuring 78 artists from 17 countries – including 13 from Australia.

Artists from Australia, Brittany in France, Canada, Catalonia, Chile, Denmark, England, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Taiwan, USA and Wales are set to collaborate over the coming three months, in what is thought to be the world’s largest online musical matchmaking program.

This year’s iteration follows 2020’s world-first collaboration, which was created by founding partners Sounds Australia, Showcase Scotland Expo and Canada’s East Coast Music Association (ECMA) in a bid to continue developing profiles for folk-based artists in international music markets within the challenging and unprecedented parameters of COVID-19.

Artists from around the world have been grouped into international teams of six, from different countries, and over the coming 12 weeks will collaborate with each other across social media. Each act has an assigned two-week Featured Artist period, during which time their five teammates will introduce them to five new audiences around the globe – rotated amongst all artists, up to the end of August.

Fanny Lumsden, one of the Australians who participated in the first Global Music Match, said of the program: “Global Music Match completely turned on its head my approach and access to the international market as an independent singer songwriter and it did that through people: friendships, connection, creation and collaboration. It was such a incredible way to connect across the oceans and I feel confident now to head out and physically tour in a range of new markets, once it’s all opened up again. It was a career highlight experience without a doubt.”

The 13 Australian artists participating in this year’s Global Music Match are:

Andrea Kirwin
Emma Swift
Ernest Aines
Francesca de Valence
Georgia State Line
Gretta Ziller
Joel Havea
Melanie Horsnell
Monique Clare
Musketeer
Rich Davies
Ruth Hazleton
Tom West 

With 78 artists, 13 teams of six will operate simultaneously, across borders, countries and timezones, introducing audiences to three months of new music, whilst artists largely remain unable to tour internationally.

Each team is also led by an international coach – all of whom are also leading festival directors from around the world, within the folk/roots genres. Artists will be coached throughout the project by influential figureheads from such revered events as the Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival (both Australia), Philadelphia Folk Festival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (both USA), Vancouver Island Folk Festival (Canada), Knockengorroch World Ceilidh (Scotland), Manchester Folk Festival and Americana UK (both England), amongst many more.

Another Australian involved in last year’s Global Music Match, Kaurna Cronin, said: “It was such a treat to work alongside everyone, and have such a profound sense of community during this time. For such a short project period, I was overwhelmed with the skills I not only developed, but ideas and thought streams I was inspired to pursue. The knowledge I gained and the forging of meaningful worldwide connections was invaluable, especially during a time where such tasks seemed so difficult to achieve.”

Borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and created as a unique and direct response to the sudden limitations imposed on the worldwide music industry – and in particular, international showcasing – Global Music Match seeks to enhance and develop artists’ international fanbases, presence and peer connections in global markets.

Discover all 78 artists involved in this year’s Global Music Match, and find out which teams they’re in, by heading to http://www.globalmusicmatch.com

 

 

Rock Scene Presents… x Sounds Australia

Posted on by Dom Alessio

 

This week, the Amazon Music UK Twitch channel will premiere a special Rock Scene presents… episode, in collaboration with Sounds Australia, spotlighting five Australian artists making waves in the rock, metal and punk scenes. Stand Atlantic, DZ DEATHRAYS, The Dead Love, Yours Truly and Waxflower have each recorded exclusive live sets in a number of iconic locations in Australia.

Stand Atlantic performed at Max Watts, a music venue in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter; DZ DEATHRAYS take over The Triffid, a former WW2 hanger turned vibrant garden space and music venue in Brisbane; 3sixty skate park in Wollongong on the New South Wales South Coast is the location for The Dead Love’s set; the stunning Hayden Orpheum cinema in Sydney hosts Yours Truly; and Waxflower perform at The Zoo, one of Brisbane’s most beloved live music venues.

Hosted by Sounds Australia’s Glenny G and Dom Alessio, the live Twitch stream will initially take place on Thursday 27th May at 6pm BST (10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 7pm CEST) and will be repeated on Friday 28th May at 6pm AEST (4pm SGT / 8pm NZST).

Watch live and join in the chat on https://www.twitch.tv/amazonmusicuk

Applications Open For Global Music Match 2021

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2020 saw the introduction of Global Music Match, a world-first collaboration created by founding partners Sounds Australia, Showcase Scotland Expo and East Coast Music Association (ECMA), along with export organisations and showcase events from around the world. 96 artists from 14 countries participated in the first edition.

Through social media and peer-to-peer collaboration, GMM advanced opportunities and networks internationally, and encouraged cross border artist collaboration by connecting musicians from around the world, creating new audiences in a range of international locations, providing a groundwork for future international touring development.

Applications are now open for Australian artists interested in taking part in the next edition of Global Music Match. It’s a 16-week, artist driven program, designed to establish real life connections between export-ready artists. Artists’ work should be rooted in acoustic, folk, roots, traditional, or world music genres.

Through these introductions artists will enhance their social media skill sets, interact with new audiences, create new and engaging content and have the opportunity to work together to create musical collaborations on a global scale.

You have until Friday April 16 to apply for the 16-week intensive program which commences on Thursday May 13. For more information, and to apply, please head to the website below:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/ShowcaseScotlandExpo1/GlobalMusicMatch2021ArtistApplication

Sounds Australia announces Close Up Showcases at SXSW Online 2021

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For over a decade, Sounds Australia has coordinated some of the most talked-about showcases at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. From THE AUSSIE BBQ to Sound Gallery, 2 For The Showcase, Beat Pie and more, Sounds Australia’s suite of showcases has consistently provided a platform for Australian artists to perform in front of music industry from North America and abroad.

And that won’t change this year. As part of the inaugural SXSW Online 2021, Sounds Australia will present CLOSE UP. 18 Australian artists, across three one-hour showcases, will each perform two live songs. These performances have never been seen before and all were recorded in the artists’ “backyard” (however they chose to interpret that theme).

Each showcase will feature six artists, streaming at 9:00pm US CDT on March 17th, 18th and 19th, which means it’s a great time for Australian industry and music fans to log in and watch too: 1:00pm AEDT on March 18th, 19th and 20th.

Performing as part of CLOSE UP will be Alexander Biggs, Alice Skye, Baker Boy, Beans, Death By Denim, Didirri, Hachiku, Hauskey, Indigo Sparke, Jaguar Jonze, Kee’ahn, Ninajirachi & Kota Banks, No Money Enterprise, Shannen James, Sycco, The Chats, The Lazy Eyes and The Merindas.

In keeping with the backyard theme, CLOSE UP will be hosted by Sounds Australia’s Glenny G, Millie Millgate and Dom Alessio, right from Glenny’s own backyard.

The Australian participation doesn’t stop there. Luke Howard and Sophie Hutchings will perform as part of a series of showcases at SXSW Online 2021 hosted by Mercury KX. Sophie’s performance will screen on Thursday March 18th at 12:30pm CDT (Friday 19th, 4:30am AEDT), while Luke’s set will stream on Saturday March 20th at 12:30pm CDT (Sunday 21th, 4:30am AEDT).

The 20 Australian artists selected for SXSW, along with their management teams, will also be offered networking opportunities, facilitated by Sounds Australia, to meet virtually with representatives from the North American music industry. These closed-door networking sessions will happen before and after the digital event.

As part of SXSW’s 2021 offerings, the digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, film screenings, music showcases, networking, and exhibitions from March 16 – 20, 2021. To access SXSW – including the CLOSE UP and Mercury KX showcases – you will need to register for the conference. Passes are currently US $325, although that price will rise closer to the event. You can register at SXSW’s website.

CLOSE UP
Wednesday March 17th, 9:00pm CDT
(7:00pm LA / 10:00pm NYC / 11:00pm Sao Paulo)
(Thursday 18th, 2:00am London / 10:00am Singapore / 1:00pm AEDT)

Alexander Biggs
Baker Boy
Hachiku
Shannen James
Sycco
The Lazy Eyes

Thursday March 18th, 9:00pm CDT
(7:00pm LA / 10:00pm NYC / 11:00pm Sao Paulo)
(Friday 19th, 2:00am London / 10:00am Singapore / 1:00pm AEDT)

Alice Skye
Beans
Death By Denim
Kee’ahn
Ninajirachi & Kota Banks
The Chats

Friday March 19th, 9:00pm CDT
(7:00pm LA / 10:00pm NYC / 11:00pm Sao Paulo)
(Saturday 20th, 2:00am London / 10:00am Singapore / 1:00pm AEDT)

Didirri
Jaguar Jonze
Hauskey
Indigo Sparke
No Money Enterprise
The Merindas

Sounds Australia Joins Huge Local Contingent at Folk Unlocked

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An incredible 65 Australian artists will be given a platform to be seen by members of the international music industry this month when they take part in Folk Unlocked, the inaugural virtual event from the team behind Folk Alliance International.

Established in 1989, Folk Alliance International (FAI) is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. The event became renowned by fans and musicians alike for its unique set up: taking over a hotel in cities around North America, where each room was turned into a showcase room. Nights are spent traversing the hallways, following your ears to the best sounds, and discovering some incredible talent from around the world along the way.

In 2020, FAI was one of the last events to happen – in January in New Orleans – before Covid-19 shut down music conferences and festivals around the world. Shortly thereafter, they became one of the first to commit to a digital event for 2021, Folk Unlocked.

The move provided organisers and the artists who will play the event ample time to prepare for the virtual conference, set to take place from the 22nd to the 26th of February.

For the inaugural digital event, Sounds Australia is proud to be presenting their virtual showcase CLOSE UP, partnering with Isol-Aid and participating in the Global Music Marathon – featuring many of the artists who took part in 2020’s groundbreaking Global Music Match.

CLOSE UP – Sound Australia’s flagship virtual showcase – will be held on the opening night of the event, Monday 22nd February from 4.30pm to 6.30pm CT (Tuesday 23rd 9:30am – 11:30am AEDT). Hosted by Sounds Australia’s Leah Flanagan, Glenny G and Dom Alessio, CLOSE UP will serve as the spotlight showcase for the Australian artists playing the event.

An exciting and eclectic mix of 12 acts will showcase as part of CLOSE UP, featuring, in alphabetical order: Benny Walker, David Spry, Deline Briscoe, Emily Wurramara, Emma Swift, Ernest Aines, Kee’ahn, Monique Clare, Nathan May, Ruth Hazleton & Daisywheel, Tenzin Choegyal and XANI.

Sounds Australia is thrilled to be partnering with Isol-Aid, the world’s longest running online music festival, to bring this unique festival experience to Folk Unlocked 2021. 49 Australian artists are set to perform live across the four days of Folk Unlocked, from the 22nd to the 25th of February. Isol-Aid Unlocked will start at 6.30pm CT (23rd – 26th 11:30am AEDT), with no less than 12 Australian artists taking audiences into their homes each night.

In addition to the performances during CLOSE UP and Isol-Aid Unlocked, Australian acts Charm Of Finches, Colin Lillie, Fanny Lumsden, Kaurna Cronin, Little Quirks, Saije, Shelley Segal, STAV and The Heart Collectors will be involved in the closing event of Folk Unlocked – Global Music Marathon – on Friday the 26th at 3:30pm CT (Saturday 27th at 8:30am AEDT).

Global Music Marathon will bring together many of the artists from around the world who took part in 2020’s groundbreaking digital project Global Music Match. The Marathon will see these artists reunited to present once-in-a-lifetime performances and collaborations in a very special presentation. More details on this event will be revealed closer to the date.

During Folk Unlocked 2021 Australian artists will also be presenting their own private showcases, along with presented showcases such as i hear Django and the New Melbourne Folk Club. To see the full list of Australian artists showcasing, head to https://soundsaustralia.com.au/index.php/event/folk-unlocked/

In order for Folk Unlocked to be an event accessible to all, there is a pay-what-you’re-able pricing structure. All registration prices provide the same level of access. Registration is valued at US $150, and there are three other registration tiers (in American dollars): $75, $25, and $0: https://member.folk.org/event/folkunlocked

Showcasing At Folk Unlocked

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In place of an in-person conference this year, Folk Alliance International is hosting Folk Unlocked, a four-day virtual event for the entire international folk community to come together for panels, workshops, showcases, affinity and peer group meetings, exhibit spaces, networking, and mentorship.

FAI are unlocking the doors and windows of the house of folk to be as broad and inclusive as possible, inviting those who have been loyally attending Folk Alliance International conferences for years while aiming to reach folk musicians and professionals who have never benefited from or attended FAI before.

If you would like to apply for one of the limited Sounds Australia showcasing spots, please complete the following application. Applications are due by Friday 13 November:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X26FQS2

Folk Unlocked will run from February 22 – 25, 2021. Registrations are now open if you’re interested in attending the virtual event. In order for Folk Unlocked to be an event accessible to all, FAI have built a pay-what-you’re-able pricing structure. All registration prices provide the same level of access. Registration is valued at $150, and there are three other registration tiers: $75, $25, and $0.

 

Folk Alliance International are also providing discounts to their 2022 conference for those who register to Folk Unlocked. The discount code must be used during the Early Bird registration period for the 2022 conference.

Early Bird: 100% of Folk Unlocked registration price applied to 2022 conference registration if you register for Folk Unlocked from October 22, 2020, to December 22, 2020.
Advanced: 50% of Folk Unlocked registration price applied to 2022 conference registration if you register for Folk Unlocked from December 23, 2020, to January 22, 2021.
Final: No discount on 2022 conference registration if you register for Folk Unlocked after January 22, 2021.

To register, visit https://folk.org/unlocked

 

A Special Offer For ADE Pro 2020

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Sounds Australia would like to offer Australian delegates the opportunity to attend Amsterdam Dance Event at a discounted rate. Taking place from October 21 – 25, ADE will host a select number of in-person showcases, along with the online-first ADE Pro virtual conference, combining industry panels, in-depth masterclasses and Q&As.

For those that are regulars or others in the Australian electronic and dance music community who would like to experience ADE (albeit virtually) for the first time, the offer means you can secure your ADE pass for only €35 (normally €75). By purchasing this special offer you will also be eligible for a €50 discount on ADE Pro Passes for ADE 2021!

This offer has been made possible with the support from Electronic Music Conference and to save €40 on your ADE 20 Pro Digital Pass simply fill out this form: https://forms.gle/DQcXN8guJL5tvcnc9.

This offer is exclusive to Australian delegates only. Be quick to redeem this amazing offer as it expires October 9 or when the super limited allocation is exhausted.

Sounds Australia at All That Matters 2020

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Sounds Australia is excited to announce its activity at next week’s All That Matters digital conference – including the introduction of a brand new showcase format called CLOSE UP, featuring live performances from 12 Australian artists.

For years, All That Matters in Singapore has been an important conference for countries across Asia and the Pacific region, hosting delegates from music, digital marketing, gaming and entertainment industries. Sounds Australia has maintained a consistent presence since 2011, as well as coordinating THE AUSSIE BBQ multiple times as part of the complementary Music Matters Live program.

In 2020 the Australian Government, as part of its wider Australian Music Industry Package, committed $1.6 million (over 4 years) to expanding Sounds Australia’s export activity in key markets and in particular Asia. As All That Matters shifts to a virtual format, Sounds Australia continues its steadfast commitment to putting Australian artists in front of the international music industry with the introduction of CLOSE UP on Tuesday September 15.

In the inaugural outing for their new showcase format, Sounds Australia is proud to present 12 alumni artists that have previously showcased at either Music Matters, Singapore or Nokia Music Connects, Mumbai with the Australian export body. The three CLOSE UP packages will each showcase four special performances created during this unique period of restriction, isolation and lockdown. These artists include:

Ash Grunwald
Ball Park Music
Cub Sport
Fairchild
Hayley Mary
Jaguar Jonze
Kate Miller-Heidke
Katie Noonan & The Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Middle Name Dance Band
Sheppard
Slumberjack
Your Girl Pho

In addition to the CLOSE UP showcases, on Tuesday September 15 at 2:00pm SGT, Sounds Australia’s Digital Export Producer Dom Alessio will be moderating the panel Working With Neighbours: Strengthening Music Partnerships across Australasia. Speakers include Kate Ben-Tovim (Turning World), Keith Tan (CD Baby), Nate Flagrant (Flagrant Artist Management) and Wenona Lok (Imagikai).

The CLOSE UP showcases and Working With Neighbours panel are open to All That Matters conference delegates only. Passes start at US $99 and can be purchased from the All That Matters website. Sounds Australia is offering a 50% discount on a limited number of passes to Australian Music Industry Professionals who wish to attend. Before you register, please email Millie Millgate at mmillgate@soundsaustralia.com.au who will provide you with the discount code.

Even with international movement restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sounds Australia has continued to create innovative opportunities for Australian artists and professionals to connect with, and be seen, by industry around the world. Earlier this week, the music export office announced Country Connections Live, a virtual showcase at Thriving Roots 2020. Plus, Global Music Match is in full swing, featuring 96 artists from 14 countries, including 12 Australian acts, who are sharing each other’s music and connecting with new international fans on social media.

Introducing: Country Connections Live

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In the spirit of global collaboration and support, British Underground, CIMA and Sounds Australia are partnering to present the inaugural Country Connections Live – A Showcase of emerging Americana artists from Australia, Canada and the UK, an exciting online Special Event during Thriving Roots 2020.

Presented by the Americana Music Association Foundation, Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference is a brand-new event. From the comfort of their own homes, attendees will experience an interactive conference with almost 100 online sessions that go beyond today’s webinar-style virtual conferences. This new experience invites industry professionals, DIY artists and die-hard music fans to be a part of three full days of insight, connections and showcases from September 16-18, 2020.

British Underground, CIMA and Sounds Australia have been working collaboratively for almost a decade. Country Connections began at SXSW 2011 as a place for music exporters to share knowledge, discuss topics affecting the global music industry and make new connections. It’s since grown to be a global initiative held at The Great Escape, AMERICANAFEST and Folk Alliance International, as well as SXSW, where professional delegates from Australia, Canada, UK, Ireland and New Zealand network with each other.

When the live music industry necessarily needed to close due to COVID-19, Country Connections pivoted online and became a monthly virtual event, bringing industry professionals from across the globe together on Zoom, creating vital connections in a time of isolation. Now we’re excited to announce the next evolution of Country Connections.

Introduced by the iconic BBC Radio 2 host Bob Harris, the first ever Country Connections Live will feature live performances alternating between artists from Australia, Canada and the UK. Four acts from each country will perform 2 songs apiece, making up the 2-hour showcase special. In alphabetical order, the artists are:

AHI (CAN)
Beccy Cole (AUS)
Charlie Collins (AUS)
Dan Sultan (AUS)
Ferris And Sylvester (UK)
Julian Taylor (CAN)
Lady Nade (UK)
Lauren Housley (UK)
Mama’s Broke (CAN)
Misty River (UK)
Mo Kenney (CAN)
Troy Cassar-Daley (AUS)

Country Connections Live will take place as part of Thriving Roots on Thursday September 17 at 5:00pm CDT (3:00pm PDT / 6:00pm EDT / 11:00pm BST / Friday 6:00am AWST / Friday 8:00am AEST). The showcase is only accessible to those who have purchased passes to Thriving Roots.

These 12 performers join an incredible line-up of artists and speakers already announced for the virtual event, including Jackson Browne, T-Bone Burnett, Ken Burns, Brandi Carlile, Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris and Mavis Staples.

Passes to Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference start at US$99. You can purchase them at https://americanamusic.org/thrivingroots.