96 artists from 14 countries are taking part in what could be the largest online matchmaking of musicians ever undertaken.
Created in a world first collaboration between founding partners Sounds Australia, Showcase Scotland Expo and Canada’s East Coast Music Association (ECMA), along with 11 other export organisations and showcase events from around the world, Global Music Match is a pilot initiative created to continue raising the profile of local artists in international music markets within the challenging parameters of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breaking acts into a new territory or country is a difficult process right now. Global Music Match, which is a unique response to the limitations imposed on the music industry, makes use of one of the only available platforms – social media and peer-to-peer collaboration – to increase networks, audiences and exposure for export-ready artists internationally.
Launching today, Global Music Match will run for 7 weeks, concluding on October 12. Search for the hashtag #globalmusicmatch to see the action – and head to globalmusicmatch.com to experience the journey.
For the pilot edition of Global Music Match, 96 artists from 14 countries are participating, steeped in the acoustic, folk, roots, traditional and world music genres. They have been divided into 16 teams, ensuring no two acts from the same country are placed together.
Each week, across multiple posts, artists will ‘introduce’ one act from their team, engaging with them on social media to promote them to their fanbase. This is reciprocated for everyone involved, meaning that participating artists will be presented to a range of new online audiences around the world.
Twelve artists have been selected from Australia. Artists who have previously participated in Sounds Australia’s export activities were invited to apply. We’re excited to announce those chosen for the pilot edition of Global Music Match are:
Charm of Finches
Colin Lillie
Fanny Lumsden
Hussy Hicks
Kaurna Cronin
Little Quirks
Riley Pearce
Saije
Shelley Segal
STAV.
The Heart Collectors
William Crighton
Each team has been allocated an internationally renowned coach to lead and direct them through the project. Chloe Goodyear (Woodford Folk Festival) and Justin Rudge (Port Fairy Folk Festival) from Australia will bring their years of experience and invaluable expertise to two of the Global Music Match teams.
Glenn Dickie, Export Music Producer from Sounds Australia, WhatsApp Wizard, Zoom Master and Coach Of The Coaches for Global Music Match, said: “It’s been incredibly rewarding having such a simple idea of connecting artists from Australia and Scotland grow into something global with nearly 100 acts from around the world involved.
“During these last few months, we have purposefully created initiatives that will develop and thrive beyond these times. Global Music Match perfectly encapsulates our mission to connect Australian industry and talent to the world, whether it’s in-person at a showcase event or online.”
Global Music Match is supported by the following export organisations: Catalan Arts (Spain), ECMA (Canada), English Folk Expo, FOCUS Wales, Folk Alliance International, Iceland Music, LUCfest Taiwan, Music Estonia, Music Finland, Music Norway, Puglia Sounds (Italy), Showcase Scotland Expo, Sounds Australia and Spectacle vivant Bretagne (Brittany, France).
