20 June 2019
The latest round of Music Works grants will provide more than $690,000 in funding to support 60 music projects across the state ranging from tours and album recordings, to business development opportunities and soundproofing projects at live music venues.
Push Over 2018, Source: The Push. Photographer Jonathan White
The round will support the likes of Kutcha Edwards, Cosmic Psychos and Simona Castricum to record albums while grants to Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Olympia, Press Club and The Black Sorrows will support international tours.
Grants will also support Girls Rock!, a music program for female, trans and gender diverse youth, to launch a regional program in Castlemaine and Barpirdhila Foundation’s pilot program will create music career pathways for First Peoples youth. Sound of the Future will provide six young First Nations hip hop artists with a mentorship covering music production, song creation and marketing.
Ten Melbourne live music venues and four regional venues will receive funding via the Good Music Neighbours grants category to minimise noise emissions and better manage their sound.
In addition to grants programs, the Music Works initiative has also supported the establishment of The Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne, the creation of the Victorian Music Development Office and the Music Market, a new hub for the music industry that will open at Collingwood Arts Precinct later this year.
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Music Works recipients - Major Funding Round
Auspicious Arts Projects on behalf of Michael Harbus-James, SOUTHBANK, $15,000
For the production and release of two music video clips for the all-female, First Nations hip hop group, Oetha.
Barpirdhila Foundation, PASCOE VALE SOUTH, $30,000
For Barpirdhila Foundation to pilot two youth-based programs to create entry points for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within the music sector. The first will be delivered in partnership with Girls Rock! Melbourne and the second with the Korin Gamadji Institute.
Simona Castricum, BRUNSWICK, $18,665
For the production, mixing, mastering and promotion of Simona Castricum's fourth 12-track album, including performances in Melbourne and Sydney, and a proposed international tour.
Chela, LEOPOLD, $13,000
For Chela to market her new EP globally, including the creation of a music video, artwork and photography.
Cosmic Psychos, DRUMMOND, $15,000
For the recording, mixing and mastering of Cosmic Psychos 11th studio album.
Aaron Dobos, FITZROY NORTH, $5,385
To enable Aaron to spend a month in LA learning from successful producers, engineers, writers and studios.
David Dower, FOSTER, $7,647
For jazz and contemporary musician David Dower to embark on his third European tour, performing 15 shows in the UK and Bulgaria.
Kutcha Edwards, GREENHILL, $17,500
For the recording, mixing, mastering and manufacturing of Circling Time, Kutcha Edwards' new album, with support from renowned producer Andy Stewart.
Nicholas Finch, BRUNSWICK, $12,321
For Cash Savage and The Last Drinks to embark on a European tour, consisting of 14 performances across five countries, including networking opportunities.
Foreign Brothers on behalf of SO.Crates, NORTHCOTE, $7,125
For Danika Smith to record her first LP, to be produced by Grammy-nominated engineer Nick Herrera.
Girls Rock Melbourne, BRUNSWICK WEST, $11,985
Girls Rock! to travel to Castlemaine to deliver its music education and empowerment program aimed at female, trans, and gender diverse regional youth aged 10-17.
JNB Events Pty Ltd, KENSINGTON, $24,300
For Loch Hart Music Festival, a three-day music, arts and camping festival in the Corangamite Shire, to host and promote music networking and mentoring opportunities at the event.
Samuel Kuzich, ASCOT VALE, $8,910
For the recording, mixing and mastering of Samuel Kuzich's debut album in collaboration with his live band, and Grammy-nominated producer Perrin Moss.
Candice Lorrae Lloyd, MELBOURNE, $20,300
For the mixing, mastering, release and promotion of The Merindas self-produced debut album.
Music in Exile, THORNBURY, $25,333
For the recording, mixing, mastering and marketing of two full-length albums as part of the Music in Exile project by Asecuma Beats and Mindy Meng Wang in collaboration with Sui Zhen, to be released digitally and on vinyl. This includes the creation of two music videos and media campaign material.
Northcote Social Club, NORTHCOTE, $8,000
For the presentation of Wind It Up, a live music series at the Northcote Social Club celebrating the diversity of cultures and genres that make up the Melbourne music scene.
Olympia, BRUNSWICK EAST, $31,800
For Olympia to embark on a tour of Europe and the UK in support of Flamingo, her second album, including shows at Reeperbahn festival in Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, London, Brighton and Manchester.
Palm Springs, FITZROY NORTH, $15,000
The recording, production, release and marketing of MOD CON's second album.
Pridelands, COLLINGWOOD, $14,480
To record, mix and master Pridelands’ 10-track debut album.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, SOUTH MELBOURNE, $16,120
To embark on a nine-show North American tour to begin the market development campaign for their upcoming album, including meetings with their international team and potential future partners.
RVG, PRESTON, $25,000
For RVG to support Melbourne band Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever on a US tour, promoting their upcoming second album and connecting to new markets via interviews and studio performances.
Sound of the Future, BRUNSWICK EAST, $24,000
For the delivery of the Beats Rhymes & Life Mentorship Program, a unique opportunity for six young First Nations hip hop artists in Mooroopna to be mentored in music production, song creation, marketing and music industry decision-making.
Maddie Stephenson, PRESTON, $16,000
For Neo-soul band 30/70 to embark on a 15-date European tour including six festival slots and nine headline shows to solidify and expand on existing European industry networks, and promote their upcoming third album.
Jamie Stroud, BOX HILL NORTH, $13,000
For Stoic Records to record, mix, master and strategically release two 7" records on vinyl, showcasing the works of Yirghilya, Thando and Lauren Brydie.
Sunnyside, MELBOURNE, $9,520
For Melbourne-based instrumental jazz-funk six-piece Sunnyside to perform two sets at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, coinciding with a run of five regional Japanese shows.
Wrangler Studios, WEST FOOTSCRAY, $9,000
To undertake an evaluation of the organisation's strategies including financial modelling, business development and website development, to be facilitated by Management Governance Australia.
Press Club, COLLINGWOOD, $16,000
For Melbourne band Press Club to tour the UK and Europe in support of their second album release.
Kee'ahn Bindol, ELWOOD, $7,500
Support for Kee'an to record, mix, master and produce an EP of original songs titled Full Bloom.
Meena Shamaly, BLACK ROCK, $9,322
Support for Meena Shamaly to compose, develop, mix and master the soundtrack for upcoming video game Chaos Tavern, totalling around 12 full tracks. The process will include collaborating and recording with a number of First Nations session musicians.
Music Works - Quick Response Grant recipients
Abandoned Fireworks Factory, SPOTSWOOD, $2,800
For composer and performer Claire Deak to attend ComposersPlus in Lithuania, a course that gathers composers and musicians for a wide range of skills development activities including workshops, lectures and mentoring as they work to develop new compositions.
Amateur Hour, NORTHCOTE, $2,500
For Laura Imbruglia to tour to Tallarook, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Ballarat, supporting the release of her fourth album, Scared of You.
Natasha Anderson, CHEWTON, $2,000
For Natasha Anderson to travel to New York to record, premiere, and promote her new 26-minute composition Cleave.
Allysha Joy, PRESTON, $4,246
For Allysha Joy to embark on her third European solo tour, playing 12 shows across three countries, including a performance at The Great Escape Festival in England.
Shauna Boyle, ABBOTSFORD, $15,000
For Cable Ties to tour the UK with Tropical F**k Storm and showcase at The Great Escape Festival in England.
Drummond Street Services, CARLTON, $1,500
To support Girl Zone's performance and attendance at Dark Mofo in Tasmania.
Bianca Gannon, SOMERS, $5,000
To undertake a professional development residency at the Banff Centre in North America including personalised mentoring and tuition, and the presentation of four solo concerts.
Girly Bits Pty Ltd, MELBOURNE, $10,000
For Ali Barter to play at Bastille Sounds in Paris and Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg combined with a series of club shows, ahead of the global release of her second release.
Huntly, CLIFTON HILL, $7,315
Huntly to travel to Sicily, Italy to perform as an emerging act for the Ypsigrock Festival, and undertake agency meetings in London to secure European representation.
Noemi Liba Friedman, CAULFIELD NORTH, $3,931
Noemi Liba Friedman to attend the So Percussion Summer Institute Program, a two-week masterclass at Princeton University designed for composers and percussion performers.
Celeste Potter, PRESTON, $4,040
Celeste Potter to travel to WORM in Rotterdam, Netherlands to under-take a two-week analogue synth studio residency, attend Rotterdam’s GardenaFest and teach a songwriting masterclass.
Raz Music, ST KILDA, $10,000
For The Grigoryan Brothers to tour the UK on a 13-date tour with acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang.
Thembi Soddell, CLUNES, $3,000
For Thembi Soddell to travel to Melbourne to undertake a professional and industry development residency at Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio.
Richard Stanley, THORNBURY, $9,734
For Civic to tour Europe with headline shows in London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Liege, including festival appearances at Manchester Psych Fest and the Leffingeleuren Festival in Belgium.
Innez Tulloch, PRESTON, $11,000
For Thigh Master to perform at Gonerfest festival in Memphis with an accompanying 23-date US tour to promote their second LP.
WAT Artists, CREMORNE, $3,500
For the Director and Agent of electronic music management and booking agency WAT Artists to travel to Europe and the UK to attend meetings with record labels, managers and booking agents to finalise deals and album roll outs for the agency’s roster of artists.
Woodstock Music, KYNETON, $7,000
For The Black Sorrows to headline the 20th anniversary of Nidaros Blues Festival Norway, with a further seven shows in the UK, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Good Music Neighbours
Barwon Club Hotel, SOUTH GEELONG, $20,450
To undertake major soundproofing works in the existing band room and the adjoining barn which also hosts live music performances.
City of Maribyrnong, FOOTSCRAY, $25,000
To undertake works at the Phoenix Youth Hub to repair and upgrade the soundproofing in the walls and ceiling of the Bunker space, reducing impact on residents and improving sound quality within the venue.
Corner Hotel, RICHMOND, $2,700
To upgrade the loading bay doors to the bandroom to improve the level of noise control at the venue.
Deadman pty ltd trading as The Night Heron, FOOTSCRAY, $1,174
To complete sound management works including the application of acoustic tiles on the ceiling and walls and the installation of an air lock door leading to the external courtyard.
Evelyn Hotel, FITZROY, $9,955
To engage an acoustic engineer to conduct an assessment and redesign the venue entrance and stage, as well as applying acoustic glazing to the new wall and entrance area.
GMT United Pty Ltd, CREMORNE, $5,000
To soundproof KaDo Warehouse by installing double glazed windows and a new acoustic curtain.
Hop Temple, BALLARAT NORTH, $5,000
To engage a consultant to assess the venue's options for a future acoustic upgrade.
JKSO Pty Ltd, ST KILDA, $5,575
To install air-lock doors and windows at The St Kilda Branch and to engage a noise consultant to measure, monitor and assist in controlling sound levels.
Magic Johnson Pty Ltd, FITZROY NORTH, $6,671
To complete noise absorption works at the Tramway Hotel and install new air conditioning and ventilation within the pub following previous sound management works that involved sealing up areas of air and noise flow.
Miss Moses, BRUNSWICK, $16,416
To undertake acoustic testing, conduct acoustic treatment and sound proofing and related electrical works. This work will support the venue to expand its live music offerings.
Murphys Geelong, GEELONG WEST, $4,000
To complete an acoustic report, install secondary glazing to the bar windows and assist direct neighbours by installing secondary, noise reducing glazing on their windows.
The Rye Hotel, RYE, $10,000
To complete double glazing of windows at the venue.
Yarram Regent Theatre Committee of Management, YARRAM, $9,000
To undertake works at Yarram Regent Theatre including the installation of sound proofing panels on the walls and ceiling which will significantly reduce noise pollution for both patrons and performers.
The Yarraville Club, YARRAVILLE, $25,000
To complete an acoustic report, install draping and double glazed windows within the band and comedy room to maximise noise absorption.