The annual Australian Music Prize (AMP) is creeping up on us again, with anticipation building around it as it was recently announced that American Rolling Stone’s David Fricke will be flying down to Australia to deliver the official keynote address at the award ceremony. The 2012 AMPS Amped Up In Conversation will be held at our iconic Sydney Opera House on Thursday March 8. In his keynote, Fricke will be addressing the current state of the Australian music industry based on his vast knowledge of Australian music since the 1980s.

“After much industry research, we’re pleased to announce this new, broader, industry event at which we can announce which of the 9 shortlisted artists will win The 7th Amp. As well as lunch at the iconic Sydney Opera House and the winner announcement, we are privileged to present from Rolling Stone magazine in New York, David Fricke to speak to local industry folk. The event is enabled by the support of PPCA and the Sydney Opera House,” says The Amp Director Scott B. Murphy.

Fricke has written reviews on big name Australian acts such as INXS, Silverchair and Midnight Oil, and achieved groundbreaking interviews with artists such as Kurt Cobain, Patti Smith and Metallica. 

“It is a great honor to be invited to one of the most important events in Australian music, celebrating the best new records in the country,” Fricke says. “It will also be like coming home to one of my favorite rock & roll scenes in the world.”

The Australian Music Prize Ltd is an organization established to encourage, reward and promote Australian music of excellence. Each year an Australian artist or group is awarded The Amp, receiving a cash prize in recognition of the outstanding creativity they exhibited based on an original album released in that year.

In addition to announced the 7th annual AMP winner, there will be an open forum to discuss the current state of Australian music, both on home soil and overseas.

The AMP short list will be announced on Thursday February 2. Tickets will be available from February 6.

For more information head here.

Posted Wed 25th Jan, 2012 by scarlett.

Sounds Australia’s Milli Millgate has won FBi Radio’ s honourable SMAC of the Year Award which recognises Milgate’s incredible contribution to Sydney’s music, art and culture scene.

Held on January 19 at The National Art School in Darlinghurst, the FBi Radio SMAC Awards (Sydney, Music Art & Culture) recognised the artists, musicians, venues, promoters and culture makers that kept Sydney’s creative heart beating in 2011.

Having worked with many Australian musicians internationally as well as enriching our local music scene-Milgate’s invaluable experience includes being the Creative Director right here at MusicNSW and booking for iconic Sydney venues The Hopetoun and The Annandale. In her current role as Music Export Producer for Sounds Australia, she now works with local artists in an international capacity.

Millgate joins previous SMAC of the year winners such as Fergus Linehan (Sydney Festival), John Wardle (Raise the Bar) and Hana Shimada & Jimi Sing. (Goodgod Small Club).

The heartfelt speech Millgate made upon receiving her award certainly pulled a few heart strings amongst the MusicNSW staff! The speech was an appropriate way to end the award ceremony, with Millgate recognising the connection between FBi Radio and the success of Sydney based artists abroad.

Full Story >

Posted Tue 24th Jan, 2012 by scarlett.

Held on January 19 at The National Art School in Darlinghurst, the FBi Radio SMAC Awards (Sydney, Music Art & Culture) recognised the artists, musicians, venues, promoters and culture makers that kept Sydney’s creative heart beating in 2011.

Full Story >

Posted Tue 24th Jan, 2012 by scarlett.

Indent and their MusicNSW mums have moved into some new digs, bought some stationary, dusted off a desk and cleared a space for more young people to work in their office! With all this extra space we are seeking one motivated and passionate young person to work on the 2012 Indent Open Day with us.

The successful applicant should be keen to get involved in the events and creative industries, be highly organised and a confident communicator.

While no experience in the industry is required, the applicant should possess a desired interest in all ages’ entertainment and the contemporary music industry.

Applications Close January 31, 2012
Website: www.indent.net.au / www.musicnsw.com
Location: Darlinghurst, Sydney NSW
Position: Casual, unpaid internship.
1 -2 days per week for minimum of 5 weeks.

Download Position Description here.

Posted Wed 18th Jan, 2012 by kirsty.

Sound Summit is calling-out for a highly motivated, energetic and organised individual to work on the 2012-13 festivals with ongoing Co-Director Brooke Olsen.

Sound Summit is a festival of independent and innovative music, held annually over the October long weekend in Newcastle, NSW and alongside TINA (This Is Not Art).

Now in it’s 13^th year, Sound Summit exists to give musicians, fans, producers, composers and promoters a forum in which to interact, share and discuss ideas surrounding the independent music community via a series of workshops, panels and presentations.

Sound Summit couples practical and theoretical sessions with a much celebrated live music component, pairing Australia’s best independent musicians with established international artists doing great things in their own communities.

In short, the festival explores the depth and reach of independent and innovative music in Australia whilst providing it’s co-directors with incredible professional development opportunities!

For a more detailed information on this position, please read the attached _SS2012_APPLICATION AND POSITION DESCRIPTION

Any further enquiries, contact info[at]soundsummit[dot]com[dot]au

The application deadline is MONDAY 23RD JANUARY 2012

Posted Tue 10th Jan, 2012 by scarlett.