WAM TO FAREWELL CEO

Justine Thornley, Communications

The Board of WAM - The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc, wishes to advise our members, supporters and other stakeholders of the resignation by Paul Bodlovich from the Chief Executive Officer Role.

Paul resigned last week to take up the role of CEO at the Film and Television Institute (WA), from February next year.

Paul has been with WAM since early 2002.

According to WAM’s President Dan Minchin - “Paul’s dedication and commitment to WAM over the past decade has been exceptional. He has overseen WAM’s transformation to an organisation that is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a leader in advocating on behalf of the contemporary music sector. At the same time, he has worked to ensure that the organisation itself is now well and truly poised to significantly improve the impact that it can have in developing WA’s contemporary music industry.

“At WAM, we are excited about the future, and look forward to the opportunity to work with a new CEO in achieving our vision.

“We wish Paul all the best in his new role at FTI.”

Recruitment for a new Chief Executive Officer will commence soon. People interested in applying for the role are advised to subscribe to WAM eNews, and watch the wam.asn.au/work page for application details as soon as they’re advertised.

WAM HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Justine Thornley, Communications


The WAM office will be closed for the holidays from Saturday 24 December 2011, returning Tuesday 3 January 2012.

WAM staff & management wish everyone a safe, happy & music filled holiday season!

KISS MY WAMi 2012 SUBMISSIONS

Brooke Kelly, Festival Director

Original West Australian artists have just over a week longer to submit their tracks for feature on the 2012 Kiss My WAMi Compilation CD/DVD. Acts interested in featuring on the CD/DVD need to submit their tracks by Wednesday 21 December to be considered.

Music from all genres will be considered, and featured tracks and music clips will receive valuable exposure and promotion. Tracks will be chosen for the compilation by an independent, expert industry panel.

The Kiss My WAMi Compilation CD/DVD is distributed nationally and internationally, and is acknowledged as featuring some of the best of West Australian music, with a number of tracks each year receiving airplay on commercial and community radio across Australia including triple j, NOVA 937, RTRFM.

WAM produces 5,000 copies of Kiss My WAMi Compilation CD/DVD each year, and these are distributed to relevant media, industry (labels, publishers, agents, promoters and associations), key government members and potential buyers across Australia. Copies are also distributed at trade events such as South by Southwest, MIDEM and to US college radio programmers at the CMJ Music Marathon and Conference in New York.

The Kiss My WAMi Compilation CD/DVD will launch the 2012 WAMi Festival, with a release party set to happen at official 2012 WAMi venue, The Bakery, at the beginning of April. Bands selected for inclusion on the compilation may be asked to play at the launch event and selected music clips will be broadcast at the Northbridge Piazza during the WAMi Festival.

Submissions are open through Sonicbids - sonicbids.com/KissMyWami or by manual application. Further information and manual submission forms are available at wam.asn.au/wamifestival and submissions close 5:00pm AWST Wednesday 21 December, 2011. Please note that no extensions will be given and all original WA acts are encouraged to apply.

Stay tuned to wam.asn.au/wamifestival and get signed up to our free WAMi Festival email list for all the latest WAMi action as it happens!

GENERATE

GENERATE is a new initiative, led by the Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) in partnership with the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), and is supported by the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), and the Commonwealth Office for the Arts.

* Do you have a new music business concept that you are trying to get off the ground?
* Are you a pioneering small music business which needs investment to get to the next stage of profitability?
* Do you have a great idea for an innovative and enterprising project involving Australian music and games, film, or social media?

If the answer to any of the above is yes, then you should apply to participate in GENERATE - a new pilot program which is looking to invest in up to 15 of the best music-related businesses or business ideas across Australia!

GENERATE is a pilot program to support enterprises in the Australian music industry which are seeking to grow and attract investment.

The program is intended to support and develop good music-related business plans and industry concepts. Participants must be able to commit to the program timeline and requirements.

The primary focus focus on proposals that facilitate new collaborations or business models involving music and other creative professions such as film, online games and publishing.

GENERATE is looking for applications from small to medium-sized music enterprises including songwriters, composers, bands, managers, publishers, promoters, producers and labels.

GENERATE is NOT a grant program for music production or touring.

GENERATE will provide business-development knowledge, skills and expert tailored mentoring support as well as access to seed investment of up to $30,000 for innovative music enterprises from across Australia.

PROGRAM DETAILS
GENERATE is led by the Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) in partnership with the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), and is supported by the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), and the Commonwealth Office for the Arts.

GENERATE will provide business-development knowledge, skills and expert tailored mentoring support as well as access to seed investment of up to $30,000 for innovative music enterprises from across Australia.

PROGRAM STAGES
GENERATE is a three-stage business program which will run from December 2011 to May 2012.
December - February, GENERATE program opens, seeking applications from interested music professionals, entrepreneurs and businesses to register to attend an introductory workshop to be held in February 2012.

Register your interest to attend at GENERATE 2012 Workshop 1 Application HERE:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N8CJ77T
You will receive email or phone follow up through your state music industry association (please check Christmas closures).

STAGE 1: GENERATE INFORMATION AND BUSINESS MODEL SESSIONS
February (13-24) 2012
CIIC and AMIN will deliver a series of half-day workshops to be held in each state capital. Attendees will receive a detailed briefing about the GENERATE program as well as an interactive business-model-development session.

Each workshop is intended to deliver detailed information about the program and to equip all attendees with the knowledge to construct a successful creative business model or proposition.

Attendance at these workshops is limited to selected applicants via the Expressions of Interest process.

2012 DATES
13 February, Perth | WAM (08) 9227 7962 wam@wam.asn.au
14 February, Adelaide | Music SA (08) 8218 8444 info@musicsa.com.au
16 February, Darwin | Music NT (08) 8981 1995 manager@musicnt.com.au
20 February, Brisbane | Q Music (07) 3257 0013 info@qmusic.com.au
21 February, Sydney & ACT | Music NSW (02) 9281 1600 info@musicnsw.com
22 February, Melbourne | Music Victoria (03) 9380 1566 info@musicvictoria.com.au
24 February, Tasmania | CMST (03) 6237 6318 programofficer@cmst.com.au

STAGE 2: GENERATE INTENSIVE BUSINESS-STRATEGY RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP
March 30 - April 1 2012
CIIC and APRA will deliver a two-day intensive business-strategy-development residential workshop in Sydney. The workshop will bring up to 15 of the best applicants together from across the country with top-class music industry, business and investment mentors for a hands- on business-development lock-in. At the end of the workshop, participants will have thoroughly developed their proposal and will ‘pitch’ their proposition to a panel for feedback.

CIIC and business and investment mentors will provide support to the participants during April to refine and finalise investment proposals.

STAGE 3: GENERATE INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS SIGNED
by May 30 2012
An investment panel will consider the final business proposals and make funding allocation decisions. APRA will then establish the contracts with each of the enterprises.

VIRGIN BOOSTS MUSIC INDUSTRY BAGGAGE

To address ongoing problems musicians face when travelling with musical equipment, Virgin Australia is offering the music industry a baggage allowance of 32kg (across three pieces of checked baggage) for individual artists - with an additional 32kg able to be purchased in advance for just $15.

This baggage allowance is available to current financial WAM members travelling on Virgin Australia-owned and operated domestic services only, and must be pre-booked at least 48 hours prior to departure.

Once your flight booking is confirmed, READ THIS DOCUMENT, then email music@virginaustralia.com and advise them of your:
* itinerary reference
* number of luggage items & weight you will be carrying
* WAM membership number
* contact details

If you require further assistance, please contact Virgin Australia Business Events and Groups on 13 67 00, Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 15:00 ADT.

For those needing a travel agent, check out the deal available to WAM members from Stage and Screen Travel - or simply book directly at virginaustralia.com

Please Note: This offer applies to all new bookings and cannot be provided in retrospect. Virgin Australia will not refund normal baggage charges already paid.

SAVE LIVE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC

On 23rd February 2010, the SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) rally saw 20,000 people march through Melbourne in protest against the Victorian Government’s misguided policy link between live music and violence. 

Now all of Australia has the opportunity to participate in a national event that celebrates our local musicians in our small venues.

Music communities around Australia are now invited to unite in support of our thriving live culture by hosting their own National SLAM Day gigs, February 23rd 2012 will be a national day to celebrate live music in Australia!

Support your local artists and venues by getting out and experiencing the spontaneous excitement and intimacy you can only get at a small venue.

Support a National SLAM Day event in your town - any style, any genre. It’s easy to get involved:
* Venues can register their gigs on the SLAM website at slamrally.org. It’s free to sign up.
* Musicians can join with their local venues to curate a National SLAM Day gig.
* Gig-goers can celebrate live music and local musicians in their own neighbourhood.
* Community groups can host their own National SLAM Day gig.
* “Like” SLAM on Facebook and keep up with news on live music: facebook.com/SLAMrally

About SLAM
Save Live Australia’s Music (SLAM) is a collective of non-politically aligned, independent, local music-loving citizens. The only pre-requisite to getting involved is a love of live music.

In early 2010, the SLAM Rally swept through the streets of Melbourne in protest against over-arching Victorian Liquor Licensing policies that unfairly linked live music to high risk activity.

SLAM representatives, the lobby group Fair Go 4 Live Music (FG4LM) and the then newly established Music Victoria, all co-signed the Live Music Accord on the eve of the rally and then spent a further seven months negotiating the Live Music Agreement, where it was officially announced that live music does not cause violence.

Since then, SLAM has successfully negotiated important changes within a number a number of other key music reforms in Melbourne. SLAM has contributed to the Busking Policy and the Live Music Strategy for the City of Melbourne, the City of Yarra’s Live Music Working Group, and the Music Council of Victoria.

Supporters and spokespeople for SLAM have included Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan, Megan Washington, Nick Cave, The Dirty Three, Tina Arena, Clare Bowditch, Paul Dempsey, Kram, Tim Rogers, Nic Cester, Cut Copy, The Living End, Missy Higgins, Ross Wilson, Evelyn Morris (Pikelet), Brian Nankervis, The Rockwiz Orkestra, Slash, Myf Warhurst, Augie March and Mick Harvey, among many others.

NINE WA ACTS SET FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CHINA

Justine Thornley, Communications
WAM are proud to announce nine albums of original West Australian music have been selected for released in China, the first step in an exciting new partnership with German company 88tc88.

Joining chart topping 88tc88 China region distributed artists such as Charlotte Gainsbourg and Sean Lennon is a diverse range of West Aussie acts: Jane Germain, The Panda Band, Simone Keane, Emperors, Sonny Rolfe and Friends, Walkabout Boys, Rachel and Henry Climb A Hill, Ruby Boots, and The Ghost Hotel.

More information about this opportunity, including an interview with 88tc88's Robert Singerman, can be found on the WAM website.

WAM WORKSHOP WRAPUP

Daphne Tan, Workshops Coordinator

WAM & Catch Music Partnered Jam


WAM teamed up with Catch Music to host a music jam session at City of Wanneroo's Beach to Bush Concert on 19 November. Around 50 kids took part, from 4 to 14 years old and with different experience levels, from those who have never played an instrument, to extremely talented young musicians. The kids played songs from Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, The Living End and more, expertly facilitated by Minky Gardner of Catch Music. Instruments were provided by Allans Music + Billy Hyde.

The music jam was part of a number of youth orientated activities at the Beach to Bush Concert, including spray painting with The Butcher Shop and BMX demonstrations. The day culminated with a concert by Evermore, with support from Perth band Boys Boys Boys!

Final 2011 Sundowner Wrapup



The final Music Industry Sundowner for 2011, presented by WAM, APRA, MEAA and Fairbridge Festival, took place on 28 November at the Rosemount Hotel.

Around 70 attended to listen to panelists Steve Barnes (Artistic Director, Fairbridge Festival), Luke Rinaldi (Artist manager/venue booker, Sweetmate Promotions) and Pete Grandison (Engineer/Producer, Shanghai Twang Studio) speak on the topic "Getting That Festival Gig".

The speakers shared tips on how to make a convincing application for festivals, booking side shows, dealing with promoters and bookers, creating a unique and effective demo recording and more.

Music Industry Sundowners will return in 2012. Sign up to the WAM mailing list to be the first to know about next year's events.

Do you have any topics that you'd like to see covered in the Music Industry Sundowners? Send your suggestions to Daphne Tan at daphne@wam.asn.au or Tenille Elkins at telkins@apra.com.au

FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS

Daphne Tan, Sunday Bands Coordinator

There's no better way to celebrate the holidays than with original, live music! Sunday Bands will again feature in the City of Perth's Festival of Christmas 2011 with some weekday lunchtime shows and Sunday shows;

LUNCHTIME SHOWS
12-2:00pm
Helping to bring festive and cheer to the lunchtime crowd, Sunday Bands will take place weekdays on the new stage in Forrest Place.

Tuesday 6 December 
WA Youth Jazz Orchestra

Thursday 8 December 
Guy Ghouse & Gina Williams

Friday 9 December 
Ambrosia String Trio

Tuesday 13 December 
Guy Ghouse & Gina Williams

Thursday 15 December 
Rohan Nelson Jazz Ensemble

SUNDAY SHOWS
1-3:00pm
Sunday 4 December 
Nicola Milan

Sunday 11 December 
Julius Lutero Trio

Head to wam.asn.au/sundaybands for more about this series... or better yet, see you in the City this Christmas!

SCHOOLS ALIVE 
BOOK NOW FOR 2012

Kris Dimitroff, Education Officer


Would your school like a lunchtime concert from one of Perth's best young bands?

The WAM Schools Alive Smarter than Smoking Schools Program will be taking bookings for 2011 until Thursday 15 December - then advance bookings for term 1 2012. This is a very popular series, so get in early!

The Smarter than Smoking Schools Alive Program is very popular with students of all-ages and provides wonderful education and entertainment to the whole school.

Each incursion gives students a chance to experience live music from local artists, while learning about the WA music industry and potential career opportunities.

Past bands who have performed for the Schools Alive Program include award winning acts Birds of Tokyo, Sugar Army, Little Birdy,Gyroscope and John Butler.

Cost: $330 inc GST, discounts available (conditions apply).

Includes:
* Live performance from a local act at your school
* PA with sound engineer provided
* Workshop / Q&A session with the act
* Prizes / Giveaways

Don't miss out - BOOK NOW for your end of year celebration! For more information, please read the application form or call the WAM office on (08) 9227 7962 to discuss a booking.

The Schools Alive Smarter Than Smoking Program is sponsored by Healthway.

For further information, please visit wam.asn.au/schools - or contact Kris Dimitroff on (08) 9227 7962 or email kris@wam.asn.au