LIVED experience in the music industry shared by industry professionals is coming to the Mid North Coast in a series of MusicNSW workshops, which are free and for all ages.

MusicNSW is running the three professional development events during April.

If you fancy the drive down, the first is in Port Macquarie.

It’s an Industry Meet ‘N’ Greet with a workshop on DIY Touring for Independent Artists, co-hosted by Alison Buckley, Regional Music Officer for the Mid North Coast and Bellingen-based Stu Marks from Sunline Music.

Stu has a 20-year career as a sound engineer, tour manager, production manager and more recently an academic researcher.

Stu has tour managed nationally and internationally with the likes of Steel Panther, Frenzal Rhomb, Descendants and the Distant Worlds/Final Fantasy orchestral concert series.

The venue is Port Macquarie’s Wicked Elf Brewery on Thursday 14 April, running from 6pm – 8.30pm.

The second event is in Bellingen and offers a three-hour masterclass called Releasing Your Music.

The presenters are Fiona Priddey, the Marketing Manager at Inertia Music and Sophie Brown, A&R and Marketing Manager at PIAS.

The event takes place at 5 Church St Bellingen, on Wednesday 20 April, from 6pm – 9pm.

In her role at Inertia Music, Fiona Priddey oversees the creative campaign strategy for leading international and domestic indie labels Secretly Canadian, Ninja Tune, Spinning Top Records and Chapter Music.

Previously, Fiona’s working experience saw her heading up promotion on several end-to-end campaigns, including Bon Iver’s ‘I,I’, Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘Punisher’ and Arlo Parks’ ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’.

Earlier in her career, she produced and presented a breakfast radio show on Queensland’s 4ZZZ community radio station.

Sophie Brown’s role, leading the A&R process, involves scouting, negotiation and deal making to planning and launching projects.

She is the territory lead for local signings, as well as international co-op labels including Transgressive (Arlo Parks, Mykki Blanco), Heavenly Recordings (Working Men’s Club), Bella Union (Spiritualized) and Mute (HAAi, Liars).

Sophie joined PIAS Australia/Inertia Music as an intern and was then promoted to A&R and Label Group Coordinator.

Prior to that, Sophie worked at Wollongong’s Yours & Owls across marketing and promotions, as well as Farmer & The Owl as a Label Manager.

Coffs Harbour is the host city for the third MusicNSW Professional Development workshop.

Called All Gigs Great and Small, the presenter is Ben Lewis from Gigbig Events.

The venue is Dark Arts Bar, Cox Lane Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday 27 April, from 6pm-8.30pm.

Ben Lewis is the Director of Gigbig, a creative agency specialising in the live music industry – established in 2014.

Gigbig operates three annual music events in Bellingen – River Sounds, Brew Day Out and The Fed Bluesfest – booking artists into local venues, and managing marketing for select clients.

At the workshop Ben will talk about the ins and outs of organising his biggest event to date – River Sounds festival in Bellingen in August 2022.

River Sounds is a three-day contemporary music event featuring some of the biggest names in the biz and brightest emerging talent.

The event comprises three stages, a hospitality and markets precinct, camping, over 120 artists, 60+ paid staff, and a team of volunteers.

Coffs Harbour event: www.musicnsw.com/event/sound-advice-all-gigs-great-small-coffs-harbour/

Bellingen Event: www.musicnsw.com/event/sound-advice-releasing-your-music-bellingen/

Port Macquarie Event: www.musicnsw.com/event/sound-advice-port-macquarie-diy-touring-for-independent-artists/.

 

By Andrea FERRARI