SHUFFLING SOUNDS

Sounds Australia has been shaking it up this year, with a number of announcements boding well for the Australian music industry. For one, live music advocate and policy consultant Dr Ianto Ware (pictured) has been announced as the first National Live Music Coordinator for Sounds Australia.

“The 2012 Federal Budget provided additional funding to the Sounds Australia music export program which will help contemporary Australian musicians and songwriters develop from local to global stages,” Arts Minister Simon Crean said. In 2011, a study orchestrated by APRA|AMCOS, the Australia Council and other industry partners found that venue-based live music contributed $1.2 billion to the economy, serviced almost 42 million patrons and created nearly 15,000 full time jobs Australia-wide.

This significant role is aimed to “further capitalise on the significant economic and cultural gains that can be made from investing in the live music economy for artists and venues alike,” as Australia Council’s Acting CEO Libby Christie identified. Glenn Dickie has also been appointed as Export Music Producer, bringing with him over a decade’s worth of experience with Stage Mothers (founders of The Aussie BBQ) and EMI Australia. Alicia Kish, formerly of Ivy League Records and most recently the Sydney Festival, will be filling in for Sounds Australia’s Associate Producer.

And last, but certainly not least, industry power player Millie Millgate has been promoted Executive Producer, expanding her role to oversee both local and international opportunities for the Australian music industry.

More info here

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