Recently more than 100 Australian music business professionals attended a nationwide teleconference linked to US speakers at Austrade offices in all capital cities with a view to marketing music overseas starting with South by Southwest. (Podcast to be posted on www.themusic.com.au)
This Thursday night (October 4) at the Corner Hotel band room in Melbourne from 6pm to 10pm, a free seminar on South by Southwest aimed at bands, managers, music businesses and labels takes place with five SxSW veterans–Age Music Writer Andrew Murfett, Australian Music Collective promoter Mary Mihelakos, EMI Marketing manager Glenn Dickie, Arts Victoria Program Manager for Victoria Rocks (and former Something for Kate manager) Jonathan Williamson plus SxSW Australia and New Zealand rep Phil Tripp. It’s in association with the MMF Melbourne.
The following Monday night (October 8) at the Manning Bar in University of Sydney starting at 6pm to 10 pm the same seminar takes place with five different speakers. Gregg Donovan (manager of Grinspoon, Josh Pyke and Airbourne and two year veteran of SXSW), Brad Thomas (4x SXSW attendee and official travel guru for the event) and Nick Pontikos (Principal, Longtime Listener label and former Mushroom A&R), Jen Wilson Editor of the Music Network trade magazine and Phil Tripp SxSW Australia and New Zealand rep. It’s in association with MMF Sydney.
Details on seminars at http://www.themusic.com.au/sxsw/newsDisplay.php?id=35
With prices of the lowest early bird registration rates to South by Southwest set to rise, you might want to join the more than 45 registrants from Australia and New Zealand already doing business online. Current rate for Music Festival is US$500 and with the Australian dollar at its highest yet, it’s time!
Go to http://2008.sxsw.com/register_to_attend/ to register as a delegate.
For those who want to submit artists for showcasing, well over 120 Australiand and New Zealand bands have already submitted with only a month to go before the deadline for applications end October 26. However,, you should not delay as applying last minute reduces your chances of getting a good hearing due to overload–over 8500 bands are applying this year. If you want to submit your application online with uploaded music and information, you need to go to http://2008.sxsw.com/music/festival/apply_to_showcase/ and you can view local advice on showcasing at http://www.themusic.com.au/sxsw/showcase.php
The Australia / New Zealand website for SxSW 2008 is now open and being updated at http://www.themusic.com.au/sxsw where you can sign up for email alerts and to have print brochures mailed to you.
Or call (02) 9557 7766 for any needs.