Meet the APRA Ambassadors

The APRA Ambassador Program features representatives from all genres of music, and managers. They are here to provide direct feedback on key issues that affect APRA members and the wider music industry. Read more about the program

 

Abbe May

Electronica/Doom Pop artist, Abbe May, is one of Australia’s most respected songwriters and performers, having released two albums and 2 EP’s in the last 5 years, May is now preparing for the release of her next album “Kiss My Apocalypse”. Her last album, Design Desire, was shortlisted in the top 5 albums of 2012 by the Australian Music Prize.

A prolific and powerful artist, May grew up on the coast of Western Australia and continues to base her work there. She has toured her music extensively both in Australia and internationally.
 
 

Abby Dobson

When Abby Dobson left school, she sang for her supper in New York subways, Greek islands and Parisian tequila slammer bars. She returned to Australia and co-founded the group Leonardo’s Bride. Their chart-topping song, ‘Even When I’m Sleeping’, won APRA song of the year and was later voted as one of the ‘Top 20 Australian Songs of All Time’.

Abby then went on to make records and tour extensively with dance producer wunderkind, Paul Mac. She was commissioned to record her songs for the hit TV series, ‘The Secret Life of Us’, and in 2007 Abby’s debut solo album, ‘Rise Up’, was released. Album single “Horses” was voted 2nd in the International Songwriting Competition.

More recently, Abby has been doing lyric writing commissions for film and a Broadway musical. Abby also has a delicious  side-project called Baby et Lulu in which she sings French songs - in harmony with the lovely Lara Goodridge of Fourplay fame - in front of an extraordinarily swinging band.

Adalita

"I don't know where I'd be without APRA. Just knowing that such an important and noble organisation has your back is profoundly comforting.

APRA has been so incredibly supportive of the music community, facilitating so many incredible opportunities like the APRA songwriting sessions which I've had the privilege to be part of. And of course, through the toughest times, financially, APRA has certainly come to the rescue."

Amanda Brown

APRA Member since 1991

Amanda was a member of one of independent music’s most cherished bands The Go-Betweens and has worked as a session musician with a diverse range of artists including R.E.M, silverchair, The Church, Youth Group, The Vines, Josh Pyke, David Bridie and Toni Collette and the Finish.

Amanda has a BA (Music) from the University of Western Sydney and has been composing for the screen since graduating from the Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2000.

Her previous credits include feature films Kings of Mykonos (2010), Son of a Lion (2008), Monkey Puzzle (2008), Look Both Ways (2005), Preservation (2003) and Floodhouse (2003). Amanda won the 2008 IF Award for Best Music for her score to Son of a Lion and in 2009 she won the AGSC/APRA Award for Best Music in a Documentary for Mask & Memory; Sidney Nolan. In 2011 she won the WOW Best Australian Composer award for her score for the documentary Dancing With The Prime Minister.

Ashley Irwin

APRA Member since 1980

"When I first moved to Los Angeles I met with representatives from ASCAP and BMI to discuss the prospect of leaving APRA and joining a local American society.

While both ASCAP and BMI were prepared to welcome me with open arms, the ASCAP executive asked me, "Why do you want to leave APRA? It's one of the best performing right societies in the world." That was over 20 years ago and I'm still a proud APRA member. Thank you ASCAP!"

Bill Cullen

Manager Ambassador

Bill is the managing director and founder of One Louder Entertainment, the management home to Paul Kelly, Sarah Blasko and Kate Miller-Heidke. He has been involved in the music business since leaving school, and did a long stretch working with Grant Thomas Management, working with acts such as Crowded House and The Rockmelons.  

A five year stint in London followed, where he worked with the legendary Pete Jenner (manager of Pink Floyd, The Clash, Billy Bragg etc), before going on to co-manage New Zealand act OMC (How Bizarre) who went on to a number one single and gold album in the USA. 

He returned to Australia and established One Louder, which has since had gold or platinum plus success with all of their of their current artists, as well as with Alex Lloyd, George, End Of Fashion and Amiel.  He is also a Director of the PPCA, an APRA ambassador, and a founding director of the Association of Artist Managers.

 

Brendan Boney

Brendon Boney is one half of Australian pop/folk duo Microwave Jenny. In west Wagga Wagga born and raised on the playground is where Brendon spent most of his days. He spent his teenage years travelling the world working away on a soccer career and it wasn't until his last year of high school when a severe injury put that on hold and he found music. A decision which has seen him win an APRA PDA, have his work featured in film soundtracks such as Bran Nue Dae and Gods of Wheat Street and playing such festivals as The Woodford Folk Festival, Peats Ridge Festival, The Dreaming Festival, Festival of the Sun, and Bluesfest in Byron Bay to name a few.   

One thing Brendon is very passionate about is trying to find new avenues for not only indigenous artists like himself but all Australian artists to perform and share their music in ways that not only help artists reach current fans but try to put artists in front of possible new fans too. With regular appearances on the festival scene his duo has started to develop a following and it was in early 2012 when they asked that following via microwavejenny.com, Facebook and Twitter "Who want's Microwave Jenny to play at their house?!". The response was overwhelming and saw Microwave Jenny play 20 houses in 6 different states 

 

Brendan Gallagher

APRA Member since 1990

Brendan Gallagher is a music all rounder – producer, multi instrumentalist, performer, composer, author.

He is best known as singer/songwriter with Karma County. Since 1995 they have released six albums and toured around Australia and the world. His debut solo album On Eve St was one of the top 25 albums for the Australian Music Prize 2006. In 2009 he followed up with Tooraloo & Tender.

Brendan has produced over twenty albums, including two ARIA award winners – the late Jimmy Little’s instant Australian classic Messenger (1999) and Karma County’s Into The Land Of Promise (2000). His distinctive guitar playing can be heard on recordings for artists like David Bowie, Jimmy Little and Kylie Minogue.

He is also the author of international best seller The Open Tuning Chord Book For Guitar favoured by guitarists from Peter Buck (REM) to Arlo Guthrie.

Brendan’s songs appear in films like Somersault, Clubland & The Boys Are Back and TV shows like Sea Change & City Homicide. He has composed for documentaries for ABC and SBS, short films by Rachel Perkins and Warwick Thornton and 2009 feature film Subdivision.

For over thirty years Brendan has maintained a comprehensive career as an independent artist in the music business.

Burkard Dallwitz

APRA Member since 1988

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading screen composers and acclaimed internationally, Burkhard Dallwitz was born in Germany and studied music at Melbourne’s Latrobe University.

Burkhard has worked as a composer for film and television since 1984. In 1999, he was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Original Score in a Motion Picture for The Truman Show, which also won the Chicago Film Critics’ Award and ASCAP Film and Television Award. The soundtrack reached number two on the Billboard charts.

Burkhard has received several APRA/AGSC Screen Music Awards including Best Television Theme for the 2000 Olympics, the Award for Best Music for a Television Series for CrashBurn in 2004, Underbelly in 2008, Underbelly: The Golden Mile in 2010 and Underbelly Razor in 2012. In 2008 he won Best Television Theme for Underbelly’s It’s a Jungle Out There and won Best Music for a Mini-series or Telemovie for Underbelly Files: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here. He has also been nominated for numerous Screen Music Awards, including for his feature film scores for The Caterpillar Wish in 2006 and Peter Weir’s The Way Back in 2011.

Burkhard continues to work on local, European and US film and television productions.

Buzz Bidstrup

Graham “Buzz “ Bidstrup has been involved in the Australian music industry for over 40 years and an APRA member since 1976. A co writer and co producer of hits for The Angels and GANGgajang,

Buzz has also written for many other artists as well as for Film and Television.  As a producer he has recorded over 50 albums and has managed start up acts right through to the legendary Jimmy Little, whom he looked after from 1999 until Jimmy’s passing in 2012. Buzz currently manages iconic Angels front man Doc Neeson.

Never one to stay idle, Buzz has been a member of the Association of Artist managers since its inception and is now on the AAM board as well as being the CEO of the Jimmy Little Foundation 

Carl Vine

APRA Member since 1979

Carl Vine first rose to prominence as a composer of music for classical dance, with more than 20 scores to his credit. He has since emerged as a major orchestral composer with seven symphonies and nine concertos heading the catalogue, and his piano music is performed frequently around the world.

He has an impressive catalogue of chamber music, complemented by various work for film, television and theatre. Although primarily a composer of modern 'art' music, he has undertaken such diverse tasks as arranging the Australian National Anthem and writing music for the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games (Atlanta, 1996). In his role as Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia, Carl is also Artistic Director of the Huntington Estate Music Festival, Australia's most prestigious chamber music festival.

In 2012 Carl received the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to music in Australia and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Collegiate of Specialist Music Educators for outstanding contribution to music education.

Cath Haridy

Catherine Haridy’s career has run an interesting gamut of Australian music industry professions. Beginning as a contributor for Melbourne's Inpress Magazine and volunteering at Melbourne's legendary Triple R Radio, it wasn't too long before she found herself at Warner Music Australia. As A&R co-ordinator and later A&R manager at Festival Mushroom Records, she signed successful artists including Eskimo Joe, George, Gyroscope and Red Jezebel as well as hitching her A&R wagon to Motor Ace, 28 Days, Amiel, Gerling, 67 Special and Olivia Newton John. Cath was also instrumental in working on special project Corroboration, a journey through contemporary Australian and Indigenous music which featured collaborations between great Australian artists like Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Little.

In 2006 Cath decided to throw herself full-time into artist management. At present, CHM’s stable includes Eskimo Joe, Jebediah, Bob Evans, Adalita, The Chemist, Tigertown and Kathryn Rollins as well as Producers Steven Schram, Jimi Maroudas, Gareth Parton, Mick Glossop, Tony Buchen and Anna Laverty. Songwriter Steve Parkin and Berlin based Author Craig Schuftan round off a brilliant pool of talent.

Catherine is also a currently Chairman of the Association of Artist Managers, an APRA Ambassador, CBF Board member and chair of AMGAC, a patron for the AMP award and is involved in various important advocacy issues that affect artists and managers in Australia

Christopher Gordon

APRA Member since 1991

Christopher Gordon has composed for many of Australia's major celebrations, including the Commonwealth Games 2006, the Rugby World Cup Sydney 2003, the Centenary of Federation of Australia 2001, an orchestral score for a National Museum of Australia installation; and co-composed music for the Millennium Eve international telecast. In 2006, he was commissioned by the Prime Minister of Australia to arrange the official version of the Australian national anthem.

Christopher Gordon has written a number of scores for film and television, including Bruce Beresford's Mao's Last Dancer, Crawl, Daybreakers, the EMMY-nominated score for Salem's Lot, Sanctuary, Moby Dick, Sydney, A Story of a City, On the Beach, When Good Ghouls Go Bad, Much Ado About Something, and Ward 13. He also co-composed the score to Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His scores have received wide international acclaim and many Australian Screen Music Awards.

As an orchestral arranger Gordon has written for such diverse artists as Augie March, Kate Ceberano, Cello Diva, The Church, Judi Connelli, Iva Davies, Diana Doherty, John Farnham, Neil Finn, Delta Goodrem, Ben Lee, The Panics, Sydney Children's Choir, Australian Chamber Orchestra, and Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.
 

Claire Bowditch

Clare Bowditch is an ARIA Award-winning songwriters, sometimes actor (stars as Rosanna Harding on the hit Channel 10 show “Offspring”), speaker, writer and creative-business mentor. She’s had Top Ten albums, been named Rolling Stone Woman of the Year (Contribution to Culture), Yen Young Woman of the Year (music), co-written with Gotye, toured with Leonard Cohen, written for Harpers Bazaar and the Drum, and currently hosts an Australian Music Show on Qantas.   

In 2013, Clare launches Big Hearted Business, a new enterprise designed to teach creative people about business, and business people about creativity, in ways that make sense. Along with her creative/business/husband Marty Brown, she has three glorious children, with no immediate plans for a forth or fifth (although no-one’s ruling it out for sure…) 

Clare is regularly invited to sit on both Ministerial and Award-Assessment panels (OZCO, AMP, ARIA, APRA), was Secretary of the Music Victoria Board until 2012, and is a proud Ambassador for Smiling Mind, Life’s Little Treasures, PPCA and APRA. 

 

Dann Hume

"Music is all about the songs — and APRA is all about the songs. I've been an APRA for almost as long as I can remember, from writing my first songs in my bedroom in New Zealand, to collaborating with amazing artists now in Melbourne. I remember when I was about eleven, all I wanted to do was write songs, and APRA has very much allowed be keep doing just that.

As we all know, every little bit counts, and from the live performance to radio — it's great knowing something is always there, on your side, looking after your songs."
 

Darlene Zschech

Darlene Zschech is acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter, worship leader and speaker, most notably for her involvement in the music from Hillsong Church. Darlene, alongside her husband Mark, is Senior Pastor of Hope Unlimited Church on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

As a songwriter, Darlene is perhaps most famous for “Shout to the Lord,” a song that is sung by an estimated 25 to 30 million churchgoers every week and has been covered by at least twenty other artists. It was nominated for the Dove Awards’ Album of the Year in 1997 and Song of the Year in 1998, while Darlene was nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2000 and received the International Award for influence in praise and worship.
 

Darlene has written over eighty songs that have been published by Hillsong Music Australia alone and her latest solo album “You Are Love” was released in 2011. Darlene is also passionate about raising and training other worship teams and writers.

Darren Cordeux

APRA Member since 2004

Darren Cordeux is a songwriter, singer and guitarist.  He fronts the Australian rock band, Kisschasy, who formed in 2002 when the band were growing up together in the country town of Balnarring on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. 

Darren dropped out of school early and dedicated himself to writing songs, while the other three guys in the band were all doing Pennywise covers in Karl’s garage. They met at the local Warped festival and that was the start of that. Three albums with sales in excess of 100,000 followed through Eleven: a music company along with ARIA nominations and a gong for Channel [V]'s publicly voted Artist Of The Year.  Over the years, the band has also done a load of touring.

After the band's acclaimed Seizures album in 2010, Darren began writing songs with longtime partner Tahlia Shaw and Fuzz Phantoms was formed.  Their mutual adoration of power pop lead to a self-titled album in 2011 and the duo toured the country with bands such as Hot Hot Heat and The Jezabels.

When Darren isn’t penning tunes or playing shows, he dedicates time to raising awareness for animal rights with his longstanding relationships with animal protection societies PETA & Animals Australia

David Arden

APRA Member since 1992

"For 26 years now I have been a member of APRA. In this time, APRA has worked with me as a storyteller and a songwriter.

By working together with APRA to bring the knowledge of copyright for my work - as a Gunditjmara/Kokatha musician - I can now keep my song living a long time after I’m gone. So then my children and their children can benefit from my storytelling and my musical songlines, pathway of my Gunditjmara/ Kokatha culture."

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David Hirschfelder

APRA Member since 1981

David Hirschfelder was raised in the country town of Ballarat, about 70 miles northwest of Melbourne. Hirschfelder is recognised globally as Australia’s most distinguished and renowned screen-composer. After studying music at Melbourne University, he made waves as a keyboard prodigy, inevitably called abroad to perform his compositions at the 1983 Montreux Jazz Festival.

Hirschfelder soon became the musical brain behind many of Australia’s landmark concert events and recordings, including John Farnham’s 1988 “Classic Jack” Tour, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Harry M. Miller’s record-breaking “Jesus Christ Superstar” Arena Spectacular. Also in 1988 David’s first film-score for Baz Luhrmann’s “Strictly Ballroom” won a BAFTA award. In 1996 David received an Oscar nomination, an AFI and an APRA award for his “Shine” score; and in 1998 an Oscar nomination and BAFTA award for “Elizabeth”.

Other works include “Eternity” for orchestra, choir and 1000 tap-dancers (commissioned for the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony) and “Branches of Vayu” for trombone, 2 pianos and 2 percussionists (commissioned for the 2011 MSO Chamber Series). David’s recent film-scores include “The Railway Man”, and “Walking With Dinosaurs”.

Eric Chapus

APRA Member since 1994

Apra has looked after my performing rights in Australia and with its affiliates overseas for over 15 years and has been vital to my career with their constant support, knowledge and assistance whenever in need of help to solve issues.

I could not have survived so long as a song writer without those great APRA cheques...Its like Christmas Time several times a year... A songwriters career tends to fluctuate and those cheques always come when they are needed...

APRA's first goal is to look after their members in a transparent way and any songwriter out there should become a member and join this wonderful family. APRA really makes you feel like you belong to something and is a great network and resource for young songwriters.

Grant Windsor

Grant Windsor is a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and producer from Perth, now residing in London.

 He has worked alongside many great artists over the years, including Jose James, Clare Teal, Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum, Garou, Bilal, Sir Michael Parkinson, Ty, Plan B, Stephanie Mckay, Benji B, Emily King, Taylor Mcferrin, Matthew Herbert Big Band, Nailah Porter, Badmarsh and Shri, BBC Big Band, Sophie Solomon, Carole King, Pee Wee Ellis, Joe Bataan, Wretch 32, Russell Watson, Dionne Bromfield, Olly Murs, Pino Palladino, Femi Temowo, Marius De Vries, Lizz Wright and Jean Toussaint.

Grant’s commissioned orchestral works have included State of Union for the West Australian Composers’ Ensemble featuring Joe Chindamo Trio, a rework of Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem and The Memoriam Concerto for electric bass and orchestra. He has received 5 WAMI’s including best jazz composition and the APRA Professional Development Award for Jazz. As a conductor, Grant has worked with many ensembles including The Collective, BBC Big Band, West Australian Composer Ensemble, Deviation String Ensemble and BBC2 Radio Leeds Big Band.

Grant produced Clare Teal’s 2011 album Hey Ho which reached No.1 in the Itunes Jazz charts. Grant has recently collaborated with Jose James as well as working with soloist trumpet player Alison Balsom.
 

Guy Gross


Guy Gross is one of Australia's leading film and television composers. With credits such as the international hit feature, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), the animated television series for children, Blinky Bill (1992), and the Sci Fi Channel's "Farscape" (1999), which has since spun off five soundtrack albums, Guy's music covers a wide variety of styles.

Over his 30 year career, Guy has composed music for hundreds of hours of television and a number of Australian feature films, receiving numerous peer awards, and much of his film music is available on CD. In 2009 he was awarded the APRA/AGSC International Achievement Award and in 2012 he was elected president of the Australian Guild of Screen Composers. His scores have been performed in concert by the Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.

Guy is a director and partner of Trackdown, one of Australia's leading film music and audio service providers. They operate Australia's largest purpose-built orchestral recording studio which is located in Sydney, adjacent to Fox Studios.
 

Iva Davies

The iconic Australian band ICEHOUSE was formed by singer, songwriter and musical creative force, Iva Davies, who lead the band to an amazing 28 platinum records, eight Top 10 albums and over thirty Top 40 singles.

Iva has also showcased his musical skills for films, ballet, television and special events. Davies’ piece The Ghost of Time, performed by Richard Tognetti and the SSO for the International Millennium Celebrations, was telecast to over 3.5 billion people worldwide. In 2003, The Ghost of Time evolved into a film score Davies co-composed with Tognetti and Christopher Gordon for Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

ICEHOUSE and Iva Davies have won many awards, including ARIA awards for Best Album and Highest Selling Album for Man of Colours, an ARIA Award for The Ghost of Time and APRA|AGSC awards for Razorback – Iva’s first film score - Master and Commander and The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant. His song “Circles in the Sky” was chosen as an official Sydney 2000 Olympic theme.
ICEHOUSE was inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

In 2011, ICEHOUSE released a greatest hits album, White Heat:30 Hits, which achieved Gold level sales in just two weeks. After an absence over 15 years, the band returned to live performance in late 2011 and throughout 2012 to instant acclaim.

Jake Stone

APRA has come to mean so many things to me - from getting paid, to hosting and participating in elements of Song Summit this year, to playing in a terrible covers band at the Christmas party.

Mostly, I support the organisation because they seem to genuinely care about musicians, musicians rights, and understand the essential support a creative industry needs to survive and flourish.

They're also quite good-looking as people.

James Morrison

James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano. At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed just as quickly. At only age 16 James debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Following this were performances at the big festivals in Europe including Montreaux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern - playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. There were also gigs in the worlds most famous jazz clubs - The Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scotts in London.

In 1997, James was recognised for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

 

Jay Laga'aia

Jay Laga’aia is one of Australia’s most well known entertainers. From Home and Away to Water Rats and Star Wars, Jay is an acting, singing, composing chameleon of the entertainment industry. He's been a host of the iconic Australian children’s program Playschool since 1999 and has an extensive history of working with music and children.  

Jay is a strong supporter of Australian schools music programs and often runs free music workshops for children. Jay has composed numerous children’s songs, which have been featured on ABC Kids albums and television programs as well as producing several albums of his own.  

 

Jenny Morris


Born in New Zealand Jenny Morris gained national attention in the late 80's and early ninety's, with a string of platinum and multi platinum albums including Body and Soul, Shiver and Honeychild.

Throughout her career as writer and performer she has sold in excess of  ½ a million records and is the recipient of 2 back-to-back ARIA awards for ‘Best Female Artist'. She has toured the world with artists such as Sir Paul McCartney, Prince and INXS and played the most prestigious stages including Wembley Stadium (London UK) and Le Bercy Stadium (Paris, France).

In addition to her performing schedule, Jenny is also the new chair person of the board of APRA and sits on the board of the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy organisation.
 

Jessica Mauboy

APRA Member since 2008

The music industry can be hard to navigate. To any young Indigenous songwriters out there, do yourself a favour, join APRA.

With APRA helping me, I know my music is protected and I can focus on writing my next album, creating ground breaking Australian urban music and let APRA look after protecting my rights.

APRA is a not for profit organisation: their job is to help songwriters and composers.

APRA will be a great part of your team.

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Jimmy Barnes

APRA Member since 1978

Regarded as the elder statesman of Australian rock ‘n’ roll, Jimmy Barnes has carved out the most successful solo career of any performer in Australian rock history - producing nine Number One albums. Jimmy works tirelessly for various charities, particularly those caring for children and disadvantaged people in the community. 

He continues to tour internationally and throughout Australia; his current album is ‘Rage and Ruin” recorded in the USA.  Jimmy Barnes is a multi-platinum, multi-ARIA Award winning Artist and a bona fide Australian icon.

John Watson

Manager

John Watson is the owner and President of both John Watson Management and the label, Eleven. Over the last 15 years every artist on the JWM and Eleven rosters has enjoyed either gold or multi-platinum success and the companies have helped four separate artists achieve gold certifications in the United States.

John was jointly responsible for signing Silverchair to Sony before leaving to manage the band under the John Watson Management umbrella in 1995. Silverchair remain JWM clients and have gone on to win more ARIA Awards than any artist in history.

JWM and Eleven also launched the career of much loved Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins (who has gone on to sell over a million albums in this country), Little Birdy and Kisschasy. John managed Wolfmother on their Grammy winning debut but stood down from that role in 2009. He currently manages Birds Of Tokyo who were voted Most Popular Australian Artist at the 2011 ARIA Awards.

His companies currently co-manage Cold Chisel and Gotye. Gotye is also signed to the Eleven label in Australia and his song "Somebody That I Used To Know" has topped the charts in over 30 countries and won three Grammy awards, among numerous other record-breaking achievements.

Jon Hume

Songs are such a big part of my life, and such an influence on all of us. I'm so thankful that APRA is here to enable local writers to hone their craft, and carry out that endless search for just the right words, and the melody that will carry it to a place that words alone could never go. APRA rightly acknowledges the value that songs have, and rewards the writers. They do a fantastic job and so many songs we all know and love would probably not exist without APRA being there to help writes make a living!

Jonathan Zwartz

APRA Member since 1983

Apart from being known as one of the major players on the Australian jazz landscape, double bassist Jonathan Zwartz has recently emerged as a composer and songwriter. His debut Album of original compositions ‘The Sea’ was released in 2009 and won two prestigious Bell awards, as well as being the best selling Australian Jazz release at Birdland Records in 2010 and 2011.
He has recorded a follow up CD entitled ‘The Remembering and Forgetting of the Air’, which is due for release in the first half of 2013.
 

Jonathan is also part of the ‘Starfish Club’ team that presents a monthly live music event at the Clovelly Bowling Club that has been filmed and broadcast live on ABC Radio National.

He has just completed a graduate diploma in screen composition at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Jonathan has an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the NSW Conservatorium and a Masters in Music from the Australian National University. He has performed and recorded with many notable Australian and International artists, and has co-produced a ten part series on jazz for ABC TV.

 

Josh Cunningham

After being a member of successful Australian band, The Waifs, for nearly 20 years, Josh Cunningham has finally released a solo album. This recording chronicles his own journey to faith and also his personal journey of faith. The musical palate is decidedly "waif-esque" which is hardly surprising given his role as a principal songwriter in that group.

The organic, acoustic flavorings are a perfect reflection of the natural, honest songwriting style, which draws both on Biblical reference and personal testimony. Poetic and powerful, emotive and evocative, "Into Tomorrow" is a compelling story.
 

Josh Pyke

APRA Member since 2002

Josh Pyke is one of Australia’s premier singer/songwriters. Known for his ability to weave intelligent lyrics with warm melodies and quirky song structures, Pyke is a modern-day storyteller.

Pyke’s breakthrough single Middle of the Hill was #19 on triple j’s 2005 Hottest 100. It featured on the mini-album Feeding the Wolves which was nominated for Best Pop Release at the 2006 ARIA Awards. His debut album Memories & Dust entered the ARIA chart at #4 in 2007. The Gold record was nominated for a J Award, hailed a “classic” by The Daily Telegraph and “world-class” by The Age. Josh won Best Adult Contemporary Album and Producer of the Year (with Wayne Connelly) at the 2007 ARIAs and was nominated for Best Male Artist and Breakthrough Artist.

The follow-up Chimney’s Afire debuted at #3, won the 2009 ARIA for Best Adult Contemporary Album and achieved Gold sales. Josh, now firmly established at the forefront of music in Australia, was again nominated for Best Male Artist. His third album Only Sparrows, debuted in 2011 at #4 on the Australian charts. Josh was nominated for Best Male Artist, and (with Wayne Connolly) for both Engineer and Producer of the Year at the 2011 ARIA Awards.

Julian Hamilton

Julian Hamilton was born in 1976. He studied piano from a young age, and went on to pursue musical studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. There he met musical collaborator Kim Moyes. Together they went on to perform in the instrumental band Prop, and in 2003 formed the techno duo The Presets. In 2008 The Presets released the chart topping album Apocalypso, selling over 250,000 copies in Australia.

Along with Moyes, he went on to win 5 ARIA awards for the album in 2009, including Album of the Year. They also shared the coveted Songwriter of The Year Award at the 2009 APRA Awards. In 2012 they were awarded Best Live Act at the In The Mix Awards, and have followed this with the release of their critically acclaimed 3rd album Pacifica. Hamilton has collaborated with other artists both as a songwriter, composer, producer and featured artist - including Silverchair, The Sleepy Jackson, Megan Washington, Kris Menace and the Melbourne based contemporary dance company Chunky Move. He lives with his girlfriend and daughter in Sydney, Australia.

Karl Broadie

Where songwriters are concerned, APRA is concerned and that makes a massive difference to our efforts as writers. A songwriter's commitment to their craft often goes unrewarded, in fact many drop-off along the way. I was educated early on in my career, as to the business of APRA and how they simply take care of our business. It's often the case, that a songwriter's intellectual property is their only asset. That fact alone makes APRA's role all the more important, even vital, on our songwriting journey.

Kate Miller-Heidke

APRA Member since 2002

We all know her voice by now. Without question, they are some of the most gloriously elastic vocal chords in contemporary music. In one song, she will sound as hushed and intimate as a lover before sleep, before reverberating with an operatic force so great, it seems possible walls might collapse and time will fold in on itself. Across the Pacific and Atlantic—from Australia to Asia, the US and UK—stunned audiences have been mesmerised and transformed, one at a time, by the extraordinary talent that is Kate Miller-Heidke.

Now, following double-platinum sales for her last album (2008’s Curiouser), sets at Coachella, international dates supporting Ben Folds, acclaimed opera performances in Australia and the UK, and catching US critics—from the New York Times to the New Yorker—off-guard, Kate Miller-Heidke returns with Nightflight, her first solo album in three years. Over 11 songs, Nightflight signals a new-found sophistication in songwriting that sees Kate meditate on homesickness, mortality, love and surrender, in an album that is both sonically lush and emotionally stark, deeply personal and yet utterly panoramic. Upon release in Australia, the album reached #1 on the iTunes albums chart and #2 on the ARIA album chart.
 

Katie Noonan

Katie Noonan’s technical mastery and pure voice makes her one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved vocalists. A mother, singer, producer, songwriter, pianist and business woman, this 4 x ARIA Award winning and 7 x platinum selling songstress first received widespread praise as the angel-voiced songstress of indie-pop band George and has since taken audiences on sublime excursions through Jazz, Pop and Classical music.

Her various releases include her folk trio’s self titled album  ‘Elixir’, the No. 1 selling classical album ‘Two of a Kind’ with her mother Maggie, her gold-selling top ten solo album ‘Skin’ and the acclaimed ‘Songs of the Southern Skies.’ She has also worked with the country’s top orchestra’s including her fruitful collaboration with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
 
 

Kav Temperley

APRA Member since 1998

Kav Temperley is front-man and songwriter of Eskimo Joe, a member of Basement Birds and a campaigner for Oxfam’s “Close The Gap” campaign.

Eskimo Joe have released five studio albums: Girl, A Song Is A City, Black Fingernails, Red Wine, Inshalla and Ghosts of the Past. Girl was certified gold and A Song Is A City double platinum. It was Black Fingernails, Red Wine that truly brought the trio international recognition. “How Does It Feel” featured in a pivotal scene in Gossip Girl’s first season and the body of work was considered ‘Album of the Year’ by SFist. A fourth album Inshalla debuted an #1.

During the rigorous touring through Black Fingernails, Red Wine and Inshalla, Kav also collaborated on songs with his mates Steve Parkin, Kevin Mitchell and Josh Pyke. Adopting the name Basement Birds, they released a series of digital singles and EPs culminating in an album, toured the country successfully then quietly stepped back into their major projects less than a few months later. At the same time, Kav and fellow Eskimo Joe members also started intensive work on indie label Dirt Diamond Productions, focusing on the development and song-writing of upcoming acts in Perth.
 

Kevin Bennett

APRA Member since 1982

Kevin Bennett, well respected singer/songwriter with Sydney
roots band The Flood, CMAA Gold Guitar winner in 2006 (with The Flood for Best Group ) and 2011 (with Kasey Chambers for Vocal Collaboration) also Aria Nominee for 2006, writes relevant, contemporary Australian music containing elements of
Blues, Rock and Country - telling stories of where he's from and where he might be going. He sings his life.

Having served his apprenticeship in rock bands such as – The Honeymoon , Moving Pictures and Chasin The Train, KB began
The Flood as a vehicle for his own songs. The Flood has performed at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, The Dreaming Festival,
Gympie Muster, Narooma Blues Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and are regulars at Tamworth Country Music Festival.
KB is a popular co-writer having penned songs with Troy Cassar-Daley, Broderick Smith, Kim Cheshire, Felicity and his
song “Paul Kelly's Blues” was nominated for APRA Song of the Year. Another of Kevin's songs “Hello Blue Sky” recorded by The Flood reached the number one spot on the Country Music
Chart.

In 2005 KB discovered that he had Aboriginal heritage and he was from the Kamilaroi tribe of Northern New South Wales.

Since then he has been involved in several Indigenous Songwriting / Musical Skills and Mentoring projects with Tamworth Regional Council, APRA and lately with the Jimmy Little Foundation.

In 2008 he was invited to appear at The Dreaming Festival with The Flood and is a proud indigenous ambassador for APRA.

Kevin Mitchell

APRA Member since 1996

Bob Evans is the charming alter-ego and solo project of Australian recording artist Kevin Mitchell, who also fronts alternative rock band Jebediah and is one quarter of Basement Birds, along with Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe), Josh Pyke, Steve Parkin (Autopilot).

A talented singer/songwriter, Bob Evans achieved the award for Best Male Artist in Rolling Stone Australia's 2007 reader poll, was a finalist for 2007's Australian Music Prize, and a strong contender for the lauded J Award in 2006. Bob Evans' second studio release, "Suburban Songbook", picked up the 2006 ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, chalking up Gold accreditation in the process.

In 2011 Jebediah released their fifth studio album Kosciuszko, which debuted at #6 in the ARIA Charts, was Triple J Album of the Week and nominated for an ARIA Award.  The single “She’s Like A Comet” scored in the Triple J Hottest 100, reached #1 in the radio charts, went Gold in sales and took home a WAMi.
The fourth Bob Evans studio album is set for release in early-2013, marking a new chapter in the Bob Evans story.
 

 

Lapulung Dhamarrandji

APRA Member since 1992

There's a value in our songs that give value to our lives. We know when we're writing the lyrics and music of our songs, that APRA helps to protect our rights and pay us royalties

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Les Gock

APRA Member since 1978

In the early 70’s, Les Gock took leave from the despatch department of a major ad agency to become a rock star.

As lead guitarist with HUSH he went on to earn 12 gold records in just 5 wild years. After the band broke up, Les set up business and offered his musical skills to the ad industry with phenomenal success.
The company became Song Zu, a music and sound design mecca that attracted some of the cream of Australasia’s composers and sound engineers. Les’ work at Song Zu included film soundtracks for Bruce Beresford and Steve Hopkins, the television series Water Rats, the award-winning Qantas children’s choir ad campaign and the production of the debut album for Scandal’Us, 2002 winners of Pop Stars of which Les was also a judge. The album hit platinum and earned a coveted Aria award as one of the highest selling Australian singles of all time.

Today, Les Gock Sound Thinking, housed in The Cooperage at Jackson’s Landing, is a respected audio branding consultancy that plays an integral part in the communication and management of leading Australian brands.
 
 

Lior Attar

APRA Member since 1997

Lior burst on to the Australian music scene in 2005 with his debut album -  ‘Autumn Flow’. Recorded and released entirely independently, the album became one of the most successful independent debuts in Australian history. A swag of accolades followed, including three Aria nominations (including Best Male Artist), as well as Triple J’s prestigious ‘J Award’ nomination for Album of the Year.

Lior’s sophomore album ‘Corner of an Endless Road’ was released in 2008,  followed by a string of sold out national tours, including the hugely successful ‘Shadows and Light’ tour -  a stunning collaboration with live performance shadow artistry built specifically to Lior’s music.

2010 saw the release of Lior’s third studio album, ‘Tumbling into the Dawn’, followed by the European release of a compilation album, 3-2-1, in 2011. In 2012 his song Hey Hootabelle, written for Giggle & Hoot, won the APRA|AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Original Song Composed for Screen.
 

Mark Atkins

APRA Member since 1992

APRA is a great advocate for Australian songwriters in general, but they are especially dedicated to promoting the work of indigenous artists. Not only do they understand and respect the needs of indigenous artists, but they are endlessly supportive and encouraging and it is a comfort to know APRA is working behind the scenes to support and represent me as a songwriter and composer. APRA is here there help and protect your work, sign up to APRA quick smart

Mark Lizotte (DIESEL)

APRA Member since 1988

Born in Fall River Massachusetts, the youngest of seven from a sax playing electronics technician father and a mother in nursing, Mark Lizotte aka DIESEL grew up in Australia and in the U.S. He formed the band ‘Johnny Diesel & The Injectors’ in 1986 from remnants of a previous band before embarking on a solo career in 1991.

In 2011 Diesel celebrated 25 years in the industry. With over 35 singles, 13 albums, 6 ARIA awards and record sales edging 1 million, DIESEL is a journeyman of music.

With blues music in his DNA, an influence largely from his Father’s record collection,
DIESEL has blended styles to come up with a truly unique sound, punctuated with his distinct guitar playing and vocals.
 

 
 

Mark Moffatt

Mark Moffatt is an experienced producer and accomplished musician (guitar, pedal steel), engineer, and writer.

As a writer he has had two #1 Australian country singles, two top ten pop singles, two top ten UK & European singles, and has composed scores for seven major motion pictures and television series.

Mark relocated to Nashville in 1996, at the invitation of Ten Ten Music president Barry Coburn and worked extensively in the development of superstar Keith Urban.

Production credits include:  Keith Urban /the Ranch, the Saints, Yothu Yindi, Divinyls, Neil & Tim Finn, Ross Wilson, Slim Dusty, Tony Joe White, Stacey Earle, O’Shea, Jasmine Rae, Deana Carter, Leslie Mills (with John Shanks & the Dust Brothers), Gloriana, Adam Gregory, and Jason Aldean .
 
Mark is a leader in the emerging Independent sector of the Nashville music industry, achieving the highest number of independent Music Row chart entries in 2005. In 2007, he received his first Grammy nomination.

 

Melinda Schneider

APRA Member since 1995

For over a decade now Melinda Schneider has been a leading light of the ‘new-breed’ of Australian Country music artists both in Australia and the US.

In a career which began with a stage debut at the age of three, she has kept her family tradition alive by becoming one of Australia’s most sublime singers and popular live performers. But it is through her assured and accomplished song writing that she has really discovered her true voice.

With nine albums under her belt, she has earned two Gold records and won numerous awards, including six CMAA Golden Guitars – Top Selling Album for Stronger, Album Of The Year with Family Tree, APRA Song Of The Year for Real People and Female Vocalist Of The Year for The Story Of My Life.

Melinda was awarded her 6th CMAA Golden Guitar for Vocal Collaboration of The Year in January 2009 for her heart-warming duet ‘Still Here’ with Paul Kelly. Melinda’s songs have also been recorded by artists as diverse as John Farnham, Billy Thorpe, Jimmy Little, Olivia Newton-John and Ricky Skaggs.

Melinda is currently starring in her brand new stage show DORIS Doris Day – So Much More Than The Girl Next Door. Co-written by Melinda and David Mitchell (of Dusty/Shout fame) is a musical homage to Melinda’s idol.
 

 

Megan Washington

After studying jazz voice for six years at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, in her early twenties Megan Washington moved to the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy.

Forming a band in 2009, Washington released independent EP Clementine, and it was here the first early signs of her own take on Indie/Alternative/ Pop and showtime jazz spectacular first appeared and began to blossom. Clementine was picked up Triple J’s ‘Unearthed” competition and people started taking note. The following EP, How to Tame Lions, was again greeted with healthy sales, fantastic reviews and a ‘Vanda & Young’ Songwriting mantle for the title track.

2010 was a stellar year for Washington, playing to packed houses in every Australian city. Her debut album ‘I Believe You Liar’ entered the Australian album charts at #3 and earned seven ARIA Awards nominations, winning two: “Best Female Artist” and “Breakthrough Australian Artist”, and was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year at the 2011 APRA Music Awards. Megan was a mentor on the inaugural season of The Voice in Australia and recently stared in her first feature film (to be released in 2014).
 

 

Michael Fix

APRA Member since 1985

I still remember the the thrill of receiving my first APRA payments; the cheques always seemed to arrive at a time when I needed them most. Back then I didn't really have a clear idea of the value of 'intellectual property', nor did I fully understand the importance of 'copyright'.

Over time, as composing music became a more important part of my career, I soon learnt how important it is to have a support network like APRA. At APRA I discovered enthusiastic and helpful people who could demystify the legal terminology, answer my questions, create networking opportunities, and provide a sense of security.

I'd urge all music creators to value their creative work, nurture it, and protect it by joining APRA.

Michael Yezerski

APRA Member since 2001

Michael Yezerski is a multi-award winning composer, music producer and songwriter. He has composed the scores to acclaimed Australian films including The Black Balloon, The Waiting City and the Oscar winning short The Lost Thing. Michael recently completed the scores for Storm Surfers 3D, Drift and Mental. His concert works include The Red Tree (with Richard Tognetti) for the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Kaddish Avelim for the Sydney Chamber Choir.

Michael’s music has earned him many nominations, as well as five APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards, Gold Medals at Park City Film Music Festival, an APRA Professional Development Award and Best Classical Artist at MusicOz. He was included in the Sydney Morning Herald's list of "People to Watch".

Michael studied musical composition under Peter Sculthorpe and Ross Edwards at the University of Sydney, then graduated with distinction in audio technology from the Australian Institute of Music and completed film music studies at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. In 2011, Michael was honoured with invitations to perform The Lost Thing Live at TEDx Sydney as well as the Graphic Festival (supporting Gotye) and the gala opening of the Dungog Film Festival.
 

Mick Thomas


At the end of 2012, Mick announced that Weddings, Parties, Anything would be using the Melbourne Age Hall of Fame induction as a farewell platform. Many fans struggled to come to grips with the finality of the occasion, but when the dust had settled from the awards night, ultimately what was left was the knowledge that there are new projects to go to, tours to plan and songs to write: Music to be made.

Mick’s many recent musical accomplishments include: a regional tour to country halls in late 2012; regular tours of Europe; the album Last of the Tourists, recorded in Portland Oregon and released to great acclaim early 2012; Mick’s Monthly Music Club, a webcast showcasing his prolific talents and formidable work ethic; and his latest outfit, Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission. Mick’s ever evolving talents as a writer, performer and racontuer continue to define a career as intriguing as it is enduring.
 

Missy Higgins


Australian songwriter, singer and multi-award winner, Missy Higgins has enjoyed phenomenal success with her irresistible melodies and 'arrow through the heart' lyrics, delivered by a voice that clearly means it.

After touring the globe with her undeniable songs and unforgettable live performances, Missy's highly acclaimed albums The Sound Of White (Album Of The Year featuring the hit singles Scar and Ten Days), On A Clear Night (featuring North American top 20 airplay hit Where I Stood and Steer) and The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle (ARIA's Best Adult Contemporary Album in 2012 featuring the hit single Everyone's Waiting) combined have sold millions of albums and singles across the globe.

With a musical maturity well beyond her years, Missy appeared on the cover of Australia's Rolling Stone magazine twice before she turned 25.

Naomi Pigram

APRA Member since 2009

Naomi Pigram is one of the most exciting female artists to spring from the dynamic musical culture of Broome, and has fronted notable Indigenous bands – One Strum, St Agnes and Naomi Pigram Band.

Naomi and Bart are the children of Stephen Pigram from the Pigram Brothers, and together they played original music around Broome before forming the trio Onestrum with Aaron Panaia in Perth. The three later founded a new band, St Agnes. The name was a tribute to Naomi and Bart’s grandmother Agnes Pigram and the group featured 5 of her grandchildren. St Agnes became very popular throughout the Kimberley with their raw and energetic pub gigs.

Following the breakup of St Agnes, Naomi, Bart and Aaron formed the Naomi Pigram Band with fellow St Agnes member Marcel Wynne. They released their debut album, Other Side of Town, and a video clip for Hurts to Be Me before adding Tristram Pigram on drums. At the 2009 Too Solid WAMIs, Naomi won the award for Best Female Vocalist and Marcel was nominated for Best Guitarist.  Naomi appeared in the Bran Nue Dae cabaret, toured nationally in Jimmy Chi's Corrugation Road and also appeared in Brendon Fletcher’s short film Kulli Foot.
 

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Ohad Rein (Old Man River)

APRA Member since 2004

Ohad Rein is the singer-songwriter behind the international acclaimed project OLD MAN RIVER, an eclectic musical voyage that manages to blend conscious pop, folk-rock, psychedelia and Indian music, all under a warm blanket of positive, melodic and inspiring sounds.
In the past decade, Rein has been based in Sydney, Australia. In 2007 he released the debut album ‘Good Morning’ which reached top chart positions in Australia, Japan and Europe. The album’s success led him to play countless shows around the globe. During that period he supported and cooperated with many artists such as Daniel Johnston, The Violent Femmes, Iron and Wine, The Tallest Man On Earth, Gomez and more.
The creative search for the follow up album led Rein all the way to Mumbai, India, where he realized an old dream working with legendary producer Daman Sood and recording with some of Mumbai’s greatest musicians. Recorded over a 12-month period at studios in Sydney, Tel Aviv and Mumbai, Trust’s behind-the-scenes talent includes producers Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Youth Group, Sarah Blasko), Ori Avni from Israel and Daman Sood (Jagjit Singh, Avida Parveen). The Trust master tapes were flown to the USA, and mixed by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Phoenix).
 

 

Paul Greene

APRA Member since 1997

I have been an APRA member since 1997, cant sing its praises enough (excuse the pun). APRA is an essential resource for all Songwriters and I am very excited at the idea of working more closely with APRA as an Ambassador

Pete Murray

APRA Member since 2000

I don't think many people realize that a café, a hairdresser’s salon or a Hotel just wouldn't be the same places without music. Songs can change the way people feel so when somebody plays music in public it can really enhance the mood of that place and that can be a very powerful thing. Also many people don't realize how much time, effort and money artists often invest to create a recording that a lot of people then just download for free these days. APRA do understand all of that which is why their support for the songwriters of this country is so important. They protect the rights of songwriters and ensure that the special qualities of music are properly recognized by everyone who benefits from them. In doing so they also allow Australian artists to keep making a living from writing those songs that can mean so much to so many people.

Peter Combe

2013 is Peter Combe's 30th year as a professional children's singer songwriter. Often referred to as the 'Paul Kelly of children's song writers', he has captured the imagination of both young and old Australians for a generation with his funny, inspirational and irresistibly catchy songs for children.  

His audience consists of young children plus their parents who grew up on his songs in the late 80's and early 90's! Like a good recipe, his music is being passed down to today's children. And with over a million album and DVD sales to date, Peter’s passion for performing, writing and recording quality new music for children is as strong as ever. 

With 3 ARIAS for Best Children's Album and seven gold and two platinum CDs, Peter Combe is an icon of Australian children's music and recognized as simply the best and most loved children' songwriter in Australia. 

 

Pip Norman

Pip Norman (AKA Countbounce) is a multi-award winning songwriter and producer from Melbourne. He runs Bounce County Studios and is a founding member of electronic/hip hop outfit TZU. He works with a variety of talented artists from most genres in Australia and overseas. Countbounce specialises as a song doctor, record producer, and inspired collaborator.

He enjoys the rare status of being short-listed three times for the prestigious Australian Music Prize (2010, 2009 and 2007 for work with TZU and Urthboy). He has won an APRA award (Best Blues and Roots with Ash Grunwald, ‘Breakout’), an AIR award (Urthboy, ‘Spitshine’), ABMF Song of the Year (‘Fish Out Of Water’), and has been nominated for two ARIAs, two AIRs, and an APRA, among others.
Countbounce also collaborates with Urthboy, Ash Grunwald, Daniel Merriweather, Sparkadia, Sietta, Bobby Flynn, Texture Like Sun, and many others.

As a songwriter his work is unmistakably accessible, while retaining challenging arrangements and poetic themes. His production combines a refined musicality with trademark rich instrumentation, a pop-infused melodic aesthetic, and textured analogue layers. Countbounce has also created work for theatre and intermedia art projects, winning acclaim in 2008 with Willoh S Weiland on intermedia science project Yelling at Stars.
 

Rebecca Barnard

Some people still think being a songwriter and musician is not a real job ...Imagine a life without music ! I haven’t had a pay rise 20 years .... I cant think of any other industry where this could happen.

Being a songwriter and musician is a wonderful life but fraught with financial insecurity.Apra is there to help musicians get what they deserve , to administer our rights and support us on so many levels.

Robbie Collins

My song's are little parts of me, so it's important for me to know my rights as a creator are being safeguarded. As a songwriter, APRA continues to be my best collaborator.

Robert Conley

Robert Conley is an American songwriter / producer currently living in Sydney. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert began his music career as an assistant engineer on KISS - Alive III in Hollywood, California in 2000. Late 2007, Conley signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in Australia, and moved to Sydney. He is one of the most in demand songwriter / producers in Australia, and excels in the development of new talent. He wrote and produced the APRA Nominated, ARIA top ten Gold single for Axle Whitehead, ‘Don’t Do Surprises’. He was instrumental in the development of Sydney band, Amy Meredith, co-producing their debut album Restless, and co-writing six songs from the album, including their breakthrough single Pornstar, and their ARIA Top Ten Platinum selling his, Lying. He has also worked with Brian McFadden co-writing and co-producing much of the Wall of Soundz album, including the ARIA Number 1, Double Platinum hit single Just Say So, the Christian Lo Russo/Brian McFadden collaboration Not Now, and the Delta Goodrem / Brian McFadden collaboration, Mistakes. He has also collaborated with Australian hip-hop artist, Phrase, co-writing and co-producing the Triple J staple, and APRA nominated single, ‘Spaceship’.   

Robert has also lent his producing, writing and mixing skills to a number of independent artists including up and coming Triple J favourites The Delta Riggs (Talupo House Mountain Music Volume 1) and exciting new, ARIA winning / Grammy nominated, Australian artist, Georgi Kay (‘In My Mind’). Other Australian artists that he has written with and / or produced include: Delta Goodrem, Penelope Austin, Stan Walker, Jake and Stav from Bluejuice. Emma Birdsall, Ben Hazlewood, Tina Arena, Grinspoon and Timomatic. Robert is also the founder of the annual international and local songwriting camp ’50 Songs In 5 Days’ and has recently set up his own publishing company and record label, SPECIFIC MUSIC (www.specificmusic.com.au), and is currently developing artists and songwriters through this company.  

 

Roma Waterman

APRA Member since 1994 

If you live in Australasia and are into Christian music, there is no doubt you will have heard of Roma Waterman.  As one of Australia's leading Christian artists, Roma has been at the forefront of its music for almost 20 years.

Roma has released 7 albums -her most recent “Release the Sound” has already garnered a Top 5 radio single for the title track. Her songs “More than Icecream” and “I was carried” have received extensive radio play and won several international songwriting awards, including 2nd place in the International Songwriting Competition. In 2010 she also received The Gospel Music Associations Honour award for outstanding contribution to Christian music.

Roma has also been a vocal coach and session vocalist for TV shows including The Voice, The X Factor and Ch 9 Carols By Candlelight. Roma is the founder of the much loved Melbourne Gospel Choir.
 

Sally Seltmann

Sally Seltmann is the award-winning Australian singer/song writer/producer behind intoxicating albums such as ‘Heart That’s Pounding’, ‘Somewhere, anywhere.’ and ‘The Last Beautiful Day’. She is the co-writer of the song ‘1234’, performed by Feist, and a member of Seeker Lover Keeper. Sally Seltmann previously performed under the name New Buffalo.

Having supporting Grammy Award winning artist Bon Iver throughout his 2012 Australian tour, Sally is now writing and recording the follow up to her 2010 solo album ‘Heart That’s Pounding’. Co-produced with Francois Tetaz (Gotye, Architecture in Helsinki), ‘Heart That’s Pounding’ has been recognised by many as Sally’s most accomplished work to date. The album was short listed for the Australian Music Prize.

Previous recordings by Sally as New Buffalo include her debut EP ‘About Last Night’. Her debut album ‘The Last Beautiful Day’ followed. Written, arranged and produced by Sally, the album featured performances from Beth Orton and Dirty Three’s Jim White. In 2010 Sally collaborated with Holly Throsby and Sarah Blasko to create ‘Seeker Lover Keeper’. The trio released their self-titled album mid-2011. The album debuted at #3 on the ARIA charts.   
 

Seaman Dan

APRA Member since 1997

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Born on Thursday Island in 1929, Henry Gibson ‘Seaman' Dan is one of our most treasured singers and performers.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, Seaman Dan worked as a boat captain and pearl diver, gathering pearl and trochus shells in the Coral, Arafura and Timor Seas.

His music blends traditional Torres Strait Islander and pearling songs with jazz, hula and blues, reflecting the many cultures and traditions found in the Torres Strait.

After a lifetime performing around the Torres Strait region, Seaman Dan released his first album, Follow the Sun in 2000 and won the ARIA award for Best World Music album in 2004 (Perfect Pearl) and 2009 (Sailing Home).

In 2012, three years after officially retiring, Seaman released another album called Sunnyside. Produced by Dr Karl Neuenfeldt and Nigel Pegrum for Steady Steady Music and recorded and mixed at Pegasus Studios in Cairns, Sunnyside features Nat King Cole songs done with a Torres Strait flavour.

A biography, Steady Steady: the Life and Music of Henry ‘Seaman’ Dan, is forthcoming in 2013 with Aboriginal Studies Press.
 

Shellie Morris

APRA Member since 2000

"APRA protects our rights and is working for us whether we are working overseas or in a small community in the remote N.T."

Shellie Morris is an Indigenous Darwin-based singer-songwriter. Adopted out at an early age, she has traced her roots back to a Wardaman (Katherine-area) grandfather, remembered for his skills with guitar and voice, and a Yanyuwa (Borroloola-area) grandmother, who was taken from her family at eight years old and brought up in Darwin’s Kahlin compound.

Shellie’s performance highlights include the Closing Ceremony of the Arafura Games in Darwin, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Melbourne Festival’s Seven Songs to Leave Behind in 2010 and notes from the hard road and beyond in 2011. She has shared the bill with touring artists including Yothu Yindi, Sinead O’Connor, Meshel Ndegeocello, Rickie Lee Jones, Grinspoon, You Am I, Tiddas, Jimmy Little and Magic Dirt. She was nominated for a Deadly Vibes Award In 2002.

She also works with Indigenous communities and youth throughout Australia, helping young people to write music about their experiences, as an Ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
 

Stavros Yiannoukas

Stavros Yiannoukas has been a lead vocalist in Sydney band, Bluejuice, for over 11 years now.  When he's not screaming into a microphone, he is probably writing tunes for other artists, working up his kids' iPad book (Elliot Foxley -The Story Of A Little Fox Who Lost His Home), doing voice over work for EM Voices, hosting a radio show on JJJ or just generally using his mouth for no good.

Tim Levinson (Urthboy)

APRA Member since 2002

Urthboy’s first solo album Distant Sense of Random Menace was released in 2004, but it was 2007’s The Signal that kicked things up a notch. Hailed as “a classic” by Rolling Stone, The Signal received numerous award nominations and was shortlisted in the 2007 Australian Music Prize. In 2009 Urthboy was again shortlisted for the AMP with Spitshine, which won Best Urban Album at the Independent Music Awards.

Urthboy is also one of the main songwriters in The Herd, whose four albums have seen them build a huge fanbase in Australia. They’ve won two AIR Awards and a J Award, released a top ten ARIA chart album, sold out national tours and played every major festival in the country.

Celebrating the government’s apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, Urthboy worked with Getup to re-imagine the song From Little Things Big Things Grow, at Paul Kelly’s personal request. The song helped raise over $100,000 for Indigenous run health and education programs.

Urthboy is label manager of Elefant Traks, a music business with a stable of ten artists; 60 releases and numerous national and international tours. His roles include A & R, artist management, tour co-ordinator and getting the job done.
 

Tina Arena

APRA Member since 1992

Tina Arena has just fulfilled a lifelong dream - fronting a national Symphony Orchestra tour which included sold out shows at the Sydney Opera House and the redeveloped Hamer Hall in her home town of Melbourne.
Earlier this year, Tina's career came full circle as she returned to where it all started - Channel Ten's Young Talent Time. This time, however, 'Tiny Tina' was in the judges seat.

You may recall some of the highlights: child star at age seven; ten times Platinum multi-award-winning album Don't Ask, a record that can be found in one in four Australia homes.

Tina opened the 2000 Olympic Games to an audience of three billion people, has sold eight million albums, performed with Donna Summer, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Stevie Wonder and Marc Antony. Along the way she has picked up countless accolades including Brit, People's Choice, Mo, Helpmann, World Music, ARIA, and Variety awards.

In 2011 Tina received a National Order of Merit by French minister for culture and communicationfor her contribution to the arts and in 2012 Prime Minster Gillard personally presented her with a Global Foundation Award recognising Tina's work in representing Australia on the world's stage.
 

Troy Cassar-Daley

APRA Member since 1991

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Troy Cassar-Daley has a reputation amongst his peers in the Australian music industry as being one of the most loved and respected singer/songwriters in country music. This is reflected on a mainstream level by the many industry awarded accolades for his work as a successful recording artist.   

Troy’s career has spanned 8 studio albums over 20 years.  His latest album ’Home’, released in March 2012 debuted on the official ARIA album chart at #9 and the National ARIA Country album chart at #1.   Throughout this time he has been awarded numerous accolades including 4 ARIA’s, 21 Golden Guitars, 2 APRA Country Song of the year awards, 8 Deadlys (Australian Indigenous artist awards), 4 CMAA Entertainer of the Year awards. 

Wally De Backer (Gotye)

APRA Member since 1998

Gotye first found fame in his native Australia with his second album, 2006’s Like Drawing Blood. Triple J named it their album of the year, as did iTunes on its release in Europe in 2008. It was voted one of the greatest Australian albums of all time in Triple J’s 2011 poll.

Making Mirrors, its extraordinary follow-up landed nearly five years later. Created by Gotye (aka Wally De Backer) in a barn on the Mornington Peninsula this landmark release won Album of the Year at the 2012 ARIAs and has sold over 2 million copies globally. The lead single Somebody That I Used To Know (featuring Kimbra) was the biggest international hit of the year, topping the charts in over 30 countries including eight weeks at #1 in the US. The song has received numerous accolades including APRA Song of the Year, five ARIAs and two Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Making Mirrors also won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.

Gotye has toured the world in support of Making Mirrors, performing acclaimed concerts in iconic venues from Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne to Radio City Music Hall in New York City and The Hammersmith Apollo in London. He has appeared on leading global festivals such as Coachella in California and Summer Sonic in Japan and guested on renowned TV Shows such as Saturday Night Live.
 

 

William Barton

APRA Member since 2003

APRA has a great team of experts to help further develop your musical expressions and to help attain what you deserve in your musical ambitions. With their vast range of networks globally and nationally, APRA will help your musical assets will reach their true potential.

 

 

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