AUSTRALIAN MUSIC TURNS UP THE HEAT AT SXSW
Tuesday, 29 March 2010: Australian music makers turned up the heat at this year’s South by Southwest Festival, held in Austin, Texas 17-21 March 2010. Amid plummeting temperatures, the Australian delegation brought their ‘A-Game’ to the Trade Show and to the hectic schedule of performances and parties that make up the annual celebration of music, film and emerging technologies.
“We are going to be hearing a lot about the considerable outcomes from SXSW this year. Not only were the performances by Australian artists second to none, but the members of the Australian music industry who were in Austin, were out in serious force. From promoters and festival bookers securing talent and conference speakers, to those licensing records, to managers building international networks - the majority of Australians spent the week in back-to-back meetings; all for the advancement of the contemporary music sector,” said Millie Millgate, Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia.
“Sounds Australia facilitated introductions between key contacts from the Australian and UK music industries at networking events. This functioned as a great precursor to our position as focus nation for The Great Escape in Brighton this May. To top it all off, the SXSW International Speed Networking Sessions featuring Australians, reached capacity before any other country. As fun as SXSW can be, Australia was definitely there to do business!”
From The Block Party - where Washington, Darren Hanlon, Via Tania and Paul Dempsey charmed audiences, amidst serving up Boomerang Pies – to The Aussie BBQ where 2600+ guests were treated to 23 live performances on 3 stages over 14 hours; Australian artists won over the Texan crowds with their engaging, high quality performances.
Sounds Australia partnered with Stage Mothers for the first time to present the now legendary SXSW event, THE AUSSIE BBQ. Held on Saturday 20 March at Maggie Mae’s, the BBQ was a feast of traditional Aussie fare and non-stop live Australian music goodness. Punters queued for hours in the early spring chill to witness kick-ass performances by Beaches, Cassette Kids, Children Collide, Pivot, Karnivool, The Middle East, Goons of Doom, Crayon Fields, Kate Miller Heidke, The Chevelles, Violent Soho and many, many more! Major sponsors V-Australia helped get the party started by providing 14 flights to Australia as raffle prizes.
Sounds Australia flew the Australian flag at the SXSW Music Trade Show, remaining one of the most popular destinations throughout the exhibition. Plus, Maggie Mae’sfeatured the biggest, most attention-grabbing, banner of the Festival (who says size doesn’t matter?!) Don’t believe us, then checkout the Sounds Australia @ SXSW photo album on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SoundsAustralia.
The Sounds Australia juggernaut continues its world tour next month, bringing the best in Australian music talent to The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City and Music Matters (HK). For more information on the Australian presence at these events, go to www.apra-amcos.com.au/soundsaustralia.
What ‘they’ said about SXSW 2010:
- “On an uncharacteristically freezing day in Austin it was The Aussie BBQ turning up the heat…thank goodness they were! Great acts, great food and great opportunities for Australian act to showcase to the world!” Alistair Cranney, Director, {SongFront}
- “As manager of Violent Soho, we were really proud to be involved with the Aussie BBQ. It was so exciting to see so much incredible Australian talent in the one space. An all round success. Thanks!” David Benge, Manager Violent Soho
- “2010 was my 7th SXSW Festival. It was with some pride that I watched the best ever coordinated delivery of an Australian presence at SXSW unfold over the entire four days, with the culmination on Saturday of the 6 separate-but-joined parties attracting thousands of attendees who saw over 30 top quality Aussie acts. This really highlights how great it is to be involved in supporting Sounds Australia. I must congratulate Millie Millgate for coordinating this thing with such success, and for ensuring that our banner was the biggest one at SXSW." Paul Bodlovich, Chair Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN)
- “My gratitude goes to Sounds Australia and Stage Mothers for providing the final SXSW showcase opportunities for Sally Seltmann and The Middle East. The BBQ was a fantastic way for The Middle East to finish their run of performances and I'm looking forward to following up the opportunities that have arisen for both artists as a result of the event.” Mel Lake, Bird Music
- "Thanks aagin for an amazing experience and for going beyond the call of duty. Via Tania had a great show - most worthwhile in a successful SXSW week! Thank you.” Will Larnch-Jones, Parallel Management.
- "New venue, new additions to the team made for one of the best Aussie BBQ's yet." Graham Ashton, Executive Programmer, BIG SOUND 2010
- "The Aussie BBQ 2010 style was bigger and better than ever. Multiple stages provided a great opportunity to showcase more Aussie talent across a longer period and proved to be a real destination for delegates." Troy Barrott, Hub Artist Management, Manager Dappled Cities
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About Sounds Australia
Sounds Australia is Australia's national export initiative, established to deliver a cohesive and unified platform at international showcase market events, supported through a financial partnership between both Federal and State governments, along with peak music industry bodies.
Sounds Australia is committed to providing the best possible environment for Australian Artists to expose their own unique selling points to their chosen export markets and for the attending Australian delegates to be offered value add networking opportunities in order to stimulate negotiations and real business outcomes, allowing them to meet their international objectives and advance their careers.
Sounds Australia aims to raise the profile and visibility of the Australian contemporary music sector within key international music markets. By centralising efforts at SXSW 2010 through the financial investment from The Australia Council for the Arts, Trade Queensland, Vic Rocks, Department of Culture and the Arts and Industry & Investment NSW, along with peak industry bodies APRA|AMCOS, PPCA and the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), Sounds Australia plans to support Australia’s presence at key music markets whilst simultaneously putting Australia’s musical talents on the world map and promoting the nation as a truly creative cultural hub.