Play live? Submit an LPR before August 31 to get paid!

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Songwriters who play live can be paid for their efforts by submitting an APRA Live Performance Return (LPR) before August 31, 2012.

APRA members should register all the songs they’ve played live in pubs, clubs and other public venues over the past financial year, so songwriters can receive payments for the performance of their original music in November this year. LPRs have supported the business and the craft of songwriters throughout Australia’s live music scene, paying for everything from new guitars through to touring costs. 

“It really is a godsend,” said Kevin Bennet, long-time APRA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander member who has reaped the rewards of submitting a Live Performance Return since the 1980s.

“It was an amazing feeling getting it out of the blue,” Kevin said. “I splurged my first LPR straight away on a better amp and a better guitar – it provided me with everything to get set up basically.”

“If you’re playing music live and you’re not submitting your LPRs, you’re crazy,” Kevin said.

Last year, APRA collected and distributed more than $4 million to APRA members who perform live.

“It felt good to be paid for doing something I loved,” said Tim Hart of Boy & Bear.

“Without this definite source of income, we wouldn’t be able to plan ahead with regard to touring and living.”

APRA will also hold several open days around the country where local Writer Services Representatives will be on hand to guide members through the LPR process in-person.

Open Days:

SA: Wednesday, 15 August, 2012
NSW: Monday, 13 August to Wednesday, 15 August, 2012
WA: Monday, 20 August, 2012
QLD: Tuesday 21 August, 2012
VIC: Monday, 20 August and Monday 27 August, 2012
NT: Monday, 27 August, 2012

“There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing your music make money,” said Melbourne-based songstress Jen Cloher. “I put the money from my first LPR toward a new Jim Dyson electric which he handmade for me at his workshop in Torquay.”

Jen has submitted an LPR for the past ten years after finding out about them through a fellow songwriter. “He’d scored close to a thousand bucks just by playing a gig or two each week at his local,” she said. “It was the first time I could see that there were actual returns so I went and lodged one the next year,” she said.

Lodging an LPR is simple and can be done online in the writer login area of www.apra-amcos.com.au.

APRA has also produced a video ‘How to Complete your LPRs’ (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhAVxNFcFE) that provides a step-by-step breakdown of exactly what songwriters need to do to make sure they get paid.

“Submitting your LPR is a real part of being a professional musician,” said Grant Walmsley of The Screaming Jets.

“Stop what you’re doing, take five minutes out of your day and do something that literally rewards you for playing music.”

“It has absolutely saved me on more than one occasion throughout my career,” said Grant.
 

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