Boy & Bear Attack Sydney Terminal!

As part of Channel [V]’s Guerrilla Gigs, almost a thousand passengers emerging from Manly Wharf Terminal were bombarded with a free set from Boy & Bear. They did five songs – Blood To Gold, Rabbit Song, Part Time Believer, Milk And Sticks, and of course hit single Feeding Line. In additional news, the band is off in April to play Europe and the UK, determined that their live shows will overcome lacklustre reviews of their Moonfire album from the NME and Drowned In Sound.

Piticco Launching Create/Control

Paul Piticco – of Splendour In The Grass, Secret Service Management, Secret Service Public Relations, Secret Service Digital and Secret Sounds Touring fame – is launching a new record label, Create/Control: Innovative mid-year. It works on a different format to his label Dew Process. It is for artists who don’t need A&R investment or already have a CD ready, or international acts looking for a label in Oz and NZ. Artists keep 100% of their copyright and get higher returns, and get access to a digital store to sell music, CDs and merch direct to their fans. All campaigns will be overseen by Piticco and run by the core team of Craig May (Head of Marketing), Megan Reeder Hope (Head of Press & Promotions) and Carney Nir (Head of Digital).

Festivals #1: Fiery Splendour Debates Before Decision

Two public debates last week in the Byron area – on whether Splendour In The Grass can return to Byron – descended into yelling matches. They were hosted by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission, which will independently make the final decision. The state government already green-lighted the Yelgun site hosting three events over 10 days in a year, capped at 30,000, 25,000 and 15,000. About 120 people signed up to speak.

Festivals #2: Heatwave Collapses, Coo Missing

Heatwave promoter Patrick Whyntie aka MC Mastacraft has his share of problems. Following the festival going into voluntary insolvency in its first year – with some suppliers still owed although he says all artists have been paid – police are trying to find its COO, Olivier Lokolomba/Reckom. The 26 year-old Sydneysider of African appearance was last seen on Jan 21 at a Bendigo Bank in Potts Point about 11am, with $30,000 on him. Whyntle told Triple J, “We just fear possibly something bad has happened to him.”

Things We Hear

Australian Music Group director John Helme denied on CX TV that the National Australia Bank is about to close down Allans Music, Billy Hyde and MusicLink Australia. He said they expect to refinance soon.

Eskimo Joe went on radio to ask listeners to lend them stuffed (as in taxidermist) animals to put in a fake zoo that they’re building in their studio.

Gold Coast DJs The Stafford Bros look like being offered a third series of their global TV show. Our eavesdropping mole heard them nutting out ideas at Japanese restaurant Benihana’s with show producer Wes Dening.

Does a series of tweets by George Michael suggest his tour may be pushed back from March to September?

Tips On Getting Funding For Bands

Q Music, APRA and arts collective TheGRID hold a free workshop to discuss how bands and songwriters can get funding, specifically in a regional context. Artist manager Chanel Lucas, sync agent Tyler McLaughlan (The Sound Pound) and APRA’s Chris O’Neill will discuss how to fund projects, info on grants and creating income from publishing. Getting Your Music Out There is on Wednesday Feb 22 from 6 – 8pm at The Grid: Hybrid Arts Collective, 488 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Bookings at www.qmusic.com.au.

Buy A Watt From 4ZzZ

4ZzZ have an interesting idea to raise money for a new transmitter. Repair bills for their current 15 year-old one are escalating. Make a tax-deductible cash donation, or because 4ZzZ broadcasts at 5KW, buy a Watt for $10 each and you’ll receive a certificate. If they can sell all 5KW (5,000 Watts) they can reach their target of $50,000. Go to www.4zzzfm.org.au or call 07 3252 1555.

Twins Signed To Ministry

Gold Coast-based The Twins (DJs) have signed to Ministry Of Sound. Brooke and Ellie Kelaart emerged on reality TV show Beauty And The Geek.

Escalate, Fretfest, Expand

This year’s Escalate at The Tempo in Brunswick St is expanding its prize list, with mentorship through organizer Al Buchan’s company fRETfEST, and recording time from Wavelength Studios and Worx Studios. Says Buchan, “Bands want realistic feedback about their performances. They want to know what worked and what didn’t and that’s what I tell them.” Last year 100 acts participated, with the grand final in November drawing 500 punters. Apollo St, who won, are recording their debut EP with help from the hotel team. Sean Kennedy, who bought The Tempo two years ago, says Escalate is an integral part of his strategy to develop it as a music venue. This year Escalate has unearthed Locus Wimple and Pilots Of Now. Its monthly challenge is on Feb 14 from 7pm with Rawr Vanity, Calais, Legions Of Mary and After The Moment. Contact Buchan 0438 386 237 or www.facebook.com/escalateofficial.

Buchan’s other initiative, the indie acoustic showcase fRETfEST, is back this year. Its return to Sticks Bar at Chalk Hotel in Woolloongabba drew 100 people.

Federal Govt Locks In For Cairns Precinct

The Cairns Entertainment Precinct has locked in the entire $154.6 million pledged to it. The Federal Government has now signed off on its $40 million promise from two years ago as part of its Infrastructure Employment Projects program to create jobs in the construction sector. Treasurer Wayne Swan waited until council and state government green-lighted their funding, and checked out that the council’s business plan was viable.

New Cabaret Room

Brisbane has a new cabaret room. Mark Fitzsimmons and Kim Larsson’s Stockholm Syndrome café (340 Sandgate Rd, Albion) will feature cabaret acts from Feb 25. The first performance is by Sydney’s Mary Kiani.

Wanna Help Mental Illness?

The Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland holds its 21^st Art Exhibition (May 12-18 at King George Square) of works from people living with mental illness. It is looking for a soloist/group to perform for free for two hours at the Opening Night event on May 11 before 300 guests. Contact MaryAnne Morgan on 3358 4424 or . See www.mifq.org.au.

Wanna Work At Secret Service?

Secret Service Artist Management is looking for an experienced bookkeeper. The position is part time with a view to full time. It includes accounts receivable and payable, reception duties, filing, BAS preparation and payroll and superannuation processing. You need excellent double entry accounting, excellent/advanced MYOB skills and payroll knowledge. Bookkeeper exp. in a similar industry preferred but not essential, but you must have a keen interest in music and creative industries. Cover letter and resume to Rachael Dixon by email at .

Lifelines

Born: daughter Anwyn for Peter Bayliss, managing director of First Base Music, and wife Brianna. She’s a sister to Finley, 2.

Dating (according to the Sydney Sunday Telegraph): Noiseworks’ Jon Stevens and former Mrs James Packer, Jodhi Meares.

Married: Greg Matthews, who runs Fanny’s nightclub in Newcastle, and Shop Till You Drop magazine editor Justine Cullen.

Hospitalised: Anthrax’s Scott Ian with a severe viral infection.

Arrested: 42-year old Lane Cove man, after a raid on QMC Mart in Ashfield. Police say the store was part of a China-based $70 million global operation which sold subscriptions to 150,000 customers of illegal films and TV shows. The 100,000 Aussie subscribers will be charged with receiving stolen goods.

In Court: A homeless New Yorker, Stephen Lee Pieck, is suing Eminem for US$9 million for using his idea for the rapper’s Born Of Fire Chrysler ad without credit or money. Pieck says he was, er, having dinner with Christina Aguilera, when she rang Em, and Pieck detailed his idea for the ad.

In Court: Ray Dorset, who wrote the 30 million-selling In The Summertime for his band Mungo Jerry in 1970, claims his former management company siphoned off his royalties by up to £2 million without telling him.

In Court: ‘70s disco act Sister Sledge took are suing Warner Music Group alleging they are owed millions of dollars based on improper calculations of revenue from digital music sales. They blame Warner’s calculating digital music purchases (a standard industry policy) as “sales” rather than “licenses”.

Died: Leslie Carter (sister of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and singer Aaron Carter), 25, suspected overdose. Her Like Wow was in the Shrek movie.

Died: Dale Alexander, 34, breakfast host and chairman of the board for Bendigo community radio station 101.5 Fresh FM, passed away in his sleep.

Died: King Stitt, a pioneer in the distinctive Jamaican vocal practice of toasting, 72, complications from diabetes and prostate cancer.

Died: US folk bassist Dick Kniss, 74, of respiratory disease. He played with John Denver (co-wrote his Sunshine On My Shoulders) and Peter Paul & Mary, and was active in the civil rights movement.

PPCA Distributes A Record $25 Million

The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) announced it distributed a record $25 million – a 23% rise from the year before – to the registered artists and record labels that it represents. The figure covered the year ending June 2011, with the final payment made just before Christmas. Since it was set up in 1969, the PPCA has licensed radio and TV broadcasters (and now webcasters) and licenses to around 55,000 businesses across Australia for the public performance of sound recordings.

Contact

News, submissions and industry scuttlebutt for consideration in this column should be sent to no later than 5pm Fridays.

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