Indent will be hosting gigs left right and centre for the month of July. On the 12th there is a an all ages affair to Save FBi from midday at the Annandale Hotel
with alt-folk hero’s Cloud Control, Unearthed high winners Tom Ugly, with local get ups The Bennisons and Sierra Finn, it’s only $10 and EVERYTHING goes to saving FBI and avoiding dead air.
On the 22nd of July, Tom Ugly will be joining Indent again at their annual Save the Scene tour kick off at the APRA offices in Ultimo. For your own survival in the music industry come join talks with Kirsty from the Brag, Chris from APRA, Tom from Tom Ugly, Tim from Dappled Cities plus many more! The is free but RSVP’s should be fwd’ to max@musicnsw.com
Journey to the Island in the South
Written by Nicole O’Neal
Since arriving in Australia I’ve made my fair share of classic American mistakes including getting in the wrong side of a car, mistaking “chips” for “fries”, and freaking out when suddenly faced with the metric system. In a land where the language and sites seem so familiar, it’s really quite surprising how many little things make a big difference. There is one thing I have realized since arriving here and getting comfortable with my new surroundings at MusicNSW. Music still connects people, no matter where you are. And even more specifically, no music scene can thrive without a hardworking community of dedicated musicians and fans alike coming together and pushing for the cause. It reminds me of home, why I am here, and that there really isn’t much that separates us (well, except the matter of about 15,000 miles/25,000 km!)
So I should probably give you a little more insight to who I am. I am currently visiting Sydney as a part of a university study abroad-internship program. I come here from the small town of Bloomington, Indiana where I am about to complete my last year at Indiana University studying Music Business. I am very involved in the local music scene there. As the director on the university’s student programming committee Union Board, I head up the Live From Bloomington committee. LFB organizes shows (gigs) for local and regional bands on campus and for the past 22 years has created a compilation CD and corresponding event that benefits a local food bank. I volunteer at our student-run radio station, WIUX, planning events and hosting a weekly radio show for local music, and I’ve sort of become a go-to girl for musicians looking for places to play. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know the scene and the bands, and it’s clear that it the reason the Bloomington music scene works so well is because of the dedication and cooperation amongst those who care enough to show their support.
Never heard of Bloomington? Ever read the books or seen the movies for The Princess Diaries? Author Meg Cabot was born and raised in Bloomington. John Cougar Mellancamp still resides in Bloomington, and can sometimes be spotted at IU events. If you are an indie music fan, double-check your albums by Dinosaur Jr., Bon Iver, Antony & the Johnsons, Bishop Allen, Jens Lekman, John Vanderslice, Okkervil River, or BLK JKS. Each of those artists are signed to labels Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, or Dead Oceans, ALL of which are located in the same building in downtown Bloomington. Big artists who have recently stopped by include BB King, Bob Dylan, Ben Kweller, Flight of the Conchords, Feist, Elvis Costello, and Lupe Fiasco. I’m often asked what music I am currently listening to, and while of course as a music connoisseur my tastes can be random and varied, I constantly answer with a Bloomington band. I’ve even started an online blog to spill out the love I have for Bloomington music. I think what is best about the Bloomington scene is its variety, talent, and originality. There are explosively fun bands like Prizzy Prizzy Please, the Delicious, and Totally Michael, melodic wonders like husband&wife and Eric Radoux, a mess of indie rock and supremely inspired hip-hop DJs, experimental bands like Found Objects and Tammar and even contemporary barbershop style pop like Busman’s Holiday. Everyone has something special to offer, and above all, they love what they do. I hardly ever walk away from a show unsatisfied and without a smile on my face. Whether I see a band in an established venue, or in someone’s dimly lit basement, it’s a musical experience to treasure, and I’m always glad to be a part of it.
In fact, it’s this music scene that got me into the business of music in the first place. It was my first opportunity to see live music on a scaled down level. I was able to not only see a variety of shows, but meet and talk with the musicians and venue managers, many who have now become good friends of mine, and really gain a perspective of what goes into promoting music, musicians, and shows. I’ve brought this passion for the independent music industry with my to Sydney, to observe and be observed, and I’m ready to jump into what this scene has to offer. So here I am, American accent, English measurement system and all. May great experiences come my way.
UPCOMING GIGS
July 11 Short Stack with Tonight Alive at the Metro Theatre
July 12 Save FBI with Cloud Control, Tom Ugly, The Bennisons and Sierra Finn $10 at the Annandale Hotel (nearly sold out)
18 July Emerging from the Green at Surry Hills Library 2pm
18 July Hilltop Hoods, with Classifieds (Canada) Briggs, at the Enmore Theatre
