MENTORSHIPS
record a song ... create a clip
Connecting Song is an inspiring place-based song writing opportunity like no other. Three unsigned music acts will be selected to work with one of three outstanding mentors who are also from the Geelong region.
Each mentor and emerging artist team will choose a Geelong locality along the Mountain to Mouth 80km contemporary songline, for example, the industrial north, or city centre, or coast or farmland. The three selected music acts – solo artists, groups, bands etc - each record a song and create a film clip about the location. Each clip is then debuted at Geelong After Dark, 5 May 2017.
Connecting Song is a new initiative by the City of Greater Geelong to support emerging musicians in this region, and is supported by Creative Victoria through its Music Works programme.
...be seen...be heard...
MENTORS
HOW TO APPLY
Firstly, you need to be a current resident of the Geelong Region.
Then you need to submit a 1 page application which includes:
- information about yourself including contact details
- the Geelong location you would like to write about. (refer to this map of the contemporary songline across Geelong).
- the genre of music you identify with.
- a sample of your music – 2 songs.
- a recent photograph.
Applications due by close of business Friday 20 January 2017.
Applications can be emailed to:
Duncan Esler,
Co-ordinator, Arts & Culture, City of Greater Geelong: desler@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Or delivered to:
The Arts & Culture Department, City of Greater Geelong, National Wool Museum, Cnr Moorabool and Brougham Streets, Geelong.
For more information contact:
Fiona Duncan,
Connecting Song Co-ordinator: fionaduncan@internode.on.net
Endorsements for Connecting Song
MARK WILSON - guitarist from JET, A&R Parlophone - Mark grew up in Geelong. Jet was an Australian rock band formed in 2001. The group sold 6.5 million albums.
"To develop a thriving local music scene, it is imperative that good talent is nurtured from its seed. Without this sense of community artists will always leave for big cities in search of like-minded collaborators. Geelong has a unique opportunity to become an artistic hub as cost of living is far less than our larger cities and an influx of quality venues, food and nightlife will help propel the scene. However, it is paramount that the talent is nurtured from early on and this I believe will help develop a strong, thriving exciting young music scene."
SARAH CARROLL - current resident of the Bellarine, Sarah Carroll is a songwriter, performer, radio announcer, choir director, ukulele teacher and producer. She has played with well-known Aus. musicians such as: Chris Wilson, Andy Baylor, Mick Thomas, Van Walker, Gleny Rae Virus and Suzannah Espie - among others - for sixteen years whilst touring throughout Australia and the US. In addition to playing solo she performs in a duo with her husband, Chris Wilson, as well as part of The Junes who recently appeared on popular ABC TV show Spicks and Specks. Her music covers the broad spectrum of roots, country, rock 'n' roll, gospel, bluegrass, swing and calypso.
I believe that every second we invest in fostering artistic talent in regional Australia benefits the rest of the country well into the future. I delightedly pass on what I know to younger artists as I recall how essential these interactions were for me.
ANDY STRACHAN, THE LIVING END - The Living End are an Australian punk rock and psychobilly band which formed in 1994. They have released six studio albums and two reached the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Albums Chart: self-titled album (12 October 1998) and State of Emergency (4 February 2006). They have also gained chart success in the United States and United Kingdom. At ARIA Music Awards ceremonies they have been nominated 27 times and have won five awards. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described the group which "emerged as one of the country’s premier rock acts. By blending a range of styles (punk, rockabilly and flat out rock) with great success, The Living End has managed to produce anthemic choruses and memorable songs in abundance". In October 2010 their debut album was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums. Andy is a current resident of the Bellarine.
I think it's hugely important to help and support up and coming artists. The music industry is a hard place to be heard especially living in a regional area, and with the constant changes in technology and the way people consume music it's only getting harder. We need to get behind our local artists and help them build the next musical era to be heard now and in years to come.
