Support for the arts is more vital than ever and a supportive, community-focused, and grassroots initiative has been launched to encourage and develop talent across the region.
Free and vital support sessions for emerging and working musicians across the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley will be offered across August.
From what to write in your emails, how to get noticed by promoters and how to fill out a festival application and get booked, the practical approach sessions are open and free to all.
The two sessions (both with a different focus) will run in August.
‘Radio and Media: How to Get Played’ will run on Tuesday 19 August, from 7pm to 9pm at the 3MDR Homestead in Upwey and ‘Gigs and Festivals’ will run on Tuesday 26 August from 7pm to 9pm at the Sooki Lounge in Belgrave.
Local Dandenong Ranges musician and President of 3MDR’s radio stations committee of management, Ben Langdon said that as a younger musician starting out, sessions like these were game-changing.
“There’s so much about the music industry that no one really tells you,” he said.
3MDR Station Manager Nat Grant said 3MDR’s commitment to artist development extends beyond airplay.
“The Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shires are home to a vibrant music community, with APRA data identifying 1,065 registered songwriters in the region,” they said.
“Despite this wealth of creative talent, local artists face significant barriers to sustainable careers, including limited industry knowledge and professional networking opportunities.”
The workshops will cover learning how to pitch to radio, who to approach for gigs, and what makes a good electronic press kit (EPK).
“It’s not that people are gatekeeping that info, it’s just stuff you don’t know until someone shows you – these sessions are a way to shorten that learning curve,” said Langon.
“This program will equip participants to improve their skills, gain new knowledge and network for future collaborations with industry professionals,” said Grant.
The sessions offer an added bonus to participants – networking and creative partnership in real time.
Langdon said people may come for the advice, but they will leave with new contacts and new collaborators.
“It’s putting faces to the names, and that’s what keeps a local scene alive,” he said.
“Music is about connection, and that starts by being in the room.”
The sessions have been launched as part of another resource – the Dandenong Ranges Music Directory. In it’s beginning stages, the directory began after Langdon decided to pull together resources for hills musicians.
“Life’s easier with a map,” he said.
“I kept going to networking events and hearing the same questions – how do I find venues? Who’s running what? How do I get involved in the hills music scene? So I thought, let’s draw a map.”
The directory is now a growing resource in development designed to make it easier for musicians to connect with the local industry and the personal development sessions are part of it.
“The more connected we are as a community, the stronger and more sustainable our local music scene will be,” said Langon.
Similar sessions were run last year and Langdon said at the time the response was amazing.
“People were excited to be back in a room together post-COVID, sharing ideas and advice,” he said.
Langdon said so far as someone in the development space for musicians in the local scene, the smaller wins that have stuck with him.
“It’s younger artists linking up with new venues, getting their first radio plays and building confidence,” he said.
Since the last workshops, the ripple effects have spread, with local musicians landing gigs and releasing music.
“A local artist Bec Sykes released a phenomenal debut album and played some amazing shows,” said Langdon.
“Rebellious Bird has been releasing some fantastic, passionate new music, and the Mast Gully Fellers have been taking the folk festival circuit by storm,” he said.
This year’s sessions at 3MDR will be run by local talent, and Langdon said they have been blown away by the generosity of local music professionals volunteering their time to support local artists.
“The line-up is stacked with people who really know their stuff, with presenters, publicists, bookers, musicians who are all keen to share what they know,” said Langdon.
Industry pros such as Anya Hynninen from On The Map PR, Simon Winkler the Music Coordinator at Triple R, Freo from 3MDR’s Mad Mile Music Club will be on hand, as well as two self-managed artists – Max Donohue from Band Booker at The Tote and Last Chance and Maggie Alley and XANI.
“The sessions are super practical, so expect tips and advice you can actually use,” said Langon.
“You can really feel the momentum growing in the hills right now, and it’s so exciting to be part of that.”
People can sign up for free at the 3MDR website.
