PPCA pledge cash advances to Aussie acts doing it tough

As the touring circuit turns to dust, PPCA has announced some welcome relief.

The non-profit organisation will offer cash advances ranging from $250 to $10,000 to PPCA registered artists, TMN can reveal.

The amount available to them will be based on their average earnings under the PPCA Direct Artist Distribution Scheme over the last three years.

Artists suffering hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are first in line.

“We trust this initiative will go some way towards mitigating the devastating impact our artists are experiencing, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis," said PPCA chief executive, Dan Rosen.

"We will continue to work with our industry colleagues and Government on financial support mechanisms to ensure our artists and sector can navigate this incredibly difficult period as work opportunities vanish and social isolation increases.”

The decision was made after a special meeting between PPCA board members, including top brass from the major labels: George Ash, Denis Handlin AO and Niko Nordström.

Artist representatives on the PPCA board include singer-songwriter Josh Pyke and former The Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison OAM. Manager Bill Cullen is also on the board.

PPCA told TMN that eligible artists are already being directly contacted by its staffers.

PPCA is a non-profit organisation that provides licences to Australian businesses to play recorded music in public, including Australia's commercial radio stations.

The income is distributed to record labels and registered Australian artists who create the recordings so they can continue to make new music.