Victoria’s Quick Response Grants target BIGSOUND and beyond

Victorian musicians have shared in more than $60,000 from the state government’s contemporary music package, Music Works Quick Response Grants.

The scheme was set up so that music artists and organisations could take up career or business opportunities at short notice and outside Creative Victoria’s bi-annual funding rounds.

Those attending BIGSOUND in Brisbane have enjoyed a fair share of the grants.

Urban soul artist Adrian Naidu, indie pop singer Olympia, Castlemaine-based 2018 Unearthed High winner KIAN, Totally Mild frontwoman Elizabeth Mitchell and retro-rock act Emilee South received funding of about $3,000 each to head north for the convention.

Some will use the opportunities to target overseas record and booking deals.

Olympia will be able to put together her international team.

Milk! Records has received support to present four acts on its roster at BIGSOUND 2018, including Loose Tooth, East Brunswick All Girls Choir, Jade Imagine and Hachiku.

Other recipients received support for overseas tours.

Mildlife received $10,000: towards a UK and Europe tour to promote their debut album Phase and a new 12" remix EP.

Deaf Wish ($8,358) can support San Diego’s Hot Snakes, on the first leg of their European tour.

Jazz pianist/composer Joe Chindamo and violinist Zoë Black ($4,772) will play at the Spinacorona Festival in Naples, Italy.

24-piece ensemble YID!,($15,000) will headline the Ashkenaz festival in Toronto and attend strategic meetings in New York.

Thomas Larnach-Jones ($1,500) will be able to attend the Reeperbahn conference in Hamburg followed by meetings and professional development activities in Berlin and London.

Dandelion Wine ($3,000) will also attend the Reeperbahn conference to secure new partners to release their music in Germany.