The Lyrebird Arts Council have made many financial donations to local groups and associations over many years, and they’re very proud to have organised the fund raising event for Black Saturday some years ago that raised over $40,000. Lyrebird have been honoured to have been in a position to give back to the community where possible. In celebration of their 20th anniversary there is one community they wish to give an extra gift to – the music community.

The Lyrebird Gift is a one-off gift of $20,000 to a musician or band.

In keeping with their core beliefs, philosophy and approach to all they have done in the past 20 years, the application process to be the recipient of The Lyrebird Gift will be quite straightforward.

Email them at: lyrebirdgift@gmail.com and tell them why, as a musician, you should receive the gift.
That’s it!

Your entry may be some words, it may be a CV, it may be a link to your live music. Tell them who you are, what you do or plan to do musically and if possible, a sample of your music. Don’t forget to send your contact details.

Lyrebird have made a conscious decision to make the gift as large an amount as they can so that it will make a difference to the recipient.

Entries open 31/03/2019 and close 30/09/2019
The winner will be announced on our 20th anniversary, which is October 25th2019.

There is some small print, so please read it before you submit your entry.
The Small Print:
• You must be 18 years of age or over
• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• The recipient of the gift will be responsible for all and any legal requirements that come with receiving this gift. For example: Income Tax / GST. The gift is a gift of $20,000 net in one payment.
• Lyrebird Arts Council committee or their relatives and general members of the Lyrebird Arts council are exempt from receiving the gift
• If the recipient is a band, then all responsibility is with  the band to determine which bank account the prize will be deposited into and how it is used/divided.
• The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Lyrebird impose No restrictions on how the recipient will spend the gift.

This is a fantastic, one – off opportunity for musicians made possible by Lyrebird, get onto it now!

Australia’s Independent Music Industry will come together in Adelaide this July for the annual AIR Awards and the Indie-Con Australia conference.

Over the years the AIR Awards have acknowledged the outstanding and inspiring talent of the likes of Paul Kelly, John Butler, Hilltop Hoods, Vance Joy, Gotye, Sheppard, Gurrumul and Flume just to name a few.

The 2019 AIR Awards will be held at the Freemasons Hall, Adelaide on Thursday 25 July and the nominees are…

BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST
COURTNEY BARNETT
GURRUMUL
JULIA JACKLIN
LAURA JEAN
METHYL ETHEL

BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OR EP
COURTNEY BARNETT – TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL
EMMA LOUISE – LILAC EVERYTHING
GURRUMUL – DJARIMIRRI
LAURA JEAN – DEVOTION
ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – HOPE DOWNS

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE
A.B. ORIGINAL – BLACCOUT
COURTNEY BARNETT – NAMELESS, FACELESS
G FLIP – ABOUT YOU
LAURA JEAN – GIRLS ON THE TV
MOJO JUJU – NATIVE TONGUE

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PPCA
CONFIDENCE MAN
DIDIRRI
EMILY WURRAMARA
G FLIP
HATCHIE

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM
B WISE – AREA FAMOUS
COOL OUT SUN – COOL OUT SUN
MILWAUKEE BANKS – NO TIME
SPACE INVADAS – WILD WORLD
TASMAN KEITH – MISSION FAMOUS

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM
BECCY COLE – LIONESS
HALFWAY – RAIN LOVER
LACHLAN BRYAN AND THE WILDES – SOME GIRLS (QUITE) LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC
THE WOLFE BROTHERS – COUNTRY HEART
WILLIAM ALEXANDER – THE KID FROM BOURKE

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM
DAN SULTAN – KILLER UNDER A BLOOD MOON
EMILY WURRAMARA – MILYAKBURRA
GARBRIELLA COHEN – PINK IS THE COLOUR OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
JOHN BUTLER TRIO – HOME
MIA DYSON – IF I SAID ONLY SO FAR I TAKE IT BACK

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK, HEAVY OR PUNK ALBUM
CAMP COPE – HOW TO SOCIALISE & MAKE FRIENDS
DZ DEATHRAYS – BLOODY LOVELY
HIGH TENSION – PURGE
LITTLE UGLY GIRLS – LITTLE UGLY GIRLS
WEST THEBARTON – DIFFERENT BEINGS BEING DIFFERENT

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE/ELECTRONICA
ALBUM OR EP
BRAILLE FACE – LIGHTLETTING
CONFIDENCE MAN – CONFIDENT MUSIC FOR CONFIDENT PEOPLE
NINA LAS VEGAS ­– LUCKY GIRL
PACES – ZAG
TOTAL GIOVANNI – EUPHORIA

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE
DOM DOLLA – TAKE IT
FISHER – LOSING IT
HERMITUDE – STUPID WORLD FEAT. BIBI BOURELLY
ODD MOB – INTRINSIC
WHAT SO NOT – BEAUTIFUL (FEAT. WINONA OAK)

BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM
HARRY JAMES ANGUS – STRUGGLE WITH GLORY
JAMES MORRISON/WILLIAM MORRISON/HARRY MORRISON/PATRICK DANAO – MIDNIGHT TILL DAWN
JONATHAN ZWARTZ – ANIMARUM
MILDLIFE – PHASE

BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM
ACO COLLECTIVE – COLLECTIVE WISDOM
GRIGORYAN BROTHERS/ADELAIDE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA/BENJAMIN NORTHEY – BACH CONCERTOS
GURRUMUL – DJARIMIRRI
NICOLE CAR/AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA/RICHARD TOGNETTI –  HEROINES

Focusing on issues that are specifically relevant to the independent music sector, AIR’s Indie-Con Australia conference will be held across Thursday 25 and Friday 26 July at LOT FOURTEEN, Adelaide. The two-day conference will explore synchronisation and music publishing, video and gaming, mental health in the music industry, the future of the label and insights into China. It will also offer opportunities for advancement in professional and business development skills, one-on-one networking with key industry stakeholders and insights into the latest innovations and technological advancements in products, services and strategies.

With a complete program to be announced in May, AIR is thrilled to announce Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA and Mom+Pop co-owner and co-president Thaddeus Rudd as keynote speakers at this year’s conference.

Helen Smith’s role at IMPALA has seen her help put thousands of independent companies and artists on the map by leveraging collective strength. In her opening Keynote Helen will address the work of IMPALA and its ongoing efforts to grow the independent music sector, return more value to artists, promote cultural diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access and modernise perceptions of the music sector.

Thaddeus Rudd will present the closing keynote address sharing the story of Mom + Pop and offering insights into the key factors that contributed to the label’s rise to success. Mom+Pop is a New York based independent record label that was founded in 2008. Since its inception the label has released music by a wide variety of artists including Flume, Courtney Barnett, Tash Sultana, Jai Wolf, Alina Baraz and Sunflower Bean.

AIR members will receive complimentary invitations to attend the 2019 Indie-Con Australia conference as well as the AIR Awards. Click here to find out if you qualify to become an AIR member.

General admission tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Indie-Con Australia conference and if you book before 30 April you will enjoy a special early bird rate.  Secure your place here to avoid disappointment…

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) this week released the Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass® the latest iteration of Fender’s collaboration with the Guns N’ Roses bassist and New York Times bestselling author. The newest model in Fender’s Artist Signature Series captures the true musical essence of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee McKagan. Best known for his work with Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver McKagan has had an epic music career,  entertaining and inspiring countless fans. Now, with the Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, he will continue influencing the industry with a bass guitar that epitomizes rock culture and caters to his unique, melodic playing style that’s impacted bass players and music-lovers everywhere.
“The Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is a nice evolution of the original bass we released with him,” added Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “While we were developing it, we worked closely with Duff and the first guitar tech for Guns N’ Roses – McBob – to give this bass even more versatility than ever. Duff played these basses on the latest Guns N’ Roses world tour and new features like instant Drop- D tuning with the Hipshot® Bass Xtender came in handy during those 30-song sets with 3 to 4 different tunings.”

ABOUT THE DUFF MCKAGAN DELUXE PRECISION BASS – AUD$2,199
The Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is based on the ‘80s Jazz Bass Special he used while recording Appetite for Destruction. An evolution of his signature model, this bass adds all the features and stylistic touches that Duff loves. The black painted Modern “C”-shaped quartersawn maple neck has a “Deluxe Jazz Bass Special” headstock logo and rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlays, along with the number “12” at the twelfth fret. A must-have for live performance, the Hipshot® Bass Xtender allows instant Drop-D tuning with the flick of a lever. Duff’s signature sound comes from pairing a Fender vintage-style Precision Bass split-coil pickup with a Seymour Duncan® STKJ2B Jazz Bass single-coil bridge pickup. This thunderous tone can be shaped precisely by the Fender TBXTM (Treble/Bass Expander) tone circuit. Additional features include a Pure Vintage ‘70s bridge and a Duff skull-and-crossbones neck plate. A deluxe gig bag is also included.

“The original bass I bought was the only one I took on the road for the Appetite for Destruction tour,” McKagan said. “We had a backup bass, but we didn’t need it. At some point we went to get another bass, but we couldn’t find a Jazz Special, so we went to Fender. To flash forward, be a Fender artist and have my own signature bass with this company is incredible. Fender is James Jamerson, John Paul Jones and it’s the bass that all the greats played. I’m still kind of in awe, and I don’t take it for granted.”

New features inspired by the legendary bassist’s preferences include: instant Drop-D tuning, tonal versatility from a TBXTM (Treble/Bass Expander) tone circuit and a sleek black-painted neck with pearloid block inlays and binding. The signature bass also features a Pure Vintage ‘70s bridge and, as a special touch, a neckplate adorned with Duff’s signature skull-and-crossbones artwork.

McKagan also recently announced the upcoming release of his much-anticipated solo album, Tenderness, which was produced by and features Grammy® award-winner Shooter Jennings, as a musical follow-up to 2015’s best-selling book, How To Be A Man (And Other Illusions). McKagan and Jennings began recording in March 2018, working out of Station House studios in Echo Park, Calif., where they wrote and recorded in-between McKagan’s tour with seminal rock band Guns N’ Roses and the release of Jennings’ eponymous album, Shooter.

In true tradition, the Fender’s Artist Signature Series honors popular and iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. “It’s an honor to collaborate with such an esteemed and iconic bassist like Duff,  who inspires musicians of all generations and continues to raise the bar through his recorded work and on stage in one of the world’s most iconic bands,” said Matt Watts, VP Artist & Integrated Marketing. “It’s signature artists like him that build on Fender’s tradition of bass excellence.”

For additional information on new Fender products or to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.

This is not a music show but one we couldn’t ignore plugging. In the wake of the terrorist attack in Christchurch, Australia’s biggest stars in comedy are coming together to perform STAND UP FOR CHRISTCHURCH, a massive benefit* show to support the victims and families affected. All proceeds from the shows will be donated to the The Christchurch Foundation’s, Our People, Our City fund.

A stellar line-up of comedians are donating their time on Saturday April 13 at 4.30pm at Melbourne Town Hall, including Arj Barker, Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Frida Deguise, Dave Hughes, Nazeem Hussain, Jimeoin, Tommy Little, Luke McGregor, Matt Okine, Celia Pacquola, Cal Wilson and Steph Tisdell and more.

Stand Up For Christchurch will be MC’d by organiser Nazeem Hussain, who said: “This line up came together miraculously quick. Comedians normally take 48 hours to respond to anything. They all texted back within 2 minutes! There’s clearly so much love to give from the comedy community.”

Roger Field, Chief Executive Officer, Live Nation Australasia: “We’re honoured to be given the opportunity to support Nazeem in producing this very important show, alongside The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Naz is an inspirational talent who has been able to engage the community to unite for a very special show in support of Christchurch.”

Melbournians choose love over hate, unity over division, laughter over fear.

MELBOURNE TOWN HALL, MAIN HALL
SATURDAY APRIL 13, 4:30PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Bookings comedyfestival.com.au or 03 9245 3788
*All proceeds from the shows will be donated to The Christchurch Foundation, to honour and raise vital funds for the victims and families who were tragically affected by the Christchurch attack on 15 March.

Fronted by the enigmatic Oz rock queen, Fiona Horne and legendary keyboard/vocalist, Ant Banister, Def FX are returning to Australia in June 2019 for select shows and to make sure everyone gets to party like it’s 1996, or as Fiona says, ‘Fuck that! Let’s party like it’s NOW.’

Joining Def FX on tour are Very Special Guests, the blistering Nunchukka Superfly, (who rose from the ashes of Punk Metal Kings, The Hard On’s), Matt Doll (Pop King and founding member of The Mavis’s), Newcastle Punk Priestesses, Bitchcraft and Sydney’s epic Industrial Dance band, Snvff.

With all members of all the bands, sharing long friendships spanning back to the early 90’s, this tour promises to ‘go off and feel like family,’ say’s Horne.

Aria nominated, Number One charting 90’s band, Def FX, are the voice of a generation of Oz rockers who emerged in the 90’s with a totally unique sound: heavy guitars, dance beats and flagrant sampling (before there were laws against it) – a sound that ultimately became Electronica.

But Def FX defied labels, releasing four albums, multiple EP’s and singles and leaving critics scrambling to describe their rock, surf, dance, industrial, punk sound.  The bottom line was that audiences couldn’t get enough of their slamming, crazy high-energy shows, with front woman, Fiona Horne, establishing herself as one of Australia’s most powerful female performers.  Def FX’s seven year career saw them headline tours crisscrossing Australia, USA and Japan non-stop – and sharing the stage with bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and No Doubt.  Def FX also played the main stage every Big Day Out from 1991-1996.

Reuniting in 2012 and again in 2013 for sold out local tours, which saw loyal frenetic fans bringing their teenage kids along into the mosh pit, proved that Def FX forged a great sound for the 90’s… and beyond.

TOUR DATES
Friday, June 21: Bar on the Hill, Newcastle NSW
w/ Nunchukka Superfly and Bitchcraft

Thursday, June 27: CrowBar, Sydney NSW
w/ Nunchukka Superfly

Friday, June 28: Sooki Lounge, Belgrave VIC
w/ Matt Doll (The Mavis’s)

Saturday, June 29: Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley QLD
w/ Nunchukka Superfly and Snvff

Tickets available via Moshtix and Oztix

www.facebook.com/DEFFXOFFICIAL

RUSSELL MORRIS is now announced to join KATE CEBERANO : DAVE FAULKNER : HOCKEY DAD as this year’s Ambassadors for Record Store Day on Saturday 13 April.

Russell is a perfect match for Record Store Day as indie record stores played a significant part in the new vibe in Russell’s illustrious music career.

When Russell released ‘Sharkmouth’, the first album in his ‘Ghosts and Legend’s trilogy, back in 2012 indie record stores saw what a great album it was and supported it strongly, playing it instore and promoting it to music fans. It sold well, because when they got to hear it, fans loved it. The album won Russell an ARIA Award and that set the pace for the success of the following two in the trilogy.

Russell’s love, commitment and belief in the local record store is immense and he will do anything in his power to help them thrive. With the release of his latest album ‘Black and Blue Heart’, the local record store will again be of significant importance to the release.

For an incredible 12th time, Record Store Day will be once again be celebrated on the same date around the world.  With more than 180 indie music stores around Australia opening their doors for this special day, live music, DJs spinning the vinyl, treasure hunts, parties, barbecues, coffee carts, face painting, special one of releases for many legendary artists and of course, the legendary vinyl crate digging,  will see celebrations of the local Record store taking place on a grand scale.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems will again be on board for the 5th year as the official turntable partner.

Once again the record companies are planning a series of limited edition vinyl releases for the collectors. Many stores are importing pre-loved vinyl specially for the day, as well as raiding their vaults for vinyl, CD and memorabilia treasures. Even the odd cassette or two will appear. The vinyl resurgence continues alongside resilient sales for CDs.

The 12th annual worldwide party, that celebrates the culture of the indie record store, reiterates the importance of the traditional music outlet as one of the major avenues for the public to still discover the many genres of music releases each year. Stores around the world will open their doors to celebrate with music lovers, the musicians who make the music they love, and the people who sell it.

Record Store Day has grown exponentially and is now celebrated by millions of people, in thousands of independent record stores, worldwide. Follow Record Store Day at:

Website:  www.recordstoreday.com.au