Published Friday, 30 March, 2007 at 04:31 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
AUSTRALIAN INVASION: UK MUSIC LABEL SIGNS SIX QUEENSLAND BANDS
LONDON: Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie today confirmed Brisbane’s place as one of the top five music ‘hot spots’ in the world with the announcement that six Queensland bands had been picked up by UK label, MSR Music.
Transport, Brindle, Dr Octopus, Intercooler, Giants of Science and Mary Trembles have signed licensing agreements with independent record company MSR Music after wowing the Managing Director, John Hemming, at last year’s QMusic Big Sound Music Conference and Showcase in Brisbane.
Premier Beattie said the Big Sound Music Conference took place for the first time in Brisbane in 2002 and had proved a successful platform for local Queensland talent.
“In the few years it has been running, Big Sound has really opened doors for some of Queensland’s talented musicians,” Mr Beattie said.
“On top of the bands that have already secured agreements, another seven Queensland artists are in discussions with Phil Hardy, Collective Music Ltd in London on entry plans for the UK music market.
“Not surprisingly, a representative of Collective Music also attended last year’s Big Sound music industry conference.”
The MSR-signed bands have enjoyed radio airplay in the UK and their singles were released on 5 March via i-tunes and other music download websites.
“Queensland’s Creative Industries add A$1.96 billion to the value of the services and manufacturing sectors and A$1.1 billion in exports to the Queensland economy each year,” Mr Beattie said.
“The sector not only makes a huge financial contribution to the State, but our performers are also integral to lifting Queensland’s profile around the world.”
Mr Beattie, currently on the last leg of a trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London, invited UK music industry executives and press to this year’s QMusic Big Sound Music Conference between October 3 and 5 2007 to see first-hand why Brisbane was named one of five “cities spawning exciting new sounds” by America’s premier music magazine, Billboard.
“Big Sound features three days of forums, workshops, discussions and panel sessions aimed at all levels of the music industry,” Mr Beattie said.
There are also two full nights of band showcases which creates a great opportunity to see live performances by the top Queensland Bands
“Each year many respected international guests speak at the conference, which provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Queensland’s local bands to visiting industry figures.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland has an extensive musical repertoire boasting international successes such as Powderfinger, The Go Betweens, Savage Garden, and most recently Pete Murray and The Veronicas.
“Last December I announced a new A$20, 000 annual music fellowship to assist Queensland’s flourishing musical talent,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Grant McLennan Fellowship, created in memory of the late singer-songwriter Grant McLennan of The Go Betweens, allows a talented Queensland songwriter to spend up to two months developing their song writing talent in Berlin, London or New York,” he said.
“I encourage anyone with a keen ear for good music to come and visit Brisbane for QMusic’s Big Sound Music Conference and Showcase.”
In another cultural interlude to his trade mission Mr Beattie today joined the Australia and UK cast of the play Johnno for a photo shoot.
Mr Beattie said the production, which premiered at the 2006 Brisbane Festival, brought to life the adventures of two mates growing up in Brisbane during the ‘40s and ‘50s.
Johnno, based on the novel of the same name by David Malouf, is on from March 3-31 at the Derby Playhouse, Derby.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
March 30, 2007
Transport, Brindle, Dr Octopus, Intercooler, Giants of Science and Mary Trembles have signed licensing agreements with independent record company MSR Music after wowing the Managing Director, John Hemming, at last year’s QMusic Big Sound Music Conference and Showcase in Brisbane.
Premier Beattie said the Big Sound Music Conference took place for the first time in Brisbane in 2002 and had proved a successful platform for local Queensland talent.
“In the few years it has been running, Big Sound has really opened doors for some of Queensland’s talented musicians,” Mr Beattie said.
“On top of the bands that have already secured agreements, another seven Queensland artists are in discussions with Phil Hardy, Collective Music Ltd in London on entry plans for the UK music market.
“Not surprisingly, a representative of Collective Music also attended last year’s Big Sound music industry conference.”
The MSR-signed bands have enjoyed radio airplay in the UK and their singles were released on 5 March via i-tunes and other music download websites.
“Queensland’s Creative Industries add A$1.96 billion to the value of the services and manufacturing sectors and A$1.1 billion in exports to the Queensland economy each year,” Mr Beattie said.
“The sector not only makes a huge financial contribution to the State, but our performers are also integral to lifting Queensland’s profile around the world.”
Mr Beattie, currently on the last leg of a trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London, invited UK music industry executives and press to this year’s QMusic Big Sound Music Conference between October 3 and 5 2007 to see first-hand why Brisbane was named one of five “cities spawning exciting new sounds” by America’s premier music magazine, Billboard.
“Big Sound features three days of forums, workshops, discussions and panel sessions aimed at all levels of the music industry,” Mr Beattie said.
There are also two full nights of band showcases which creates a great opportunity to see live performances by the top Queensland Bands
“Each year many respected international guests speak at the conference, which provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Queensland’s local bands to visiting industry figures.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland has an extensive musical repertoire boasting international successes such as Powderfinger, The Go Betweens, Savage Garden, and most recently Pete Murray and The Veronicas.
“Last December I announced a new A$20, 000 annual music fellowship to assist Queensland’s flourishing musical talent,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Grant McLennan Fellowship, created in memory of the late singer-songwriter Grant McLennan of The Go Betweens, allows a talented Queensland songwriter to spend up to two months developing their song writing talent in Berlin, London or New York,” he said.
“I encourage anyone with a keen ear for good music to come and visit Brisbane for QMusic’s Big Sound Music Conference and Showcase.”
In another cultural interlude to his trade mission Mr Beattie today joined the Australia and UK cast of the play Johnno for a photo shoot.
Mr Beattie said the production, which premiered at the 2006 Brisbane Festival, brought to life the adventures of two mates growing up in Brisbane during the ‘40s and ‘50s.
Johnno, based on the novel of the same name by David Malouf, is on from March 3-31 at the Derby Playhouse, Derby.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
March 30, 2007