The Cape is full of talented musicians like the Red Soil Country band. Photo: Cook Shire Council.
Cooktown and Hope Vale musicians looking to break into the industry are being welcomed to a networking and information session on Thursday (November 23).
The events, run by Regional Art Services Network (RASN), will see music industry development association Q Music and independent music aggregator GYROstream offer advice and services to aspiring Cape musicians.
RASN regional arts officer Waratah Nicholls said it was a fantastic opportunity for Cape York musicians to connect with people who could take their passion to the next level.
“I hope that some of the artists here actually make that connection with Q Music and GYROstream and then get ongoing support so they can develop their art into something that is a career rather than a hobby,” she said.
Ms Nicholls explained that Q Music and GYROstream were originally only going to Cairns, but that she had asked them to come to the Cape as well.
“I thought it was really important to get them up here to meet the musicians in this region and talk to them about how they can support them within the industry,” she said.
She believed that there was quite a bit of support for visual artists in the Cape, but performing artists were often left behind.
“It’s one of the things I’m really passionate about,” she said.
Ant McKenna is one of the creative mentors aspiring musicians in Hope Vale and Cooktown will have the chance to learn from. Photo: Q Music.
The events will include three guest speakers, including Ant McKenna, director of programming – industry development at Q Music.
She explained that the guest speakers work in a range of roles that make the sessions suitable for event managers and other types of artists as well.
GYROsteam’s Kriza Canzon specialises in data analytics, royalties and copyright, while Sue Ray is Q Music’s First Nations music officer.
One-on-one sessions with the speakers are also available to book by emailing [email protected].
The Hope Vale information session will be held from 11am to 1:30pm at the Hope Vale Art Centre on November 23, followed by the Cooktown networking event from 4pm to 6pm at the Wharf Kitchen on the same day. No registration needed.
