If you’re an Aussie artist, you’ll get it…

Australia is a pretty unique landscape for artists. Unlike places in Europe and throughout the States, you often need to jump on a plane or drive for hours and hours to get to the next stop on your tour, one that isn’t paying enough to cover that travel, let alone accommodation and food etc. By the time you hit the stage, you’re already in the red financially, as you check your pocket every couple of minutes to make sure you haven’t lost those two drink tickets the bar manager gave you as a “rider”. Sometimes the only financial salvation is merch, which most artists, after paying for the tees and design etc., are making $10 profit on.

But what if you could turn that merch margin into a near 100% profit?

That’s the idea behind American Apparel’s StAArt Up Fund, an initiative that will give four lucky artists $10K of printed merch for you to sell at your shows. That’s basically free money straight into the band account, which could mean the difference between sleeping in the aisle of the minivan and a decent mattress for the night.

Last year, four artists, BIRDEE, THIRST TRAP, Paulina x Tom Thum and Maina Doe, secured the $10,000 merch prize each, with THIRST TRAP also scoring a spot at the American Apparel SXSW show. “We’re so absolutely grateful for everything [American Apparel] have done for us in regards to the StAArt Up Fund, getting us on SXSW for the American Apparel house and everything in between!! It has been such an incredible experience… This fund helped us to gather enough funds to record our EP (coming out in July), travel to shows and really just push THIRST TRAP harder than ever. Honestly lost for words,” the band said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnpx3U4pyY4

And that’s not all. One of the four winners will also score a spot on the Spilt Milk lineup on the Gold Coast, joining the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Kettama, RAYE and more.

Sound like something you’d be interested in? Head here to apply via their super quick and simple form.