Newcastle has a history of punching above its weight when it comes to music.
There’s something about the beach-meets-working-class town of Newy that makes it a great incubator for emerging artists. Bands like The Screaming Jets and Silverchair go without saying, but in recent years, artists like Vacations, Gooch Palms, dust, Catherine Britt and Morgan Evans have all made waves beyond their humble beginnings in the Steel City.
In the current industry climate, however, it’s never been harder to break through and turn passion into a career, with streaming paying minimal amounts to artists, ticket sales declining globally, and live venues struggling to stay afloat. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Delivered as part of APRA AMCOS’ Community Music Hubs initiative, GRID Series is helping remedy these hurdles, creating real opportunities for artists to blossom beyond their local scene.
As Chris O’Neill, Director of Creative Programs & Stakeholder Engagement at APRA AMCOS, puts it, “Newcastle has a proud musical identity, and the artists coming out of this city deserve a clear pathway to build lasting careers. Community Music Hubs is about investing in people, their confidence, and their creative futures. From young people writing their first song through SongMakers, to emerging artists stepping into the spotlight with GRID Series, we want every Newcastle songwriter to know there’s a community behind them.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn60L1SFAmk
Four solo artists or bands from the Newcastle region will be selected to receive a fully produced, mixed and mastered track, one-on-one mentoring from some of Australia’s most respected music industry figures, a professionally made documentary telling their story, and live performance opportunities around the country. Best of all, it won’t cost them a cent.
That’s your chance to hit the studio with some of Australia’s most respected producers, including Jayteehazard (Hilltop Hoods, Haiku Hands, Barkaa and Kobie Dee), Antonia Gauci (Kesha, Troye Sivan, DMAs and What So Not), Assembler Code, and Newcastle’s own Mitta Norath, whose credits include Boo Seeka, Vacations and Ben Gillies. On top of that, participants will receive one-on-one mentoring, a professionally made documentary and live performance opportunities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8qM3CEFuDM
GRID Series co-founder Ariel Blum says bringing the program to Newcastle has been on the team’s radar for years. “We’ve always been drawn to music communities that have their own distinct identity. It’s always been on the bucket list to bring this work to Newcastle — a city so rich in musical and cultural history that, for whatever reason, feels slept on. When people think of soul music, they think Detroit. Hip hop, they think Compton and Brooklyn. Rio for Baile Funk. We know Newcastle has that same international sound. Now is the moment to bring that visibility to the city.”
The documentary element of the program is even more exciting. From what we’ve seen of past releases, the videos take a cinematic approach that really captures who an artist is; a kind of vignette that delves beyond the superficial and often performance-heavy world of music videos. The films are brought to life by an impressive roster of storytellers, including award-winning filmmaker Nick Sullivan (whose work spans Netflix, Samsung and SXSW Sydney), Green Frog Productions founder Jye Currie, Newcastle creative Wanagi Zable-Andrews, and documentary producer Holly Clayton, who has spent years telling human-centred stories around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cToiANMbF6g
On top of that, participants will receive advice and one-on-one mentorship from some of the industry’s biggest names, including BMG Australia Managing Director Heath Johns, creative director Gary Seeger, country star Kirsty Lee Akers, engineer and producer Antonia Gauci, and more.
GRID Series Newcastle Program Manager Chris Barnett is confident the city is ready for a bigger spotlight. “Newcastle’s music scene is popping right now, and it’s time for the bubble to burst wide open. Linking up with the GRID crew to deliver the Newcastle program provides a platform to make that happen, and I’m so here for it! We have so many great artists here with incredible stories to tell, and this program gets those stories shared way beyond our beautiful town.”
So how do YOU get amongst it? Well, Novos, it’s pretty simple. If you’re a solo artist or band based in the Newcastle region, all you need to do is submit an expression of interest outlining who you are, where you’re at in your musical journey, and why you’re ready to take the next step. Applications are open now, with just four artists selected to take part in this year’s program, so it’s probably worth getting in sooner rather than later.
Head here to apply for GRID Series Newcastle now! And follow GRID Series on Instagram here to stay in the loop!
