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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators from across the country are invited to apply for a fully-paid scholarship to complete the one-year Abbey Road Advanced Diploma of Music Industry course, offered in partnership by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), Abbey Road Institute Australia and Studios 301.

Designed by industry for industry, the Advanced Diploma of Music Industry course aims to build a music professional’s capability in music production or sound engineering so they can take their career to the next level.

This package is valued at a total of $30,000, which includes a $25,000 scholarship from Abbey Road Institute and a $5,000 study bursary from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office and APRA AMCOS.

The program is an introduction to the recording industry’s global network, with the participant learning from experts, including guest lecturers and multi-award-winning professionals, and getting hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and studios. Through access to broad networks consisting of sound engineers, music producers, artists and music business professionals, the program participant will gain insights into the breadth of the recording industry and use this to develop their personal career path.

Regular recording sessions will be facilitated in Studios 301 to ensure the participant has access to some of the best recording facilities in the world.

“We are excited to announce this wonderful partnership with Abbey Road and Studios 301, and to facilitate and encourage more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and engineers to engage in studies that can benefit their creative practice and further career pathways,”

said Leah Flanagan, Director, NATSIMO.

“This scholarship can completely change someone’s career trajectory and benefit so many others.”

“After previously working with the NATSIMO team, Studios 301 and Abbey Road Institute Sydney are very excited to be partnering on this initiative to provide an opportunity to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander creatives the chance to immerse themselves in our community of creatives and further their career in the music industry,”

said Ron Haryanto, General Manager, Studios 301 and CEO, Abbey Road Institute Australia.

“We look at this as the beginning of the journey for the scholarship, which we hope will have a longer lasting and meaningful impact on upcoming engineering, production and musical talent.”

The scholarship activity will take place in NSW, but applicants from across Australia are welcome to apply. The successful applicant will be responsible for any travel, relocation and accommodation costs.

Find out more about the selection criteria & apply now.

To coincide with the multi million dollar relaunch of Australia’s largest and most renowned recording studio, the team at Studios 301 have partnered with theMusic.com.au to roll out the ‘ALL ACCESS’ music competition, and give one lucky winner a major kickstart to their career. This competition was a quest to find Australia’s best unsigned artists, bands and producers, and to provide them with the opportunity to record in our world class facility.

We have been inundated with hundreds of applications and had the pleasure of listening to so many outstanding songs throughout this process. Our judges were blown away with the quality of applicants, and have created a shortlist of 10 songs that are outstanding in their respective fields.

These 10 finalists will have their song posted on our Facebook page where it will be up to the artist to share, like and promote their material.

Whichever song has generated the most buzz will be crowned the winner of our All Access Competition, and take home a national advertising and editorial campaign by theMusic.com.au to the value of AU$15,000, in addition to being one of the first to record, mix and master in the brand new Studios 301  recording complex.

The winner will be announced on Friday, 9th March on our Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who submitted songs to us, and a big Congratulations and Good Luck to our finalists!

The finalists are:

AMY VEE

STEFANI YI

MAX MAWBY

DANIELE DECKARD

ANDREW LOUIS HAMPTON

MICHAEL MCCARTNEY

BEN TILNEY

ERIN BADMAN

MICHAEL ATTARD

Studios 301 and all of our partners would like to thank every entrant in this year’s Is It A Banger? Electronic Music Competition. We’ve uncovered some incredible talent across the multiple genres of electronic music and beyond.

After much deliberation, we have chosen our winner from a very tough shortlist…

We are very excited to announce Aaron Tarasiewicz aka XMPLA as our 2017 Is It A Banger? Music Competition winner!

https://soundcloud.com/xmpla/better-xmpla/s-xEU7s

Archie, head of A&R for Central Station Records / Tinted had this to say;

“The level of talent in this year’s competition was truly amazing. It was a really tough process, however I’m really excited to have landed on XMPLA as our winner! Not only does XMPLA produce, but he also writes and performs on his productions, with the extra extension of being a DJ as well! For that reason, I feel like XMPLA ticks all the boxes as our winner”.

XMPLA wins a massive prize package including the following:

• A collaborative session at Studios 301 with Chris Arnott, and topline writer Erin Marshall
• Mixing by Grammy nominated Studios 301 engineer Simon Cohen (Starley, Will Sparks)
• Mastering by Ben Feggans (Cut Copy, Vallis Alps, Hayden James)
• EMC Academy passes to this year’s Electronic Music Conference
• A consultation with Jane Slingo, Artist Manager & Executive Producer of EMC
• A mentoring session with the RAW FM station team
• A track added to the RAW FM playlist which will be premiered and receive across-the-board airplay
• A consultation with Karen Hamilton, General Manager of 120 Publishing
• A consultation with Milly Petriella, Director of Memberships at APRA
• A set at one of the Soapbox or Poster Child run club nights, Ivy Saturdays and Chinese Laundry
• Upside Music will provide a 4 week PR campaign targeted at premium blogs, plus SEO breakdown of your artist website and backlinks
• A 6 week Resident DJ / Dance Radio Platform Service provided by Relish Music
• A single release package by Central Station / Tinted Records

Looking for a big break?

This is your opportunity to get your music in front of the right people!

At Studios 301, we are excited to partner with Australian Music Week 2017 and some of the most influential people in the music industry to give one lucky band/artist a career kick-start with this huge competition and music prize.

Up for grabs is a full recording package at Studios 301, showcases at AMW, HiFi days and music venue Leadbelly, along with distribution by BMG, radio servicing, promotion and editorial features in Australia’s leading music publications.

Are you ready?

Full winner’s prize package includes:

• A single, recorded, mixed and mastered at Studios 301
• A showcase at Australian Music Week 2017
• Distribution by MGM
• Radio servicing by John Zucco – The Right Profile
• The opening spot on the mainstage at Hi Fi Days Festival
• A single launch at Leadbelly Newtown
• Editorial features in Tone-Deaf, The Brag, The Industry Observer, and AU Review

Entry is open exclusively to all artists that apply to showcase at Australian Music Week. To enter, please submit your application at AMW here: https://marcatoapp.com/forms/amw2017/artistapplicationform2017/new

Head on over and submit your music for your chance to win. Good luck from the Studios 301 crew!

This competition is proudly supported by AMW, Studios 301, MGM, The Right Profile, APRA, Tone Deaf, The Brag, The Industry Observer, AU Review, Leadbelly and Hi Fi Days Festival. 

Here’s what went down last year at Australian Music Week

Find out more on Australian Music week here:
http://australianmusicweek.com/

Meet Polarheart, our 2016 ‘Is It A Banger – Electronic Music Competition’ winners.

After winning our competition last year with their downtempo, esoteric masterpiece “Dystopia”, things escalated quickly for electro / dream duo Mary and Chris.

After plenty of hustle, including Triple J airplay, a synch on US television series Roadies (Cameron Crowe), two features on MrSuicideSheep, over 3 million plays online, and of course winning our inaugural Electronic Music Competition, Polarheart’s hard work has culminated in a contract with Sony Music Australia.

Since then Mary and Chris have been busy collaborating and co-writing their new EP.

We caught up with them to see what’s been happening and talk about this year’s competition.

Studios 301: How was the experience winning last year’s competition?
It was a very cool experience! It gave us the opportunity to work with some great people in an amazing studio, and helped us get our name out there a bit more too.

Studios 301: You got signed to Sony after that…how did things progress for you after winning the comp?
After winning the comp, we released the tune we worked on with Chris Arnott as our next single. We just kept writing, playing shows and getting radio play, and were contacted by Sony a while after that.

Studios 301: What do you think about this year’s prize package?
The prize package looks great! It covers everything you need to get your career up and running and presents some amazing opportunities for any up-and-coming musician.

Studios 301: Do you have any advice for the entrants this year?
I guess we would just say to everyone entering to submit a song that is true to your sound and what you want your project to be, and make it the best you possibly can!

Studios 301: Anything else you want to add?
We were very grateful to win last year’s competition and wish everyone entering the best of luck!!

For more on Polarheart please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/polarheartmusic/

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Ben Morris.

Born in the UK yet recognised by Australia’s leading electronic labels and promoters across the country, Ben has worked as a DJ in Australia full time since 2004. Ben’s currently in A&R and Club promotions for Central Station Records / Tinted Music, Sup Girl and Bomb Squad.

Studios 301: What do you think about the prize package and the winner’s opportunity?
This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring producer to fast-track their knowledge, experience and getting that first release out. 301 have pulled together some of the finest people in the industry to get involved with the winner’s project. In essence, the winner is getting access to years and years of experience

Studios 301: What are you contributing to the comp?
As a judge, I will be giving my input on what I see as the best release, as well as giving A&R feedback. I will also be involved in the release of the winners track on the best suited of our labels.

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
Helping new artists kick goals is the part of my job I love the most. Being able to help yet another aspiring artist get

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
We have some amazing talent in Australia at the moment. As far as developing it, as a label, we need to be able to hear a great idea in a track. Some guys are great producers but need that musical refinement. Others are the opposite. They might write killer ideas, but lack that polish on their production. It’s my job to help bring those ideas to life.

For more information on Central Station Records please visit:
http://www.centralstation.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/centralstationAU

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Wilson Ole.

He’s been a respected name in the game for over a decade now, toured the world, had 3 #1 ARIA Club Charting records and a top 20 ARIA national record. (as well as countless top 20 and top 10 ARIA Club Charting records.) He’s had some international top 10’s and 20’s, been nominated for an ARIA award and won best dance music for 2012 Australian Independent music awards for “All My Friends” with Tommy Trash & Tom Piper. He’s currently signed to Universal Music publishing worldwide and to top it all off he is a co-founder and one of the directors for Upside Music & Playlist Pump. In short, he’s got some pretty impressive credentials.

Studios 301: What do you think about the prize package and the winners opportunity?
The prize package is amazing! I wish something like this was around when I was coming up in the industry! Getting the backing and support of these industry heavyweights in the dance music realm is insane! There shouldn’t be any excuse why the winner wouldn’t have a great kickstart to their career with these prizes by some of the industry’s elite!

Studios 301: What you are contributing to the comp?
My label/ pr/ digital agency will be offering a 1 month PR campaign to assist in launching the record and getting it to the world via the blog realm and also securing a blog premiere for the artist and record. Also some further advice and an SEO breakdown for the artist and website.

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
To give something back to the industry that gave me so much and kickstarted my career!

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
I am always about nurturing new blood into the game. When I was starting out I was mentored and was given guidance throughout my career, not all were good or right at that time but all were great lessons to evolve to the next phase. So I am all about passing on some of my knowledge and experience to the new blood that’s coming up the ranks!

Studios 301: Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to thank Studio 301 for having my team and I be a part of this amazing competition and to helping the next generation of talent get their foot into the door!

Tommy Trash & Tom Piper feat. Mr Wilson – All My Friends

For more information on Upside Music & Playlist Pump please visit:http://www.upsidemusic.com.au/

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Archie.

Archie is the head of A&R for Central Station Records. He is responsible for signing the likes of Bombs Away, Odd Mob and Starley.

Studios 301: Can you give us a bit of background about you?
I’ve been DJing & producing music since I left high school, however these days my focus is more toward the A&R role that I do for the Central Station & Tinted Records. I also manage Odd Mob who are one of the key artists on the Tinted imprint.

Studios 301: What do you think about the prize package and the winners opportunity?
Impressive to say the least, money is always a great prize but in this case the opportunities on offer are priceless.

Studios 301: What’s your involvement?
We are the label releasing the winner.

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
I think it’s a great way to discover new talent and personally I think it will be a really interesting and fun process.

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
It’s hugely important to be developing local talent, not only from a label perspective, but also when you look at what Australian music as a whole has contributed to the industry worldwide. There is so many Aussie’s killing it here and abroad which is such a great thing to see.

Studios 301: Anything else you would like to add?
Big ups to 301 for putting on such a great opportunity!

Odd Mob – Is It A Banger

For more information on Central Station Records please visit:
http://www.centralstation.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/centralstationAU

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Karen Hamilton.

Karen is the General Manager for 120 Publishing, which is the music publishing arm of Ministry of Sound Australia. 120 look after the publishing (composers) rights for some of Australia’s most well-known dance music writers, topliners and producers including Sam Littlemore, Savage, Paul Brandoli, Chris Arnott, Dennis Dowlut, SCNDL and Joel Fletcher to name just a few. 120 Publishing return again this year after being part of our successful competition last year.

Studios 301: What do you think about this year’s prize package and the winners opportunity?
The prize package this year is incredible! It’s an amazing opportunity for the winner to get some career guidance from some of the most influential people in the industry and showcase their talents at one of the top clubs in Sydney.

Studios 301: What you are contributing to the comp?
We will sit down with the winner and give them the ‘publishing 101’ explanation of what we do and how important it can be to have a publisher, answer any questions they have and give a little guidance on what their next steps could be to further their career.

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
We think it’s really important that artists and writers understand the various elements to copyright and how they can both protect and exploit the rights to their music. It’s also a great way for us to see what talent is out there…and maybe even find our next signing.

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
Our primary focus is the development of local artists and writers with a view to help them develop an international career. This competition is amazing because it gives people the opportunity to get their music heard by so many other industry experts who have the same love for developing artists.

Studios 301: Anything else you would like to add?
Good luck to everyone. We can’t wait to start on the judging process so we can hear some of that new unsigned talent.

Here’s an excerpt from APRA’s article “Cracking the Publishing Puzzle Part 1: The Role of the Publisher” with Karen talking more about her role.

“Some writers simply need you to work closely with their label or management to maximise exploitation of their releases, some need a lot of A&R support, some need help setting up co-writes or securing or placing toplines and some want to write for other people.”

“For many of our writers, we also act as pseudo management – providing business affairs services to finalise their contracts, helping plan work and release schedules or helping them get a record deal or booking agent.”

Find out more about 120 Publishing here:
http://www.120publishing.com/

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Jane Slingo.

Artist Manager & Executive Producer of EMC

Studios 301 : Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m first and foremost an artist manager. I work with Gabby, Jono Fernandez, Sampology and Set Mo. They are all ridiculously talented, intelligent individuals and top shelf human beings – I’m very grateful to be working with all of them.

I’m also Executive Producer of EMC which is an annual event that runs over a few days in Sydney in the last week of November. EMC has different offerings for different types of people. Firstly, it’s a conference style event for professionals in the electronic music business or businesses related to the culture of electronic music. Ideas and insights are shared, new business models are highlighted and explored, forward thinking people share inspirational stories and case studies. People meet with colleagues and friends and make new ones. It’s a nice vibe because it’s a way for the industry to get together and celebrate the end of the year and the start of summer, and get inspired for the new year ahead. EMC also has a program stream called EMC Academy which delivers information on the fundamentals of the electronic music business, songwriting and music production workshops, educational workshops – essentially the EMC Academy program is there to give helpful information to assist people wanting to enter or starting in the industry navigate their way through it. EMCPlay is a bunch of night time showcases and parties where a diverse range of electronic music artists play for the public as well as those attending the conference. Across many electronic music genres, from live groups to solo acts to DJs. It’s pretty amazing seeing artists who’ve played at EMCPlay have really successful growth in their profile and career. Certainly not taking responsibility for any artist’s success, but I know that often little seeds planted at EMC and EMPlay have come to fruition in really lovely ways for many artists and their teams. Finally, we partner with Musica Copa which closes off EMC week with their awesome industry soccer tournament – basically all the key music companies get a team together and play against each other to raise money for multiple Australian charities. It’s a brilliant way to end the week, loads of fun, great networking and a really feel good, pay it forward kind of event.

I feel pretty much the same way about working on EMC as I do with my talented artists – very grateful to work on it. I wholeheartedly believe in its purpose and what it does for so many people.

Studios 301 : What do you think about the prize package and the winners opportunity?
It’s an incredibly comprehensive grand prize for any emerging artist. Not many artists get the chance to have this kind of support in the very early stages of their careers. It ticks pretty much every box you could dream of at entry level stage.

Studios 301: What you are contributing to the comp?
I’m contributing one on one time for the winner to spend with me, so they can get a deeper insight into the role of an artist manager, when is and isn’t the right time to bring in / sign with an artist manager, the different ways different managers and artists work together, what you should (and shouldn’t) expect an artist manager to do for you, and generally to answer any questions the winner wants to throw at me regarding artist management or developing themselves as an artist.

As well as this, EMC is also contributing a complimentary EMC Academy pass to this year’s EMC.

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
Because I believe in its purpose and value. I’m proud to be a part of a community of organisations, businesses and people in electronic music that are banding together to give such a great opportunity to one of our country’s future stars.

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
Thankfully, I’m seeing more artists and their teams developing talent as artists, not as brands. There is obviously still an essential need to be careful, clever and very thoughtful with your marketing, communication and the visual way you present an artist – but artists are human beings with special talents, they are not brands that churn out product. Becoming an artist with a sustainable long term career is a very challenging journey. There are many wonderful moments, but equally there are many tough moments. If we develop artists as a product and touring machine, we risk burnout, and we risk an artist declining as quickly as they rose. I really believe in nurturing an honest and unique creation and output of an artist’s music. It may not mean the quickest rise to success, but the journey to becoming a successful artist with a sustainable, long term career is a massive marathon, not a sprint.

Studios 301: Anything else you would like to add?
Good luck to all the talented individuals entering! And don’t be disappointed if you don’t win. The process of creating and finishing the best work you can is more important than the outcome.

For more info on EMC please click below:
http://electronicmusicconference.com/

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE

The Studios 301 IS IT A BANGER? Electronic Music Competition is back for 2017! Since we’ve gone straight to the source this year and enlisted some of the industry’s most respected names as part of our ultimate prize package, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Meet Chris Fraser.

Chris has been a music industry professional for over 20 years with experience in A&R, radio, production and DJing. By day he works as a senior A&R for Ministry of Sound Australia. At other times, he’s overseeing the musical direction of Raw FM as Content Director, responsible for the station’s playlist and shows.

Studios 301: What do you think about the prize package and the winners opportunity?
I think the winner will walk away with an amazingly practical set of guidance, contacts and tangible results for their work. It’s a really well thought-out and comprehensive prize package, it basically ticks the boxes for all the kinds of things I get asked about when I talk to up & coming artists. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it before and for the right artist it’ll be an incredible door-opening opportunity.

Studios 301: What is your involvement in the competition?
As a part of the Raw FM team I’ll be helping to pick a winner, give their song airplay on the station (which reaches large parts of NSW via FM and much further field on streaming & apps), and giving them advice on securing airplay and how to approach radio. I really can’t wait to see what comes in!

Studios 301: Why did you want to be involved?
Pretty simple really, the calibre of everyone involved is top notch and it’s a really well put-together and executed concept. I also really enjoy helping to discover and nurture new talent.

Studios 301: What are your thoughts on local talent and developing it?
I spend a lot of my waking hours seeking out new talent and helping to develop it, whether it’s as an A&R manager at the label level or wearing my hat as a content director for radio. The two jobs normally require fundamentally different approaches, so I get to evaluate talent in different ways for each. At the end of the day seeing artists grow is really satisfying, and even if they’re not ones I’ve signed, I can still feel I’ve contributed if I’ve helped give them airplay and exposure.

Download the free Raw FM app here:

More on Raw FM here:
https://www.rawfm.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/rawfm/

To enter the Studios 301 Is It A Banger 2017 competition, please CLICK HERE