The last time you listened to the radio, chances are you didn’t take note of what music was being played, and whose music. The amount of homegrown songs played on the radio is decided by ACMA, and different groups including commercial and community radio lobby with their own interests in mind. Unfortunately, until now there hasn’t been a collective party to stand for Australian musicians, most of whom are independent. This means that they have no large body like a record company to fight for their rights.
Commercial radio – who mostly play signed bands except for the sprinkled ‘homegrown’ shows – are only required by law to play 25% Australian content. At the moment they are fighting to get this amount put down to 0%. 100% overseas content means 100% of royalties that should be staying in Australia are gone.
The 25% is part of the free trade agreement, and the terms agreed upon are that this amount can be lowered, but can’t rise. We don’t know what happens if it is lowered to 0% but we can’t take the chance. This is the basic platform upon which MIC is lobbying. With the might of the very powerful commercial sector backed by huge international based record companies, you can understand why we need a large membership behind us.
We are also currently lobbying relevant organisations to seek a solution to the ongoing issue of royalty payments for artists as a result of airplay on community radio.
Australia’s Community Radio stations have long nurtured our homegrown musicians and continue to be a breeding ground for original artists in this country.
And while airplay is an integral part of ‘making it’ in the music industry, there’s no doubt that getting a few dollars along the way helps to pay the bills and keep the dream alive.
As it stands, organisations such as APRA and PPCA do not pay royalties to musicians when their songs are played on community radio, apart from a four week window when some of the larger community radio stations are required to report.
We’d like to change that.
We would like to see the establishment of a year-round voluntary Australian music reporting system for community radio.
We believe it can be done and we believe it will bring many real benefits to original musicians and the community radio sector.
So what can you do to help support these two important issues? Simply join the growing number of MIC supporters via the contact page and we’ll add your name to the list. There is strength in numbers and in that strength comes the opportunity to effect real change. You don’t have to be a musician – you just have to support Aussie homegrown music.
The other thing you can do is spread the word. Let people know about these issues and share the links via social media.
Would you like to play live on radio? Promote your music and “BE HEARD” and help with some gigs. I run a “Monday Live ” show once a month and also a travel show once a month on community radio. So if you are a travelling muso and want me to call you for an interview or talk about travels and touring. Please email me at markngardner1@yahoo.com.au Or send your CD,BIo ,Press kit to P.O. Box 6057, Wantirna,Vic,3152 . I will make every effort to get you heard on local community radio here in Melbourne!
Cheers,
Mark G
Indigo FM, in N E Victoria, recently paid its APRA/AMCOS dues and it amounted to somewhere between $200 – $300. Not much for you musos to share, but we are a small narrowcasting station in a very rural area with various studios in different townships. If it wasn’t for the local Council, Youth Groups and other bodies, we could not go to air as they give us free rental. We incur all the costs of a Community Station, but at a lower level, are an Incorporated Organisation and are committed to playing Independent artists/bands from both within OZ and outside-our bias is, obviously home based musos. Our income is minimal, but we do service a very diverse area and receive positive feedback re our playlists/interviews. If the APRA fees were to increase, I doubt if we could continue; we are a relatively young station and some core members have put their own money into starting this station. We will eventually gain more income as we grow, but with growth comes expansion and new equipment. Currently we are expected to pay a set percentage to APRA dependent upon our income and to me this seems fair but for the musos it is obviously not! What a diilemma. Perhaps we should all be subjected to an audited account of our income, less grants as these are given for specific purposes and hence are not true ‘income’ rather than individual stations giving a set figure to APRA. We at Indigo FM, http://www.indigofmradio.com , wish you well in your venture and as per James Morrison’s statement, please send us your promos etc. Details available from Tony Bates: uncutandunsigned147@activ8.net.au
Indigo FM would like to be a partner in your venture and offer any advice required from a rural/remote station’s viewpoint.
lets all get behind AUSTRALIAN music of all genres and not let them stop playing it. We have some great and wonderful musicians of our own.
Don’t rip off our local Talent, They are worth a lot more than they get
lets show the big guns who we are in community radio
I have had so much enjoyment over the years from music in all forms, it would be a great shame for everyone to let it die!
Community radio staions probably cant afford royalities, and probably dont need that. Local commercial radio stations are behaving like prics with their non support of loacl music. What they dont realise is that it directlt effects the ability for live performance by these artists..Just refer to the 80′s to see what real commercial radio playlist support delivered.. honestly most people havr no idea what it should be like.. go guys .. nail those commercial f***ers .. lobby lobby lobby
Australian musicians have produced some of the finest and know music sent worldwide. You only have to think of a few of the big names eg AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel not to mention the thousands of active up and coming muso’s that are not as well known. Aussies have always supported fellow aussies and music should be no different.
Absolutely!!!!! I had given up hope of that ever happening! THANKYOU!
It would really help to cover the cost of sending product out to the hundreds of radio stations as well. Not all have MP3 facilities.
You have my support! Good Luck!
great about time.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE HEARD ON COMMUNITY RADIO?
I will be presenting a radio program next month(all going well)which will provide an opportunity for Melbourne musicians to “be heard” on Community radio. “Melbourne Musos” will provide a forum for buskers, singer/songwriters and bands of all genres in Melbourne to be interviewed and to showcase their original material on the radio! I f you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, then contact me @jamesmorrisonthevoice@live.com.au Please send your press kit,bio or CD or whatever you have available, to give me an idea of what you sound like! I f I don’t know what you sound like or what you do, I can’t give you a go! Cheers! James