The Seed announces 2014 recipients

The Australian music industry’s self-funding grants program, The Seed, announced the recipients of its programs for 2014. It received over 350 applicants for three categories, organisers told TMN.

It’s All About The Song is a new category giving emerging acts the opportunity to work with a producer. Brisbane electronics and roots outfit Wafia will work with producer John Castle, Brisbane based indie-pop band Fox And Fowl with Steve Schram and Sydney pop act Cristian Campano with Tony Buchen.

Three managers who previously attended The Seed Management workshop will receive support of up to $5,000 to supplement their wages, or pay for an assistant during a time of heavy workload and limited commission.

As a result, Monique Rothstein will be able to hire an assistant to work across Sydney trio Little May’s campaign behind an EP through Dew Process, and while Sydney dance-pop unit Convaire record an EP.

Brisbane-based Deb Suckling will work campaigns for her three artists – a new EP and tour for Sahara Beck, an album and touring campaign for Jackie Marshall, and My Fiction’s US tour and the recording of their third album.

Ben Robinson will work on Perth electronica trio Crooked Colours’ tour schedule behind their In Your Bones EP.

The successful Management Workshop returns after a year’s hiatus, with 24 managers.  These are involved in the careers of acts including Ash Grunwald, Thy Art Is Murder, Eagle And The Worm, Amali Ward, Jordi Lane, Tully On Tully, Little Boots, The Trouble With Templeton, Tin Sparrow and Sydonia. Full details at theseedfund.org.

Seed co-founder Daniella Caruana told TMN, “We are pumped with some pretty cool new ideas and inspired to deliver an amazing power packed punch to our attendees. We are looking to really delve a little deeper this time around into the dynamic of the artist manager relationship, from the artist’s perspective.”

While much of The Seed’s funding has come from donations from music industry executives and artists, a new initiative called The Seed Social Club asks former recipients to return the favour by donating so they can give fellow creatives a hand and maintain The Seed’s self-sustainable model.

The Seed’s partnership with APRA, called Inbound, continues for a fourth year. The program takes urban music executives into remote indigenous community festivals to discover the talent there. A partnership with Northern Territory music association MusicNT encourages mentors to attend the three-day Bush Bands Business in Alice Springs to guide Central Desert bush bands to provide 50 workshops including those covering stage craft, singing, percussion, contracts, licensing, PR and touring tips.

The Seed Fund team are Carlo Santone (Steering Committee), Stacia Goninon (Manager), Garth Carwardine (Seed Co-ordinator), Danielle Caruana (Director), John Butler (Director) .