GANGgajang and Mahalia Barnes will headline an SOS (Salute Our Songwriters) Concert to be run by the peak body for Australian songwriters, ASONG (www.asong.org.au ) at Shush in Newtown on Thurs 2 Dec. The entire lineup will showcase a range of extraordinary original Australian artists, including members of ASONG’s contributing bodies – the Australian Songwriters Association (ASA), Songsalive! and the Songwriting Society of Australia (SSA). The focus of the event is to highlight the need for improved levels of local content on our radio programs.
National not-for-profit organisation ASONG (Australian Songwriters Official National Group)s is determined to foster a positive change for locally produced Australian music by increasing the per centage to be played on Australian commercial radio.
The SOS (Salute Our Songwriters) Concert will help raise awareness of the current perilous state Australian songwriters find themselves in, with the local content quotas for the existing radio formats (the analog stations) being locked in at no more than 25%. This is in stark contrast with countries such as France and Canada, where quotas of up to 60% local content have been successfully legislated for, with a view to maintaining and encouraging the growth of the local culture. Without sufficient quotas, countries may find themselves slowly but surely becoming cultural satellites of the United States, with local populations identifying with Detroit hip-hop and slick plastic Hollywood music, while losing touch with the very music which reflects their own country's culture.
The recent decision by the Australian Communications and Media Authority(ACMA) regarding local content quotas is a timely case in point. Briefly, this decision covers the coming three year period, during which time commercial radio stations on the digital band will be able to play music 24 hours a day, without having to include one Australian song on their playlists. How ACMA could have come to this decision is beyond the understanding of the Directors and the member organisations of ASONG. It is obvious to them that the relationship between commercial radio playlists and the profile of Australian music (and the culture itself), is intrinsically interwoven.
ASONG will continue to support Australian Songwriters in matters pertaining to the political and commercial spheres of influence. Its mission to look after our songwriters is supported by the organisation’s major sponsor, APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association).
The ASONG SOS Concert 2010 is the inaugural show of what will become an iconic annual event. Get your ticket at presale prices from www.asong.org.au.
When: Thurs 2 Dec 2010
Time: 7pm
Further enquiries: A Red Letter Day (Event Management) 02 9519 3978
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