The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) continues it great work as it announces the successful mentees and mentors that will form part of their 2015 Artist Manager Mentor Program, supported by APRA AMCOS and BIGSOUND.
The AAM Mentor Program is focused on developing and supporting sustainable artist management careers for the long-term future of Australian managers.
Damian Cunningham director of Sector Development and Audience for the Live Music Office commented on the announcement “The Live Music Office supports initiatives like the mentor program as a strong music industry. Informed and highly professional managers working with our countries artists goes a long way to underpinning the live music scene across the venues and performance spaces across Australia.”
After a record number of applications, the successful mentees are Nicola Pitt (Tjintu Desert Band, Jacinta Price, Karnage & Darknis), Craig Lock (Tkay Maidza, Jesse Davidson), Anthony Zaccaria (Fractures, Loon Lake, Marcelo), Jess Carroll (Rat & Co, Hoodlem, Second Hand Heart), Marty Brown (Flyying Colours, Clare Bowditch), and Ashleigh Hills (Woodlock).
Mentees will receive 6-12 months one-on-one mentoring with a matched manager, as well as being flown to Bigsound to attend the conference, and participate in an exclusive management roundtable, with key Australian and international managers and industry reps.
Mentors for 2015 are John Watson from Eleven Music (Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, Silverchair, Gotye), Gregg Donovan from Wonderlick (Pete Murray, Boy & Bear, Grinspoon, Airbourne, Josh Pyke), Claire Collins from Bossy Music (Art vs Science, D.D Dumbo, Kagu) Andrew Stone from Chugg Music (Shepperd, Meg Washington, The Griswolds, Deep Sea Arcade), Greg Carey from Umbrella Music (Cloud Control, PVT, The Rubens, Elizabeth Rose, Urthboy), and Dan Medland from ie:music (Ladyhawke, Passenger, The Bamboos, Bondi Hipsters, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders).
The Association of Artist Managers is the peak body representing artist managers in the Australian music industry, and is a member of the IMMF (International Music Managers Forum). The Artist Manager Mentor Program is one of the AAM’s flagship programs, supported by APRA AMCOS.
Manager Bios and Mentor details
NICOLA PITT / GREG CAREY
Nicola Pitt works at CAAMA Music in Alice Springs, handling the communications and artist management for Australia’s oldest Aboriginal record label. The artists she manages include Australia’s most in-demand desert reggae act, Tjintu Desert Band, folk/soul singer Jacinta Price and Central Australian hip-hop duo Karnage & Darknis.
CRAIG LOCK / GREGG DONOVAN
In 2010 Craig grew bored of working in a stale office environment so quit his job and started a music business mainly promoting shows in Adelaide (the first show they did was Foals first gig in Australia at the Gov!). During 2008-2013 Craig played in a band and taught himself about managing an act during that period. Craig now manages Tkay Maidza and Jesse Davidson.
ANTHONY ZACCARIA / JOHN WATSON
Anthony is co-director of Bolster Music with his brother Alex. They manage the careers of indie acts Loon Lake, Fractures, Marcelo & Trumpdisco. Anthony’s been involved in music from a young age via a family business in music products. He started off running marketing & artist relation campaigns for musical instrument brands, before moving to Sydney to work at The Sound Alliance managing media campaigns for record labels, promoters & festivals.
JESS CARROLL / CLAIRE COLLINS
Working behind the scenes with Rat & Co, Hoodlem, OCDantar and Second Hand Heart, Jess Carroll is founder of music management and publicity company Inmocean. With a background in publicity and promotions Jess has worked onsite at the Falls Festival for 6 years and worked on campaigns with a diverse selection of artist including Seth Sentry, The Growl, Tully on Tully, Animaux, Hoodlem, Yuko Nishiyama, Brother James and many more.
MARTY BROWN / DAN MEDLAND
Marty wears a number of hats in the music industry. As a musician he has played drums in bands such as Art of Fighting (ARIA Winners – Best Alternative Release 2001), Sodastream, Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set (ARIA Winner Best Female Artists 2006), Darren Middleton, The Guild League, Small Knives, Richard Easton, and Red Raku. As a manager he looks after both Clare and the newly formed Flyying Colours.
ASHLEIGH HILLS / ANDREW STONE
Ashleigh manages Woodlock. In 2014 the boys released their second EP ‘Labour of Love’ which charted on the ARIA and iTunes charts, they also sold around 25,000 copies through distribution and busking. During her time at 123 Agency she has looked after Ella Hooper and Gena Rose Bruce in an assistant manager’s role. She also runs Tram Sessions, a Melbourne initiative that films bands on trams. She has been doing this for the past 4 years.
For more information on AAM visit there website www.aam.org.au/
