Annual Report 2014 CONTENTS 02 Board & Staff Members 03 Acknowledgements 04 President’s Report 05 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 06 Treasurer’s Report 07 Development 09 Membership 11 Song Of The Year 12 WAM Festival & WA Music Conference 14 Singapore West Australia Music (SWAM) Exchange 15 Workshops 16 Regional 18 Marketing & Communications 21 Partners 22–34 Annual Financial Report wam.org.au 1 Contents BOARD President Al Taylor (since May) Andrew Zell (until May) Vice President Noah Shilkin (since May) Al Taylor (until May) Treasurer Steven McCabe Secretary Bel Skinner Simon Reed David Hyams Jacob Snell (since Apr) Jo Carson (since Jul) Stefan Caramia (since Apr) Antonella de Gregoriis (until Apr) STAFF Chief Executive Officer Mike Harris Business Manager Jessica Thomas Regional Officer Nigel Bird Development Manager Georgia Kennedy Industry Development Officer Claire Hodgson Marketing & Communications Officer Aarom Wilson WAM Festival Coordinator Greg Sanders Audience Development Officer Leon Ewing (until Apr) wam.org.au 2 Staff & Board Members Passionately committed isto the championing peak industry Western body responsibleAustralian music since 1987, WAM for supporting, nurturing and growing all forms, genres and levels of original contemporary music in WA. THANK YOU WAM gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the State Government of Western Australia through: Department of Culture and the Arts WAM is also assisted by the Commonwealth Government through: Australia Council for the Arts WAM also greatly appreciates the assistance provided to us by: APRA | AMCOS Our thanks also go to the interns and volunteers whose ongoing efforts in assistingWAM achieve our objectives are greatly appreciated – plus the judges and vollies who help make events like Song of the Year, the WAM Festival and Awards possible and such a fine reflection of the quality of WA music. The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc abn 19 395 503 276 Level 1, 58 James Street, Northbridge | WA PO Box 171 Northbridge WA 6865 p +61 8 9227 7962 e [email protected] wam.org.au 3 Acknowledgements PRESIDENT’S REPORT AL TAYLOR It was little over two years ago that I was asked to be a judge as part of WAM’s ‘Sync to Swim’ initiative. I was given the challenging task of narrowing a shortlist of 30 songs to a final selection of 6. With the quality across all 30 so high it was incredibly difficult. I can only imagine how tough it was pick 30 from the hundreds entered! It was a yet another verification of the amazing breadth and As you will read in Mike’s report, this year has been a year depth of talent we have in this state. This continues to be of consolidation. Changes in the Department of Culture and evidenced through events like the WA Music Awards and the the Arts funding structure and our financials have been a - now 20-year-old - WAM Song of the Year (KUČKA being a key focus, while needing to continue to deliver on all our key world-class deserved winner this year). initiatives to a high standard. Our pool of talent is seemingly bottomless. And, I don’t just However, for WAM to truly, effectively deliver to its vision, mean the musicians; I mean the industry as a whole. There we need to elevate the perceived value of the organisation is no question, when it comes to arts and creativity in this and WA music industry in the hearts and minds of the country, as a state we punch way above our weight. It is community, business and government - to a level that aligns with our considerable contribution. Key to this will be our most notable in contemporary music – and has been for ability to tell our story well, to make the case for the currently some time. We have an abundance of artists doing great unrealised value of the contemporary music industry. things nationally and internationally. As such, we are seeking to undertake a significant research But, the significance of this within this state – I don’t believe project that will specifically focus on identifying the true – is fully realised. Alongside the massive contribution locally cultural and economic impact and value of the contemporary to culture and the economy, there is without doubt an eye to music industry in WA. We cannot underestimate the value of the West from afar as a place that – alongside our resources real, proven numbers as a foundation to seek support and reputation - produces great talent. The contribution to Brand greater funding and contribution. WA cannot be denied. In the next month we will move into our organisational With such a rich vein of talent, our job of championing WA business planning sessions. With a revitalised and incredibly music is perhaps a little easier in one sense. passionate and committed Board our mission is to emerge from these sessions with a challenging, ambitious but The extraordinary team at WAM – guided so well by our achievable plan for WAM and – as a consequence – the WA CEO Mike Harris - does an incredible job with what is, by contemporary music industry. A plan that will see WA Music comparison, a very small funding and sponsorship base. positioned as a major force locally and nationally – one that is This year they pulled together a fantastic festival and awards appropriately valued, revered and championed by a powerful, night and managed to introduce the hugely successful Block effective and innovative WAM. Party - destined to be a mainstay, even seasonal event. The WAM Song of the Year awards held at B Shed was a We have been fortunate to have great, insightful input standout show and they continued to successfully deliver key from our highly valued Music Council that will feed into our initiatives like the ‘Sounds of’ series and ‘State of the Art’, the planning sessions, but we also welcome your input as an latter in conjunction with Celebrate WA. The team did all this important member of the WA Contemporary while also turning the organisation from a $120,000 loss to a Music community. surplus - testimony of the prudent management of the CEO In closing, a big thanks to our partners, Mike and his team alongside Business Manager Jess Thomas and our Treasurer and Board members past and present. And, of course for Steve McCabe. your support wam.org.au 4 President’s Report CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT MIKE HARRIS Firstly, I must say it is a real pleasure and an honour to be CEO of WAM: a role I commenced in late February 2014. I have known of, and had some peripheral involvement in, some of WAM’s projects over many years so the opportunity to be part of that is exciting. WAM is a national leader in terms of its role and scope of the projects and benefits it delivers to music in WA. 2014 was a year of reconsolidation for WAM. After the losses needs of regional musicians, via channels such as the of 2013 WAM’s triennial Department of Culture and the Arts Regional Roundtable, allows WAM to implement projects (DCA) funding was also at risk and the first few months of (such as our Sounds of… CD recordings) that go some way to 2014 were spent in review, reforecast and re-planning mode. breaking down the tyranny of distance. Organisationally WAM approached this with collective resolve I need to make mention of the WAM staff group who worked and we were able to re-submit a refreshed Business Plan, bloody hard in 2014 to ensure WAM was in a viable position regain our triennial funding and ultimately deliver a modest at the end of the year. Their efforts are well appreciated by surplus for the year. We were able to achieve this without myself and the Board, and should be by everyone associated having to drop projects or activities, which was an with WAM. Resources are tight and often tired, but they important consideration. continue to deliver fantastic outcomes for music in WA – The end of year financial figures saw WAM deliver an Thank you! operating surplus of $38,140 compared to 2013’s $123,351 There are challenges ahead for the music industry in WA and loss. This has allowed us to retain $20,000 in reserves WAM will play a central role in addressing these challenges. regaining a positive position on the balance sheet. As dull as Obviously there is a lot of discussion about live music and live this sounds to be reporting so prominently, it is imperative music venues and it is imperative that there is a commitment to WAM’s on-going viability that we have a solid financial from both government and opposition to address the footing and a secure reserves safety net. barriers that are a threat to a vibrant live music scene in In April we had a change to the position of President with Perth. We must make it easier for venues to open and to stay Andrew Zell stepping down from the board and Al Taylor open. Other issues also loom: Is the funding framework for filling the role of president throughout the remainder of contemporary music delivering the best outcomes? What 2014. A massive thank-you to both WAM Presidents, and audience development programs need to be in place to the Board, for their efforts throughout the year. There were usher in the next generation of music lovers? And, the on- times when we really drew on their time and energies and I going potential for, and benefits of, an incubator hub space appreciate the on-going commitment. must stay on the agenda. There is an election in less than two years and it is contingent In 2014 WAM delivered numerous projects and events, on all of us to ensure music has a prominent place in any arts big and small, across Perth, Fremantle and the greater or cultural policy.