It's totally inspirational to find so many people, particularly
those at the top of the music industry in Australia, share the same
love of music and to know thqt's what has driven them to achieve
their success. The JB Seed has been life changing for me. Thanks
so much. Dave Mann, the Dave Mann Collective, WA.
I was made to feel really comfortable with everything the speakers
delivered. Years and years of their knowledge was delivered so freely.
Jodie Regan, The Kill Devil Hills, Mink Mussel Creek, Felicity
Groom and the Black Black Smoke, WA.
You are all beautiful amazing inspiring individuals and a force
of nature as a team. I am beyond words how grateful I am of this
time. I only wish I could take everyone home with me to keep this
energy alive. You give so much back to the community and the music.
THANKYOU!!! Sarah-Jane Wentzski, Princess One Point Five, VIC.
I now feel so full of confidence and armed with the knowledge and
inspiration that I know I can achieve my goals and possibly even
more. Daniel Banks, The Dan Banks Band, ACT.
I think this is hands down the best workshop / conference I have
attended both here or overseas. Deb Suckling, Brindle, The Peachfish, Sugarrush Records,
QLD.
I would sincerely like to thank everyone involved in making the
JB Seed Program a reality. You are all amazing people who have inspired
and changed me in truly positive ways. I will be forever grateful
and thankful. Isaac Graham, Old Kent Road, NSW.
I feel equipped with the 'tools' to achieve my goals in the near
future. I believe this experience will shape the direction of my
career for years to come. Liam Griffin, Liam Griffin, QLD.
I have to give out a massive thanks for this forum, it proved the
music industry isn't just full of sharks, you guys are guiding a
great future for Australian Music. Marcus Ross, Direct Influence, VIC.
PROFESSIONAL
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 2007
GLEN DONNELLY - ADVANCED VIOLA STUDY IN SPAIN
Over the course of several Viola lessons, master classes and concerts,
Paul ignited a dramatic process within me which ash changed the
whole way I approach music.
Paul is one of the best Viola teachers in the world and a wonderful
"capacitator" for young musicians. He has recognised my
natural musical talent and is the perfect mentor to open me ot as
a musician and turn my potential into great artistry.
I was in the perfect relaxing environment to reflect on my life
and my music. This has not just affected my performing, but my entire
musicality and me as a person. This also extends to my composing,
which I am increasingly being involved in. I have a number of projects,
compositions and potential artistic partnerships in film, media
and contemporary music which have been stimulated by the mentoring
that I had with Paul Silverthorne in this project.
The content of this project was very intensive. Individual lessons
and mentor sessions, rehearsals and seminars filled the day and
nearly every night was a public concert as part of the Central Catalunya
Music Festival, in which I would play solo, chamber music and chamber
orchestra. I collaborated with musicians from all over the world
and networked with valuable future contacts in Europe.
The unique surroundings of regional Spain enabled me to grow musically
and personally, and the combination of this with the perfectly timed
mentoring from Paul SIlverthorne turned out to be the single greatest
opportunity of my career yet. I know that this project gas played
a crucial role in my music and development. I cannot thank you enough
THE FUNKY TURTLES
The “Funky Turtles Song Writing Work Shop with Rebecca Barnard”
was a huge success; its positive effects have reached beyond those
originally anticipated and stated in the Turtle’s funding
applications.In fact, it has so far proven to be a transformative
experience for the many people involved, not least of all, Rebecca.
Regarding the creative relationship that was forged, Geoff has said
that, “Rebecca knew and approached the Turtles as a bunch
of musicians. That set the tone for the whole weekend. That’s
why they responded so well to her.” Geoff said of the
song writing content of the weekend that, “Some members
who aren’t usually very up - front were really involved. Bianca
wrote a whole song. Sarah sang, and came in two days after the weekend
with a new song she had written at home! There was a meeting of
creative minds. The Turtles already see them selves as artists,
and this experience validated them, their professional identity.
The weekend was an affirmation of being a creative, performing artist.”
The fact of Rebecca’s warm, empathic and relaxed personality,
her attitude towards the Turtles, and her approach to music making,
heavily impacted on the success of the project.
BRITTLE
We were fortunate to receive the grant in late June 2007. We contacted
our mentors Leigh Carriage, vocal teacher, Dave Sanders, drum tutor
and tried to contact our guitar tutor Michael Porter in late June
to arrange lessons.
Leigh Carriage was able to teach Ben Whiting, Billy Donaldson and
Geoff Slingsby.We have gained in confidence and have much better
control of our voices. We have improved our tone and breathing and
Geoff our drummer, is also able to do some vocals to reinforce our
hook lines as he never used to do any before. She has been a most
supportive and patient teacher and a wonderful mentor for us.
We are now moving to Melbourne as we have been negotiating for the
last year with a manager who is interested in our band.
We now have a fourth member in our band, Ben O’Dwyer who is
a guitarist and backing vocalist and studied at the North Queensland
Conservatorium of Music in Mackay. He has given our band a denser
sound and we are able to do more harmonies and guitar-work. We have
also developed an unplugged show that allows us to play at more
intimate venues which has helped us to support ourselves.
We feel that we have the necessary persistence and dedication to
make it work and thank you for this excellent support to further
our skills.
Geoff Slingsby, Ben Whiting, Billy Donaldson and Ben O’Dwyer
Members of BRITTLE
SOCIAL
ACTIVISM THROUGH THE ARTS
CULTURAL ARTS TOUR
To see students watching our performances and trying some dancing
or Didge and then kids just yarning with each other, would have
to be on of the highlights of my year. To see the look in the eyes
of my students as they groove along (they do groove) Swanston Street
Mall was so much fun.
Places we performed:
Royal Melbourne Zoo
Australian Centre for Moving Image ACMI
Thornbury Senior High School for class TV channel 31
Geelong Primary School
Church Youth Centre in Geelong
Thanks again for contributing to this community and helping form
more positive opinions of Indigenous Australians at a time when
media images were very one sided.
THE NUCLEAR POSTERS
PART 1: THE NUCLEAR POSTERS
We are extremely happy with the quality of the publication. The
posters themselves are beautifully printed on 100% recycled paper
and are shrink-wrapped together to form one publication. We feel
this poster series is a real leap in production value from our last
poster series and is also a lot easier to distribute and sell in
bookshops etc. This correlates with the general feedback we are
getting from a range of people.
PART 2: THE EXHIBITION
The Nuclear Posters launch at The Artery on November 13th was a
great night and really well attended. The Artery gallery was also
a great connection for us to make as political poster makers as
they have a history of exhibiting political posters and work with
poster collectors and collectives.
Being a comercial gallery and bar meant that the exhibition was
accessible and the artists involved were give the oportunity to
exhibit in a recognised gallery.
PART 3: THE NUCLEAR ROCK POSTERS HITS THE
STREETS!
We felt this was an extremely successful aspect of the entire project.
The designs chosen were very striking, were easy to spot at a distance,
and seemed to communicate the message very effectively particularly
as the designs were pasted side by side. It has been difficult to
gauge the actual impact of the posters on the general public, but
we received numerous excited text messages from people having spotted
them in different locations in Melbourne and we have received emails
from individuals and organisations who want to get copies of the
actual rock posters themselves.
The rock posters were also an amazing project for the two artists
whose work was chosen. Both these artists were extremely happy to
have their work so publically displayed. The posters were not only
politically effective but artistically as well.
ARTIST STATEMENTS
Van Thanh Rudd-
Being part of the Nuclear Poster Series was really worth the effort.
The visual arts absolutely needs avenues like this to allow artists
the chance to help change the world. Go Breakdown Press!!
Peter Kneebone -The competition and exhibition
was well organised and run; I was very happy to be a part of it.
It was very exciting to see the final Nuclear Posters, even slicker
and shinier than the previous Breakdown press posters issues.
In future it could be good to have some volunteers to help with
publicity and organise interviews and longer articles in the media.
We received strong grassroots support and publicity in the anti-nuclear
movement and on community media.
Possibly on reflection, future poster series for Breakdown Press
could have a selected committee of relevant people who could help
in the selection process and the technical and printing details.
However, lifting the production value of the posters has been a
big achievement for us and has helped to establish Breakdown Press
as a more serious and established independent publisher. The response
we have received from bookshops, community organisations, polical
poster collectors and historians has been really positive.
STEPUP
In October 2008
five young artist’s presented new work over two nights
to full houses at PACT
Theatre.
The positive feedback and outcomes of this initiative
wasoverwhelming and PACT is extremely proud
of the achievements of the StepUP artists in 2007.
PACT felt that the overall event was a huge success. The two
night showings were programmed into
PACT’s Erskineville Performance Arts Festival and were
well supported by both the local indigenous
community and PACT’s artistic community.
-Lily Shearer from The Performance Space who has commissioned
Bjorn Stewart to present
his work. The King of Sheep as part of the Aboriginal comedy
night at The Performance Space.
-The Artistic Director of Melbourne’s
Nextwave Festival attended with the General Manager of Melbourne’s
Malthouse Theatre. Allan Clarks work Wrong Skin has been selected
for a full production for the Nextwave Festival 2008, presented
at the Malthouse Theatre
-NextWave have expressed interest in presenting
Katherine Beckett’s, Boxed and Categorized,
and Perun Bonsor’s How to be a better black fella, for
the Culturally disadvantaged as part of
the Nextwave Festival 2008.
Katherine Beckett has been offered to perform
in a short film pilot program.
Participants Statement’s
The artist’s who participated for
two weeks struggled with the pressure of adjusting to the
intensive environment
Having to make quick decisions in regards
to their work was difficult
Artists expressed difficulty in managing
themselves their cast, mentors and timetables
Strengths
The program was not too structured which
allowed for individual needs, creating an
independent environment to work in, which most found confronting
but challenging and
developed their self belief and learning
The diversity of the mentors skills was good
and offered a variety of ideas, questions, knowledge and
quality guidance
The weekend intensive with all artists and
mentors was extremely valuable
Creating a work in progress outcome (developing
product) enables the artists to create ongoing
development opportunities
All artists gained new skills and confidence
PACT
would like to thank The JB SEED Fund for supporting StepUP
2007 and contributing to the
development of contemporary aboriginal art in New South Wales
and across Australia.
SPEAK:
INDIGENOUS HIP HOP 2007
Impossible Odds
to record 5 track EP
Impossible Odds are an Indigenous Hip Hop act from Brisbane, they
traveled to Sydney to record a 5 track EP with Tony Buchen in his
studio. The grant covered all costs, including Tony's fee, studio
hire, mixing and mastering, travel, accommodation, per diems, artwork
and the production of 1000 copies once the EP is completed.
"My
name is Fred Leone and I am the recipient of the 2007 JB SEED :
Speak Indigenous Hip Hop grant. For me the journey has been almost
like a dream, not only have I had the oppurtunity to professionally
record my own music but I was given the tools, advice, support and
guidance along the way by the JB SEED Crew to help me become self
sustained and confident in the fact that as an Indigenous artist
within Australia that I can now enter the industry/market as, and
with a tangible product.
The process was great and the whole time I have felt a definite
sense of community and genuine care and concern from the staff of
the JB SEED.
The JB SEED is in my opinion leading the way in their innovative
approach to philanthropy which is geared around the greater good
for humanity, social justice and the environment and we need more
people like this talented group.
Thanks for everything, you fullas are off
the hook!!!"
Check out the JB Seed on MySpace, add them to your friends! 
"My
name is Fred Leone and I am the recipient of the 2007 JB SEED :
Speak Indigenous Hip Hop grant. For me the journey has been almost
like a dream, not only have I had the oppurtunity to professionally
record my own music but I was given the tools, advice, support and
guidance along the way by the JB SEED Crew to help me become self
sustained and confident in the fact that as an Indigenous artist
within Australia that I can now enter the industry/market as, and
with a tangible product.