Alison Vincent, second from right: "Music is so easy these days, at least for the fans ..." By Alison Vincent
THE Davidson Brothers played at the Wonthaggi Acoustic Music Festival in July. In one song was: "All you need is music ... and a little red wine ... to have a good time. Nothing else matters in the long run”.
Great song. If you haven't heard it, look for it on the "socials" or streaming services.
So easy, isn't it, these days? No hours of listening to the radio, hoping your favourite song will be played. No forking out for CDs or tapes or records (depending on your age) and for devices on which to play them. Music, for the listener, has become so easy, so available.
However, spare a thought for the makers of music, the players, venues and retail outlets ... and especially for those getting started on their music careers.
I'm reminded of our little local dances when I was a child, some 60 or more years ago. The musicians were paid out of a hat that was passed round among the revellers. If not enough was collected the first time, it went round again. And there was a raffle that padded out the remuneration.
Concerts, events, festivals, recorded music, "merch", giving lessons, workshops and media appearances are some of the ways musicians contribute to music culture and industry and gain payment. Record companies, distributors, music shops, instrument makers ... so many are making (or have made) a living and adding to the richness and variety of community and society.
Recent research by Creative Australia shows the music industry in Australia is responsible for somewhere near $9 billion in economic activity every year. Nine billion! A third or so of that is directly adding to the economy. Surely musicians must be doing well?
Well, some well known, well supported and hard working musicians are possibly doing quite well. But what of the unknowns? What of the talented, hard working local musicians, devoted to their song writing and performance? How are they doing? Are they making a "living wage"?
In short, it’s difficult. There are some supports (grants, events, organisations) but overall, the newcomer has to find their own way, often on income support or in between other paid work undertaken to keep body and soul together.
The Creative Australia research is interesting, perhaps even encouraging. What remains, however, is how to translate this information into creating conditions to foster emerging musicians.
Alison Vincent is a local musician playing with bands including the Bass Coast Pickers.
Concerts, events, festivals, recorded music, "merch", giving lessons, workshops and media appearances are some of the ways musicians contribute to music culture and industry and gain payment. Record companies, distributors, music shops, instrument makers ... so many are making (or have made) a living and adding to the richness and variety of community and society.
Recent research by Creative Australia shows the music industry in Australia is responsible for somewhere near $9 billion in economic activity every year. Nine billion! A third or so of that is directly adding to the economy. Surely musicians must be doing well?
Well, some well known, well supported and hard working musicians are possibly doing quite well. But what of the unknowns? What of the talented, hard working local musicians, devoted to their song writing and performance? How are they doing? Are they making a "living wage"?
In short, it’s difficult. There are some supports (grants, events, organisations) but overall, the newcomer has to find their own way, often on income support or in between other paid work undertaken to keep body and soul together.
The Creative Australia research is interesting, perhaps even encouraging. What remains, however, is how to translate this information into creating conditions to foster emerging musicians.
Alison Vincent is a local musician playing with bands including the Bass Coast Pickers.