As Ballarat musicians continue to grapple with the recent closure of live music venues, a free music industry workshop will help them better navigate technological changes.
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A music industry professional development workshop to be held in Ballarat in October will provide musicians with the knowledge to use data behind social media and online music streaming to their advantage.
The This Must Be the Place workshop, run by The Push and Music Victoria, will help artists use online data to identify where their fans are. The data could be used to help artists and managers to decide tour locations.
Ballarat musician Freya Josephine Hollick said it was challenging to keep up with changes in technology in the music world.
“Musicians and record labels are still figuring out how social media and online streaming works and how to capitalise it in the best way. It’s a work in progress,” she said.
“I have done a bit of work trying to figure it out by myself, but it will be great to hear it from the professionals at the workshop.”
Hollick will perform and be interviewed as part of the event.
There is a thriving creative scene here with plenty of musicians making great music, but the opportunities to play are slim.
- Freya Josephine Hollick
The presentation will also discuss how to market a unique brand that appeals to a musician’s specific audience.
Hollick said the majority of her fan base was in Melbourne and she only played in Ballarat once or twice a year.
“I can play weekly in Melbourne or three nights a week in Melbourne if I want to. There is much more opportunity to make money and gain a crowd there,” she said.
Hollick said the closure of Sutton’s House of Music, the Babushka Bar and other live music venues had reduced the variety and frequency of live music in Ballarat.
“The state of Ballarat’s music scene ebbs and flows depending on what venues are open,” she said.
“The Karova Lounge has been a great venue for many years, but my music doesn’t really fit the brief for that venue anymore. Since Sutton’s has closed in Ballarat I think we have definitely seen a dint in attendances and the variety of shows put on.
“There is a thriving creative scene here with plenty of musicians making great music, but the opportunities to play are slim. I only play once or twice a year here - I couldn’t play more because the attendance is so slim.”
Hollick said it also impacts Ballarat’s lovers of live music when a venue they are used to seeing shows at weekly, or perhaps more, shuts their doors.
“Karova is amazing for how long they have stayed alive in a regional place,” she said.
“But I would hope at some point some other venues reopen or new ones pop up that can sustain a crowd for a bit longer and landlords don’t get in the way of the music scene in Ballarat.”
The This Must Be The Place workshop will be held at The Eastern on Tuesday October 9 from 5.30pm.
For more info and to RSVP visit musicvictoria.com.au.
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