Dave Dow

Tanks Arts Centre is helping develop the careers of Indigenous musicians from Cairns, Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands with an artist showcase and masterclass series.

With support from Backing Indigenous Arts, Tanks is presenting an artist showcase of some of the region’s hottest musicians and delivering two masterclasses focusing on key ingredients required for a successful career in the music industry.

Dave Dow (TI), Willi Kepa, Gudju Gudju, Moses Warusam and the Medics are performing at the showcase on 28 November.  As well as inviting local audiences to come along to the free event, Tanks has been promoting the showcase to agents, bookers, festival directors and event organisers.

Mickie Sellton, of Tanks, said the intention was to generate serious offers of work for the musicians.

“We’d love for these artists to be invited to play at festivals, local events and business opportunities,” Mickie said.

“We’ve been very excited by the response we’ve received so far and have worked hard to reach musicians in the region, many of whom live in isolated areas.  We see this as the beginning of further work of this kind.”

For the masterclasses, legendary Australian songwriter Don Walker (Cold Chisel) is presenting a workshop in songwriting and performance while the second workshop covers aspects of recording, publicity and promotion to help musicians to manage budgets and improve sales prospects.

Along with funding from Arts Queensland’s Backing Indigenous Arts, Tanks Art Centres presents these masterclasses in partnership with Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Independent Record Label Association (AIR).

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