'With Commercial Airplay, We Can Be Career Artists': Aus Acts Confront Canberra On Radio Quotas

The state of the Australian music industry was discussed in-depth between some high-profile local acts and politicians at a special event held in Canberra last night.

The Parliamentary Friends Of Australian Music's Rock The House event, presented by APRA AMCOS, ARIA, AHA and PPCA, featured performances and discussions from Kasey Chambers, Ian Moss, All Our Exes Live In Texas and John Paul Young.

All Our Exes Live In Texas' Hannah Crofts addressed the current conversation about commercial radio stations and streaming services needing to play more Australian content at the event. 

"With commercial airplay we can be career artists and be sustainable," Crofts said.

"Our careers can continue for our whole lives."

Meanwhile, Moss and Chambers discussed the importance of royalties and touring.

"[As a songwriter] royalties are your living," Moss said.

"You work hard to write a song. If we could all do that we’d all be writing hits everyday… people love their live music, but people have got to write that music in the first place and they need to make a living." 

Chambers added, "Touring for me, particularly here in Australia, is everything.

"It feeds my kids… I make my living from touring music, and it’s important for me to get out to all the regional places as well. I tour most of the year and visit some of the littlest towns throughout Australia, but we have to have these venues to play in."