Aussies Exploit Thanksgiving To Break US Market

Australian musicians are throwing Thanksgiving parties around the country this week in an attempt to crack into the American music market.

Although the national holiday is not observed in Australia, indie bands in particular are hoping that by putting a lot of effort into a Thanksgiving party will garner them social network traction in key US demographics, such as the college scene.

Musician John, 27, told SPA Confidential that his whole share-house – whose seven residents count themselves as members of 57 different bands – was getting a “Thanksgiving make-over.”

“We really want to show our American friends that we can adapt to their culture,” said John. “We'll be taking a lot of photos tonight and posting them all to Twitter instantly. We know we're a day late but given the time zone differences we really want to capitalise on some sweet Thanksgiving hashtag action. We'll be 'slapping' them up as quick as possible, so we'll be using the #turkeyslap tag.”

Guests will be “dressing up as pioneers and all the hosts are cooking up some genuine food from Turkey – kebabs and baklava mainly.”

The marketing campaign won't end there though. John is hoping to take his band – The Jimmy Saville Row – to major American music showcase SXSW next year and will be printing band t-shirts with photos of band members at tonight's party. Their business cards will also feature similar photos.

“We just feel that the Halloween party market is so saturated at the moment,” he added.

A bloke we met on the street told us, “Personally, I care even less about Thanksgiving that I do about Halloween. I and couldn't give a fucking shit about Hallo-'uni-kids-excuse-to-dress-up-as-a-skeleton-and-make-out-with-a-vampire'-ween.”