APRA AMCOS Announces Recipients Of 23% Mentorship

APRA AMCOS have announced the 16 artists selected for this year’s edition of its 23% mentorship initiative, pairing female, non-binary and gender-diverse musicians with industry professionals to help guide and boost their careers.

2024 marks the sixth year of 23% – formerly known as the Women in Music Mentorship – with 84 artists being supported through the program since its launch in 2018. The name change came into effect with this year’s edition, reflecting the inclusion of other non-male genders; according to a press release, it’s based on the percentage of APRA AMCOS members who identify as something other than male, “address[ing] the disparity by assisting music creators at a crucial career point.”

This year’s mentees, and their respective mentors, are as follows:

• Allegra Neve with Rachel Kelly

• Aurora Liddle-Christie (SOLCHLD) with Jannah Beth

• Issy Grist (GRID) with KLP

• Kelly Breuer (KELLY BROUHAHA) with Kristy Gostelow

• Lily Richardson (Clews) with Claire Collins

• Lauren Jemma Valatiadis (Lauren Vale) with Danielle Blakey

• Maia Toakley with Jade Nazareth

• Natalie Luong (Nat Vazer) with Harry White

• Natasha Newling (RAYHAB) with Milly Petriella

• Ruby Archer with Mark Lizotte

• Sofia Dimakakou (SOPHIYA) with Alex Hosking

• Sheanna Parker Russon with Yve Blake

• Sophie McComish (Body Type) with Nat Dunn

• Tim Blunt (FVNERAL) with Julian McGruther

• Victoria Pham with Rich Pike

• Yoshi with Austin Benjamin

In a formal statement, APRA AMCOS’ Head of Membership, Karen Don, explained of the ethos that drives the initiative: “Embarking on a music career is brave – but it comes with a unique set of challenges and can at times feel isolating. The 23% Mentorship aims to give women, non-binary and gender-diverse music creators individualised support to help them reach their goals.”

Several artists also shared their enthusiasm for the mentorship; Aurora Liddle-Christie (aka SOLCHLD), for example, said it’s important to her “because it brings support, confidence and strategy to my upcoming projects and releases that I otherwise wouldn't have”. She’ll be mentored by Jannah Beth of the Offbeat Collective.

Sydney (Eora) singer-songwriter Maia Toakley – who is currently working on her second EP, and will be mentored by artist manager Jade Nazareth (of OneLouder) – added to the sentiment, explaining why mentoring is important to her: “I mean we saw the completely male-dominated lineup of winners at the 2024 APRA Music Awards, which confirmed that clearly females and non-binary folks are not receiving the same opportunities as men in this industry!

“It’s also super powerful for women to be working together, which is something particularly unique about this mentorship.”