'This Will Keep Me Going To Keep The Festival Going': What New Funding Will Do For Aus Industry

American Express' Nominate A Mate program - as part of its $1 million Music Backers Fund - has seen 100 participants receive $1,500 in funding.

The funds are so desperately needed for those in the local music industry who have had their work greatly impacted by the COVID pandemic. 

The Music sat down with three of the participants to discuss what the nomination means to and for them.

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Emily Ulman - Musician, venue booker, Isol-Aid Festival Managing Director

What does this nomination and grant mean to you?

It's such an incredible feeling to be nominated by a friend, peer, colleague for the work I'm doing or have done. It would be a special feeling at any time, but right now, when things are so tough here in Melbourne, this nomination and grant are like a giant $1,500 hug of appreciation and acknowledgement. What an awesome initiative by Amex to facilitate that sort of connection and act of kindness.

What do you intend to do with the grant?

I wish I had a more exciting answer for you, but bills. I'm no longer eligible for JobKeeper (contractor life... sigh) and I'm putting as much money into running Isol-Aid as I can, so yeah, this will keep me going to keep the festival going.

Allara Briggs Pattison - Musician

What does this nomination and grant mean to you?

To me this nomination shows so much love from the deadly First Nations woman who nominated me. Not only is it so fantastic that this fund exists, but the opportunity for us to be able to name the deadly artists and creatives who we see are doing incredible work even in this strange time of COVID, climate change and serve accelerated social change. It was such a surprise and amazing to receive the email that I thought it must be a scam, that's how out of the ordinary and deadly it is. The prize money means I can spend more time focusing on writing, I can continue to focus working on projects like the First Nations Women in Music Victoria program, the second iteration without financial stress. It means I can keep toing the things that are important without worrying about finances! Thank you!

What do you intend to do with the grant? 

I intend on using the funds to continue updating my home studio set up so that when the time comes we can mix with other humans I can support more First Nations artists, especially, the sisters and women to produce and record at high quality industry standards. It has been so difficult doing these things on my own during lockdown but with easing restrictions, it is likely it will take a long time for gigs to go back to 'normal' so this will create opportunities for our mob to record some great work.

Jane Slingo - Electronic Music Conference Director/Global Cities After Dark Co-founder

What does this nomination and grant mean to you?

It came as a real surprise to me! I enjoy working on projects that assist individuals and businesses in our industry and working with other organisations of the same mindset. I don't do this for recognition, it's just what I love to do. I think our industry is a better place if everyone feels supported and people have equal opportunities for success and sustainability. To have someone acknowledge me in this way is really touching.

What do you intend to do with the grant?

I've worked harder in 2020 than I have in any other year in my whole career. It's ironic that during a time when our industry has been shut down, many people - myself included - have had an even heavier workload. I won't lie - I'm in desperate need of a short break to disconnect from the world and recharge my batteries ahead of the huge journey of recovery and rebuild in 2021. I'm going to put this grant towards a short break at a secluded cabin in the NSW Southern Highlands I've had my eye on. It has no Wifi, no 4G, and is completely secluded. I'm planning to take my husband and daughter there for a few days of being totally present with them in nature, cosy nights by the fire, rest, reading and soaking in that beautiful highlands fresh air.

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Applications for the Music Backers Fund are open until 9 November, with grants between $2,000 to $50,000 to be awarded to select music businesses and artists to assist with new ideas, recovery and more.

Click here for more details.