NT's Bush Bands Program Announces 2017 Desert Divas

Music NT's Bush Bands program — comprising the annual Bush Bands Business and Bush Bands Bash events — has revealed its line-up of Desert Divas participants for 2017.

Desert Divas (along with its sister initiative Saltwater Divas) puts the focus on developing aspiring female Indigenous musicians through guidance, workshops and performance opportunities, and this year's trio are an eminently deserving and talented bunch.

From Alice Springs, Jessie Grainer and Tash Clarke will follow up their recent outing at the Tennant Creek Desert Harmony Festival by attending Bush Bands, joined by Palmerston musician — and Saltwater Divas alum — Shana Ray, who was a featured artist on the Desert Divas Vol II album released back in March.

"It’s wonderful to have the Divas involved in Bush Bands again this year and have female Indigenous artists represented and supported by the industry and audience," Bush Bands program manager Laurie May said in a statement. "I’m sure the Divas will take a lot away from the experience and audiences get to be blown away by their immense talent."

The Divas and other Bush Bands participants will have access to an esteemed array of mentors to help them further their musical careers, including Brian Ritchie (MOFO, Violent Femmes), guitarist and singer-songwriter Jeremy Whiskey, Music NT executive director Mark Smith, Drew Goddard (Karnivool), APRA NT writers services rep Phillip Eaton, Michael Hutchings (APRA AMCOS), West Australian Music Assoication regional officer Nigel Bird, Dougie Pipe (NokTurNal, Coloured Stone), SugarRush Music director Deb Suckling, Buzz Bidstrup (Association of Artist Managers, Gangajang) and more.

The 2017 Bush Bands Bash event will be held at Alice Springs' Telegraph Station on Sunday 10 September from 4-9pm. Tickets will be available at the gate; under-16s will get in free.

For further details, see Music NT's website.