Music
Bandcamp will help whip your music business into shape

A one-day music industry intensive is set to help Gold Coast musicians work on their business skills and take their careers to the next level.

The brainchild of industry stalwarts Brad Hinds (Oztix, Best Night Ever, East West Presents) and Samantha Morris (Blank, Gold Coast Music Awards, Wombat Creative), this interactive seminar slash workshop promises to be hands-on, interactive and fast-paced.

Samantha Morris says, "Brad and I decided to run this event because we speak to so many artists who are struggling with ‘making it’ in the music business. And we know that this has nothing to do with their ability to make great music.

When we compared notes we found that a lot of the things artists were struggling with were really consistent. They might have a great song but no traction or radio play, or they’ve got gigs but can’t get people to buy tickets. Sometimes artists give up because they simply cannot find a way to connect with fans. Or they struggle with managing their books and finances.

This workshop won’t have all the answers, but it will certainly help these musicians focus on their own goals and what steps they need to take to achieve them. We’ll have these incredible experts on hand to help guide and inform and we’ll be challenging everyone who comes to leave with a solid plan for what they’re going to do over the next 2 – 3 years."

While Sam and Brad have catalysed the event, the expert speakers they’ve brought on board add weight to the upskilling potential on offer.

Kristy Gostelow will be a special guest at the event. Kristy won the 2021 APRA Lighthouse Award and an Australia Day Award for Community Development and is an artist manager, business mentor, grant writer and Managing Director of Lovely Records and Director Kadence Group, She’s held senior management roles in corporate, government and non-profit sectors and currently boasts Tia Gostelow, Busby Marou and Aodhan on her roster.

Kristy is joined as a speaker by Kylie Cobb who has worked with more than 65 festivals, events and artists as a freelance PR specialist, has held the role of Director Marketing and Communications at QMusic and is now Marketing Manager at Brisbane Festival.

Brad Hosking is also confirmed as a speaker, bringing his decades of experience as a touring musician, producer and educator to the mix. Brad is a classically trained euphonium and piano player but tours with Amy Shark on synth, bass and guitar and performs locally with Electrik Lemonade (trumpet) and City Over Sand (guitar, keys, vocals). He co-wrote and produced Amy Shark’s ‘Golden Fleece’, which won 2016 Best Pop Song at the Queensland Music Awards and just this month took out Producer of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards.

Rounding out the guest speaker list is Dom Miller, fresh from co-programming Bigsound for 2022. Dom is the Programming Director of QMusic and one half of management and programming business Sunroom. Prior to taking on the QMusic gig, Dom started a management and venue booking agency and booked for festivals and events across the nation. Since 2010 Dom has been a formidable contributor to Brisbane’s music scene and was the first Brisbane-based agent working at a national level with a major agency. He’s also played in rock bands and has worked as an MC and host as well as working with some of the nation’s biggest acts.

The full-day event will give artists a chance to focus on their own career goals and identify the barriers to achieving them. Guest speaker and experts will deliver hands-on workshops and a panel discussion will answer any questions not addressed throughout the day. At the end of the event, participants will leave with a five-point plan for boosting their careers in ways they prioritise themselves.

Bandcamp takes place 9am - 5pm on Monday 7 November at Southern Cross University.

With tickets including the full day workshop and catering. You can even nab a sneaky discount on the ticket price by making sure you are signed up to the Gold Coast Music Network mailing list here

Don’t miss out! Book early as places are limited.

Bandcamp is presented by Gold Coast Music Network in partnership with QMusic and supported by Southern Cross University and City of Gold Coast.

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