Australian music industry gets behind Support Act for …

… THE LAUNCH OF BANDWAGON FUNDRAISING DRIVE

Set to be the largest ever crowd funding campaign for an Australian charity!

#gethelp #getonthebandwagon #givehelp

Jump on the Bandwagon at http://pozi.be/bandwagon

For release at 9.00am AEST, Wednesday, 3 September, 2014: At a star-studded launch held today at Allans Billy Hyde’s flagship Melbourne store, Support Act proudly launched Bandwagon, their most elaborate and ambitious fundraising appeal to date!

Bandwagon is a crowd funding appeal via the platform Pozible, with the aim of raising $100,000 for Australia’s music industry charity. If we successfully reach our target, the crowd-funded campaign will be the biggest of its kind for an Australian charity.

On hand to assist with proceedings were friends of Support Act – Ian “Molly” Meldrum, Hannah Findlay (Stonefield), Ian Haug (The Church, Powderfinger), Steve Kilbey (The Church), Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley (The Seekers), together with one of Support Act’s service users, Lilli Lovegrove, who was helped by the charity when her father, Vince Lovegrove, died suddenly in 2012.

Also at today’s launch event was CEO of Allans Billy Hyde, Con Gallin who generously donated the ultimate pledge package for the campaign, the granddaddy of them all, The Golden Nugget, consisting of a brand new Hyundai i20 Active, automatic 5 door Phantom Black hatchback (supported by Melbourne City Hyundai), together with a $10,000 voucher redeemable for instruments from Allans Billy Hyde (terms and conditions apply).

In an exciting and surprising “Stop Press” moment during a live cross with the Sunrise program on the Seven Network this morning, organisers received a telephone call from new Sydney broadcast and creative facility for the entertainment industry, The X Studio, who kicked off the campaign in a spectacular way by purchasing The Golden Nugget package within minutes of the campaign going live!

Not prepared to stop there, The X Studio have advised they will be donating the $10,000 music instrument package to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.

Creator of The X Studio, Ron Creevey, said “We absolutely love music and are excited to be a part of its development here in Australia, so when the opportunity came up to donate to help the incredible work of Support Act who directly look after our local music community, we were all in. In the spirit of support for the music industry that we’re so proud to be a part of, rather than keep the musical instruments for in-house at The X Studio, we’re donating these to Nordoff-Robbins for their children’s music therapy program. If it all helps to building a more vibrant, creative, and supportive music industry in Australia, it’s the obvious thing to do.”

Support Act is a charity, unique in Australia, providing financial relief to music professionals facing illness, injury or some other life crisis. Support Act helps music professionals in all fields of the industry including singers, songwriters, composers, musicians, roadies, techies, managers, lighting techs and everyone in between.

Sadly, with so few safety nets available to people working in the music industry, demand for Support Act’s services is rising dramatically and has increased by 500% in the last year alone. Support Act receives no money from the government and must raise every dollar it needs to run its vital services.

Support Act have collaborated with a broad range of music stars, music industry personalities and venues on Bandwagon to offer one-off ‘money can’t buy’ experiences, and ‘limited edition’ product as rewards for pledges.

The unique packages on offer have been designed to provide extraordinary experiences for music fans and career development opportunities for those seeking a career in music. Money simply cannot buy a phone call on your birthday from your favourite artist, or an opportunity to have your song professionally produced and reviewed by the hottest names in the industry.

These once in a lifetime opportunities including mentoring sessions with some of the music industry’s most acclaimed journalists such as Rolling Stone Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Matt Coyte and renowned music writers from around the country as well as concert and sporting ticket packages from Australia’s biggest and best venues and promoters for some of the most sought after events on the calendar; personalised birthday messages from a wide array of Aussie musicians including world renowned songstress Tina Arena, John Butler, Reece Mastin and Potbelleez and private performances, set in some of the country’s most exclusive restaurants such as Rockpool and Longrain, from some of the country’s most revered artists such as Kasey Chambers and The Church.

One of Support Act’s most well-known clients is professional saxophonist, Neill Duncan.

In late 2012, Neill lost his left arm to sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, leaving him unable to continue as a professional saxophone player. A close friend of Neill’s, refusing to give up on his friend and colleague, found a specialist overseas who builds instruments from scratch, in this case a one handed sax. Support Act contacted Neill to see how we could help and have covered the cost of the saxophone.

Neill said, “It was amazing to get the call, to have Support Act say look, we are here to support musicians who have come into bad times. It was amazing to get the call … Support Act said how can we help? Can we help you buy a one handed sax? And that’s amazing. Finding out what life is really about, what I’ve had, what I’ve got, and the amazing support I’ve had from Support Act.

“The cost of a one handed instrument was way out of reach for us. When Support Act offered to help, not only did this put me back in the workforce but it has given me my passion back and offered me a future”

Support Act also helps the families of music professionals. One of these is Lilli Lovegrove, daughter of the late Vince Lovegrove. Lilli has kindly given us permission to share her story to illustrate how your generosity can make such a difference to someone facing sudden and unexpected hardship:

Following an early career as a singer with The Valentines, Vince Lovegrove became one of Australia’s best-known band managers, music journalists and career-makers. He was a single parent to Lilli when he died suddenly in a car accident in 2012. Lilli was just 16 at the time and whilst she had her sister Holly, she was still at school and unable to support herself financially and Support Act stepped in to help pay Lilli’s living expenses and make it possible for her to complete her schooling.

Two years later, and earlier this year, Lilli wrote to Support Act to say “Thank you for providing me with all your help since dad passed. I’m truly grateful towards Support Act as it has helped make this stage in my life a lot easier. I have recently been informed of my acceptance into VCA University which I will be starting in March after moving to Melbourne. This feels like a huge move and an exciting new chapter which has been made easier by Support Act. Thank you!”

With packages starting as low as $5.00 (Because You Care package) comprising a download of Cut Copy’s Where I’m Going and a shout out to each pledger in a specially produced lyrical video, everyone and anyone, from music lovers to musicians to millionaires can get behind this very worthy cause.

In the $25 (Get on Board package) and $100 (Heart of the Wagon package) categories, Steve Kilbey from The Church has donated two original artworks. The Get on Board package includes his painting “The Snake and the Swan” printed on a premium quality tea towel as well as a download of Cut Copy’s Where I’m Going and a Support Act bumper sticker.

The $100 Heart of the Wagon package contains an original painting of Steve’s friend and singer Margot Smith who passed away in 2011. Steve Kilbey, who is now as well-known for his art as he is for his music, created this beautiful and poignant portrait of Margot and is offered here as a signed and numbered high quality print. It represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of Kilbey’s work and share part of this moving and powerful Australian music story, which illustrates perfectly the importance of Support Act’s work. Included in the package is a digital copy of Margot’s 1993 song, Dream, which was produced by Steve, Cut Copy’s Where I’m Going, a Support Act Keep Cup and Support Act bumper sticker.

Margot Smith was a singer-songwriter who, whilst not widely known amongst the general public, was greatly admired by many leading Australian artists and was regarded by the iconic band The Church as their “little sister”. Steve Kilbey described Margot as “a major talent and one of those rare individuals who could not sing a wrong note” whilst Tim Powles said she was “arguably the most poetically and melodically arousing woman and voice that Australia has mothered”. Signed to EMI, Margot’s career was cut short by a number of health problems and without an income from music, she turned to Support Act for help. We were able to assist with her housing and continued to visit Margot and support her until her death in 2011 at the age of 44 (www.margotsmith.com/adored/)

The $50 Bandwagon Showbag packages also contains “The Snake and the Swan” together with a Support Act Keep Cup, a Support Act Bumper Sticker, Cut Copy’s track Where I’m Going and, unique to this reward only – bonus digital copy of Sheppard’s cover of Billy Thorpe’s Most People I Know (HQ WAV) recorded live at the 2014 APRA Awards.

Sure to have music fans jumping on the Bandwagon fast is the $250 Birthday Wagon package comprising of especially recorded, happy birthday video messages from some of Australia’s most well-known and respected musicians including Tina Arena, Reece Mastin, Richard Clapton, Ian Moss, John Williamson, Potbelleez, Guy Sebastian, John Butler, Seth Sentry and many, many more (see full list attached).

The $500 Fireside Chat package is a once in a lifetime chance for musicians and budding music professionals to have a one on one, one hour, face to face or Skype chat with a huge selection of Australia’s most respected musicians, music industry and media experts. From the media side, News Corp’s Cameron Adams and Noel Mengel, Fairfax Media’s Bernard Zuel, Matt Coyte from Rolling Stone and Simon Collins, music editor of The West Australian have all donated their time and expertise to the cause. Music industry professionals Brett Cottle (APRA), Michael Chugg (Chugg Entertainment), Dan Rosen (ARIA), John Watson (Eleven: A Music Company), Bill Cullen (One Louder Management) together with Kirk Pengilly (INXS), Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate) and Hilltop Hoods have also generously jumped on the Bandwagon for Support Act.

The $1,000 Bumper Entertainment Wagon package is a live music extravaganza comprising double passes to some of the biggest and best thanks to A Day on the Green, Frontier Touring, Nine Live, Oztix, The Dainty Group and Allianz Stadium (The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust).

Thanks to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne sports fans will have the opportunity of purchasing the Season Seats package comprising two, VIP season passes for the 2015 AFL seasons.

The $3,500 Songs for the Road package is one that musicians across the country will be clambering for. Each package contains the opportunity to work with one of our top Australian Producers on a song and have that track submitted for A&R feedback with an industry expert. The producers who have so generously donated their time and expertise include Scott Horscroft (NSW), Mitch Kenny (NSW), Robert Conley (NSW), Eric J (NSW), Tony Buchen (NSW), Louis Schoorl (NSW), Michael Szumowski (NSW), Magoo (QLD), Joel Quartermain (WA) and Dennis Dowlut (SA).

Businesses and fans will be delighted with the $10,000 A Feast with Friends package comprising a two course meal in a private restaurant dining room with a private acoustic concert for 12 with a some of Australia most legendary artists including Eskimo Joe, Kasey Chambers, Marcia Hines, Hoodoo Gurus, The Church, Tim Finn, The Preatures and Sheppard.

Terms and conditions apply to each package and can be found at www.supportact.org.au/bandwagon/.

Also attending this morning’s launch was Alan Crabbe, Co-Founder and Director of Pozible, who said that “it’s an absolute pleasure to see the crowd funding model being used to make a genuine difference to the lives of others. This campaign also features an amazing selection of rewards, so we really hope that Australian music lovers to band together and get behind Support Act’s Bandwagon campaign.”

Chief Executive of Support Act, Joanna Cave, added “We’re a small charity doing a big job and so we’re thrilled that so many leading artists and industry figureheads have got behind this ambitious campaign to help music pros when times are tough”.

All the money raised from the campaign will be used by Support Act to help people in crisis.

See attached for a full list of campaign packages and terms and conditions.

Artists featured in the full campaign video (see http://pozi.be/bandwagon) include Support Act clients Neill Duncan and Peter Black, alongside Sheppard, Urthboy, The Potbelleez, Marcia Hines, Jimmy Barnes, Kav Temperley and Support Act’s Lindy Morrison.

www.supportact.org.au/bandwagon/

Jump on the Bandwagon at
http://pozi.be/bandwagon

Background:

Support Act:
Support Act is a charity, unique in Australia, helping music professionals who are facing hardship due to illness, injury or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music.
Support Act. The heart and hand of Australian music.
www.supportact.org.au

Pozible:
Pozible is a crowdfunding platform and community-building tool for creative projects and ideas. The company provides an online platform for musicians, artists and other creatives and makers to connect to a worldwide audience and receive financial pledges towards a preset funding target in return for various rewards. Pozible has gone on to become the largest crowdfunding platform in the Asia-Pacific Region and has received more than AUD $25.5 million dollars in pledges towards more than 7,000 campaigns. Pozible recently opened up for business in China where it has already broken records for the fastest-ever fully funded campaign, the Gyenno One, which reached its target within a minute of launching and the Star.21 fitness band, which is the second largest project to ever run on Pozible. In 2013, Rick Chen was selected by The Australian newspaper as one of the top 20 Australians to watch of the year.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR AMAZING SUPPORTERS!

Because You Care
($5.00 package)
Cut Copy

Get On Board
($25.00 package)
Cut Copy
Steve Kilbey

Bandwagon Showbag
($50.00 package)
Cut Copy
Sheppard
Steve Kilbey

Heart of the Wagon
($100.00 package)
Cut Copy
Steve Kilbey

The Birthday Wagon
($250.00 package)
Clare Bowditch
Eddie Perfect
Felix Riebl (Cat Empire)
Guy Sebastian
Ian Moss
John Butler
John Williamson
Josh Pyke
Katie Noonan
Mahalia Barnes
Paul Dempsey
Potbelleez
Prinnie Stevens
Reece Mastin
Richard Clapton
San Cisco
Seth Sentry
Tina Arena
Violent Soho

Fireside Chat
($500.00 package)
Bernard Zuel (Sydney Morning Herald)
Bill Cullen (One Louder management)
Brett Cottle (APRA | AMCOS)
Cameron Adams (Herald Sun)
Harry James Angus (Cat Empire)
Ian Kenny (Birds of Tokyo)
Michael Chugg (Chugg Entertainment)
Dan Rosen (ARIA)
Hilltop Hoods
John Watson (Eleven: A Music Company)
Kirk Pengilly (INXS)
Matt Coyte (Rolling Stone)
Noel Mengel (Courier Mail)
Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate)
Simon Collins (The West Australian)

Bumper Entertainment Wagon
($1,000.00 package)
A Day On The Green
Allianz Stadium (SCG Trust)
Frontier Touring
Nine Live
Oztix
The Dainty Group

Season Seats
($2,500.00 package)
Etihad Stadium

Songs for the Road
($3,500.00 package)
Dennis Dowlut (SA)
Eric J (NSW)
Joel Quartermain (WA)
Louis Schoorl (NSW)
Magoo (QLD)
Michael Szumowski (NSW)
Mitch Kenny (NSW)
Robert Conley (NSW)
Scott Horscroft (NSW)
Tony Buchen (NSW)

A Feast with Friends
($10,000.00 package)
Eskimo Joe
Hoodoo Gurus
Kasey Chambers
Marcia Hines
Sheppard
The Church
Tim Finn
The Preatures

The Golden Nugget
($25,000.00 package)
Allans Billy Hyde
Rina Ferris + Kristyn Brennan