Written by Nana Mex
|
16 July 2009
Posted in
Picks n Pokes
At the risk of repeating myself, which I often do, Australia has the most awesome Indie Music in the WORLD. It has been my passion for many years. As a late comer to this Island, I did not have the pleasure of having hear the talent from Downunda except for those Aussies who had given up the land of their birth to make their musical success in the States. Even then I was, as most Americans are, unaware that many of the artists that I saw and heard regularly on TV and radio were in fact Australian.
It seems that the first prize in most music competitions and such was to be shipped off to entertain Yanks! I assume they were meant to be on loan, but unfortunately for Australia many of them never returned, other than for photo ops. As a Yank I thank you for your gifts, but as an Australian I am shocked that Australians so easily gave away some of their most precious assets.
Granted, the industry was much more advanced and able, therefore, to do more for these artists than was available at home. But at least Australians knew who they were. A band or artist had to make it at home before they could make it "over there". Baby Boomers know their Aussie Legends, they knew them as contemporaries. Gen Y and X, other than Metal fans, have no idea who their contemporary "Legends" are. The rule now is, A band or Artist must make it big "over there" before they are recognised in their own country. That, my friends, to put it very bluntly, sucks. It's about time Australians realised that our Music Industry is second to none, and learn to know and appreciate their contemporaries.
Global Thunda Network was created by Nana Mex and the All Volunteer Thunda Team in Partnership with Greenehouse Productions to showcase and promote Australian, and New Zealand, Bands and Artists to the world.
We have created a Networking Service where Artists can connect with each other and where Radio Stations can shop for new and exciting additions to their play lists. GTN is working with some of the finest resources for Musos that this country has to offer, as well as other exciting places such as MyStageMusic to Showcase the Music of Australian and New Zealand Independent Artists. GTN has affiliated with other Radio Stations to get your music heard, and works closely with GTN sponsors such as Indie Record Labels such as Hardrush Music and Website/Graphics people who specialise in Music Industry needs, as well as Suppliers of Musical Needs such as Ormsby Guitars and Crossroad Guitar.
GTN Regional Networks also work closely with Venues and Promoters to help Bands and Artists who are on tour looking for venues. One thing we do here is a sort of dating service for artists. We re-post their drummer wanted bits, steer them to each other for track work and match them up on stage. Some of these "dates" become long term commitments, producing wonderful "children". The collaboration between Jac Dalton and Graham Greene is one such successful pairing.
It's a good thing that we do, and it has the most awesome of rewards, the potential of being a part of making Music History. One day music history entries in Wikipedia and Music Nostalgia/Collectors Mags will talk about how Graham Greene & Jac Dalton met, and there will be the words "Global Thunda Network" and "Greene House Productions" right along side "Ormsby Guitars" .... there for a future generation of "Classic Rock" lovers to read. Who knows, it might even end up a trivia question on a future Rock Wiz or Jeopardy!
Global Thunda Network will continue to grow and to provide the services so needed in the "Downunda" Music Community.GTN will always be following the path of Showcasing Globally.
For myself, I am changing my own personal focus to Showcasing Australian, and New Zealand, Bands and Artists to Australia. I will be taking on as much promoting of Festivals and Gigs as I possibly can, and urging Australians to get out there and get to know who is on offer. 'ave a listen, then Buy Australian! (oi, and Kiwi, too!) Let's quit shipping the best to those other guys. One really great way to know your country, plan your holidays around the festival circuit. Go hear people who you have not heard before while supporting your favourite Downunda Musos.
Remember, Australia is a land of many cultures, and therefore many varied music styles. Expand your horizons, try something new and different.
Let's make Downunda Music a Winner Downunda!
