The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) has unveiled the inaugural participants for its RESONATE Country songwriting program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting Indigenous songwriters in the country music genre.
The first cohort of the program, set for 2025, includes emerging songwriters Bronwyn Stuart, Katie Aspel, Kieren Waters, and Quarralia Knox. This program is designed to give Indigenous APRA AMCOS members the opportunity to collaborate with some of the country’s top songwriting talent.
Funded by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS), and the NSW Government through Sound NSW, RESONATE offers participants a chance to refine their craft in collaboration with a lineup of industry veterans. Special guest Phil Barton, along with award-winning songwriters Matt Fell and Warren H Williams, will provide mentorship to the group. In addition, participants will work closely with seasoned mentors such as Gling Hunt, Joey Leigh Wagtail, Kutcha Edwards, Kyarna Rose, Luke Peacock, and Maddi Colville Walker.
Kyarna Rose, one of the program mentors, emphasized the program’s significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, calling it a rare and invaluable opportunity. “This opportunity will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters, like myself, the chance to share our stories, connect with our community, and contribute to the legacy of Indigenous voices in Australian country music,” she said.
The four-day songwriting program will take place from January 20 to 22, 2025, at Mad Proppa Deadly Studios in Armidale, NSW. Participants will collaborate in an environment designed to foster creativity and artistic growth, supported by established professionals from the country music industry.
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