AYMC is committed to helping young musicians and providing information. One way of doing this is to direct you to some of the useful resources already available. There are now over 50 pages and fact sheets linked from this page and it is being constantly updated. Contact us if you know about more online resources that young musicians would find useful.
Unearthed
Triple J have put some useful resources on their website for young musicians and bands who are just starting out. You can find them on the Unearthed website.
They have guides on making a DIY recording, making a studio recording, making an mp3, promoting yourself, and photos
Music Tank
This is a UK-based website with some interesting content.
- Avoid these mistakes! 15 Critical Marketing Mistakes That All Musicians Need To Avoid
- Why Music Should Never Be Given Away For Free
- Eight Recent Social and Technical Phenomena That Are Making Your Music The Only Thing That Matters To Your Success.
Musicadium
Musicadium is a digital distribution company, and their useful resources blog has some interesting stuff.
These articles in particular are worth checking out:
The question of professionalism in the music industry: what does it mean?
How to rock the crowd and expand your fans: a simple guide
To Pirate or Purchase: Making Legal Music Appealing
Music NSW
Yes, it’s in NSW and they are a support organisation for contemporary music based in Sydney, but they also have some great resources that anyone can use:
See the Music NSW website ‘Resources’ section
They include some simple and useful templates for a budget and performance agreement (print them and use them), and samples of a running sheet and stage plan (to show you how it’s done).
WAM
This is the West Australian Music Industry Association and they have a useful website, particularly but not exclusively useful for WA musicians.
Check out their Industry Database if you’re in WA and want some contacts.
They also have some amazing plain-english guides to the music industry:
1. Band Names
2. Band Structures
3. Band Management
4. Performing and Promoters
5. Copyright – Your Property!
6. Song Writing and Song Rights
7. Publishing and Song Licensing
8. Recording and Rights in Records
9. Record Labels and Record Licensing
10. Useful Contacts
WAM GUFF – Notes on the Music Industry
1. Playing Live
2. Managing
3. Selling
4. Recording & Publishing
5. Help
6. Production
7. Health
VROOM
The VROOM is a practical and accessible tool designed to help musicians, promoters, agents, artist managers and venues present live and original contemporary music.
They have a huge touring database – check out www.vroom.net.au to find venues and other information. They also have some factsheets related to touring:
APRA / AMCOS
Songwriters: how much do you understand about royalties?
APRA has the answers, so read up on royalties on its website
Check out the pages on APRA Royalties, AMCOS Royalties as well as information on the Tax & GST implications
The Music
The ‘how to do the music business‘ section of their website has a huge amount of links to articles about the music industry. They come under the following topics:
- The Future of Music
- Artists and Managers
- Branding and Sponsorship
- Media
- Chasing Mobile Music
- Music Recommendation Agents
- Got Live If You Want it
- Music Narrowcasting
- Music Discovery
- 100 Music Sites
The Push
The Push is a well-established organisation “providing opportunities for young people to access affordable drug and alcohol free events”. They also have some great, simple resources on their website for young bands.
Check out the Resources for Bands section, with info on:
- Getting started
- Demos and Rehearsals
- Playing Live
- Promotion / Publicity
- Managers / Agents
- Accounts / Legal
- Record Companies
- CD Manufacturing
- Merchandise
- Help organisations
The Music Network’s Black Book
This resource is “free to post, free to browse” and made available by the Music Network Magazine through their website.
Check out the directory which can direct you the following sections:
- ARTIST MANAGEMENT
- ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUSTRY BODIES
- BOOKING AGENTS
- BUSINESS SERVICES
- CONCERT, FESTIVAL AND EVENT PROMOTERS
- CREATIVE DEPARTMENT
- DIGITAL & MOBILE
- FESTIVALS
- FILM AND TV LICENSING
- INSURANCE
- INTERNATIONAL
- MERCHANDISE
- MUSIC CONFERENCES, TRADE FAIRS, INDUSTRY EVENTS AND AWARD SHOWS
- MUSIC EDUCATION, SCHOOLS & RESOURCES
- MUSIC PRESS & NATIONAL PRESS
- MUSIC TELEVISION
- PRINTING & POSTER SERVICES
- PRODUCTION & EVENT MANAGEMENT
- PUBLICITY
- PUBLISHERS
- RADIO
- RECORD COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS
- RECORDING STUDIOS & SERVICES
- RESEARCH & ANALYTICS
- RETAIL
- SECURITY
- SPONSORSHIP AGENCIES
- TICKETING
- TRAVEL, TRANSPORT & FREIGHT LOGISTICS
Your Band As A Business fact sheet
The Federal Government has a fact sheet about bands wanting to obtain funding from them through its Breakthrough program for Indigenous musicians (which is a great initiative, by the way). The fact sheet is pretty useful for any band considering their legal and structural options – click here to check it out.
