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RADIO GA GA
The rumour is that commercial radio will urge the federal
government to drop Australian radio quotas. Howzat! argues
that local quotas should be increased. Here are five reasons
why:
- Of the 10 most-played songs on Australian radio last week,
not one of them was Australian.
- For the fourth week in a row, not one Australian single
has been in the national Top 20.
- Nearly three months into 2011, just one local single -
Guy Sebastian's Who's That Girl - has hit the Top 10.
- Just one Australian single - Who's That Girl - has gone
to number one in the past 17 months.
- Just one of the 20 most-played songs on Australian radio
last week was a homegrown hit - Jebediah's She's Like A
Comet at number 11 - according to The Music Network's Hot
100.
As Kathy McCabe wrote in The Herald Sun and Daily Telegraph
last week, "If you are listening to commercial radio stations,
chances are you are not hearing Australian music." The Communications
Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the "convergence
review" on March 2, to look at what media regulations remain
relevant in the changing media world. The government hopes
to encourage "a diversity of voices and protect Australian
stories", but wonders whether quotas "remain appropriate
in a converging environment".
The Commercial Radio Australia Codes of Practice and Guidelines
states: "The commercial radio industry is committed to supporting
the music of Australian artists and composers." Really?
The Australian "quota" depends on the station's format.
Stations with a mainstream rock, album oriented rock, contemporary
hits, Top 40 or alternative format (Fox, Nova, MMM) are
required to have at least 25 per cent Australian content.
And at least one-quarter of these songs are to be new releases
(not more than 12 months old). The Australian quota for
hot/mainstream adult contemporary, country and classic rock
stations (Mix and Classic Rock) is 20 per cent. And the
quota for soft adult contemporary, hits and memories, and
gold/classic hits stations (Gold) is 15 per cent. The "Australian
performance period" is between 6am and midnight. The new
digital-only stations are exempt from Australian music quotas
until at least 2013.
What is the story overseas? Two examples: The Canadian content
rule started at 25 per cent and was increased to 35 per
cent in the '90s. In France, the government stipulates that
40 per cent of all music played on the radio must be in
French.
Of course, not everyone believes in quotas and levies. Perhaps
they're a socialist ideal, running counter to the free market.
But the more Australian music that people hear, the stronger
the local scene will be. Play it and they will come. The
public will be asked to contribute to the government review.
More info can be found at www.dbcde.gov.au/convergence.
THE WRITE STUFF
If commercial radio doesn't think there are enough quality
acts to meet local quotas, they should check out the finalists
for the US-based 2011 International Songwriting Competition.
Half of the 16 finalists in the Rock category are Aussie
acts, including Children Collide, Calling All Cars and Dappled
Cities. Six of the 14 Adult Contemporary finalists are locals,
including Skipping Girl Vinegar, Glenn Richards, Paul Dempsey
and Oh Mercy. Six Aussies are among the 15 nominees in the
Pop/Top 40 category, including Kimbra and Paris Wells; while
Caitlin Harnett, Kasey Chambers, Matt Corby and Basement
Birds are vying for the Folk/Singer-Songwriter award. Judges
include Peter Gabriel, Rihanna, Tom Waits, Robbie Williams
and Jerry Lee Lewis.
NEXT BIG THINGS
Three acts in six days and all of 'em capable of conquering
the world. On Tuesday, Howzat! saw Boy In A Box kick off
their Northcote Social Club residency. They're the local
version of The Gaslight Anthem, with a killer new single,
Glitter, Gold, Ruin. More on 'em in next week's Howzat!
On Thursday, we ventured to the Retreat to see WA country
singer Tenielle, who's now based in Sydney. She certainly
knows how to tell a story, with a wonderful country voice,
filled with heartbreak and joy. Tenielle could easily become
Australia's new country queen. Finally, we caught the family
band Stonefield at Push Over on Sunday. Magnificently marketable,
with a brilliant singing drummer. The sky's the limit.
LIFE OF BRYAN
If you want serenity, move to Bonnie Doon. If you live in
the inner-city, you should embrace its culture, diversity
and excesses. St Kilda's finest record store/venue, Pure
Pop, is battling some ridiculous noise complaints. But the
great gigs continue, albeit inside the store, with this
weekend's highlights including Bryan Estepa playing songs
from his wonderful new album, Vessels, on Saturday at 4pm.
Bryan follows the similarly impressive Adrian Whitehead,
who's on at 3pm.
CHART WATCH
Still no homegrown hits in the national Top 20.
Friday To Sunday JUSTICE CREW (number 28)
Who's That Girl GUY SEBASTIAN (33)
Rapunzel DRAPHT (37)
The Waifs land at number three.
Temptation THE WAIFS (number three, debut)
The Experiment ART VS. SCIENCE (nine)
Great Barrier Grief OH MERCY (13, debut)
Down The Way ANGUS & JULIA STONE (22)
Adalita ADALITA (23, debut)
Running On Air BLISS N ESO (28)
Birds Of Tokyo BIRDS OF TOKYO (31)
Twenty Ten GUY SEBASTIAN (32)
Listen Here JASMINE RAE (35, debut)
Aftermath HILLSONG UNITED (39)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Glitter, Gold, Ruin BOY IN A BOX
Better Than Leaving TENIELLE
Accidentally THE LITTLE STEVIES
Downlow WAGONS
Let It Go BRYAN ESTEPA
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