SEED Helping Music Grow
Down at the Gold Coast campus, the popular music world is buzzing. Action at this campus has been heating up, following a fantastic performance program of 2017 and just ahead of an exciting album launch this May. SEED is an agency for students and budding artists that drives much of this scene. SEED generates and elevates the opportunities for these growing performers, and helps contribute to the esteem of the program. We chatted to project manager Hannah Morrison to learn more about how we can enjoy and support the growing artists.
What is SEED, how long has it been about, and what does it do for its students?
Powered by the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, SEED is an innovative emerging artist agency based on the Gold Coast Campus. It first launched in 2012 as a compilation album release. Since then, SEED has grown to become an extensive emerging artist program featuring a compilation album release and nearly 90 paid performances at local venues and festivals every year. We help emerging artists find their feet by giving them performance opportunities at high profile events, running a monthly industry networking support group and promoting their music via our annual compilation album release.
What musical genres and styles does SEED work with and support?
We are proud to represent a diverse roster, including folk singer-songwriters, electronic acts, indie rock bands and more. All of our acts feature current students or graduates from the Bachelor of Popular Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
How do young musicians with popular music ambitions get involved?
Up until this year, you had to be a Bachelor of Popular Music student at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to apply to join SEED. However, as of next year the Queensland Conservatorium’s South Bank campus will be offering a contemporary music major as part of its Bachelor of Music, and those students will also have the opportunity to take part in SEED.
What are some impressive historical achievements or performances by alumni of the SEED program?
Early last year Tesla Cøils won the Breakout Artist Award at the Gold Coast Music Awards, after delivering a powerful performance at BIGSOUND in 2016.
AUSTEN is another alum that stands out, she’s been kicking a lot of goals lately. Highlights include supporting Kite String Tangle on his Australian tour, performing at the Electronic Music Conference in Sydney and featuring as a guest singer for Kuren’s set at Splendour in the Grass.
Has there ever been room for collaboration between Griffith’s popular music students and Conservatorium students in composition/classical/music technology/theatre faculties?
Due to the physical distances between the Gold Coast and South Bank campuses, organising collaboration opportunities have always been a challenge for us. As of next year, with the contemporary music major starting at South Bank there will be many more collaborative opportunities possible! This was actually the main reason the new major was created.
How does SEED effectively fuse the transition between study of music and a career in music?
The SEED program is developed around preparing artists so they will be industry ready and not too reliant on staff support. As the SEED Project Officer, I am always available to answer questions and assist – however, I try to ensure each of the acts are given the tools they need so they can be as independent as possible – mimicking what it is actually like in the industry.
This year we are publishing an industry info book full of resources, checklists and exercises to help them set up themselves as a business, develop their artist identity, prepare for performances and learn how to best release new music. As the year goes on, they will learn how to promote their performances online, create invoices, design their EPKs and develop stage plots for their gigs.
Where can other students in the broader Griffith community access and support SEED developed performances/recordings?
To find out more about SEED and download our compilation albums (for free!), you can visit our website: seedgriffith.com or follow us on social media everywhere at @seedgriffith
To get an idea of just what lies on the horizon check out this highlights video of 2017 performances, and get behind your pioneering peers in their creative endeavours.
https://www.seedgriffith.com/blog/highlights-of-2017
By Bridget O’Brien