Local musicians will become Northern Territory tourism advocates under an exciting new partnership with Tourism NT and Music NT.
As well as using local talent at tourism promotions around the country, Tourism NT will sponsor this year’s MusicNT NT Song of the Year Awards and provide a music video production prize valued at $10,000 in a new category called ‘The Territory Song’.
Tourism NT CEO Tony Mayell said the new partnership follows Tourism NT’s recent Outback Pub pop-up in Melbourne, where a group of Northern Territory musicians were given the chance of a lifetime to play a concert at Federation Square.
“This is an innovative new partnership that is part of our ‘thinking outside the square’ strategy when it comes to our tourism marketing,” Mr Mayell said.
“It’s a win-win for us and local musicians around the Territory who are waiting for that big break into the industry.
“It was great to see Darwin indie-pop band, ‘At the Dakota’ as well as Alice Springs singer-songwriters David Crowe and Andrew Langford join Tourism NT at its takeover of Federation Square playing a special free concert to Melburnians.
“It was also an invaluable opportunity for these artists to gain national exposure and play their music to a new audience.”
‘At the Dakota’ is a band on the rise, currently featured as a Triple J unearthed artist and having toured Australia last year with its debut album, “Stories”. The indie-groove pop five piece describe their music as “Sunday beers on the beach with mates” and are heavily influenced by their tropical, laidback surroundings in the Top End making them great tourism advocates.
“This is definitely a big deal for us and it was a huge honour to represent the Northern Territory at a major event like the Federation Square tourism promotion,” ‘At the Dakota’ band member and manager Zac East said.
“Our music definitely has a Northern Territory feel to it and it was great to share a taste of the NT with audiences down south.”
As part of the new partnership, Tourism NT worked closely with Alice Springs musician Dave Crowe to compose his original single, ‘Better Place’, which was the signature track on Tourism NT’s television commercials for its major ‘It’s About Time’ advertising campaign last year.
Tourism NT also helped produce a Northern Territory-inspired music video for the ‘Better Place’ song, which showcases Alice Springs and was launched around the country last week.
“It was a fantastic experience to perform in Federation Square – it’s an iconic part of Melbourne,” Mr Crowe said.
“Tourism NT has really supported my song Better Place and they have given me some big opportunities to share my music and grow my fan base locally and interstate.”
The new ‘Territory Song’ category at this year’s MusicNT NT Song of the Year Awards will be aimed at developing more local artists like Mr Crowe to become more commercially viable. The winning song will get the chance to have a music video produced by Tourism NT, which will feature Northern Territory destinations and imagery.
Executive Director of MusicNT Mark Smith said he was looking forward to the new partnership with Tourism NT.
“The Northern Territory is producing some of the most exciting music in the country and through this new partnership with Tourism NT we look forward to more people discovering their new favourite bands,” said Mr Smith.
“Creative tourism has huge potential for the Northern Territory and initiatives such as these are invaluable in drawing more people to experience both the Territory and the music created here.”
Entries to the NT Music Awards and the new Northern Territory song category will open on 12 April 2016 with more information available at www.ntsong.musicnt.com.au
***Link to Dave Crowe’s ‘Better Place’ music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPXfrEX_JzY
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Media Contact: Melanie Mutch, Corporate Media and Communications Manager +61 401 115 634