CREATE Song Camp participants Paul Beard (left) and ASHY (right).
Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL) and Music Publishers Canada (MPC) are pleased to have collaborated on the CREATE Song Camp, a joint initiative to showcase Australian, New Zealand and Canadian songwriting and production talent through a virtual writing camp.
The CREATE Song Camp took place in March, and featured 40 published songwriters, producers, and artists from Australia, New Zealand and Canada in virtual writing rooms across three days writing original songs together in the pop and singer-songwriter genres. The song camp was coordinated by respected music industry consultant Danny Keenan.
The AMPAL and MPC Boards of music publisher executives also met during the week, virtually, to learn more about the key issues for music publishers in each association’s markets and explore how the two associations and their music publisher members can work together in the future to advance the interests of their songwriter and composer partners.
It was one of the first AMPAL meetings for recently elected AMPAL Directors Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Music Publishing), Karen Hamilton (120 Publishing Pty Ltd), Tim Prescott (Double Drummer Music) and Damian Rinaldi (Alberts). In 2021, AMPAL Directors Steve McPherson (formerly Hillsong Music Publishing Australia), Ian James OAM (Mushroom Music Publishing), Philip Walker (Origin Music) and Rachel Kelly (formerly Downtown Music Publishing) stepped down from the AMPAL Board after many years of service to the organisation and the Australian and New Zealand publishing sector between them.
AMPAL Chair Matthew Capper (Warner Chappell Music Australia) remarked: “As a music publisher it’s always incredible to be involved in the creation of a new song, and to hear what all of the amazing writers achieved together in such a short space of time was extraordinary. I’d like to thank Margaret McGuffin, MPC, Danny Keenan, and all of the contributors to what was a fantastic and invaluable international event.”
Clive Hodson (AMPAL Deputy Chair, Perfect Pitch Publishing) added: “A cowriting experience for any writer is invaluable in developing their craft. To do that with someone they’ve just met, remotely and in a short time frame is priceless on so many levels for a songwriter/performer. Amela was jumping out of her skin over the experience and the outcome. We shared that excitement on hearing the songs. Thank you AMPAL/MPC for the great experience”.
The export of Australian and New Zealand songs is driving growth for Australasian music publishers and is increasingly important in the globalised music market. AMPAL and its music publisher members want to ensure that Australian and New Zealand songs and stories continue to be heard around the world.
Sydney-based producer Paul Beard (Wise Music) said:
“I had a terrific time writing songs for the recent AMPAL-MPC Australasia-Canada song camp. Both days were fresh and super productive. The dynamic trio of artist, writer and producer was just the right creative balance and I’m convinced we created at least one future hit!”
New Zealand artist and songwriter, ASHY (Native Tongue Music Publishing), also said: "It was so incredible to be included in this songwriting camp & work with such talented people. A pleasure to be amongst masters at their own craft!”
The Australasian song camp participants included:
Alex Wildwood (Sony Music Publishing)
Ali Barter (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
ALIUS (120 Publishing)
Amela (Perfect Pitch Publishing)
ASHY (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
BOI (Universal Music Publishing Group)
Charlotte Adelle (Shout! Music Publishing)
Chí (Mushroom Music Publishing)
Claire Nakazawa (Third Side Music)
CLYPSO (BMG Australia)
Damien Leith (Wise Music)
Dylan Ollivierre (BMG Australia)
ILUKA (BMG Australia)
Jack Carty (Wise Music)
JXN (Kobalt Music)
Lucy Parle (Origin Music Publishing)
Matilda Pearl (Kobalt Music)
NGAIIRE (Wise Music)
Oscar Dawson (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
Paul Beard (Wise Music)
Sir Jude (peermusic)
They were joined by Canadian counterparts:
Aaron Allen (Arts & Crafts)
Alex Sampson (Sony Music Publishing)
Ava Kay
Aysanabee
Cayne McKenzie (Red Brick Songs)
Dan Davidson (Red Brick Songs)
Demetri James (Ultra Publishing)
DRMS (Bloc-Notes Music)
Erin Costelo (Cymba Music)
FAMBA (Sony Music Publishing)
Flower Face (Nettwerk)
Hill Kourkoutis (Daytripper)
Isabelle Banos (Third Side Music)
Jeremy Voltz (HyveTown)
KELLAND (Cadence Music Group)
L’isle (Bravo Musique)
Lucas Marston (HyveTown)
Mike Schlosser (Pop Guru)
Talltale (Cymba Music)
