The Bush Music Fund has announced its 2024 artist lineup - Ripple Effect Band, Mulga Bore Hard Rock, and James Range Band.
Each will receive two years of financial support, personalised career development, and music industry services.
The initiative follows the fund's successful crowdfunding campaign, raising over $60,000 in its first year to help remote artists overcome barriers to sustainable music careers.
The Bush Music Fund provides support to Indigenous artists and their representatives through three tiers of financial assistance and services: "new artist," "emerging artist," and "established artist."
Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000 and cover areas such as education, equipment, mentoring, touring, and management.
Ripple Effect Band, an all-women's group from Maningrida in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, blends traditional roots with top end saltwater rock.
Ripple Effect Band member Jodie Kell noted the importance of being able to network as a growing artist.
"As a band based in a remote community, it is so difficult to network, develop relationships or pick up opportunities in the music industry," she said.
"We miss out on a lot. Bush Music Fund has been able to use their networks to build an amazing team to support the release of our album and touring."
"They listen to us and work respectfully behind the scenes to create opportunities so that we are on equal terms to other artists based in the city or regional centres."
As the first women from their community to form a band and play instruments, they are designated as "established artists" and will receive $30,000 in services over two years.
This support includes the opportunity to release an album, tour, and produce vinyl pressings. Following the grant announcement, the band's latest single, "Loving and Caring," received a video treatment.
Mulga Bore Hard Rock, a six-piece teenage band from the remote central Australian desert community of Akaye, has been named this year's "emerging artist" by the Bush Music Fund.
The band, known for their glam-rock style, will receive a two-year $30,000 partnership that includes support for two music videos, an album release, and performances across the country.
James Range Band, a family band from the Pitjantjatjara community of Utju, has been selected as this year's "new artist".
They will receive a $10,000 grant over two years, which includes opportunities for studio songwriting sessions with other artists, gear upgrades, and more.
Mulga Bore Hard Rock member Alvin Manfong said "we are really lucky to be chosen by Bush Music Fund to help us get our songs out to the world".
"They helped us by finding money to record our album in Melbourne at a really cool rock'n'roll studio Hot House!"
Bush Music Fund operates as a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, focusing on empowering First Nations musicians in remote areas.
The fund encourages artists to develop personalised career plans and supports them in achieving their goals by uniting industry stakeholders.
Acting as a conduit between artists, their families, communities, and the broader Australian contemporary music industry, Bush Music Fund aims to amplify voices, celebrate cultural contributions, and maximise opportunities for Indigenous musicians.
