EXCHANGE Hotel publican Nick Murray said he looks to foster an environment that allows local artists to take their first step into the live music industry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Murray has received funding from the federal government's Live Music Australia grants program, which looks to help Australia's live music scene recover from the pandemic stoppage of live shows.
He said the Exchange Hotel had received $50,003 of funding to go towards accessibility.
"We have a space out the back that we are proposing to run outdoor music gigs. Accessibility means toilets, bar facilities and kitchen facilities," he said.
"Also to support local, live original music. Not to the exclusion of others of course but we are trying to foster and support local musos taking their craft a little bit further and give them a bit of backing."
READ MORE:
Mr Murray said he acknowledged the difficulty of being a musician from a small regional town and wanted to help Horsham musicians forward.
"One of the issues with being in a regional city that has a small population is that you can tend to recycle local gigs a little bit," he said.
"It is not a criticism, it is just part of a natural cycle. Musicians like any other craft have to go beyond their local boundaries to increase their market share.
"That is just part of being a musician in a small place, and that is always going to be the case. That is always going to be a challenge.
"Having said that, I think the pubs in town have been really supportive of local talent, local musicians. From our perspective part of the grant is offering an opportunity to some of those lesser known and original musicians that are just starting out."
The funding was received under the second round of the Live Music Australia grants program.
Minister for the Arts Paul Fletcher said the grants aimed to support the immediate needs of the live music industry.
"The Australian music industry is facing particular pressures in light of the severe impacts of COVID-19. That is why we are pleased to continue to support local venues to increase performance opportunities and showcase Australian talent," he said.
"Round two of the program is funding venues in every state and territory, from pubs in the remote outback, to clubs and theatres in major capital cities, assisting them to re-open as restrictions on public gatherings and live music performance are lifted."
Applications for the program will open later this year.
Fore more information, visit www.grants.gov.au or www.arts.gov.au.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.mailtimes.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Wim_Mail_Times
- Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/wimmeramailtimes/