Matters of Interest

House of Songs Project

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:29): Last month I represented Premier Weatherill at the celebration of the Adelaide House of Songs project. This House of Songs was a special collaboration between Adelaide artists and artists from our sister city of Austin, Texas.

This House of Songs story began in September 2016 in Adelaide's sister city, Austin, when our Adelaide artists Taasha Coates, Dan Crannitch and Kelly Menhennett travelled to the USA to meet songwriters for the first time and to set up camp in the literal House of Songs. The journey for this House of Songs came full circle this October, when we were proud to host the Austin-based artists here in Adelaide, including Akina Adderley, Chris Hawkes, Miranda Dawn and Graham Wilkinson.

Through the ambitious work of South Australia's Music Development Office team, in collaboration with Troy Campbell and The House of Songs in Austin, this esteemed opportunity has grown significantly from its early concept. It has also yielded an amazing body of work that came from an unexpected but serendipitous source, the unfinished material of Albert E. Brumley, as generously granted by his granddaughter Betsy Brumley.

During this visit to Adelaide, together the artists performed at two iconic live music venues in the heart of the city, the Grace Emily Hotel and the Exeter Hotel. They were also interviewed for ABC radio and played at the ABC studio's Gardeners' Market. The celebration event, hosted by St Paul's Creative Centre, was attended by Deputy Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, Paul Goiak, Jen Layther, Troy Simcock and, most importantly, House of Songs artists from Adelaide and Austin—with the exception of Kelly Menhennett, who was performing at another event on the night. Presenting partners of the celebration included Arts SA, the MDO and the City of Adelaide.

Thanks to the work of Adelaide and Austin film crews we were treated to two fantastic films, Brumley's Suitcase and Albert E. Brumley: Songwriter of the Ozarks by The House of Songs. Brumley's Suitcase premiered earlier in the week in a world first at the 2017 Adelaide Film Festival. The films documented the Adelaide artists' 2016 trip to Austin, sharing some insights into the whirlwind creative partnership, and touched on the buzz this project created.

Word-of-mouth of the Brumley project travelled fast, with the artists being sought after for both radio interviews and performances—a wonderful opportunity and important exposure for our Adelaide artists. I would like to note that the film Brumley's Suitcase, by Adelaide's Closer Productions, was brilliantly directed by Benjamin Dowie and produced by Christine Williams. The films really have enriched this project and have provided a valuable record of this special collaboration.

It was also revealed that the creativity and collaboration has continued. In Adelaide the Austin artists spent time in the songwriting rooms at St Paul's Creative Centre creating new relationships, and co-writing material with Adelaide artists Tom West and Naomi Keyte in a new collaboration. The artists began recording some of the Brumley project House of Songs works here at Adelaide's St Paul's songwriting rooms.

An essential part of this project was the element of songwriting, from new collaborations to the completion of the Brumley recordings, which ultimately provides the artists with new products that create an important source of income. The fact that many of these activities took place at St  Paul's Creative Centre also demonstrates the value of such spaces in encouraging collaboration, networking and creativity. We are very proud to be involved in this project.

We are passionate and vocal supporters of live music in South Australia, and were equally delighted to facilitate the creative pursuits that enable artists to hone their skills, add to their collection of songs, and make enduring international connections. Furthermore, there is the potential for leads to new market opportunities for the Adelaide artists in terms of distribution of their product, and for live performance and touring. Both activities are, of course, key sources of income for artists.

The state government was proud to support this House of Songs project. House of Songs Adelaide was supported by the City Of Adelaide, Adelaide UNESCO City of Music, the Adelaide Film Festival, The House of Songs and Music SA. Many thanks again to Karen Marsh, Becc Bates and Elizabeth Reid of the Music Development Office. We congratulate all the artists and the filmmakers.