Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-09-20 Daily Xml

Contents

Northern Sound System

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Automotive Transformation. Can the minister provide details about the state government's significant financial boost for the successful Northern Sound System at Elizabeth?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for his question and his continuing support for the local music industry and South Australian artists in general. I was delighted to join the Premier on a visit to the Northern Sound System earlier this month to provide more details about the state government's $100,000 contribution to what has become a very valuable resource for young people in northern Adelaide.

Many honourable members would be aware of the Northern Sound System that was established in a redeveloped basketball stadium by the City of Playford around 10 years ago. It is a professional standard recording and performance facility where young people in Adelaide's north can create, perform and record their music. The building features a 300-person performance venue, along with rehearsal space and a training room.

Perhaps some of the best-known graduates out of the Northern Sound System include people like Tkay Maidza. As a 17 year old, Tkay took part in the Northern Sound System's artists' development program, and in 2015 she released her first single. Her first song was played on Adelaide commercial radio. She swept the South Australian Music Industry Awards last year. The Zimbabwean-born artist released her debut album, Tkay, which has been a great success.

The Premier and I, when we were out there recently, met another great musical prospect when we visited in September, South Sudanese rapper, Kuol Kuol, better known as KK or K to K. He is a regular at the Northern Sound System studios and looks set to be the next big thing out of there. Also, $70,000 of the state government's recent funding will be used to deliver extra resources through the Northern Sound System to support local artists, as well as increasing the frequency of live music events at the venue.

Importantly, each live music event at the Northern Sound System creates at least eight jobs for young people in Adelaide's north and provides the artists with a professional performance venue so that they can showcase their music and their talents. The other $30,000 will be used for a grant scheme for young musicians based in northern Adelaide. They will be able to apply for a grant to help them with new recordings, video production, live performances and other projects which will help foster and further develop their talents. This is an important funding boost for the City of Playford's Northern Sound System and one that we are very proud to deliver and partner with the Playford council in doing so.