The Regional Sessions is a series of one-day events across regional Western Australia offering keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, live performances and networking opportunities for beginner, emerging and mid-career songwriters, producers and composers.
In a competitive music industry, the art of songwriting remains an essential and enduring skill for success. APRA AMCOS and the WA Government, through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, have partnered to present a program for Western Australian songwriters, producers and composers across genres who want to hone their songwriting skills and build their local and international networks.
In this unique opportunity for professional development, songwriters will have unparalleled access to top music creators; be inspired and gain valuable skills to improve their songwriting craft; and to come together for post-event drinks and live performances to connect with the creative community.
The Regional Sessions events include a keynote ‘In Conversation’ address, a ‘Songwriter Speaks’ Panel Discussion, workshops and a curated performance to close out the event. Check each location for information about who will join us there.
Register online from Tuesday 13 December 2022
Ticket price: $0 - tickets are complimentary however you must register online ahead of time.
Wednesday 8 March 2023
Registration from 9:00am with the sessions kicking off at 9:30am with our keynote ‘in conversation’ and panel discussion. Workshops will be held in the afternoon, concluding at 5:00pm.
There will be catered breaks throughout the day.
Join us for some special live performances and networking drinks 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Vancouver Arts Centre
85 Vancouver Street
Albany WA 6330
The networking drinks and live performances will be held at the White Star Hotel (72 Stirling Terrace, Albany).
Access to parking is located down the driveway to the right of the venue. Once this parking is full there is street parking on the opposite side of Vancouver Street or on the grass on the right hand side of Mary Thomson House.
Wheelchair access is via the main entrance to the building. There is a disabled parking space directly out front of the building.
Any materials that may assist you to make the most of your songwriting sessions. This may include guitar, a keyboard, laptop or simply a phone to record. We will provide you with a notebook & pen on the day.
Bob Evans, the ARIA winning alter ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell, has graced the Australian music scene for more than two decades and has written some of the country’s most beloved songs. Under the alias of Bob Evans, Mitchell has released five studio albums, all of which showcase the versatility and skill of this talented songsmith. Gentle, acoustic melodies prevail, enveloping the classic folk storytelling and strong emotional pull that characterises Mitchell’s substantial body of work.
Jarred Wall known as Boox Kid is a First Nation (Noongar) beat creator delivering uniquedreamy electropop.'When I was a young boy' premiered by RTRfm, released to streamingand radio on 26.02.2021, receiving rotation on RTRfm, triplej, FBi radio, 4zzz and placementon Spotify’s Deadly Beats, New Music Friday AU &NZ and First Sounds Volume 5.
Honest, raw and real - Siobhan Cotchin has proven herself to be a talented songwriter. The Alt-Rock (with a dose of twang), multi-award winning musician has a writing style that echoes the effortless musing of Phoebe Bridgers and a live performance as gusty as Joan Jett. Siobhan’s luminous melodies hover over storytelling lyrics as she effortlessly pulls the listener into a world of introspective self-discovery. Sharing stages with Leon Bridges, Bob Evans, Spacey Jane, Stella Donelly, The Whitlams, Thelma Plum, The Teskey Brothers and many more, has allowed her to blossom into a trailblazing artist within her own right.
An introspective singer-songwriter, Riley Pearce often writes about his difficulty coping with change and his love-hate relationship with nostalgia. With family spread across the globe and his own stretches of living in a number of different cities, Riley’s lyrics reflect that all too human need for connection. His honest songwriting, and relatable storytelling has resonated both in Australia and overseas, with over 2.3 million monthly streams.
For the better part of a decade, MR RHODES has been a true alchemist ofsounds both ancient and futuristic. Prolific producer/beat-maker, award-winning lyricist/performer and esteemed composer for stage and screen, his accolades -much like the scope of his vision - are beyond measure.
Friday 10 March 2023
Registration from 9:00am with the sessions kicking off at 9:30am with our keynote ‘in conversation’ and panel discussion. Workshops will be held in the afternoon, concluding at 5:00pm.
There will be catered breaks throughout the day.
Join us for some special live performances and networking drinks 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Esplanade Hotel
30-38 Marine Terrace
Busselton WA 6280
Any materials that may assist you to make the most of your songwriting sessions. This may include guitar, a keyboard, laptop or simply a phone to record. We will provide you with a notebook & pen.
Australian musician Darren Hanlon is known for his idiosyncratic narrative songwriting and storytelling. His songs hone in on the politics of love and relationships, smaller personal issues and objects of less consequence, and has a rare ability to present the commonplace as special. He has carved out a scattershot career on his own terms. Over time he’s managed to share stages and tour buses with a lot of his musical heroes (Billy Bragg, Michael Hurley, the Magnetic Fields) and he has also inadvertently inspired other musicians. Fellow Australian Courtney Barnett has often cited his songs as an early influence on her own writing.
Elise Reitze-Swensen is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, music producer and educator. Elise’s compositional excellence has been recognised through a variety of industry awards, such as Western Australian Music’s (WAM) Best Electronic Producer (2017, 2018, 2019) and Song of the Year (2017-18, 2018-19). In addition, Elise has been a finalist for The Music Network’s 30 under 30 Innovators Award, National Live Music’s Industry Achievement Award, APRA’s Professional Development Award and Australian Women in Music’s Studio Production Award.
Adrian Dzvuke has quickly become one of Australia's most in-demand emerging acts, as shown by performances at Splendour In The Grass, Groovin The Moo and WaveRock festivals, as well as support slots forSpacey Jane, Omah Lay, POND, San Cisco, Stella Donnelly & Winston Surfshirt. Equally at home onstage with his band or in the studio, his soulful mixture of Afrobeats, R&Band Pop has been gaining fans at every show and with every release.
Joshua “FlewntMC” Eggington is an award winning, Proud Nyoongar Wongi rapper from Boorloo (Perth). With a strong family legacy rooted in activism. Flewnt uses Hip Hop as his platform to articulate a powerful, positive and uplifting message for his people. Bursting onto the scene with his breakthrough single “Kya Kyana“(WAM Song of the year 2018) a roaring Noongar anthem and tribute to the strong history of his family, culture andpeople. Kya Kyana is a nod to the past while striving and thriving towards a better future.
Helen Shanahan is a folk singer/songwriter from Perth, Western Australia. Helen’s songs ride the joys and sorrows of love and life and draw the listener into an articulate and heartfelt world of story, melody and guitar, through her eyes. Helen graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) majoring in voice. In 2013 she won the songwriting award in the national competition ‘Telstra Road to Discovery’.
For the better part of a decade, MR RHODES has been a true alchemist of sounds both ancient and futuristic. Prolific producer/beat-maker, award-winning lyricist/performer and esteemed composer for stage and screen, his accolades -much like the scope of his vision - are beyond measure.
Sarah Norton has over 20 years’ experience in local music and arts industry development and media. Sarah has been a presenter on leading Western Australian community broadcaster RTRFM 92.1 since 2006. She presents Homegrown, which features Western Australian artists, and Drastic on Plastic – a show featuring women and femme artists. Sarah was a Director of the RTRFM 92.1 Board between 2011 and 2017 and is currently a Director on the RTRFM 92.1 Studios Trust.
Between 2002 and 2010, Sarah worked in music and arts industry development roles in metropolitan and regional Western Australia, including as Festival Director at the WA Music Industry Association. These days Sarah is holds a senior executive position within the WA Government and plays bass for The Painkillers.
Tenille Elkins has dealt with almost every aspect of the music industry as a veteran with 25 years experience ranging from artist, booking agent, administrator, teacher and mentor.
She has been with APRA AMCOS for over 20 years and oversees the near 9000 strong Western Australian membership base of songwriters and composers. Alongside that role she has been a Lecturer in the Music Industry Skills department at TAFE and given many guest lectures at WAAPA and UWA.
She is still incredibly passionate about this industry and looks forward to recording, releasing and performing in the coming years and doing more mentoring which has been a particular highlight in her career.
Monday 13 March 2023
Registration from 9:00am with the sessions kicking off at 9:30am with our keynote ‘in conversation’ and panel discussion. Workshops will be held in the afternoon, concluding at 5:00pm.
There will be catered breaks throughout the day.
Join us for some special live performances and networking drinks 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Goldfields Arts Centre
35 Cheetham Street
Kalgoorlie WA 6430
There is parking for the venue available on both Cheetham Street and Hanbury Street, including disabled parking bays.
There is an accessible entrance to the venue as well as ramps and elevators to all rooms.
Any materials that may assist you to make the most of your songwriting sessions. This may include guitar, a keyboard, laptop or simply a phone to record. We will provide you with a notebook & pen.
Award-winning producer Anna Laverty has built an exceptional and ever-growing showreel of credits, solidifying her reputation as one of Australia’s finest creative talents. Helming production on an impressive catalogue of releases across multiple genres, Anna is renowned for her ability to pull innovative tones and help a project realise its sonic potential.
Drew Goddard has been involved in the music industry for 20 years, in a multitude of capacities, butpredominantly as the guitarist/song writer/co- producer for Perth’s acclaimed progressive rock exportKarnivool. Over the years he has been actively involved behind the scenes in the live arena, stage managingand site work at festivals, as well as driving and guitar teching for a plethora national and international artistsand recording and developing artists in his home studio.
Bojesse Pigram is a Talented multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter, from W.A.Hailing from Yawuru and Wajrri mob Bojesse has performed around Australia on multiple platforms including television, film, theatre, social media and stage. He has refined his songwriting skills over the past six years to evolve into the unique, creative artist he is today. Bojesse continues to explore the collaborative writing and producing scene, with multiple pop music projects and syncing deals on the horizon.
Both a self-managed artist ‘The Little Lord Street Band’ (TLLSB) and running music business Smash Enterprises for some years Natasha Shanks fronts TLLSB as a singer songwriter. They have recorded, released and toured 3 EP's and a debut album across Australia. Garnered national air play, reached AMRAP top 10 charts, added to ABC country, Double J, RTR on high rotation, won WAM awards for Best Country Act and WAM Song of the year, and Boyup Brook Country Music Awards, nominated in the International Song writing completion and landed in at #32 on the Top #40 album charts for 2020 in the AU Review.
For the better part of a decade, MR RHODES has been a true alchemist of sounds both ancient and futuristic. Prolific producer/beat-maker, award-winning lyricist/performer and esteemed composer for stage and screen, his accolades -much like the scope of his vision - are beyond measure.
Cerisa Benjamin is a proud Walpiri, Gurindji and Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine, NT. Having relocated to Melbourne to follow her passion within the music industry and the mental health space, she has thrived in her role with Support Act. Already, Cerisa has increased the engagement of First Nations people in music accessing the support act services and with her focus and attention on growing Support Act to be more culturally sensitive and inviting to First Nations people in music.
Tenille Elkins has dealt with almost every aspect of the music industry as a veteran with 25 years experience ranging from artist, booking agent, administrator, teacher and mentor.
She has been with APRA AMCOS for over 20 years and oversees the near 9000 strong Western Australian membership base of songwriters and composers. Alongside that role she has been a Lecturer in the Music Industry Skills department at TAFE and given many guest lectures at WAAPA and UWA.
She is still incredibly passionate about this industry and looks forward to recording, releasing and performing in the coming years and doing more mentoring which has been a particular highlight in her career.
Thursday 16 March 2023
Registration from 9:00am with the sessions kicking off at 9:30am with our keynote ‘in conversation’ and panel discussion. Workshops will be held in the afternoon, concluding at 5:00pm.
There will be catered breaks throughout the day.
Join us for some special live performances and networking drinks 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Red Earth Arts Precinct
27 Welcome Road
Karratha WA 6714
The main access to the Red Earth Arts Precinct is off Welcome Road. There is drop off zone at the front of the venue and 80 car bays. Further along Welcome Road there are 200 car bays beside the Catholic Church and the City of Karratha offices.
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located on both levels.
There are two parking bays allocated for ACROD permit holders at the front of the building. A drop off zone is also available.
Please click here to view more information on the venue's accessibility.
Any materials that may assist you to make the most of your songwriting sessions. This may include guitar, a keyboard, laptop or simply a phone to record. We will provide you with a notebook & pen.
If there’s one thing that you remember about Katy Steele it’s that voice. Undeniable, ethereal, dramatic and melodic. She’s a one and only. A creative chameleon. A singer-songwriter. An artist with almost two decades in the Australian music industry who continues to impress. Hailing from Perth, WA, from a family of musicians including her father blues legend Rick Steele and brother Luke Steele (The Sleepy Jackson/Empire of the Sun), she has shaped her own brand of music with influences from The Pretenders to Blondie and Fleetwood Mac all the while sprinkled with her love of melodic pop.
Sometime assassin, sometime saint, Fremantle based rocker Lincoln MacKinnon combines uplifting choruses, heartbreak harmonies and a barely contained menace to produce music that is as powerful as it is memorable. Based in Fremantle, WA, this port-town rocker has been wowing crowds across the country with his infectious melodies; energetic live shows and wild and unruly swagger. With recent shows across the country with celebrated artists: Tex Perkins, Big Country, Kill Devil Hills, William Crighton, The Audrey’s and Wagons, Lincoln’s contagious hooks are spreading...
Bojesse Pigram is a Talented multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter, from W.A.Hailing from Yawuru and Wajrri mob Bojesse has performed around Australia on multiple platforms including television, film, theatre, social media and stage. He has refined his songwriting skills over the past six years to evolve into the unique, creative artist he is today., Bojesse continues to explore the collaborative writing and producing scene, with multiple pop music projects and syncing deals on the horizon.
Tanya Ransom weaves her signature sound of folk blues and alt-country in a tapestry of songs that are emotive and captivating. The Kimberley songstress latest EP is a collection of songs that explore the intricate emotions of the human condition amongst ornate melodies and powerful vocals, with the title track nominated for WAM Song of The Year. A regular to the Australian touring circuit, Tanya has performed at Nannup Music Festival, Blues at Bridgetown and Fairbridge Festival and supported Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Boy and Bear and John Butler.
Princess Khanya is a vibrant, Perth artist with a passion for sharing her experiences through music. She uses her background in dance to create vibrant stage performances and music videos. With influences from R&B, Pop, Afro-beats and Soul, she is inspired by sounds that get people grooving.
Candice Lorrae is an award-winning First Nations Singer/Songwriter and Music Producer with Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander roots. She was born in Darwin, grew up in Perth then moved to Melbourne in 2018 to take her music to new heights. She started her music journey at 14 releasing her first single with ARIA Award Winning Producer, Audius Mtawarira. At 16, she attended Abmusic College to complete a Diploma of Music. Her biggest career highlight was representing Australia in the 2011 Crimea Music Fest, televised to over 40 million people across Europe’s MTV.
Cerisa Benjamin is a proud Walpiri, Gurindji and Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine, NT. Having relocated to Melbourne to follow her passion within the music industry and the mental health space, she has thrived in her role with Support Act. Already, Cerisa has increased the engagement of First Nations people in music accessing the support act services and with her focus and attention on growing Support Act to be more culturally sensitive and inviting to First Nations people in music.
Monday 20 March 2023
Registration from 9:00am with the sessions kicking off at 9:30am with our keynote ‘in conversation’ and panel discussion. Workshops will be held in the afternoon, concluding at 5:00pm.
There will be catered breaks throughout the day.
Join us for some special live performances and networking drinks 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Mangrove Hotel
47 Carnarvon Street
Broome WA 6725
The afternoon workshop sessions will be split between Mangrove Hotel and Broome Civic Centre (27 Weld Street).
The networking drinks and live performances will be held at Matso’s Brewery (60 Hamersley Street).
There is free parking available at the Mangrove Hotel.
Please contact us [email protected] to discuss any accessibility requirements.
Any materials that may assist you to make the most of your songwriting sessions. This may include guitar, a keyboard, laptop or simply a phone to record. We will provide you with a notebook & pen on the day.
Petris Torres is from Wawili Sound Solutions (WSS) - a Broome based business, focusing on sound reinforcement services and systems in the film and television industries, both in the field and post. Wawili's Sound Studio is a purpose built besser block and concrete facility built from the ground up. The studio is situated near famous Cable Beach surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay, tucked away in bush lands in the "nowhere else but here" Broome community. We might be one of the most isolated sound houses in Australia but don't let that fool you. WSS is a young, tech savvy company that invests aggressively in the latest technology, to bring to Australian film the highest in sonic fidelity possible.
Abbe May spent her late teens and early twenties performing in Australia’s most notorious rock venues and busted-up studios, touring relentlessly in unreliable tour vans in various solo and band incarnations. With sly humour, Abbe graduated from her critically acclaimed early explorations of rock and blues to become a guitar-slinging, beat-driven, iconic performer with an atmospheric cocktail of sexy, indie riff-rock, gospel, soul and electronica.
Glenn Sarangapany is a multi-award-winning songwriter and composer. For over a decade he has travelled the world with his band Birds of Tokyo while also composing for film, television and video games. His extensive training in jazz guitar and classical piano combined with a string of chart-topping radio hits have given him a unique perspective on writing music. He has worked with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions and has been the musical director for acts like The Veronicas and Kim Churchill.
Mix five priestesses, a driving urgency and a full tank of new energy and you have the latest incarnation from Delilah Rose and her ‘70’s style bluesy burlesque swamp rock. Drawing from the country rock she grew up on, she’s swapped the acoustic for a black tele, with a live show delivered in the flurry of costume, dance, tassels and boots. Her single Thin Black Line reached #1 on the AMRAP charts with Triple J’s Zan Rowe describing it as “a rollicking open road rocker, big voice too...”. She’s recently been a Semi-Finalist for UnsignedOnly (International SongComp) and was included in the Top 30 for WAM Song of the Year 2022.
Candice Lorrae is an award-winning First Nations Singer/Songwriter and Music Producer with Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander roots. She was born in Darwin, grew up in Perth then moved to Melbourne in 2018 to take her music to new heights. She started her music journey at 14 releasing her first single with ARIA Award Winning Producer, Audius Mtawarira. At 16, she attended Abmusic College to complete a Diploma of Music. Her biggest career highlight was representing Australia in the 2011 Crimea Music Fest, televised to over 40 million people across Europe’s MTV.
Cerisa Benjamin is a proud Walpiri, Gurindji and Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine, NT. Having relocated to Melbourne to follow her passion within the music industry and the mental health space, she has thrived in her role with Support Act. Already, Cerisa has increased the engagement of First Nations people in music accessing the support act services and with her focus and attention on growing Support Act to be more culturally sensitive and inviting to First Nations people in music.
Tenille Elkins has dealt with almost every aspect of the music industry as a veteran with 25 years experience ranging from artist, booking agent, administrator, teacher and mentor.
She has been with APRA AMCOS for over 20 years and oversees the near 9000 strong Western Australian membership base of songwriters and composers. Alongside that role she has been a Lecturer in the Music Industry Skills department at TAFE and given many guest lectures at WAAPA and UWA.
She is still incredibly passionate about this industry and looks forward to recording, releasing and performing in the coming years and doing more mentoring which has been a particular highlight in her career.
Do I need to be over 18 to attend The Regional Sessions?
We welcome under 18s, including school groups, to attend the Regional Sessions with a parent or guardian. If you are under 18 and would like to attend, please contact us via [email protected] to discuss.
What does a ticket to The Regional Sessions get me?
Access to attend the full day program which includes an ‘In Conversation’ Keynote address, a ‘Songwriter Speaks’ Panel Discussion, followed by Songwriting Workshops. A curated performance will close out the event. Tea & coffee, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, as well as networking drinks and canapés, are included in your complimentary ticket.
Can I bring my own instruments/equipment?
Yes! We encourage attendees to bring their own instruments or equipment so they can make the most of their songwriting sessions.
When do tickets to The Regional Sessions go on sale?
Tickets will be available for purchase from 13 December 2022 online here.
Can I choose which workshops to participate in?
You will have the opportunity to indicate the genre and skill-based workshops you are most interested in. However, please note that there is no guarantee you will be placed within a specific workshop with a specific mentor.
When will my tickets be sent to me?
Your ticket will be issued via email in the week leading up to the event. You will not receive any physical tickets so that we can reduce paper wastage.
Can you accommodate my dietary requirements?
Yes! You will have the opportunity to indicate dietary requirements or allergies when you purchase your ticket.
Are the venues accessible?
Yes there is there is accessibilty at all venues - please do let us know if you have special access requirements so that we are aware and can ensure venue preparedness. You can let us know via [email protected]
Drop us a line at [email protected]
APRA AMCOS is committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming and accessible space for our diverse members, speakers and guests. If you have any additional needs or would like to discuss any concerns, please contact us at [email protected] and a member of staff will be in touch.
Alcohol will be served at the evening portion of the event, and as such, you may be requested to show proof of age for service of alcohol (aka don’t forget to bring your ID!).
APRA AMCOS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to limit or deny access to the event to any entity or individual. APRA AMCOS’s receipt of an application and payment does not constitute acceptance of your application by APRA AMCOS until some form of acknowledgement or acceptance is sent (i.e. confirmation email); applications and payment that are not accepted will be returned within 30 days of receipt.
Some sessions will be filmed & photographed for both archive & for promotion in future events. By purchasing a ticket to The Regional Sessions you agree to being filmed & photographed at the event and that all footage and photographs may be used by or on behalf of APRA AMCOS in relation to the marketing, advertising and promotion of The Regional Sessions events.
Participants are not permitted to film or take photographs at The Regional Sessions without prior written approval from APRA AMCOS.
You release, waive, discharge all claims against APRA AMCOS, its employees, volunteers and agents, howsoever arising for loss or injury of any description howsoever caused which you may suffer or sustain at The Regional Sessions; and you indemnify APRA AMCOS, its employees, volunteers and agents from and against all claims made against APRA AMCOS, its employees, volunteers and agents as a result of your attendance at the Regional Sessions.
APRA AMCOS respects your privacy. In the course of completing this registration form, you will provide to APRA AMCOS ‘personal information’ as defined by the Privacy Act 1988 (Act) (eg. contact details). APRA AMCOS will maintain, use and disclose that personal information and your rights of access and correction in accordance with the National Privacy Principles contained in the Act and the APRA AMCOS Privacy Policy available for viewing here.
APRA AMCOS uses the personal information provided by you for the purpose of enabling your attendance at this event, identifying your needs and tailoring our contact with you to provide a better client/customer experience. APRA AMCOS may disclose your personal information to third party service providers, for example mailing houses, event organisers and sponsors for these purposes.
APRA AMCOS will not disclose your personal information to any other third party without your consent except when we are required to do so by law or as permitted under the Act. At no time will any financial information you provide to APRA AMCOS (eg. credit card details) be released to any additional third parties.
You may contact us to remove your name and email from our records by emailing us at [email protected]
Registering and purchasing a ticket to attend The Regional Sessions confirms your acceptance of these terms and conditions.