Songwriter, producer, artist and multi-instrumentalist Milan Ring is curating four days of new music collaboration at the world-renowned Studios 301 at the inaugural Vivid Sydney SongHubs. The studio sessions take place 24-27 May and are presented by APRA AMCOS in collaboration with Vivid Sydney.
Ring is at the forefront of the Australian R&B/Soul scene with her debut album I’m Feeling Hopeful garnering acclaim and Apple Music toting her “Australia’s R&B Princess”. In her role as curator, she has selected a roster of rising stars and in-demand artists, producers and topliners to collaborate in small groups each day to write and record new songs.
Special guests include composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ SETWUN (Josh Panakera-Molony), APRA Music Awards nominee Becca Hatch, and Wollongong’s Stevan, whose warm R&B style has made him one-to-watch.
“It is a dream to be able to hand-pick so many incredible artists to be together in the same room at the same time, especially after the last few years of isolation. Every person attending is making some of the most exciting R&B, Soul & Hip Hop, to come out of AUS/NZ. There is such a big movement happening in these scenes right now, led by BIPOC, it is a really exciting time to be a part of this community. Super grateful to APRA AMCOS for entrusting me as a curator and giving us the keys to Studios 301 for the week, there is going to be some real magic created for sure!” said Milan.
Selected through an Australia-New Zealand wide application process are Auckland’s MELODOWNZ and Melbourne’s POOKIE and Uno Stereo. KIAN, the two-time APRA Music Award winner for ‘Waiting’, will be in the studio, as will Solo of rap duo Horrorshow, Sydney’s GLO and more.
“We are thrilled to have Milan Ring at the helm of Vivid Sydney SongHubs. She has been a participant at previous SongHubs, is a brilliant mentor through her SongMakers experience, and has a vast network of musicians she collaborates with – many who are here at SongHubs. APRA AMCOS would like to thank Studios 301 and Vivid Sydney for supporting this very special SongHubs,” said Milly Petriella, Director Member Relations & Partnerships, APRA AMCOS.
Since SongHubs launched in 2013, across 80 events worldwide, over A$4m in performance royalties for the initiative's collaborators has been earned. SongHubs has produced commercial releases for the likes of Briggs, Troye Sivan, Tayla Parx, Morgan Evans, Peking Duk, Tkay Maidza, Ainslie Wills, The Chainsmokers, Guy Sebastian, Ecca Vandal, Chaii and many more.
VIVID SYDNEY SONGHUBS PARTICIPANTS
Curator
APRA AMCOS Special Guests
APRA AMCOS National and International Participants
APRA AMCOS Resident Participants