BIOGRAPHY
An APRA writer member since 1980, Mark is best known as the singer-songwriter with GANGgajang and The Riptides. In addition to playing thousands of gigs and penning over 400 songs including the classic ‘Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)’, Mark has composed music for television, theatre and had his music used in movies and countless TV episodes.
Mark also had a parallel career in music publishing, enabling him to combine his love of songwriting with a deep knowledge of the business that surrounds it. His industry roles have included General Manager of Shock Music Publishing, General Manager of AMPAL and Managing Director of Wise Music. Mark has also served as an Adjunct Professor at QUT and as a Director of Support Act Limited, where he created the all-inclusive 3,000-member EveryOneBand project to raise money for the organisation.
Throughout his time working in the music business, Mark has continued to write, perform and record music. As a singer, songwriter, musician, and industry professional, Mark has a unique perspective on the music business and a passion for songwriting that remains undiminished since he first grabbed a guitar and strummed a few tentative chords in sleepy 1970’s Brisbane.
For more detail see Mark's LinkedIn profile.
ELECTION STATEMENT
As the global music business evolves in response to new technologies, business models and ever-increasing competition, APRA’s role in representing our members’ rights is becoming even more pivotal. I’m offering myself for re-election to the APRA board in the belief that my knowledge, experience and passion will help guide the organisation through the challenging times ahead.
APRA’s core values are also my own: inclusivity, diversity, social responsibility, respect and support for emerging and established songwriters and composers. APRA must continue to embrace new technology and support our writer members to serve what I believe is our core mission: to increase the revenues paid to all Australian and New Zealand members.
While I’ve always been a gigging musician, a series of ‘sliding door’ moments throughout my career have combined to provide me with a broad knowledge of the business side of music in everything from A&R to copyright, licensing and new technologies. But I’ve always remained first and foremost a songwriter and if elected to the APRA board I believe I can make a significant contribution by combining my music-business head and my songwriter heart to help the organisation meet the challenges ahead and create a robust future that benefits all APRA members.
BIOGRAPHY
Naomi Keyte uses the vehicle of contemporary folk music to explore multiple ways of connecting; connection to self, others, and personal and collective narratives.
With Keyte's intimate and detail-rich lyrics, sensitive yet powerful voice, and her band's intuitive and painterly accompaniment, this collective humbly offers up a truly beautiful and moving set. Drawing inspiration from artists like Big Thief, Maple Glider, Feist, Gillian Welch, Naomi Keyte brings to life songs in a nuanced and singular way. There isn't anyone who sounds quite like this.
Keyte’s debut album, ‘Melaleuca’ (2017), was nominated for ‘Best Release’, ‘Best Folk’ and ‘Best Female Artist’ at the South Australian Music Awards. In 2020 Naomi Keyte released Travelling Woman and won Best Folk at the South Australian Music Awards. She is currently working towards the release of her second LP, set for release in February 2024.
Alongside her personal practice, Naomi works for intercultural arts organisation, Nexus Arts
(Kaurna Country), where she coordinates an artist development program for culturally diverse and First Nations contemporary musicians. She is passionate about supporting artists at all levels through mentoring, workshops, peer to peer dialogue, and collaboration.
ELECTION STATEMENT
I am an artist and arts worker living and working on unceded Kaurna Country, who is deeply passionate about music. I have been working in the music space for almost 15 years and also hold a Bachelor of Arts with a major in anthropology. My studies and experiences working within the intercultural arts sector, have taught me to always be aware of who’s voices are being heard and, perhaps more importantly, who’s voices are not being heard. I am deeply passionate about supporting diverse and First Nations musicians because stories are integral to learning, connecting, and healing – something that I’m sure we can all agree is vitally needed right now.
I am also driven to help develop South Australia’s small but potent music community. There is a lack of industry here that inhibits artists living and working in this state, something I have experienced first-hand. I recently completed a 6-month leadership program with Newday, which was centred around regenerative community wellbeing, and I am excited to be stepping into leadership roles creatively and professionally.
BIOGRAPHY
Sophie Payten (musical moniker Gordi) is an Australian singer-songwrtier-producer from the tiny agricultural town of Canowindra (population 1,800). Since her globally acclaimed debut album Reservoir in 2017 and her anticipated 2020 follow-up, Our Two Skins, the ARIA nominated artist has quickly become one of the most cherished Indie/folk songwriters, recognised for her unique and progressive approach to her craft. Gordi has performed with international Grammy-nominated artists Bon Iver, The National and Sam Smith, and collaborated with the likes of Troye Sivan and Julien Baker.
In 2022, Gordi co-wrote the theme song to the Academy Award nominated feature film Mitchells V The Machines. In 2023, Payten has been nominated for an ARIA for Best Original Soundtrack for her composition of the score for the documentary, ‘RIDE’. Gordi’s music has been featured in various television series and films, including The Vampire Diaries and The Walking Dead.
Payten has served as an APRA AMCOS Ambassador since 2020, and participates as a mentor in the AIR Women in Music Program. She has recently been appointed to the inaugural Music Australia Council. Sophie is also a medical doctor, and throughout the pandemic was part of the Surge Response Workforce in Victoria.
ELECTION STATEMENT
I believe as an APRA Writer Director, I can effectively represent the collective voice of songwriters. I have been an APRA member for a decade and in that time, I have seen the industry change dramatically. From the way consumers consume music, to the ever-evolving social media labyrinth, to the post-covid cost-of-living crisis world we are now living in. There has never been a more important time for our industry peak bodies to stand up and advocate for meaningful change. That is why I am seeking election to this board at this time, because we are at this critical juncture.
I have recently been appointed to the inaugural Music Australia Council, and in my discussions with a wide variety of industry professionals, the common sentiment is that we need to collaborate. Not just artist to artist, but collaborate as an industry. That is how we will navigate our way through these changing times. I believe that, as we navigate our way through these challenging times, I can be an effective voice on the APRA Board, and that my role in the Music Australia Council will only enhance my ability to listen to our industry, and advocate for it.
BIOGRAPHY
Singer, songwriter, composer, and artist, Jodi Phillis rose to fame in the '90s with alt-rock band The Clouds, earning a gold record for their debut album, 'Penny Century,' and building a devoted global fan base which continues to grow.
Beyond The Clouds, Jodi has maintained a prolific career with six acclaimed solo albums, two Aria nominations and various musical projects. With chamber folk, psychedelia, and indie-pop influences, she is known for beguiling melodies, personal lyrics and her mellifluous voice.
Jodi diversified into film, TV, and stage composition after graduating from AFTRS in 2013. Notable works include ‘Seven Stories’ at City Recital Hall for Vivid Festival 2017 and ‘Encounter’ at Sydney Festival 2019. She won Best Original Song at the London Movie Awards in 2021 and garnered an APRA Screen Awards nomination in 2023.
Her upcoming project, ‘Vali My Love,’ is an album in collaboration with Italian poet Gianni Menichetti, paying homage to the late artist Vali Myers. Jodi also serves as an influential music mentor, nurturing emerging talent at TAFE and various workshops and residencies. Music press and contemporaries celebrate her as an "underrated national treasure" and a "vital force" in Australian music.
Follow this link for more info about Jodi.
ELECTION STATEMENT
I'm thrilled to announce my candidacy for the APRA Board of Directors. With a 35 year career in song-writing, composition, and performance, I’m committed to nurturing our vibrant community as we navigate the unique challenges of today's music landscape.
My primary concerns centre on the precarious viability of a career in music, in particular the marginalisation of older musicians, despite the depth of artistry that comes only from the maturity of experience.
My key interests:
I want to help foster a community where creativity flourishes, well-being is paramount, and all working music creators are valued and cherished. It’s time for me to do all I can for the creators of one of the most transcendent things in life….music.
BIOGRAPHY
Amara Primero is a screen composer, working across projects in Australia and the USA. She was the Winner of the Los Angeles Cinematography Awards (LACA) 2019 for Best Original Music Score (Stille Nacht) and a Finalist in the 2019 Music + Sounds Awards. Amara is a founding committee member of Women in Music Australia and in 2022 became an official APRA AMCOS Ambassador. Most recently she has been elected as a board director on the Australian Guild of Screen Composers.
Featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, Amara addresses the importance of Australian composers taking a more prominent position in background music libraries for sync opportunities in Film, TV and Advertising. She was the composer on the 2022 feature documentary, “Shane,” on the late Shane Warne (Amazon Prime Video) and is currently working on a 3-part series and a Feature Documentary for Stan to be aired at the end of the year.
Amara is the founder and director of Primerchord Production Music. Primerchord has supplied music for TV shows, including The Real Housewives franchise, Bondi Rescue, The Great Australian Bakeoff, Discovery’s, Sydney Harbour Force, Outback Car Hunters, The Repair Shop Australia and Amazon’s Making the Cut (a Project Runway Spinoff).
ELECTION STATEMENT
This is our time to see and hear our Australian presence reaching global audiences and even more importantly, hearing it first at home — Australian artists on our airways! At present, much of our domestically produced TV programming, resort to international music libraries.
Local and exported broadcast content, MUST be underscored with soundtracks by Australian artists and composers. This is what will sustain our industry. I intend to make certain there are more sync opportunities for our artists — that more Australian artists are prevalent in background music libraries and that these libraries are being utilised by productions.
I will continue to source sync and composing opportunities for our industry. I will be a voice for artists seeking these opportunities on a domestic and global scale. I will help ensure (in addition to already prevalent lobbying) that the industries who depend on our music, understand and employ our domestic product, bringing revenue back into our country and music economy through royalty income streams.
The backbone of our music industry depends on us uniting across creative industries, to serve and to educate. Let us help create works that are interdependent off each other, serving a greater purpose to our community and the world.
BIOGRAPHY
Claire has over 20 years industry experience in the Finance and Investment Industry. Ranging from Retail Banking in the United Kingdom to Stockbroking, Insurance, Medical Indemnity, Accounting and Financial Planning, Claire has built significant relationships across Australia within the corporate finance, legal and healthcare world.
Claire is a current member of the High IQ society, Mensa Australia and has previously served as committee member and State Treasurer for Musica Viva WA. Claire currently sits on the board of West Australian Music (WAM) as Secretary.
Claire is the proud author of the book 'Mettle & Flesh: A Collection of Poetry' and is lead singer of the Perth band Sonica. Claire is currently working on her next album with Sonica and her first solo EP as well as finishing her science fiction and fantasy book manuscripts.
Claire currently works as Business Manager and Financial Planner at Sorrento Strategic Music supporting artists and creatives by assisting with the provision of clear advice and expert accounting and financial planning services.
ELECTION STATEMENT
Working closely with artists professionally on a daily basis dealing with the financial burdens that artists face, as well as being a creator myself experiencing the extraordinary lengths we have to go to for remuneration sufficient to sustain a living, lends me perspective over the ongoing issues that our industry struggles with and the significant challenges we face moving forward as well as the importance of having advocacy and representation that can cover the depth and breadth of the range of areas that require consistent oversight, input, and a continuous push for change.
I believe that my passion for the music sector that I am forever grateful to be a part of and work within, coupled with my business and financial acumen accrued over decades of working within the corporate sector, supported by my professional drive would make me an excellent candidate to join the APRA AMCOS Board.
Being from a sector of the market that is significantly harder to reach, I believe having a regional representative connected to the West Australian Music market with Directorship and executive managerial experience will add further to the current board dynamics and I would relish the opportunity to contribute to this amazing organisation.
BIOGRAPHY
Jonathan is an ARIA Award winning composer, double bassist, producer, songwriter, passionate live music advocate and curator.
He has released three albums as composer, The Sea, The Remembering and Forgetting of the Air, and Animarum, with all three winning multiple awards.
In 2021 he was commissioned to compose a concert work for the visiting Finnish Harpist and pianist Iro Haarla, which was performed for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival in November 2022. This was recorded and broadcast by the ABC. Jonathan produced and orchestrated singer/songwriter Martha Marlow’s debut album Medicine Man.
He curated a series of free concerts for City of Sydney in 2021 and is currently working to reactivate bandstands and rotundas for a National Music Day. Jonathan studied Jazz at NSW Conservatorium, has a Masters Degree from ANU and diploma in screen composition from AFTRS. Jonathan composed Music for documentaries/short films.
Jonathan is a co-director of The Starfish Club, a monthly concert series celebrating its 27th year, featuring artists such as Deb Conway, Don Walker, Amanda Brown and Lindy Morrison, Leah Flanagan, Rai Thistlethwayte, Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty, Steve Kilbey, Jade MacRae, Mahalia Barnes, and many more.
ELECTION STATEMENT
I have been a passionate writer representative on the APRA Board for the last 4 years. As a working musician and composer, I’ve experienced, first-hand, enormous changes in the music industry from both the emergence of new technologies and platforms, as well as the devastating effects of COVID. I understand the impacts these have had on the ability of artists and composers to sustain music careers.
We need to be clear-eyed about which initiatives can support and protect our writers, performers and artists.
Legislating new rights in Intellectual Property is crucial. There needs to be substantive legal protection from increasing instances of unfair digital-media contracts, as well as from emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence. Quotas need to be introduced and maintained for meaningful representation of local artists and composers.
I also firmly support mandating Australian music to be played and performed at every major sporting event. These are just some key initiatives I will continue to be passionately committed to. I’m proud to have been part of an organisation that has effectively lobbied the Government to strengthen copyright protections and increase investment, recognising the significance of our Music Industry to the economy and to our overall sense of identity.