2020 Funding

Successful Applicants: Meet our 2020 Future Makers

ALEX KARATASSA is a festival curator and artist manager at Five Four Entertainment. She manages emerging bands Sleep Talk, Bearclaw Camp and The Beautiful Monument. Alex was named as one of the Stigwood Fellowship recipients for her work in artist management, is now the Activations Manager for St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and curates the lineup for Spin Off Festival in a partnership with the Splendour in The Grass. Manager, SA

ALYSE NEWMAN is the Director of Melbourne based PR and management agency AANTHOLOGIES. Launched in September 2019, AANTHOLOGIES manage the career of Melbourne synth-pop band FERLA and provide creative and strategic PR campaigns for local and international clients covering all media platforms. Former publicist at Positive Feedback and Little Giant Agency, Alyse has over five years experience driving PR campaigns and is also the former Operation Administrator for the Australian Music Industry Network and has held various marketing and project management roles at Music Victoria. Manager, VIC

AMANDA VITARTAS got her start in music while at booking agency, Wing & Gill, touring artists including Thee Oh Sees, Mac Demarco, Hunx And His Punx, and King Tuff. She founded her own business: ‘Future Popes’ in 2014, which began with a backbone in publicity, representing artists and labels from Burger Records, Flying Nun, Poison City Records, The Ocean Party, Cascine Records, MOD CON and The Gooch Palms. One of the driving factors of starting Future Popes was to tour female dominated indie-bands introducing them to the Australian scene. Amanda is currently the exclusive venue booker of The Grace Darling, while also co-managing the artist careers of Moaning Lisa, Cry Club and Candy. Manager, VIC

AMBER JEAN HATTON has been managing a folk/rock band named Jack Davies and The Bush Chooks for the past two years. Alongside her Artist management work, Amber also works booking shows/events for four venues and is in charge of all the music administration. Amber Jean has now undertaken Siobhan Cotchin as her second artist and is looking forward to building her artist roster and cementing the foundation for her career in the music industry. Manager, WA

ANITA MEIRUNTU is ALPHAMAMA and presents an electrifying live show with a potent mic of 90's Soul, Hip Hop, Gospel & World music. As a musician and song-writer, she has supported, toured and collaborated with some industry heavyweights. These include Salt N Pepa, Thundamentals/Tuka, L-Fresh The Lion, 30/70, Electric Empire, NGAIIRE, Jessica Mauboy & Set Mo. Recently returning from New Orleans, Alpha recorded an album of 17 songs titled HoneyFire to release in 2020. Her next two singles are ready to release as she tours with TUKA in November. Self Managed, NSW

CAMERON MACKINNON started his own artist management company, Under//Over Management while studying a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries at Queensland University of Technology in 2014. While representing several hip-hop artists from Brisbane, he was also running and promoting music events at a variety of venues around Fortitude Valley in Brisbane. Now in his fifth year running Under//Over, Cameron’s roster includes three promising acts in Australia, Austen, DVNA and Keelan Mak. Manager, VIC

COEDIE MCCARTHY started producing ten years ago in his bedroom and studied at SAE for a Bachelor of Audio Production. He has been involved in multiple musical projects but his current focus is NSW based band, Indigenoise. Managed Artist, NSW.

CONOR BARTON is one half of Perth pop duo Mosquito Coast. The band have been playing since 2013 and were shot to fame when they won the 2015 Triple J Unearthed High competition with their song ‘Call My Name’. Since then, the band have released their Television Love EP and toured the country. Additionally, Conor manages the band and is currently coordinating the release of their debut album 'Kisses'. Conor is currently in his last year of studying media and politics at the University of Melbourne, focusing on the music industry, new music technologies and queer identities. Self Managed, VIC.

COOPER-LILY NIKORA is the lead publicist at AUM PR + MGMT and Chryss Carrs right hand person for all management clients Benny Walker and Mau Power, J-MILLA, and Rrawun Maymuru. She spearheaded the profile development, singles and tours for Baker Boy, KIAN and Dallas Woods. Cooper-lily has worked on PR campaigns for Dan Sultan, Nattali Rize, Mau Power, Benny Walker, The NIMAs, East Journey, Airileke - Free West Papua, Jimblah, Briggs and many more. Manager, VIC

FRANCESCA DE VALENCE is an Australian artist, award-winning songwriter, international speaker, mentor and founder of ‘I Heart Songwriting Club’. She has been acknowledged by the Los Angeles Music Awards with an International Songwriter of the Year Award and also holds an Australian Songwriting Award. Francesca writes a monthly column for Songwriting Magazine UK, has a fortnightly ABC Radio songwriting segment and facilitates songwriting workshops nationally and internationally for APRA AMCOS & IMRO (Ireland). Self Managed, QLD

GEORGIA POTTER has been a working musician and songwriter for the past 13 years since graduating from an Audio Engineering and Production degree at Griffith Conservatorium of Music in 2008. Since 2016, she’s been working entirely on writing, performing and co-producing for her project, Moreton which she now self manages.  Moreton released their first EP in 2016, and is two singles deep into the release of the second EP scheduled for early 2020. Georgia was also the inaugural recipient of the Carol Lloyd Award. Self Managed, NSW.

GRACE BARBE started her career playing bass and singing in a Seychelles community band in Perth, WA. Grace toured remote Aboriginal communities as a singer and dancer with a hip hop crew Dog Pound productions, she then joined popular Perth band Raggabeats as singer before commencing her solo career. Grace has released three highly acclaimed albums: Kreol Daughter, Welele! and FANM:WOMAN and performed at festivals all over the world including Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, SAKIFO in La Reunion and WOMAD NZ. Self Managed, WA

HANNAH CAMERON is a folk performer who first broke onto the scene with her debut LP ‘Blow My House Down’ in 2015. Three years on from its release and following a subsequent B-side EP titled Offcuts, Cameron released her acclaimed sophomore album I Lay Where You Lie. The LP garnered nationwide attention with lead single ‘What’s It For’ settling into rotation on Double J and Sydney’s FBi radio. Placing in the Amrap Metro and Regional Charts at the #5 and #10 spots respectively, Melbourne’s 3RRR FM pinned the album as one of their favourite finds of the week. Self Managed, VIC

IMBAR NASSI has always loved rhythm and poetry and currently performs as Imbi the Girl currently classified as a neo-soul artist but as their standing in the industry strengthens intend to transcend the genre. Imbi has been featured in publications such as Oyster, Noisey and Billboard and has amassed just under 1 million total Spotify streams, 250k Apple Music Streams and has also been featured on Beats 1 radio and BBC Radio 6. The last two years has seen Imbi working on developing their live performance and crowd connection and interaction. Self Managed, NSW

JOE MILES started working with the Hills Are Alive festivals 5 years ago, helping organise and run NYE as well as co-manage REMI, Mike Waters. Now, 5 years on, he is heading the Hills Are Alive Management Division and looking after four artists full time: Remi, Sensible J, Steve Cousins and Mike Waters. Manager, VIC

KELSIE MILLER has established a strong career within the Australian music industry over the past seven years, during this time she has turned her hand to event promotion, marketing, publicity, artist bookings, artist management and graphic design, using her skills and passion to build a respected business. She began managing Great Gable in early 2018, and has co-ordinated the release of their last three singles. She has overseen all the logistics and planning for Great Gable’s last four national tours and is currently coordinating the 18-month release strategy for Great Gable’s debut album. Manager, WA

KYLE LENIART started playing in pubs, cafes and busking around Byron Bay in 2012. He signed a record deal with Ivy League records in 2017 and went on to record and release an EP called ‘Eleven & Two’ and tour Europe and Australia under the name of Kyle Lionhart. In 2018 he wrote his debut album, ‘Too Young’, recorded in Nashville and released in September of 2019. Managed Artist, NSW

LILLIAN SHEARMAN is forging a career in both the music and events industries. An independent artist manager for Oh Boy, Lilly has 7 years of experience. Lilly continues to grow national stakeholder networks and collaborate with record labels, brands, publicists, agents and managers to promote both her artist's as well as her passion for music – she does all of this while completing a Bachelor of Business part time. Manager, QLD

MARK NEAL started as a manager and musician from the great southern, finding his way into booking festivals, venues and events. He is currently the festival director for WAMFest, curating over 200 bands into a multi venue showcase festival. Additionally he is the booking agent for a venue and nightclub called The Sewing Room, manages Noah Dilllon and curates a weekly new music radio show ‘Out To Lunch’ on RTRFM every Tuesday. Mark also created his own independent label called Blue Grey Pink and started the Beaufort St Songwriters Club. Manager, WA

N’FA FORSTER-JONES is one part of Afrobeat/Hip Hop band, Cool Out Sun and was previously in ARIA award winning 1200 Techniques as well as other solo projects and albums. N’Fa is now primarily focused on managing the day to day activities of Cool Out Sun, who have recently received multiple independent music award nominations. Self Managed, VIC

NATALIE CAREY performs under the name of Valentina Brave whose Single ‘I Met A Man’ came out November 2018 and Debut EP Wildflower in February 2019. Wildflower was added to Double J Rotation and the single scored a top five spot on AMRAP’s Regional Music Chart. Valentina has played festivals, self produced directed and edited all her music videos and ran her release campaign. Self Managed, NSW

NATASHA SHANKS started out in the Perth music scene studying performance and music business. She worked in events management teams for companies such as Sunset Events, Splendour in the Grass, North Street Music and Perth Symphony Orchestra. She coordinated ‘Chics in Music Business’ and since 2014 has performed in and self managed The Little Lord Street Band who have recorded a debut album (unreleased), released and toured 3 EP's across Australia, garnered national airplay, reached AMRAP top 10 charts, added to ABC country, won WAM awards for Best Country Act and WAM SOTY. Self Managed, WA

PADDY KIERNAN performs in various bands such as Highlife and DUB ZOO for three years before taking over management/booking for Highlife in January 2019. He has also performed artist logistics and artist liaison roles in events such as Woodford Folk Festival, Caloundra Music Festival and Big Pineapple since the mid 2000’s. Manager, QLD

PAT TIERNEY is a lap slide guitarist and roots troubadour who has toured Australia over the past 18 months with musicians such as Russell Morris, The Beautiful Girls and Bobby Alu whilst also working on his second album ‘Red Moon’, released in September 2019. Pat has also featured at iconic festivals such as Queenscliff Music Festival and Delamere Music Festival as well as debut performances in the United States. Self Managed, NSW.

RHIANNON ATKINSON-HOWATT aka Merpire has quickly grown from nascent head-turner to powerful frontrunner of the local alt/indie-pop scene. Backed by an impressive predominantly female live line-up, such a powerful and versatile live presence has already seen Merpire perform standout sets at Bigsound, A Festival Called PANAMA, Brunswick Music Festival, and supported Australian acts like Angie McMahon, Didirri’s, Oh Pep!, Last Dinosaurs and more. With a debut album set for 2020, Merpire’s exciting upward trajectory continues to prove why she’s topped many a one-to-watch list of 2019. Managed Artist, VIC

RICHIE GUYMALA is the lead singer and songwriter for a band formed in Jabiru, Kakadu NT in 2015 called Black Rock Band. The band performed at local Mahbilil Festival and with the support of Children's Ground have played Melbourne gigs in 2016 and 2017. They recorded their first album in 2017 with Andy Baldwin (RolaPola Studios NY - recorded Two Shoes and The Cat Empire) and the first video for single Bininj Kunborrk took out best rock song in NT Music Awards, and was a finalist in NIMAs. Managed Artist, VIC

SHANNEN EGAN moved to Australia from the UK 5 years ago, she launched a music publication and promotion company called CBR DIG in Canberra and did a lot of work in the local community. Shannen went on to become the program manager at MusicACT. Passionate about artist development, Shannen launched artist management and promotion agency called 'Turning Heads Agency' and began managing Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Columbus and Sputnik Sweetheart. Now located in Melbourne, Shannen is an assistant artist manager at Ground Control who look after the likes of Emma Louise and Robbie Miller. Amongst her many activities, Shannen has recently started a community engagement role at music media platform 'Baked Goods'. Manager, VIC

SOPHIA EXINER aka Phia is known for her genre-defying, live-looping show and masterful use of the African kalimba (thumb piano). She is also the founder and artistic director of Melbourne Indie Voices, a new breed of community choir that performs her arrangements of indie-pop songs alongside iconic Australian artists such as Paul Kenny, Paul Dempsey, Vika and Linda Bull, Ali Barter, Georgia Fields and Clare Bowditch.  Phia has toured her own music through Australia and Europe multiple times, has released 2 EPs and an album, in 2019 she released ‘Full Circle’, the first single from her upcoming second LP, which sees her bringing together together her two musical worlds - joyous choral harmonies and live looping. Self Managed, VIC

TAMARA GEORGOPOULOS started her music career working as a business manager and music buyer for music retail group Sanity, Virgin and HMV. From here she moved into working for major record label Sony Music Australia as part of the A&R team, working across a roster of over 60 local acts, managing the in-house recording studio, it’s team of producer/engineers and ran the yearly ARIA showcase events. 4.5 into this, in 2016, she decided to leave and start her own independent management company, ArowAgency who represent a management roster of local artists, songwriters and producers including Lupa J, Sam Phay, Ainsley Farrell, Bad Pony and No Frills Twins. Manager, NSW

THOMAS McGENNISS-DESTRO commenced working in the music industry through interning at a handful of management companies and booking agencies. Thomas began working at the record label Caroline Australia in 2014 for three years, working as a Label Coordinator in sales, marketing, production, publicity and label relations. In 2018, Thomas started his own management company, Piper’s Son and now manages Ash Grunwald, Airports, Keeks, Future Strangers, Modern Opera, Rya Park, Retro Culture, Sam Windley, Sammi Constantine, Shannen James, Tilly VW and co-manages Eastbound Buzz and The Jensens . Manager, NSW

TIANI SEETO manages VOIID and is the founder of the Brisbane based management company Mafioso Music. VOIID is signed to Select Music and has played festivals such as BIGSOUND. Manager, QLD

TUMI MOKONE is the manager of Simmertown, a recording and visual artist collective based in Melbourne. The artist roster consists of a diverse group of acts including the rap/dub band Royalty Noise, spoken word poet and rapper Tumi the Be and the international Ethio-Pop sensation Nhatty Man along with a selection of other performers. In 2018 Simmertown increased it's focus on promotions and has held events/residencies at venues including The Evelyn Hotel, Section 8, Ferdydurke and Horse Bazaar and in 2019 Simmertown has broadened its focus from music production to visual production. Manager, VIC

The Seed Fund Workshop 2020: The Future Makers

Up to 30 opportunities available

The Future Makers workshop is a chance for artists and managers to examine the mechanics of their operation. Part professional development program, part personal inquiry, our vision is for all artists and managers to progress towards becoming sustainable in what can feel like a sea of opportunities and road blocks.

Participants will meet with peers, facilitators and panelists in a dynamic workshop format which will include discussions with leaders and change makers in our industry. Over the course of the workshop, participants will receive assistance to articulate their future goals and plans and practical guidance to encourage deep analysis of their business model.

Applications will be accepted from artists, artist managers and self-managed artists. The Seed will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants. Should you be successful all you need to do is get yourself to your closest major airport.

Who can apply? Australian artists, artist managers and self managed artists. Applicants must be over 18 years of age and an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Important Dates              

WORKSHOP 2nd to 6th March 2020