Big sounds selected for CD

After a record-breaking 115 talented applicants from across the Great Southern region, 10 artists have been selected for the Sounds of the Great Southern project, set to record over four weeks from March 9.

Following the successes of the West Australian Music series of “Sounds Of”, the compilation is now set to showcase a range of incredible artists from across the Great Southern region.

Included in the line-up are the Tidswell Twins with the North Albany Senior High School Band, Willow, from Denmark, 40 Kays Out, from Katanning, Ron Coyne, from Albany, Rastatrix, from Denmark, Dave Taylor, from Takalarup, and Carla Geneve, from Albany.

Also set to be featured in the album is Mary Jayne & The Smoke Detectors, from Denmark, Kris Nelson, from Albany and Isla Imogen, also from Albany.

In line with WAM’s efforts to promote indigenous artists in the Sounds Of series across regional WA, the compilation will showcase two “original nations” acts.

It also covers genres ranging from rock to indie pop, jazz, country, folk-dub, dirty blues, and reggae-ska-dub.

The artists selected cover a mix of established and lesser-known artists, yet still only takes a dip below the surface of the immense pool of talent found in the Great Southern region, hence making the selection process a very difficult one.

WAM regional officer and Sounds of the Great Southern project officer Nigel Bird said the Great Southern region had a strong reputation for being abundant with great songwriters and musicians.

“This reputation has never been clearer to us at WAM, with so many acts registering their interest for our Sounds of the Great Southern project and the selection process was particularly difficult; we knew before we even started that there would be more than 100 really deserving acts we were not able to include,” he said.

Along with guest sessions from ARIA Award-winning producer Joel Quartermain and Debaser Studio engineer Andy Lawson, artists will work with award-winning producers Matt Gio, from Rada Studio, and Sean Lillico, enabling them to leave the Soundtown pop-up studio with a professional recording to use for their own purposes and financial gain.

Tracks will be released on the Sounds of the Great Southern CD and digital compilation, giving the artists promotional opportunities far beyond their hometowns, with the CD and digital play list distributed to radio stations, media and the music industry across Australia, and abroad.