The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) has announced participants for its inaugural RESONATE Country songwriting program for 2025, a new initiative to support Indigenous songwriters in country music.
This year's participants include songwriters Bronwyn Stuart, Katie Aspel, Kieren Waters and Quarralia Knox.
The program is funded by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) and the NSW Government through Sound NSW and offers Indigenous APRA AMCOS members the chance to collaborate with some of the country's top songwriters.
Special guest Phil Barton, along with award-winning writers Matt Fell and Warren H Williams, will also mentor participants.
They will join program mentors Gling Hunt, Joey Leigh Wagtail, Kutcha Edwards, Kyarna Rose, Luke Peacock, and Maddi Colville Walker to develop their songwriting skills.
Ms Rose described the program as a rare opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
"This opportunity will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters, like myself, the opportunity to share our stories, connect with mob and contribute to the legacy of Indigenous voices in country music here in Australia," she said.
The program will take place over four days from 20–22 January 2025 at Mad Proppa Deadly Studios in Armidale, NSW.
Participants will work closely with established industry professionals in a collaborative environment designed to foster creativity.
The program will conclude with the NATSIMO Industry Showcase on Thursday 24 January at the Britten Room in the Tamworth Community Centre.
The event is part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and will feature performances from participants, mentors, and special guests.
NATSIMO director, Leah Flanagan, said the program showcases the talent within Indigenous communities.
"We encourage the wider country music community and industry to come along and get involved, and we thank Sound NSW for supporting our artists through this inaugural program," she said.
The NATSIMO Industry Showcase will be held from 5.30pm to 9pm on Thursday, 24 January at the Britten Room, Tamworth Community Centre.
Performers will include Bronwyn Stuart, Gling Hunt, Joey Leigh Wagtail, Katie Aspel, Kieren Waters, Kyarna Rose, Maddi Colville Walker, Quarralia Knox, Warren H Williams, and special guests.
RSVP is required via natsimo@apra.com.au.