Our mentors are chosen for their outstanding skills and credentials. This is the opportunity for students to collaborate with some of Australia’s best:
Andy Lawson
Perth-based, Andy has spent more than a decade producing, mixing and engineering some of the West’s best, including Eskimo Joe, Little Birdy, End of Fashion, Gyroscope, The Chemist and the Basement. As the helmsman at his own Debaser Studio, Andy always has his ear to the ground for emerging artists and bands.
Anna Laverty
Graduating in Sound from WAAPA, Anna moved to London and joined Miloco Studios, working under the guidance of multi-award winning producers Paul Epworth (Adele, Foster The People) and Ben Hillier (Blur, U2). Since returning to Australia she has been busy on projects for artists including Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Cut Copy, Paul Dempsey and New Gods’ critically acclaimed album ‘Beloved’. Q&A with Anna Laverty
Grant Windsor
Grant Windsor is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, writer and producer. He’s back in Australia after stints living in NY and London, taking his love of jazz into surprising places. “There’s a satisfaction in exploring a wide range of genres and instruments and I always have gravitated towards that – I am naturally curious. There’s nothing better than seeing a string orchestra and a DJ improvising.”
Ilan Kidron
Ilan is an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. As frontman of dance band, The Potbelleez, he co-wrote the group’s breakthrough, double platinum single, “Don’t Hold Back”. In addition to his work with the Potbelleez, he is an in-demand co-writer and producer, working with artists including Ricky Martin, Jessica Mauboy and Tina Arena.
Jon Hume
Songwriter, performer, multi-instrumentalist, producer: Jon came to prominence with brothers Dann and Peter, as Evermore, penning many Top 20 hits. Working from his studios in rural Victoria, he’s now a go-to writer/producer for a long list of artists including Lisa Mitchell, Matt Corby, Taylor Henderson, Karise Eden, Tina Arena, EAST and Delta Goodrem.
Katie Noonan
A mother, singer, producer, songwriter, pianist and business woman, this 4 x ARIA Award winning and 7 x platinum selling songstress first received widespread praise as the angel-voiced songstress of indie-pop band George and has since taken audiences on sublime excursions through jazz, pop and classical music.
Kav Temperley
Kav is front-man and songwriter of double-platinum, multi ARIA award-winning band, Eskimo Joe, and a member of Basement Birds. ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’ was the Eskies’ iconic breakthrough song, bringing the band international recognition. “How Does It Feel” featured in a pivotal scene in Gossip Girl’s first season.
Lachlan Carrick
Lachlan has been recording, mixing and mastering records for 20 years. For much of the past decade, he has worked mostly with Francois Tetaz (Gotye) at Franc’s studio Moose Mastering in Melbourne. He is the current front of house engineer for Gotye, joining in for the last 2 world tours. His studio mixing credits include Gotye, Lior, Elixir and CW Stoneking.
Lior
Lior’s 2005 first album ‘Autumn Flow’ became one of the most successful independent debuts in Australian history. It earned a swag of accolades, including nominations for three Arias as well as Triple J’s Album of the Year. Several acclaimed studio albums followed, along with journeys into many new musical places including a stunning collaboration with classical composer, Nigel Westlake, on a song cycle for voice and orchestra, ‘Compassion’ and music for the ABC kids series, Giggle & Hoot, which landed him an APRA/AGSC screen music award. “I wish there had been a program like SongMakers when I was at high school!”.
Rai Thistlethwayte
Rai is a one of Australia’s most respected musical talents: a highly accomplished pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. As front-man of multi-platinum Aussie rock band Thirsty Merc, he has toured extensively and released a string of hits on to the Australian Music Charts. He tours North American and Australia with his solo show, Sun Rai.‘I know that in these classrooms there is the potential to uncover the next Australian superstar songwriter.’
Robert Conley
Robert is one of Australia’s most in-demand songwriter/ producers. Early in his career, while working as assistant engineer on ‘KISS Alive III’ in LA, Robert so impressed Grammy award-winning producer, Walter Afanasieff, that he was hired on the spot. That set him on a path to work on artists including Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera, Carlos Santana and many more. Now living in Sydney, Robert has his own publishing company and record label Specific Music. “Seeing these kids accomplish SO much in 2 days is an absolute inspiration to me.”
Stu Hunter
An award-winning musician, producer and composer, Stu has worked with some of the biggest names in music. He has collaborated with Katie Noonan in her band, The Captains, and his playing can be heard on the albums of countless artists including Passenger, Silverchair and Jackie Orszaczky. Producer credits include Sarah McLeod and soul singer, Tina Harrod.
Tom Busby
Award-winning singer/songwriter Tom Busby is one half of Blues/Roots outfit, Busby Marou. Turning his back on his old life as a lawyer, Tom penned songs for the band’s debut self-titled album in 2010, which won a Deadly Award. An APRA ‘Best Blues & Roots Album’ Award followed in 2011 and the single, Biding my Time made the Triple J Hottest 100 in that year, too. Busby Marou has toured, written and recorded in the US, Canada and Australia.
Meet the APRA AMCOS Ambassadors
“If only a program like this existed when I was in high school!”Lior, mentor