The hottest music acts in south-east Queensland are set to come together for an unprecedented event that will showcase the strength of the region's independent music scene.
More than 430 artists applied to take part in 100 Songs, a groundbreaking initiative from Queensland University of Technology (QUT)'s Independent Music Project (IMP).
From that, 75 up-and-coming music acts have been selected to play over six days at QUT's Gasworks Studios in Newstead, which will run three recording studios simultaneously, producing an average of one song per hour, 16 hours a day from May 15 to 20.
The best songs will be played on Triple J's Home and Hosed program each night and on local community radio station 4ZZZ, with a best-of compilation to be released nationally via MGM Distribution.
Professor Philip Graham, director of QUT's Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation, said public interest in 100 Songs proved that Brisbane was a major player in the Australian music scene.
"It shows the continuing depth and breadth of talent that we have in this city. Brisbane has been named a global music hotspot by Billboard, and the response we have had, both in number and quality of entries, confirms that this continues to be the case," he said.
"We received entries from all over Australia, with most coming from Brisbane and south-east Queensland.
"It shows that the aims of the project are embraced by the local music community, and that QUT's IMP has come to play a trusted and significant role in profiling and promoting Brisbane's amazing array of musical talent."
Professor Graham said the involvement of Sounds Like Brisbane, a collective of independent music labels, meant 100 Songs would include the very best of Brisbane's indie scene.
High-calibre acts chosen to take part in 100 Songs include established artists such as Drawn From Bees, My Fiction, Ben Salter, The Medics, The Good Ship, Bertie Page Clinic and The Honey Month, as well as emerging artists across different genres.
Stew Riddle, bass guitarist from Brisbane art rock band Drawn From Bees, said he was pleased his band was short-listed for the project.
"We usually spend four or five days, not hours, recording a song. I'm excited to see the final product," he said.
"There is an amazing wealth of music talent in Brisbane. This shows we have got a vibrant music community and initiatives like this highlight that to the broader community.
"By increasing the presence of Brisbane as a centre for music in the world, that helps all local musicians."
Media contact: Stephanie Harrington, media officer, 3138 1150, stephanie.harrington@qut.edu.au
