Published 22 January, 2024

Last November, Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) supported VIC songwriters Sydney Miller and Kiwat Kennell in attending the International Artist Habitat Creation Summit: Bali. There they were joined there by writers from Europe and Canada for a 10-day writing camp. Sydney and Kiwat were selected from a number of applicants by the organisers of IAH.

The International Artist Habitat is a borderless community dedicated to connecting artists and producers with their contemporaries (world-wide).

Kiwat left the camp with a few songs he plans to work into his set, and found himself working in genres he wouldn’t normally expect to work in.

“I was absolutely THRILLED to have the opportunity to take my music overseas and collaborate with people from all over the world. I have made contacts and connections that will help me grow as an artist!”

Sydney Miller found herself both inspired by her surroundings, but also challenged and encouraged out of her comfort zone with the demands that came from the camp:

“I'm so grateful for the opportunity I was given to attend the International Artist Habitat Bali Summit in November 2023, thanks to the VMDO. As an emerging producer and artist, it was absolutely the highlight of my career so far in the music industry, and I have walked away with an abundance of new skills, connections, and unforgettable experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise gained. I never thought I'd leave this 10-day experience with eight incredible new friends and future creative collaborators. I am also thrilled at the opportunity I had to connect with industry professionals external to the IAH participants - with whom I am still in contact with! It was really exciting to be creative in a new environment.

Not only was it creatively stimulating and easy to be productive being somewhere so serene, but it was also fascinating experiencing the local creative culture - we got to participate in a workshop with instrumentalists in the Balinese Gamelan Orchestra, where we learnt how to play traditional instruments and dance. Later, we attended their performance, which was of course incredible, and inspiring. Peter and Nich, the organisers of IAH, were incredible creative and professional mentors. I admired their leadership and ethic, and certainly learnt a lot from them about artistic collaboration and technical skills associated with music production, technology and engineering/recording. I'm really grateful for Nich and Peter and the other participants who supported me in trying new things, fine tuning my skills, and being my authentic self in this context. I still can't believe we put together 20 songs in 10 days, and the breadth of genres and styles we explored - as a previously strictly electro-pop producer and artist, it was insane to write, perform and produce 80's pop, contemporary ballads, dance music and bossa nova for the first time.

This experience has shifted the way I previously felt about collaboration, and I'm really excited to take these things I've learned and experienced and apply it to my future in music making. I'm also looking forward to pursuing more opportunities like this moving forward.”

With both artists returning with new songs likely to be released on their own releases, as well as features and co-writes on other participants songs, it won’t be long before we’re able to hear the fruits of the camp with our own ears.