White Sky Hub Incubator
A new seed incubator in Melbourne offers access to the proven benefits of working within a specialised music co-working environment to early stage music businesses.
Identifying a need for music businesses ready to take that next step to find a way in with less risk and more support, the Victorian Music Development Office and White Sky Music have teamed up to present the White Sky Incubator. The initiative will offer a subsidised desk in the White Sky Hub for 6 months for up to 10 music professionals per year.
The White Sky Hub in Collingwood boasts an enviable list of music business tenants including the management teams of Look Out Kid (Courtney Barnett, Sarah Blasko, Jen Cloher), Catherine Haridy Management (Bob Evans, Eskimo Joe, Jebediah), Hear Hear (Gretta Ray, Angie McMahon, Ainslie Wills), Heartstop Music (Marlon Williams, Julia Jacklin, The Weather Station), Hear Them Holler (Husky, Jazz Party), Wind & Birds (Ben Whiting, KO KO MO), Fresh Air Artists (Luluc, Ryan Downey), Penney & Logan (Alice Skye). As well as promoters Penny Drop, distributors Ditto Music and Bandcamp, and PR’s Positive Feedback and Penny & Logan. There’s also an alumni list that further proves the benefits of working in such a vibrant and connected space as they’re all very well established music companies: Laneway Festival, BLSTR, Native Tongue Music Publishing, Little Giant to name a few.
White Sky Founder/Director, Tom Harris describes the impetus for the hub, “When I started White Sky I was working out of my bedroom. I eventually moved into a shared office space with other budding music businesses which changed everything. Having other likeminded people around is an invaluable resource for building a business, but it’s also a lot more fun. We launched the White Sky Hub in 2011 to try to emulate that environment and create opportunities to the next generation to share resources, collaborate, learn from one another, and ultimately build stronger music businesses faster.”
The shared space has been reserved exclusively for music businesses to ensure connections between businesses is relevant and mutually beneficial. The space itself has recently been expanded and re-designed to include a listening room, two breakout areas and a stage for live music performances and presentation-style events, including the VMDO's monthly Networking Breakfasts. These events also bring in guest speakers and other music businesses, artists and entrepreneurs to network and foster new ideas.
"The sense of community created by the music-specific shared work space at co-working locations like White Sky Hub, can be invaluable for micro/small businesses. As well as important social connections, the benefits to business are many, from shared networks, opportunities and collaborations to economies of scale and the incubation of ideas, both formally in meeting rooms and incidentally around the office. The VMDO is proud to be a part of this new initiate to help early stage music businesses take that important step in development", Bonnie Dalton, General Manager, Victorian Music Development Office.
Applications now open to all Victorian-based music professionals (artist managers and other music businesses) in the early stages of their growth.
To apply, simply send your name, business name, brief list of highlights/achievements related to your business, contact details and a short description of why you like to be considered for a subsidised desk in the White Sky Hub to info@vmdo.com.au
For more information, please contact info@vmdo.com.au
Meet the VMDO White Sky Incubator 2020 tenants
Charli Tjoe
loadin.com
Please tell me about yourself and your business? I’m Charli and I’m the GM of loadin.com. loadin.com was born after many conversations between two mates Haydn Johnston, and Alan James. Haydn (Architects of Entertainment) has worked as a Production Manager, Event Manager and Tour Manager for the past 25 years, and Alan has built web sites and applications since more or less the start of the web. Together, they saw a need for a communication tool that could bridge the gap between a festival and their artists specifically in the music festival industry.
Tailored for promoters, production managers, artist liaisons and tour managers our goal is to streamline the advancing process. We help you track and manage the artists all the way up to show day. We’ve been very lucky and in a short amount of time we’ve partnered with some of Australia’s best festivals which means many world class artists have come through our doors.
What’s next for your business in 2020? Big things are in store! I can’t give too much away but we will be expanding directly to touring artists next. Tour Managers watch this space. Due to requests, we will also be adapting our software to suit operational management needs. Event/Ops Managers have a similar need to track and manage their suppliers documentation so this is a natural progression for us.We will continue expanding to the Australian market but also have our sights set on the US and UK. Alan and myself will also be heading to SXSW in March which I’m very excited about as we have some really great meetings set up.
How long have you been a tenant at the White Sky Hub? I have been here since November 2019.
What is the best part about working out of the White Sky Hub? No longer working out of my kitchen for a start. This was honestly the best move I have made and I love being here. Location is the best as it’s right near all the best places to eat on Smith St. Our floor is a bright, light filled space with lots of plants. Everyone is super friendly and it’s just a good vibe all the time.
Would you recommend the White Sky Hub Incubator to other music business professionals, if so, why?Absolutely. If you are in the music business industry and want to be surrounded by like minded, friendly people who you could potentially network with as well then it’s a no brainer.
Where can people find out more about your business? www.loadin.com and if you have a quick minute spare here’s a demo to watch: https://vimeo.com/355036668
Kate Adams
Fresh Air Artists
Please tell me about yourself and your business? Hi there! I’m an artist manager based in Melbourne. I run Fresh Air Artists, managing Gena Rose Bruce and Ryan Downey. I’ve been working as a manager for 5 years now. I’ve also recently joined the Heartstop Music team as Marketing Manager / General Manager - management home to Julia Jacklin, Marlon Williams, The Weather Station, Merk and Phantastic Ferniture.
What’s next for your business in 2020? Lots coming up and in the works! I’m heading to SXSW and LA in March with Gena, the UK in May, Ryan is just about to record his new album, both artists have local and overseas touring scheduled and we are looking towards new releases for late 2020.
How long have you been a tenant at the White Sky Hub? 1 year.
What is the best part about working out of the White Sky Hub? The people. Followed by the location, the natural light and the coffee machine.
Would you recommend the White Sky Hub Incubator to other music business professionals, if so, why? Absolutely. Despite spending most of my time talking with teams and artists, I find management can feel a bit isolating when you work alone, no matter how many lunch meetings you schedule! But moving to the Hub and working amongst a community of other people in the music industry has meant I can build friendships and stay connected to what’s going on in a way I couldn’t when I worked from my home office. It’s a really motivating, productive and supportive space.
Where can people find out more about your business? freshairartists.com and instagram.com/freshairartists.
Ryan Kearney
Smart Base Entertainment
Please tell me about yourself and your business? I’m the overly excited owner and director of SBE (Smart Base Entertainment) a boutique management company that looks after Charlie Threads, Freeds, Mish & Vince Cheng. I also assist Scott Barkham with Hiatus Kaiyote and soon to be manager of The Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy.
What’s next for your business in 2020? More music! Charlie’s next single I’m Just A Man comes out February 3rd, Freeds is releasing a live version of his November single A1 & there’s music on the horizon for Mish, Vince and Hiatus too. I’m also very excited about The Evelyn Hotel project, there’s some serious change happening in 2020 for such a historic mainstay of Melbourne music and I’m honoured to be one of the faces of it.
How long have you been a tenant at the White Sky Hub? Just over two weeks now!
What is the best part about working out of the White Sky Hub? The office lighting and sitting across from Charlotte Abroms, she’s a gun!
Would you recommend the White Sky Hub Incubator to other music business professionals, if so why? Being a part of a well lit and vibrant office, there’s always something happening.
Where can people find out more about your business? Follow these socials! @planetfreeds @charliethreads @zeromish @hiatusakaiyote & @vincechengmus
