ALFINDA AGYPUTRI
April 26, 2012
Perth’s music industry is favouring alternative music while the mainstream genre is ignored, some local mainstreamers say.
Brad Gandy from pop-rock band ASTRO says he sees the bias particularly in the West Australian Music Industry Association, of which he is a member.
“You might find 80 per cent of [musicians] are actually mainstream and 20 per cent are alternative, but it’s that 20 per cent that get the attention and support from WAM,” Gandy told InkWire.
“When you look at [WAM’s] annual compilation of all music in WA, you won’t hear anything remotely that sounds mainstream.
“It’s all the alternative songs.”
Brad Gandy (centre) and his band ASTRO. Photo: courtesy ASTRO.
But WAM business manager Mike Jeffrey said the industry body catered to a wide variety of genres.
“We take the need for inclusiveness seriously,” Jeffrey said.
“We provide support to anyone in the industry who approaches us for assistance.
“Some of [the programs] that we facilitate are competitive, but the criteria relating to selection have nothing to do with genre.”
Cheryl Lim Photo: Alfinda Agyputri
Cheryl Lim, singer-songwriter who performs as