Words by Natalie Blacklock
For as long as I can remember, I have always been an Australian Music girlie at heart. There is something about the homegrown aspects of Australian music that speak to me (as I’m sure it does to a lot of us) on a much deeper level than anything an international act can produce. I do not have a definitive answer as to why this is … Is it because these artists sing of shared and sometimes uniquely ‘Aussie’ experiences of growing up, moving out, getting drunk and making bad (or absolutely incredible) decisions? Is it because their songs talk about the familiar streets of our towns? Or is it about that feeling of ‘pride’ when you see a band from your hometown kicking goals and you can’t help yourself but saying that you knew them before they were ‘famous’? Whatever it is, it is probably fair to say that in 2024, despite the curveballs the last few years has thrown our way, the Australian music industry has a more diverse playlist than ever before.
Whatever music is your vice for; it is a necessary part of our lives. So much so, that often, we look to musicians to get us through our tougher times, but who looks after them when the chips are down? Over the years, far too many friends, colleagues and idols have been dealing with a multitude of mental and physical health concerns (some more vocal than others), with little to no support, while still trying to maintain a life on the road. For many years, the lifestyle of those in the industry has been glamourised and romanticised to seem like the quintessential ‘rock n’ roll’ dream but that lifestyle is not without its pitfalls. For the best part of the last 15 years, I have gone out of my way trying to learn more about Australian music and the local scene here in Brisbane with many a night spent lingering in dark rooms and starting conversations with people I was standing in front of screaming along with only a few minutes earlier. Soon enough, one conversation turned into a high-five, a hug, a mid-set shout-out or post-gig beers and the friendships that I have built here are some of the most important in my life. However, the closer I became to many of these people, the struggles they face as musicians, managers, crew and music workers became realer, and often more confronting, than any of us really acknowledged.
Established in 1997, Support Act is the music industry’s charity, delivering human and financial services and crisis relief to musicians, managers, crew and music workers across the country, who are unable to work due to ill health, injury, mental health issues or other hardship. In what has become Support Act’s annual fundraising drive, AusMusic T-Shirt Day has become the centrepiece of AusMusic Month every November. This year, November 28th is THE day to celebrate Aussie music and to raise vital funds for those in the music industry who are suffering from financial hardship, mental illness and other adverse circumstances. These funds will enable Support Act to continue its crucial work supporting musicians, managers, crew and music workers through crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing programs, the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program and dedicated First Nations support.
So how are you planning on celebrating AusMusic T-Shirt Day? What’s the story behind your AusMusic T-Shirt of choice? Hit us up on our socials and let us know! Remember to tag us @goodcalllive and hashtag #ausmusictshirtday
AusMusic T-Shirt Day is brought to you by Support Act, ARIA, triple j, Heaps Normal, Gildan, AAMI, Mushroom Creative House and Love Police.
If you are able to, we would love for you to get behind our fundraising effort and stand with us to support our mates in the music industry. Visit Good Call Live’s Team Fundraising Page HERE and donate NOW!
