An annual initiative of Support Act, Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is a fashionably perfect way to celebrate and support the backbone of the Australian music industry as well as artists.
This year's t-shirt range includes the Homegrown 2.0 tee created by Melbourne-based designer Kylie Strachan aka Nomad Create, giving a nostalgic nod to the bygone festival culture of the 1990s and 2000s when Australian live music reigned supreme."Because we've had so many festivals that are cancelling, it was breaking my heart and it took me back to the Homebake/ Livid/ Big Day Out days," Kylie explains, detailing the inspiration behind her 2024 t-shirt designs.
"I really wanted to celebrate that golden era we had in [Australian] music. I wanted to capture and pay homage to that special era for me and so many other people. Those festivals put our local artists front and centre."
The Homegrown 2.0 tee features Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger), Daniel Johns (Silverchair), Kram (Spiderbait), Missy Higgins, Nic Cester (Jet), Paul Dempsey (Something For Kate), Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), Sarah Blasko and Tim Rogers (You Am I).
Kylie's graphic design journey has taken her from working in national newsrooms to designing merch for the likes of Powderfinger, Angus & Julia Stone, Dan Sultan, Dani Im and Xavier Rudd.
A self-confessed lover of Australian music, Kylie says it's the ideal intersection where her craft meets her passion. "I design through the music," she says.
"I'll listen to a song and draw inspiration in that sort of way. That's how I tell the story, obviously with someone's lyrics but I use the imagery instead. When I'm doing something music-based, it becomes such a craft that you also have to feel like you know the artist well enough to create something that they also see as representing them.
"You could be going with some design trend, but it doesn't mesh with their lyrics or them as a person, as an artist. I have to find that middle ground where it intersects to make something one, appealing and two, true to the artist."
Kylie has also been nominated this year for an ARIA Award in the Best Cover Art category for her work on 'Kill The Dead', the debut album from First Nations collective 3%.
"A lot of my clients are very hands on," Kylie says. "They have a vision, and they trust me enough to take it to the next level with concepts. I find when an artist wants to have input it makes for a better outcome for everyone."
Meanwhile, the best outcome for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is that Support Act are able to continue to provide critical services to industry workers experiencing personal, financial and mental health hardships. "Life is just grand with Australian music," Kylie says, echoing this tagline for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day: 'life is better with Australian music'.
"To me, Australian music is just so special and what the Australian music industry has done for me, to be able lean on the music when times are tough. It's incredibly special to me and close to my heart. I just love it."
This year's ambassadors include Missy Higgins, Tony Armstrong and Ayesha Madon who are joined by the likes of Alice Ivy, Becca Hatch, Dale Tanner, Dami Im, Dan Sultan, Darcy Moore, Go-Jo, Grace, Joan & the Giants, Illy, James Johnston, Lotte Gallagher, Max Jackson, Nathan Cavaleri, Ninajirachi, Nooky, Sam McGovern, SHAMITA, Vera Blue, WILSN, 100% That Tim, and triple j Drive's Abby Butler and Tyrone Pynor in promoting the 2024 campaign.
There are several ways to get involved and support Ausmusic T-Shirt Day this year. Wear: buy a t-shirt from the premium t-shirt range while stocks last, or wear your favourite Ausmusic merch on 28 November to celebrate the Australian music industry at every level. Donate: donations to the campaign can be made here.
Sign up to fundraise: There's still time to join the likes of APRA AMCOS, ARIA, ALH, Always Live, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, CUB, CrewCare, Google, Heaps Normal, Live Nation, Moshtix, Oztix, Sennheiser, Soundmerch, Spotify, Youtube Music, and the 303 other Ausmusic enthusiasts who have already signed up or created a team. Rally your friends, family and work crew to jointly raise funds for the campaign.
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is on 28 November.
