If you're an Australian songwriter who performs live, APRA AMCOS is encouraging you to submit a Performance Reports by 31 July to get paid for your work. Winning.
Last year, $6.75 million in live performance royalties was distributed to more than six thousand APRA AMCOS members who took the time to lodge their Performance Reports before the deadline.
From masters of metal to country charmers, songwriters across the country can all reap the well-deserved rewards of their hard work; they simply need to log in to their APRA AMCOS account and share details of their performances from the last 12 months.
Isabella Manfredi of Sydney band The Preatures is one songwriter who knows just how important live performance royalties are to songwriters, particularly those just starting out. “Earnings from Performance Reports were literally our saviour in the early days. They always came right at crunch time, when we were broke as shit trying to get funds together for the next tour or recording,” she says.
The Preatures, who formed in 2011, have since gone on to release a top five album, play Coachella and appear on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' and have their second album set for release in August.
For Sarah Thompson of independent Melbourne band Camp Cope, live performance royalties also offer acknowledgement for the effort that goes into creating music. “I think it helps to make you feel as though you’re getting somewhere.
"Often the music industry can feel like a hell of a lot of work for very little reward, so it’s nice to see something physical for the work you put in.”
To help songwriters submit their Performance Reports before the 31 July deadline, APRA AMCOS is holding free workshops around the country where staff will be available to answer queries and lend a hand with the submission process.
