Tamworth APRA AMCOS regional sessions: artists offer advice to budding songwriters in North West

APRA AMCOS hosted the first leg of its Regional Sessions tour at the ibis Styles in Tamworth on Monday, and artists like Ashleigh Dallas, Catherine Britt, Urthboy, and Matt Fell came along to offer their advice.

The event included two workshop sessions, which were created to give emerging and mid-career songwriter attendees a valuable opportunity to share their work and get feedback in a small group setting.

Baan Baa's Sarah Leete visited town for the event, and said she fit under the "alt-country umbrella".

"I've released a couple of songs and I've got some things coming out that is all relevant and I'm just selfishly plugging myself into anywhere I can learn more because while there's plenty in the city and online, nothing beats the networking experience you get talking to people," she said.

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She said it was great the organisation took the time to come out to regional areas like Tamworth to help artists hone their skill.

"They're a good ambassador for songwriters and as someone in the local community it's nice for them to come out and plant themselves in the local area and talk to local up-and-coming artists and hear from all the great panelists," Mrs Leete said.

Dallas said it was "exciting to be amongst people of all different ages and different stages of their career".

"It's been a tough year with COVID-19 on the arts and creatives so to be able to be back in a room connecting with people face-to-face, hopefully inspiring that next song to be written," she said.

"Connecting with people is massive and I know a lot of people have felt that disconnect thanks to COVID and all the ways we're living but it's not taken for granted when we're able to be back in a room and talking to one another."

She said artists should take pressure off themselves if they hit a creative block.

"I think you're allowed to have those creative blocks and as artistic people we're perfectionists and ... so when you do have those blocks you are pretty hard on yourself so you have to ease up on yourself and let things flow," she told the Leader.

The tour will now continue onto other cities like Byron Bay, Wagga Wagga, and Dubbo.

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