Regional songwriting workshops with folk pop artist Bob Evans coming to Albany

A day-long songwriting event featuring Australian artist-led workshops and panel discussions is headed to Albany on March 8 as part of The Regional Sessions calendar of events to be held in select country centres throughout WA next year.

The event, presented by music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS in collaboration with the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Music Office, provides musicians and songwriters working at all levels a space in which to learn, create, connect, exchange ideas and receive feedback.

The Albany Regional Sessions event, which will take place at the Vancouver Arts Centre, will feature workshops led by Kevin Mitchell, aka Bob Evans, founding member of Perth band Jebediah.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of The Regional Sessions in Albany next year in my home State of WA.

In a country like Australia and a State like WA, the tyranny of vast distances can be a real hurdle for artists,” Mr Mitchell said.

The Regional Sessions program has previously been run in New South Wales and Victoria, and a new addition in 2023 will be the chance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives to hone their music production craft.

Facilitating the music production workshop in Albany will be Sydney-based rapper and producer Blake Rhodes (Mr Rhodes), recipient of the 2022 Abbey Road Institute scholarship.

Social worker Cerisa Benjamin from Support Act, a charity group that offers support to music industry workers, will also be providing workshops offering information on how music industry workers can access mental health and financial support as well as providing techniques for wellbeing maintenance.

Other artists attending the Albany event will be Jarred Wall (Boox Kid), ‘Ofa Fotu (Odette Mercy), Riley Pearce and Siobhan Cotchin.

Registration is from 9am with the workshops to conclude at 5pm. A curated performance at a nearby venue will follow, providing further networking.

Tickets for the event can be purchased on The Regional Sessions website.