Melbourne muso Kira Puru has called on Australian radio stations to increase their local content in order to support artists through royalties as many feel the financial effects of shows and festivals cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“A CHALLENGE to Australian radio stations to play mostly/exclusively Aussie artists to jack up our royalties while we wait for our gigs to pick up again!” wrote Puru on Twitter yesterday, calling on the likes of triple j, Triple M and Kiis.
“1 small, literally free way to aid local artists.”
A CHALLENGE to Australian radio stations to play mostly/exclusively Aussie artists to jack up our royalties while we wait for our gigs to pick up again! 1 small, literally free way to aid local artists?
Who’s in? @triplej ? @TripleMSydney ? @fbiradio ? @kiis1011 ? @DoubleJRadio
— Kira Puru (@kirapuru) March 17, 2020
The idea has been met with support from artists and music industry figures.
Lochlan Watt, host of triple j’s heavy music program The Racket, threw his support behind the idea, pledging to have an all-Australian show next week.
FBi Radio board member Dan Ilic acknowledged FBi currently play 50% Australian music, with half of that from Sydney, and suggesting listeners could keep those stats up by donating to the not-for-profit community station.
This morning Tahlea Aualiitia, who hosts ABC’s Pacific Mornings program, posted a video of her jamming out to Puru’s ‘Say Something’ with producer Mala Darmadi while on the air, saying, “Supporting local artists who’ve had gigs and events cancelled with COVID-19 by playing their tracks on the radio.”
Supporting local artists who’ve had gigs and events cancelled with COVID-19 by playing their tracks on the radio…. featuring social distance dancing with @maladarmadi
? Say Something – @kirapuru pic.twitter.com/vtc4qqctbo
— Tahlea Aualiitia (@taliaualiitia) March 17, 2020
