September 2010

The Northern Tablelands Music Industry Archive (NTMIA) was instigated in late 2008 as a means of providing biographical and historical information, music, video and images relating to locally-produced musical entertainment in the NSW Northern Tablelands during the Australian pub rock era. It is primarily interested collecting and presenting information about the musicians, performers, writers, associated creative practitioners, institutions, businesses and communities which helped establish and maintain the region’s music industry during that era, and tracking their movements beyond the early 1990s and/or outside the region.

Armidale-born multi instrumentalist and composer, Lissa-Käthe Rummery has been awarded Semi Finalist certificates for six of her songs and one for an instrumental piece in the prestigious UK Songwriting Competition. Organisers of the event, which attracts many thousands of entrants from around the world, announced the 2010 results last week. For Lissa to make the semi-finals in seven categories is not only ample testimony to her talents as a songwriter and composer, but is also a reward for her commitment to composing over the past three years.

“I wanted to enter this year because it was the best international song competition and it gives every artist feedback,” Lissa says. “I had no idea I would actually get placed at such a high standard. It was such a surprise to all of them to do so well.”

Lissa’s songs were showcased to the music industry, including award winning producers. The UK Songwriting Competition is a highly regarded international event established in association with The BRIT Trust. It also attracts UK and international media and many previous entrants have been offered recording deals.

Lissa’s connection with the UK goes back to 2007 when she was invited to perform in Scotland and Yorkshire. After returning home she began a long-distance collaboration with Garden2Garden, a musical project from the Shetland Isles.  ”Although there was 16,000km between us, the writing was constant and musical ideas flew back and forth in emails until we had 10 finished tracks. I then travelled there and spent three weeks mixing the album, Airborne over December/January 2008. It was the coldest winter I have ever experienced. Even growing up in Armidale could never prepare me for it. It was incredibly beautiful, though.” One of their songs from Airborne, “Skydiver,” was also a semi finalist in the UK Songwriting Competition’s Open Category awards.

Back in Australia in 2009 Lissa completed a Diploma in Film and Media at Armidale TAFE College, and this has encouraged her to experiment with composing for visual media. Some of her pieces have already been used for student productions. She has since returned to Scotland where among other things she has performed with Irish flute and lyre player Danielle Roelofsen at a number of concerts. She will be performing at the Leith Folk Club in Edinburgh this week. Lissa will also shortly be returning to the studio to finalise a new album over the coming months.

You can hear Lissa’s music, including songs from Airborne at: www.myspace.com/lissakathe  and www.myspace.com/garden2garden, or find out more about her career through the Northern Tablelands Music Industry Archive at Have Gravity Will Threaten (www.havegravity.com). 

Northern Tablelands Music Industry Archive

April 2010

The Northern Tablelands Music Industry Archive (NTMIA) was instigated in late 2008 as a means of providing biographical and historical information, music, video and images relating to locally-produced musical entertainment in the NSW Northern Tablelands during the Australian pub rock era. It is primarily interested collecting and presenting information about the musicians, performers, writers, associated creative practitioners, institutions, businesses and communities which helped establish and maintain the region’s music industry during that era, and tracking their movements beyond the early 1990s and/or outside the region.