Easily one of our favourite events for the year, Re:Write 2023 is shaping up to be bigger and brighter than ever before.
It’s a one-of-a-kind occurrence in Australia’s musical calendar and a must-attend for any serious songwriter or music industry professional. Boasting a lineup of impeccable grassroots talent who have each proven their worth on the world stage, prepare to be inspired and empowered by your visit to Re:Write 2023. Check out our presenters and performers for this year below…
PRESENTING: JEN CLOHER
Jen Cloher is a songwriter and performer living on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. Cloher’s taut, terse brand of rock is charged with the static tension that comes with being an eternal misfit; they have spoken truth to power with the shrewd eye that only an outsider can possess. Admirers have naturally gravitated towards Cloher’s incisive, generous songwriting. Over the course of five albums, they have won a J Award and an AIR Award and been nominated for an ARIA and the Australian Music Prize.
PRESENTING: NINA LAS VEGAS
Nina Las Vegas spent 10 years in broadcast radio as a host and programmer on Triple J, dedicating herself to celebrating the sounds of underground dance music from both Australia and abroad. She has been a powerful female force in both the Australian and international dance landscape since 2007, respected by artists and the audience alike. 2023 sees her label NLV Records roll into its eighth year and her business expand to both artist management and A&R and label services, curation (Laneway Festival, Prada, The Ace Hotel, Armani Exchange, The Curtain in London) and creative partnerships (Nike Football & The Matildas).
PRESENTING: ANGELINE & JOSHUA (TELENOVA)
Telenova first introduced the world to their vivid aesthetic and pop smarts via debut EP Tranquilize. Anchored by cult hit ‘Bones’ and garnering major media support across the world (BBC Radio 1, Apple Music One, NME, Vogue Paris), Telenova quickly found a passionate, growing audience with their rich brand of pop and surreal visuals, all driven by enigmatic frontwoman Angeline Armstrong and multi-instrumentalists Edward Quinn & Joshua Moriarty. Last year saw Telenova's continued rise to success, with accolades including ‘Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year’ at the 2022 AIR Awards and Nominations for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Pop Work’ at the 2022 Music Victoria Awards.
PRESENTING: DRMNGNOW
From the Biyala woka (Redgum lands) of Kaieltheban woka, Yorta Yorta woka, DRMNGNOW is an inimitable force of custodial song and story. A Yiyirr (Man) from Moorooopna (Place of Deep Water), DRMNGNOW’s ancestral ties spread to lands across coastal Worimi country North of Warrane (Sydney) down to the desert country of Wergaia lands south west of Narrm (Melbourne).
DRMNGNOW is an artist with a grass roots work ethic and big picture vision. He is known for creating striking pieces of work that provoke deeper engagement with the true depth of the critical societal role and rightful place of Indigenous peoples within so called Australia and globally.
PRESENTING: DARLING JAMES
James O’Brien (Darling James) is a Naarm/Melbourne based musician, composer and educator. He has recorded and toured extensively in Australia and overseas with The Boat People, playing at events including Big Day Out, Woodford Folk Festival, SxSW, Great Escape (U.K.) and CMJ Music Marathon (New York). As a bassist, James toured and performed with jazz trio Misinterprotato at Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Calgary Jazz Festival (Canada) and more. James has toured as a musician for Kate Miller-Heidke and Machine Translations including performances at Splendour in the Grass and the Sydney Opera House. As Darling James, he has released two highly acclaimed E.P.’s including the Triple J high rotation song ‘Ultimatum Talk’.
PRESENTING: ZII NZIRA
Zii Nzira is a highly respected leader dedicated to achieving excellence in his professional endeavors. He is the founder of ZIIMUSIC, a creative practice that allows him to explore his passions for spoken word poetry, hip hop, and instrumental jazz music. As a musician, Zii Nzira is passionate about sharing his stories and connecting with his community in inspiring ways.
In addition to his creative work, Zii Nzira is a member of several committees, including Black Music Alliance Australia and Creative Victoria’s Respectful and Mentally Healthy Workplaces Working Group. He is also serving as the Interim Co-CEO of Multicultural Arts Victoria.
PRESENTING: HAZEL GORDON
Hazel Gordon is the A&R Manager at Concord Music Publishing, based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. In her role, Hazel signs, develops, and champions songwriters, passionately seeking opportunities to expand their writing catalogue and reach their potential as creatives. Hazel collaborates with managers, labels, other publishers, and artists domestically and internationally to source top level opportunities for signed writers. She is actively setting up writing sessions, planning overseas writing trips, pitching clients’ songs, instrumentals, and top lines for placement with artist projects, attending gigs, listening to music and staying connected to Australia’s emerging pool of songwriting and production talent.
PERFORMING: AMY FLIGHT
Amy Flight is an indie pop/rock singer-songwriter based in Naarm/Melbourne. Previously a classical violinist, Amy gathered an eclectic array of influences over her years as a session musician, from funk to prog rock and from indie pop to Baroque. She began songwriting to express her own stories and intricate emotions that are otherwise hard to describe outside of music. Amy’s music is known for its complex-yet-intuitive sounding layered vocal parts, subtly orchestral band arrangements, and high energy. Her lyrics bring the personality of a millennial with sarcasm, wit and subtle angst that will make you go 'oooft hard relate'. Armed with a 6-piece band, Amy Flight presents sad songs you can dance hard to.
PERFORMING: CHARLIE NEEDS BRACES
The music project Charlie Needs Braces, comes from Naarm/Melbourne based musician Charlie Woods. Charlie is a proud GuriNgai woman, a direct descendant of Bungaree and Matora- the lands running from the Central Coast of NSW along the mouth of the Hawkesbury River and into Northern Sydney.
Charlie performs regularly with The Teskey Brothers, Gang of Youths, The Seven Ups, TEK TEK Ensemble and WVR BVBY, but now embarks on her own journey of brass and looping. Immerse yourself in all things Charlie Needs Braces with her new album Saltwater People; a collection of songs that will make you dance, stories to help you heal, and everything in-between.
PERFORMING: OLIVIA MEG
Hailing from Naarm/Melbourne, Olivia Meg is re-emerging into the music scene after a 3 year hiatus. Her musical repertoire highlights her versatile vocal range, captivating her listeners with ease. Olivia’s candid lyrics delve into the depths of human emotions, exploring internal conflicts in an unfiltered and evocative way. Her music, performed with her 5-piece band, conveys a striking sincerity. Unable and unwilling to fit herself into one specific genre, Olivia has deemed her music “sad girl indie folk rock”.