Blank Street Press

12/08/2024

We're just 3 weeks away from celebrating the 10th annual Gold Coast Music Awards, coming to you live from HOTA on Thursday 29 August! 🎶🎉🏆

Check out the full lineup of Gold Coast artists hitting the stage at the 2024 Gold Coast Music Awards! Give it up for Black Vatican Death Squad, Chutney, Felicity Lawless, H***y Hicks (with an 'All Star' jam), JK-47, Music By Lyric and Sunny Luwe! 🌟

Join us on Thursday 29 August as we celebrate our 10th birthday with an unbeatable night of red carpet arrivals, live performances, the highly-anticipated Awards Ceremony where this year’s winners will be announced, and an epic afterparty to kick-on into the evening. This is one party you don’t want to miss!

Tickets are selling fast! Book now at https://hota.com.au/whats-on/live/gigs/gold-coast-music-awards-1

🎥 Video by The Edit Suite
🎵 Music by Music By Lyric
💀 Artwork by Dion Parker

25/07/2024

The wait is over! Today, we announced the finalists in the running to be crowned a winner at the 2024 Gold Coast Music Awards next month! 🏆 🎶 Congratulations to this year’s finalists!

Read the announcement: https://www.gcmusicnetwork.com.au/news/2024-finalists-announced/

You’d think after 10 years of judging, the job would get easier - but this year was the hardest for judges yet! After hundreds of hours of listening, watching and reading nominations, the judging panel selected an impressive 62 finalists across 11 categories.

The calibre of nominations demonstrates the depth and diversity of talent here on the Gold Coast and this year’s finalist lineup truly encapsulates the best of the best in a city full of rising stars and exceptional talent.

The countdown is on! ⏰ Winners will be announced on Thursday 29 August, live at HOTA with an unbeatable evening of red carpet arrivals, the highly-anticipated Awards ceremony with a stellar lineup of live performances, and an epic afterparty to kick-on into the evening!

This is one event you don’t want to miss! Book your tickets now!

📅 Thursday 29 August, from 5pm – HOTA, Home of the Arts
🎵 All-ages event!
🎟️ https://hota.com.au/whats-on/live/gigs/gold-coast-music-awards-1

Gold Coast Music Awards is produced by Gold Coast Music Network and proudly supported by City of Gold Coast, Experience Gold Coast and Home of the Arts.

Gold Coast’s premier music industry event, the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs), reveal their 2024 finalists with winners crowned at a star-studded red-carpet gala event and live concert on Thursday August 29 at HOTA Home of the Arts. Back for its tenth year in 2024, the depth of the GCMAs finalist...

23/07/2024

Have you missed us? Because we've missed you! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

With the Gold Coast Music Awards celebrating its 10th anniversary in less than 6 weeks, we've emerged from hibernation to bring you all the juicy details in the lead-up to the 2024 GCMAs 🏆️

Brought to you by the Blank Street Press x Gold Coast Music Network team, who delivered the much-loved Blank street mag for 10 years, the 2024 GCMAs are set to be the biggest year yet - and you're invited!

Save the date for the Gold Coast Music Awards on Thursday 29 August, 2024, coming to you live from HOTA! 📅

Expect peak party vibes with an unbeatable night of red carpet arrivals, live performances from Black Vatican Death Squad, Felicity Lawless, Lyric, Sunny Luwe and more, an epic after party, and of course, the Awards Ceremony where we'll announce this year's winners! This is one party you don't want to miss!

Early bird tickets are available right now for just $50 - but get in quick, discounted pricing ends Thursday! 🎫

Buy tix: hota.com.au/whats-on/live/gigs/gold-coast-music-awards-1
RSVP on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/930096145335290

If you're a local band or artist, a fan of local music, or just enjoy a good gig, make sure you're following the Gold Coast Music Network to stay connected with what's happening in the Gold Coast music scene - and save the date as we get ready to ramp things up for the 2024 GCMAs!

Presented by Gold Coast Music Network

02/11/2023

NEW MUSIC // OCTOBER + NOVEMBER ❤️‍🔥 ⁠
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This month, we bring you a mind-blowing double edition of New Music, covering all the latest tunes from local artists released in October and November. ⁠🎶
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The new music column will live on! With Blank calling it a day, the New Music column will now call the Gold Coast Music Network home, with the much-loved column published each month over at www.gcmusicnetwork.com.au.

Sign up to the Gold Coast Music Network email list: https://mailchi.mp/gcmusicnetwork/subscribe

Follow them on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/jtFJK

https://www.gcmusicnetwork.com.au/news/new-music-oct-nov-23/

A new album from Cheap Fakes frontman Hayden Andrews has dropped this month: a lucky-dip collection of experimental, genre-bending tracks that somehow fit together seamlessly in this 32-minute, 9-track package of sunshiney, coastal sounds. With a mix of country-folk (complete with fiddle), reggae (c...

31/10/2023

After 10 incredible years of publishing Blank Street Press, we’re calling it a day.

We’re so proud that for a decade, Blank Street Press has been at the forefront of this city’s cultural transformation. When we launched in 2013 there was nothing like Blank on the Gold Coast. And we had a very straightforward goal: to be the city’s independent cultural voice. We achieved that goal and we’re going out on a high.

Over those ten years we have profiled thousands of grassroots and emerging artists, helped venues and events find their audiences and proudly shared stories about people and places that would never have otherwise been in the media. With a dedicated core team of paid staff and hundreds of volunteer writers, photographers and reviewers, we’ve left a huge legacy.

We hope Blank Street Press will be remembered for its fierce independence, its ethical business practices and for its unwavering support of art and community.

We cannot thank you enough for your support. If you’d like to stay up to date with local music industry news you can follow us at Gold Coast Music Network

It’s been a blast, thanks again - Chloe Popa and Samantha Morris, Founders Blank Street Press 🤘

31/10/2023

Come and celebrate the Dreamers among us at the new exhibition from popular Burleigh arts collective Mint Art House, kicking off on 10 November.

Your local street press - free and independent

30/10/2023

Woot!!

6 DAYS TO GO! Only 6 more days until we will catch you in the pit! 🔥
Grab your tickets now 🎟️ https://avc.live/kd25

30/10/2023

Gold Coast's Xposé Say is the new kid on the music block, and they're here to shake things up.

Meet this fascinating new trio below 👇

29/10/2023

We meet the talented artist, printer and costume designer behind the striking outfits worn by the Gold Coast Music Awards co-founders at this year's event.

Your local street press - free and independent

28/10/2023

If you don't know who Alt Fiction are, you're missing out.

This Gold Coast act-on-the-rise is making waves both with punters and industry, most recently with their win at the 2023 Gold Coast Music Awards for boppy single 'Why Are You Still Here.'

Get to know this talented trio of brothers a little better below.

Your local street press - free and independent

27/10/2023

NEW MUSIC!

We are LOVING 'Witches Falls', the latest single and vid by one of Gold Coast's most unique talents, Chiffon Magnifique.

Grab one of the very first listens and watches below 👇

Your local street press - free and independent

24/10/2023

*** DATE CHANGE ***

Please note that due to weather concerns, CBD Sundown: Twilight Markets has moved to Friday 10 November. Updated information regarding lineup will be provided closer to the date!

Heyo!

Friday night is thanks to the 2023 CBD Sundown: November Twilight Markets, featuring the epic musical stylings of GC super-faves Sunny Luwe, Eimhin and Georgia Hoareau Music, alongside the markets' first ever art exhibition, tonnes of tasty treats and a pop up bar.

Best of all? It's pooch friendly! 🐾

Your local street press - free and independent

20/10/2023

Calling all local artists! 🎶 Want to share your new music with a wider audience and build your profile?

We're gearing up for a HUGE November New Music column full of fresh, exciting new tracks from local artists.

If you've released new music in September or October, shoot us an email with all the details to Samantha Morris at [email protected] to be included in the Blank Street Press roundup and the Gold Coast Music Network's new music playlist 🎧️

19/10/2023

Hold onto your fedoras, , because we are LOVING the sound of Groovenote Presents, a bumper series of live and original tunes hosted by the epically talented jazz improvisers in the Pete Neville Jazz Experience.

Held every second and fourth Thursday at the Panezski Artisan Distillery, Groovenote Presents will bring together some of South East Queensland's most esteemed musicians for a night of tunes like no other, with the launch kicking things off on 26 October.

Get amongst it. 🎺

Hold onto your fedoras, Gold Coast, because the coolest music series ever is about to groove into your lives. Launching at the Panezski Distillery, Molendinar on 26 October, Groovenote Presents is a bumper season of live, original music, thanks to...

16/10/2023

In the picturesque hinterland suburb of Gilston, nestled on leafy Kookaburra Drive, sits the aptly named Kookaburra Art Studio, a dedicated art studio that provides people living with disabilities an opportunity to express themselves within a community where they feel fully included.

We had the privilege of chatting with founder Diana about her art, her students, and their upcoming exhibitions. 🎨

To find out more about the upcoming exhibition, Diana and her students, head to the Kookaburra Studio website or OneArts Gold Coast

15/10/2023

We just cannot get enough of 'Wine Stain', the boozy, Bond-inspired number by Gold Coast Music Award-winning artist Music By Lyric, whose super-dramatic vid has us feeling allll the feels, too.⁠
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Read our interview with Lyric below, and be sure to check out the vid while you're at it. 🍷

Your local street press - free and independent

13/10/2023

Last chance for Arts and Culture hosts on the Gold Coast to sign up for the City of Gold Coast's Professional Placement Program! Applications close Monday 16 October.

Your local street press - free and independent

05/10/2023

Another cracker by local artist Rae Leigh

This article includes reference to sexual assault involving a minor. 'Faith In Us' has spent the last few weeks in the top ten Australian country chart, with its highest position impressively at number 2. Featuring powerful themes, an empowering...

28/09/2023

Have you caught the program for this year's Groundwater Country Music Festival yet? It's a cracker! 👌

Groundwater CMF is proud to welcome back Drought Angels as the festival’s Official Charity Partner in 2023. Festival fans can show their support by making a donation when they ride, at the festival merchandise point of sale, or on the dedicated...

23/09/2023

ARIA Award voting is now open! A whole swag of Gold Coast musicians, creators and teachers (from Coomera and Southport!) are nominated for 2023 awards.

Cast your vote to have your say!

Your local street press - free and independent

23/09/2023

👀Are you a member of a music class? Maybe a music teacher or student at high school, TAFE or uni? 🥁

Now's your chance to live out your School of Rock dreams with your own rendition of a Paul McCartney hit! 🎶

Paul McCartney's Gold Coast show has up to 40 free tickets up for grabs, as well as attendance to his soundcheck and a group photo opportunity for one talented group.

All you have to do to be in the running? Record a video of your cover on your phone and submit it for review.

For the full details, head here 👇🏼

To enter, simply upload a video of your cover to social media using the hashtag – and don't forget to tag . Then submit your online form here

21/09/2023

🤘🏽🎶 Mark your calendar: Summerland Record's launch party kicks off on Saturday 15 October at Dust Temple.

Live music, 90s-inspired MTV Unplugged-inspired performances from local artists and stocked stalls. What a comeback!

For all the deets 👇🏽

Your local street press - free and independent

21/09/2023

Can you dig it? Yes you can! These school holidays at Thunderbird Park. AKA Australia's first mini excavator park.

Open 7 days a week until October 1, this pop-up park's well-worth the roadtrip.

Australia’s first ever mini-excavator park Dig IT is open all school holidays long in Tamborine Mountain. DIG IT opened back in May and has already seen thousands of kids digging its activities. Located an hour's road trip from the Gold Coast, DIG...

17/09/2023

$5 counselling sessions are available through this local, nature-based initiative.

Walk and Talk For Wellness really is a breath of fresh air for mental health.

So how does it work? Participants join a trained listener for a 45-minute walk and talk counselling session in a small group or one-on-one.

Sessions take place across boutiful council parklands in Benowa, Tallowwood and Underwood Park.

Yep, it really is just $5. And there is no catch.

Check out all the details here.

Gold Coast Not for Profit, Walk and Talk for Wellness delivers 45-minute nature-based counselling sessions to the public with trained listeners through council parklands. They say a walk in the park is a breath of fresh air for mental health. Now...

16/09/2023

🎸Whether you're a new band on the scene, a seasoned pro, or just like to 'slappa da bass, man', chances are you're on the lookout for a killer space to practice and jam. ⁠
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Here's our round up of the best rehearsal studios for Gold Coast bands.

🥁 Drumroll please...

Whether you're a new band on the scene, a seasoned pro, or just like to 'slappa da bass, man', chances are you're on the lookout for a killer space to practice and jam. Here's our pick of the best music studios for Gold Coast bands. With a brimming...