It sounds like the most epic musical bootcamp ever: 75 of Australia’s best producers and songwriters, plus a smattering of international talent, locked in 301 Studios for five days with the mammoth task of creating 50 songs.
That’s the task facing participants this week at ’50 Songs In 5 Days’, as they hit day four of this challenge. The idea is to team up-and-coming songwriters and producers with more established ones, and see what comes of it.
The standard set by last year’s event is high: ‘Consolation Prize’ from Montaigne’s ARIA winning album, Glorious Heights, and A.B. Original’s incredible ‘ICU’ were both written during last year’s ’50 Songs In 5 Days’ event.
In the past, then-unknown artists Jarryd James, 5 Seconds Of Summer, and Lorde’s co-writer and producer, Joel Little were given a start at this event – we can only imagine what future stars are locked down in 301 creating magic at the moment.
Participants of the 2016 event include Kota Banks, Evan Klar, Yeah Boy, Polarheart, Thief, Mike Waters, Elaska, Mane, Woodes, Matt and Jess, Nat Conway, and producers including LK McKay (Tkay Maidza), Benjamin McCarthy (Gordi, Alex The Astronaut), One Above (Illy), Louis Schoorl (Jessica Mauboy, Daniel Johns). They are collaborating with the likes of Urthboy, Montaigne, Tom Busby (Busby Marou), Thelma Plum, KLP, Jake Stone, Ilan Kidron (Potbelleez), P. Money and Rai Thistlwethwayte.
On a sad note, this will be the final event held at Studio 301’s legendary Alexandria site, the place they have called home for 90 years. Countless classics have been created in that space, with a few more no doubt being made as we speak.
