By Dominique Tassell
Granite Belt Music Council (GBMC) has a brand-new website, courtesy of locals Cath Gillespie and Ben White.
Cath and Ben moved to Stanthorpe last year from Brisbane, and have done their best to get involved with the community since.
Locals might know Ben as The Scotsman on Ten FM, and Ben said he got involved with the local music scene through his work there.
After seeing an article about GBMC, he and Cath decided to get involved.
Ben suggested building a website to help promote GBMC, but also represent all artists in the Granite Belt.
Cath was happy to donate her time to the project.
The website, found at stanthorpelivemusic.rocks, showcases all the creatives in the region, including Stanthorpe Little Theatre, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Stanthorpe Therapeutic Arts & Recovery Space (STARS), and more.
Ben said the website is “a way of giving people a vehicle to promote themselves”.
The website also includes some artists from surrounding areas who may be popular in Stanthorpe, such as the Fern Brothers.
Ben said the website is a “social community page”, and tries to represent the good work done throughout the community arts space.
He also said he thinks it’s really important to give musicians a space to feel their way in front of an audience that’s not super critical.
“It’s a nice way for people to just get up there and give it ago,” he said.
Ben said he and Cath want to be part of the community, and “just want to give back”.
“It’s all about trying to demonstrate to people that Stanthorpe is a really cool place to be,” he said.
He and Cath have been here a year now, and are “absolutely loving it”.
“We’re not going anywhere, and we want to contribute,” he said. “There’s so much talent in the town, not just music but poets, and sculptors.”
Ben said they’re also hoping to promote the town to people in other regions.
He said they’re happy to put artists up and feed them so they can get involved.
Stanthorpe is so friendly, he said, and he wants to let people know that.
Kelvin Johnson from Granite Belt Music Council said the website “professionalises” what GBMC is doing and creates a “clear line of communication” between them and the community.
He said that with the announcement of the Queensland Music Trail, now is a good time to launch the website.
Kelvin has reportedly already been in talks with Joel Edmonson from Queensland Music Festivals.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi stated at a press conference earlier this month that he supported the creation of a music precinct in Stanthorpe.
Kelvin is hoping that the creation of a music precinct will happen sooner rather than later, as GBMC will be able to apply for grants and funding more easily once this has happened.
“We’re hoping for funding for artists,” he said. “Artists need to be paid.”
Ben agrees with this and stated that musicians have had a really tough few years.
He said that GBMC is not trying to make money in any way, but provide a somewhat stable source of income for local artists.
GBMC currently pay their artists through donations, and have raised around $1700. You can find donation information on their website.
GBMC’s next event will be in Weeroona Park on Saturday 9 July, featuring Nine Year Sister from 11 am to midday.
You can learn more about Cath’s work, and how to work with her, at webdesign.place
