Musicians to get help

2008-09-04 16:00

Duncan Alfreds

Cape Town - In a bid to provide an infrastructure for musicians, the Cape Music Industry Commission (Cape Mic) was launched in Cape Town on Wednesday.

CEO Paul Theunissen said that the co-ordination of the music industry was important because it was valued at between R3bn to R4bn a year - he was also quite bullish about the industry's potential.

"We have an extremely healthy music industry," he said. "We must market music properly."

Western Cape Premier Lynn Brown attended the launch and spoke about Cape Mic as a "special purpose vehicle" to drive economic development in the province.

"This is a new era for the industry and the Cape Mic will become an influential body in the Western Cape," she said.

The premier lamented artists who died as "paupers" when they'd contributed to the culture of the province and country.

Musicians aren't business people

"Musicians aren't business people," said the premier. She believes though, the Cape Mic will result in better guidance for artists in "making wise business decisions".

But not everyone is as enthusiastic about the launch of the Cape Mic. Some commentators feel that it falls short of the priority needs of artists.

"I'm disappointed that the money may not hit the target," industry watcher and activist Andy Kieswetter told News24.

"Cape Mic is aimed at the specific business needs of artists, but their is a greater need for talent identification and management."

Hermanus Whale Festival co-ordinator Bruce Van Der Spuy is taking a wait-and-see attitude to the launch.

"They got the right people on board and they're saying the right things, but there doesn't seem to be a plan on what they're going to do.

Cape Mic promises good news for musicians and perhaps the correct response is to follow the premier's injunction: "Watch this space".

- News24