The Riff Project is Resurrected for New Gig Series

14/11/2006

The Riff Project, a community development based music project, is celebrating it's 10th Birthday this December with the first of its ongoing shows under the new banner of AWESAM (South Australian Music Industry Association).

Get down to the Underground (40 Waymouth Street, Adelaide) on the 9th of December from 7pm, for an all ages show, with heaps of fun stuff for all to enjoy (memorabilia, merchandise, door prizes) at a substance free venue. Entry is $8, and playing live are:

Chris Live!
Fallen Sunrise
Unknown Truth
Snatch The Band

All performers are old "Riffers", and it will be more than just a live music event, but a chance to reconnect with old friends.

The Riff, a community development based music project initally based in the Northern suburbs, is designed to showcase local young artists in a supportive and safe environment.

The Riff started in 1996 as a live substance free music cafe in the Anglican mission at Elizabeth. Free live gigs featuring young emerging bands from the North were held every Friday night, with capacity crowds which spilled into the carpark!  As well as offering opportunities for young bands to play and be supported by more experienced musos, The Riff also ran life skills training around such subjects as mental health, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, cultural diversity and peer education. The Riff is also based on a Youth Participation model, with young people holding positions up to control level.

In 1998, The Riff moved to the Anglican Church Hall in Salisbury and continued to host gigs, now fortnightly. Around this time, the project also won a Commonwealth Award for Service to Youth. However, due to the huge rise in public liability insurance, this non-profit, volunteer run organisation was forced to stop running events.

In 2006, The Riff came under the management of AWESAM, which means the project has been "Resurrected" and taken on a statewide focus concentrating on young emerging musicians.

The showcase on Dec 9th will celebrate 10 years in existance, and is also a chance to get those who have been involved and supportive to reconnect. It is hoped that this event will be the first in a series to bring together The Riff and all the philosophies that have made it an Internationally recognised project.

All proceeds from the showcase go towards The Riff's ongoing series of gigs, with plans to not only make them regular, but to base in the CBD so it's more central.

The Riff is currently looking for new upcoming bands too, who are needing a leg up, but would also love to hear from/have support from more established bands who would like to support. This is what The Riff is about; upskilling young bands to help get their foot in the door, but also creating an environment where older bands can pass on their knowledge.

Members/Performers from The Riff have gone onto bigger roles in the industry, such as taking their bands overseas, becoming managers and promoters in the SA scene and engineering for all kinds of media.

It is important to note that The Riff's philosophy is about being substance free, although when they do hold gigs in licensed venues, it's about doing things in moderation and being accountable (especially if you are performing!!!).

If you'd like more information or to get involved, contact Project Coordinator Emma Kuhlmann  emma@snatchtheband.com