The first task for the freshly minted regional music officer for the Mid North Coast is to work out what we already have in the area.

To that end, Ali is building a database of artists, venues and music industry assets on the coast.

"It's really exciting. I am one of seven regional music officers in the State, and my area goes from Tea Gardens to Woolgoolga and includes Dorrigo (to the west)," Ali told the Macleay Argus.

"My focus areas are Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Bellingen because that's where most of the activity (live music) is."

Funded by Music NSW on a 12-month contract, Ali will also set up networking and professional development events - as well as do a local strengths and weaknesses report.

"I'll do a gap analysis, for instance looking at what struggles do venues have to booking artists, and how we can support artists on how to approach venues," she said.

Another goal will be to create a regional touring network on a website for artists and venues.

"So for an artist from say Dubbo wanting to tour the Mid North Coast - they'll be able to see what venues there are, what they'll be paid, how they get paid, even where the best coffee in town is, and what's available in good and cheap accommodation," Ali said.

"And it will be interactive, so if they say 'we're a country and western band', it will select venues which like that style of music. They'll also be able to filter venues by the typical crowd size an artist would attract."

A longer term ambition will be to explore potential partnerships to overcome any barriers to live music on the Mid North Coast.

"So you might have an artist wanting to come to the area, but the venue will pay only $400 and that won't even cover the cost of the petrol. But an accommodation provider might come onboard to make a tour happen. But, that's down the track," she said.

Ali is based at Newee Creek west of Nambucca Heads, and her contract runs through to April.

To find out more visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/520332212312834 and music industry people in the region can reach out to Ali on ali@musicnsw.com

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