Van Diemen's Band

WILL YOU HELP US TO RECORD OUR NEXT ALBUM?

In 2023 we undertook an extraordinary musical collaboration with musicians from the legendary Ensemble Kaboul, in a project celebrating the links between Persian-Afghan traditional music and early Western-classical works. 

We now have the opportunity to undertake a high-quality studio recording of this incredible music for release on VDB's own label, as part of our first national tour since 2022.

However, recordings are an expensive exercise, and we are hoping to count on your support for this venture. 

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?

There are two ways to support this campaign:

1. Choose from one of the many rewards we have on offer (with the names inspired by our favourite Rumi poems) including pre-ordered copies of the CD. Supporters pledging $500 and above will also have the opportunity to attend one of the recording sessions. Rewards are not tax-deductible.

2. You can also make a tax deductible donation if you choose not to receive a reward for your pledge. Please select the "$2 or more Tax-Deductible Donation" option and manually type in your donation amount in the "pledge amount" box (sorry, yes we know it's a little clunky!). You will be sent a receipt for your donation.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

A cross-cultural collaboration with Ensemble Kaboul's Khaled Arman (rubab), Siar Hashimi (tablā, voice) and Masud Hashimi (zerbaghali, percussion), Where Everything is Music is a stunning composite of two distinct musical worlds, mixing the caramel sounds of VDB’s gut strings with traditional Eastern instruments, uniting the oriental sound world with occidental traditions. 

With a title inspired by the Persian mystic/poet Rumi, Where Everything is Music garnered industry acclaim, rave audience reviews and multiple requests to produce a studio recording of the repertoire. It quickly became apparent to all involved that this was a project worthy of not just performing again, but recording for release on the newly-established VDB label. 

You can get a sense of this wonderful project with this video taken during 2023:

F.A Naynawaz Ay Naynawâ arr. K. Arman (2023) feat. VDB and Ensemble Kaboul

Performing and recording this music is an essential act of musical activism, preserving a centuries-old musical tradition that has - until now - only been conveyed orally. In playing this music, Ensemble Kaboul are keeping alive a musical culture banned by Afghanistan’s current political regime. They are now based in Europe in order to protect their craft.

Following invitations to perform Where Everything is Music at Melbourne Recital Centre, UKARIA Cultural Centre and Hobart's Theatre Royal, VDB has formulated our first national tour since 2022, with concerts in Sydney and Brisbane also planned. The national tour is a superb opportunity for us to continue building our profile and influence nationally, showcasing VDB to audiences, media and industry around Australia.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT?

In response to significant changes in the international recording industry, we established the VDB label, leveraging our existing reputation as globally respected presenters/interpreters. By becoming our own producers, we incur higher up-front costs, but retain all our rights whilst keeping the majority of our profits. This model ensures that VDB can continue our already successful recording output into the future, bringing our work to wider audiences.

We also know that we have a keen group of supporters who are happy to join us to make big ideas a reality! In supporting us to record Where Everything is Music, you are directly supporting Van Diemen's Band to continue programming, performing and presenting ambitious projects.

WHEN WILL YOU HEAR THE RESULTS?

Where Everything is Music will be recorded in October 2025 in Nipaluna/Hobart, at the prestigious Frying Pan Studios at MONA - learn more about the Studios here. The anticipated release date is in early 2026.

WHEN IS THE NATIONAL TOUR?

Where Everything is Music will be touring to Melbourne Recital Centre, UKARIA Cultural Centre and Hobart's Theatre Royal between September 25 - October 3, with more performances to be announced soon. See our website for more details.

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY!

As with several of our previous projects, Where Everything is Music has been awarded in-principle matched funding through the Creative Australia / Creative Partnerships PLUS 1 program. That means that every dollar we raise here before 31 May will be matched dollar for dollar by the Federal government -  so your donation will be effectively doubled! 

HOW CAN YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE?

By supporting this campaign, you are not only helping to fund our next self-produced album, but also helping Van Diemen’s Band continue to build a Lutruwitan/Tasmanian-based recording label through which the work of other Australian artists will be represented. 

Further, it is an opportunity to be a part of the important community of philanthropists helping to nurture the arts in Australia. Opportunities such as this will see Van Diemen's Band continue to flourish as an internationally recognised performing ensemble, with an respected reputation as curators/producers, reinforcing our position in Australia as one of the finest ensembles of its kind.

We thank you for your support!

Our Pozible target of $33,500 is based on matched funding from Creative Partnerships, meaning that for every dollar you contribute, we get another dollar from the Federal Government, effectively doubling your contribution.

The money we are raising through this campaign will help to subsidise the costs involved with producing the recording. This means that your contribution directly supports 

• employing all the artists and creatives involved 
• recording production costs such studio hire, engineering, mixing and mastering
• album production costs including design, printing, distribution and online platform management
• licencing, royalties and legal costs
• publicity and marketing. 

Your support will also help with the costs of delivering the associated national tour, such as artist fees, international and domestic airfares, accommodation and transport, venue hire, technical and production costs, tour management, marketing & publicity, insurance and project management. Your support ensures we can keep ticket prices accessible, meaning more people can access and enjoy Where Everything is Music while ensuring that our artists and arts workers are fairly remunerated.