Reality Music - Trip to Israel, Sep 18-25th.

Last week I received an email from a Jewish friend based in LA. She was putting my name forward for an industry trip to Israel, all expenses paid in September this year. Hell yeah!

Reality Music - Trip to Israel

The trip funded by the Schusterman institute as a way to bring the music industry from across the world together to Israel to learn, network and be inspired by this great nation's history and outlook. Around 70 attendees will be given a week long tour of the country from its clubs, to its temples, famous cities and its war torn villages.

As part of the process to apply I am to send two personal essays, along with a short video. The essays cover my journey in music, along with my thoughts on Israel and what I hope to get out of the trip. 

The video is a short piece to camera about how and why this trip will fuel my current and future work aspirations in the industry. 

 I have written some brief notes below:

Tell us your professional journey, the moments that have defined you, and what you have accomplished along the way (400 words)

My journey in music promotion began on the back blocks of Napier, NZ near the Church Road vineyards. Every summer the Mission Concert would host 25,000 people and feature some golden oldies like the Beach Boys and the Doobie Brothers. I often wondered why we couldn't seen my heroes such as Pearl Jam and Sublime in this unique vineyard setting. It wasn’t long after this I set up my own concert called Rhythm and Vines to do just that , host cutting edge music for young kiwis in a vineyard setting.

Another definitive moment was the end of my rugby career, which lead me to turn to music and events. Like every young kiwi I had ambitions about being an All Black.  I loved the physicality, the comradeship and the social aspect of the sport. I guess throwing events is a bit like playing sport, you need to trust your team, work hard for one another and never give up towards a goal.  After a serious knee injury I turned my focus towards my music, starting a little band with my mates that would play at friends 21^st and balls. It wasn’t long until I was promoting a local club night, which gave way to the first Rhythm and Vines concert in Gisborne.

Moments that have defined my journey are the sacrifices and commitments. Giving up following my friends to London in my mid 20’s to stay and build a world class festival with a couple of loyal staff. Then returning from some time living in LA to help rebuild the festival once more. Borrowing money to ensure creditors get paid and the festival survives. Often I haven't had a choice it is the only decision to keep the festival alive. If had not made these commitments and sacrifices I wouldn’t be here today.

I love the events industry. I love the thrill of live performing. I love the creative spirit and all the characters involved. It is dynamic, and you can’t beat seeing 15,000 smiling faces lit up in unison. Its what gets me out of bed each day. I’m passionate about NZ's role in the industry and creating a leading national brand in the festival space that I am proud of.

I arrived at my current role by creating it! I’ve never had another proper job. I have tried some different parts of the event game from sponsorship to social media, running small shows as well. But I enjoy the creative vision aspect of a festival, the negotiating with agents and picking trends. And the one with balls on the line and ultimately accountable for the results. There are not many who can say they have taken as much risk and accountability as me in their careers.

  

I look back on my 13 years in the role and what I have achieved.  We have hosted an estimated 200,000 people through our gates over our 13 years, many of them foreign visitors. The seasonal aspect has allowed me to travel the world. It has allowed me to attend and be inspired by a number of leading festivals. It was allowed me to follow my own path and leave a last legacy in the NZ event and tourism industries.

What does the trip mean to me? What are your connections and interest for Jewish history and what do you hope to explore on the trip?

My first experience with Israel was learning about the struggles during history lessons at school. Specifically the later half of the 20th Century. Coming from NZ it seems a mile away and different to our way of life, the conflict, the politics, the influence the nation state held on the region and the world. 

My first experience meeting Jewish people was travelling around Thailand as a student. I met many Israelis, along with Swedish and antipodean’s they spent their holidays in the tropical southern islands. I learnt the word 'shalom' and was able to make friends with many I met along the way.

I look forward to getting to know the jewish people further.  Understand and appreciate the attitude and resilience of the people. Learn about their struggles, the history.  Admire the architecture and the granduer of the cities, how they were built and continue to grow.

The food is big passion for me and I want to experience it all. The influence it has had on my current favourites from bagels to falafel to cous cous to hummus. I want to experience the Mediterranean influence from fresh bountiful produce, breads, grains and cured meats. 

Of course the music and related nightlife is another drawcard for me. The clubs and beach bars, rooftops bars, and sunset raves.  I have been to Turkey and if the night life is anything like that I am in for a treat.

And finally I am looking forward to the networking, mixing with industry people from all over the world. Making new friends and business contacts. Being inspired and generally getting out of my comfort zone!

Why do I want to participate in Reality Music? How will this trip fund my current work and future aspirations in the industry? Why am I an outstanding candidate?

This will be a well needed sabbatical for me after a busy period of the year getting our lineup together and launching our tickets.  Having time away in such a setting I will be able to assess my place in my business and the industry. Who knows there may even be some opportunities to explore the festival opportunities in Israel!

The trip will me a chance to network with people from different ways of life be it those on the trip or those I meet.  It will give me respect and reflection for my own up bringing, both my past journey and the one ahead of me. There is nothing more full filling that getting out of your comfort zone and I look forward to developing as a person on this trip, for the better.

Why am I a good candidate? Im a kiwi! We are unique in this world and I will represent our core values of being humble, friendly and adventurous through out the trip. I might just be the furtherest attendee! I'll bring my own unique perspective, attitude and energy to the group, along with a vast knowledge and passion for the music industry, both here and abroad.