RJAFTA 2021 Finalists Announced!
Clockwise from top left: Bianca Walters, Hayley Whisson, Jo Meredith, Briony Bray, Michael Day with band, Ben Bulla, Finn Owen
Musician Ben Bulla
Visual Artist Bianca Walter
Photographer and artist Briony Bray
Visual artist Jo Meredith
FINN OWEN, PHOTOGRAPHER & MUSICIAN
As an aspiring musician and photographer, Finn Owen has spent a lot of time viewing the world through the visual and audible realms around him. “I feel inspired by photographers, musicians, writers and other creatives who came before me, as well as my friends and family,” Owen explains. “I have always felt a strong connection to the arts, whether it be visual, literary or music. I love all things creative. Constructing beautiful and thought-provoking works is the driving force of my life.” In 2018 Owen completed the first year of a Bachelor of Jazz at WAAPA. He was a member of the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band for six years, and in the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra for two years. Owen remains passionate about music, and continues to actively participate in the Perth music scene. Having discovered photography in high school, Owen has done shoots and video work for live music events, portraiture, lifestyle, and fundraisers (such as the Path of Hope Gala 2021). Owen is presently completing an Advanced Diploma of Photography at North Metropolitan TAFE (due to graduate in December this year). Owen’s proposed project for the RJAFTA 2021 is to produce a fine art abstract landscape photography book and exhibition, entitled The Emotive Landscape. The exhibition will be a showcase of Owen’s book and prints, and incorporate improvisational music and literature in response to the images.
MICHAEL DAY, SONGWRITER & MUSICIAN
Michael Day is a 2015 graduate of WAAPA, attaining a Bachelor of Education Major in Contemporary Music (Guitar). Since 2017 Day has been dedicated to developing his song writing abilities, and honing his production skills (recording, mixing and mastering). Day explains “I am a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and performing/recording artist with a 4 piece band. I create music on the guitar in the alternative Folk genre, inspired by questions about the world, it’s beauty, and my own struggles. I see every move I make as a musician a part of a long term plan to build a catalogue of music of a high quality” s. To realise this ambition involves networking, syncing licensing deals for movies and television, publishing songs, and releasing high production music regularly. Day’s song Storm was recently nominated for the West Australian Music Awards and Day and his band performed it live on The Scene (listen HERE). With 7 singles having been released since May 2020 (available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other streaming channels) Day’s music has ben played on Triple J, RTR, Adrian’s Attic, Radio Adelaide, The Big Aussie Breakfast and more. Michael Day and his band will perform at Gidgestock in October, Blues at Bridgetown in November, and Bali Fest in Mandurah. Day’s proposed RJAFTA project is to create and launch a six track EP to be released on all digital streaming services, produce two music videos, and culminate in a single launch. The project also involves a staggered process strategy on Spotify, to bolster streams and consistency of listeners. The ulitimate aim is to have a high quality product to use for marketing purposes, and to expand Day’s profile on a national and international platform.
You can find links to Michael Day Music on various platforms HERE
MICHAEL DAY, SONGWRITER & MUSICIAN
Michael Day is a 2015 graduate of WAAPA, attaining a Bachelor of Education Major in Contemporary Music (Guitar). Since 2017 Day has been dedicated to developing his song writing abilities, and honing his production skills (recording, mixing and mastering). Day explains “I am a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and performing/recording artist with a 4 piece band. I create music on the guitar in the alternative Folk genre, inspired by questions about the world, it’s beauty, and my own struggles. I see every move I make as a musician a part of a long term plan to build a catalogue of music of a high quality” s. To realise this ambition involves networking, syncing licensing deals for movies and television, publishing songs, and releasing high production music regularly. Day’s song Storm was recently nominated for the West Australian Music Awards and Day and his band performed it live on The Scene (listen HERE). With 7 singles having been released since May 2020 (available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other streaming channels) Day’s music has ben played on Triple J, RTR, Adrian’s Attic, Radio Adelaide, The Big Aussie Breakfast and more. Michael Day and his band will perform at Gidgestock in October, Blues at Bridgetown in November, and Bali Fest in Mandurah. Day’s proposed RJAFTA project is to create and launch a six track EP to be released on all digital streaming services, produce two music videos, and culminate in a single launch. The project also involves a staggered process strategy on Spotify, to bolster streams and consistency of listeners. The ulitimate aim is to have a high quality product to use for marketing purposes, and to expand Day’s profile on a national and international platform.
You can find links to Michael Day Music on various platforms HERE