SIMA Turns To Streaming
Image: (PHOTO: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)
Social distancing might mean we can’t physically attend concerts but it doesn’t mean we have to forgo the experience entirely. The Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) is using the COVID-19 situation as a welcome push to finally experiment with streaming technology for concerts.
When speaking with SIMA General Manager Amy Curl she revealed that this is a direction the company had been exploring for some time, but just needed a final push.
“This is a new foray for us, but it’s something we’ve talked about doing for so so long. Nobody [in the jazz community] has really embraced streaming before, so this situation has been a real push in that direction. For me personally, and I think for SIMA, I’m actually grateful to have the push,” said Curl, “Everything was ready. The research had been done and we already knew who we would work with. It was just a matter of finding the funding to do it.”
These funds became available thanks to The Australia Council and Create NSW lifting restrictions on previously allocated art grants. With the removal of the restrictions on their funding SIMA was able to quickly pivot and reallocate those funds and invest in video production and streaming.
“The funding agencies have been really helpful in that they’re giving us the flexibility to repurpose our grants to get through the year,” said Curl. “At times it can be a bit of struggle to find funding as a small to medium company. But at times like this it’s incredibly beneficial to be lean because it allows us to innovate, respond and adapt to change quickly.”
As they experiment with this new concert delivery method SIMA has made the “conscious decision” to provide these streams for free.
“It’s a great opportunity to let audiences know we’re delivering with very high production value,” said Curl. “We’re recording with some of the best engineers from our genre, in the best studios and with excellent film producers. I want people to get a sense of the quality that they’re going to get from a SIMA stream.”
For the artists these concerts not only provide a source of income in a time when they can’t play gigs, but they’ll also walk away with high-quality, professional content to use as a promotion tool further down the track.
For audiences the SIMA streaming concerts provide a unique music watching experience according to Curl.
“These concerts a unique in that they’re interactive. You can interact with other audience members in real time through the comments, which you wouldn’t be able to do if you were sitting in a concert hall or club.”
Every Friday Night. Watch via www.facebook.com/SIMAJazz
