3ZZZ’s Polyfonix is a weekly live music program shining a spotlight on culturally diverse musicians in Naarm/Melbourne. In collaboration with The Boite and Multicultural Arts Victoria, the program records performances at live events and in the 3ZZZ studio.
Lately, Polyfonix has been working with several local music venues to highlight culturally diverse acts and under-aired artists including women and non-binary artists. ‘Working with smaller to medium venues in Melbourne has been a delight, venues are open and receptive to recordings taking place and really supportive of the project’ shares Station Manager Jane Gazzo. ‘Working with artists during the mixing process and having their input was also a very important part of the project, building trust and airing what they required as well as mentioning their upcoming shows.’
Polyfonix has had a blast of broadcast highlights over the year including Songs From Smyrne at Brunswick Ballroom, Rennie Pearson & Oscar West live at Open Studio and the 45th Birthday recordings of The Boite – a Victorian-based multicultural music organisation supporting culturally diverse artists.
‘Through this project it became apparent that there is a vast community in the arts who seem determined to support their artists…but in isolation from the other communities and the broad community’ explains Station Manager Jane. ‘Polyfonix showed that there is an appetite for support of groups and music genres across community boundaries, making connections between similar styles of music, and connecting people through locally produced music’.
3ZZZ’s Polyfonix were the recipient of Community Broadcasting Foundation’s Content grant in Round 1 2023/24. Funding supported a live music coordinator salary, administration costs as well as live music equipment.