In 12 short years Young Henrys has become a household name around the country, hailing the next generation of beer and music lovers to join a community that just gets it. Underpinning the iconic and hugely successful brand is their authentic love of music and the culture that goes with it; Community and supporting mates. Spearheading the operations at the Newtown-based brewery, Ross Tipper knew music would be an integral part of Young Henrys as a brand and venue, getting behind an industry that preceded his gig in the liquor biz. OneMusic sat down with Bar Tasting Manager Ross to find out the ethos behind Young Henrys and what he wants other liquor brands to know.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Music is key to community as much as liquor is – your customers take away more than just the drinks they consume when they visit your venue
• Acquiring a music licence with OneMusic helps music creators make a living
• Supporting the music industry is not just about legalities but an ethical responsibility as co-creators to pay musicians adequately when used in a commercial setting.
Young Henrys are one of the leaders in the Aussie craft beer boom. Proudly independent, they are inspired by culture– music, fashion, art, food, and more. Their projects are always exciting and different. From supporting local bands to collaborating with the Foo Fighters on a brew, music is at the core of what they do.
Leading to countless partnerships and activations with music festivals, sporting events, bands, major conferences, and more, Young Henrys are finding new ways of reaching customers through this connection to culture.
OneMusic National Licensing Manager Jeremy Davidson stopped by the flagship brewery in Newtown to find out more. Ross Tipper is not just the co-founder but a musician, and record label owner.
Jeremy: How has music contributed to your success as a business?
Ross: One of the founders of Young Henrys, Oscar MacMahon; (we actually met playing a show together) – he’s been in bands for years. So, when he started Young Henrys, it was important to give back to the music community with this new venture. Anywhere from just giving bands cases of beer for their rider at shows, to being the major sponsor of SXSW Sydney, and everything in between.
From the get-go we really were the beer for musicians, and I think that comes across. We’ve supported the music industry and because of that, a lot of venues and other sorts of music industry have then reached out to us for collaborations and opportunities to further support, like curating shows, etc. It just snowballed from there – it’s a very symbiotic relationship.
Jeremy: Why do you think music and beer go do well together?
Ross: You go to see a band and drink beer, it’s a huge part of our culture. Some venues even pay artists based on how many people come to their shows and drink. It’s something very ingrained, especially in Australia.
Music and beer just go really well together, and…musicians love beer!
Ross: For people that don’t know, why do bars need a licence to have music playing?
Jeremy: Under the Copyright Act (1968) in Australia, if a pub or bar is playing music, a licence or permission is required. This is known as ‘public performance’. OneMusic is the organisation in Australia that licences the use of music in businesses and commercial settings.
Ross: Where does the money collected from licence fees go?
Jeremy: We collect fees from licences purchased by bars, restaurants, clubs, breweries, and hotels, across Australia, and distribute to songwriters, record labels, publishers and recording artists. Like breweries and bars, music creators need to earn a living off the work that they produce.
Ross: When a bar just uses Spotify for example, does this still require a licence?
Jeremy: Even if a business pays for a Spotify subscription, it doesn’t cover public performance licensing. You pay for a service to access music, but not the right to play it to the public. It actually states in Spotify’s Terms and Conditions that the subscription is for personal use only.
Ross: Legal stuff aside, why is it good for venues to take out a music licence?
Jeremy: It’s a moral obligation too, and it’s about respect. For instance, when I come into Young Henrys, I respect the work that you do, and I pay for my beer understanding that. It’s the exact same concept with paying music creators. Also…much like Slim Dusty said in “A pub with no beer”, who wants to go to a venue with no music?
Ross: If I’m a venue owner/manager wanting to acquire a licence, how do I do that?
Jeremy: Head to the OneMusic website to find out all the info you’ll need about getting a licence.