Kyza Presents celebrates 10 years

Balmy Nights festival at the Cannery, 2023. Photo: Josh Ludlow.

On November 1, 10 years ago, Kyron Smithson signed up for an ABN under the name Kyza Presents.

Since then a thriving live music scene has emerged at Esperance which delighted a news editor who moved here in 2022 after living in two regional cities where live music was far less active.

Ahead of tonight’s celebration at Lucky Bay Brewery, we asked Kyza to reflect on his strategy and success.

“I did tourism marketing management at ECU and when I came back I was on the farm for a few years and started doing shows,” he said.

“There were musicians down here, probably keen to play, and most of them only had 30-40 minutes’ material and didn’t have the equipment.

“My first goal was to organise shows with short sets, make there was the sound system, and everyone got paid.

“Running small shows and providing the platform for people to perform, just rock up and play.”

Kyza’s band, Grand Casual. Photo: Jonty Scoble.

Beside helping musicians develop, Kyza emphasised the importance of developing venues and audiences

“I worked closely with Taylor Street Quarters in the early days with Jody and Roger Ellett,” he said.

“When that changed hands I moved on to Cannery Arts Centre and my vision expanded there — I really want to provide the elements that would develop musicians and give them an opportunity to practice.

“Open mics were my thing in the early days, but they become more important when I moved to the Cannery to provide pathways for people to develop as artists and then get paid opportunities, take those steps and perform live.

Open mic night at the cannery. Photo: Jonty Scoble.

“Audience development is part of it, to get an appreciative audience that will come out to consistent events at Lucky Bay and the Cannery.”

Kyza said a spinoff had been “really solid music programs” at other venues.

“Myself and the people at Esperance created a really lively music scene at Esperance and that flowed on so other people touring wanted to come down and play at Esperance,” he said.

“I am a very community minded person so I am very passionate about the events, the impact it has on the audience and the musician themselves.

“I feel like I am providing something for people interested in the arts.

“Music is a really easy access to that for people who don’t have a social group or community they call home in a regional town, if that scene didn’t exist.

“That has been the driver for me from the start. We have a big focus on the positive impact on mental health.”

Kyza was particularly keen to thank his parents, Dalyup farmers Sue and Pete Smithson, and Lucky Bay Brewery proprietors Nigel Metz and Robyn Cail, for years of support.

Tonight’s celebrations, starting 5.30pm, will include music from Matty Mcintyre, Cup Trumpets and his own band Grand Casual.

The free event at Lucky Bay Brewery is supported by The Australian Federal Government through the Live Music Australia Program.

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