Mentorships
Willem Hendriksen has over his years in radio and event organization gained a huge network of artists and industry professionals which led him to the idea of connecting the ‘newbies’ with those who have extensive experience in the creative industries. Retro Rehash’s mentorship programs benefited many young artists as well as their mentors, who loved the experience, as it led them to some new and unexpected insights.
June 24, 2023
Winter Magic Festival Youth Stage Mentorship.
Retro Rehash was employed with Zoe Jarrett by the Winter Magic Festival to help Organise a Youth Stage and a Mentorship. We were able to work with 3 young Women from 3 different High Schools from the Blue Mountains Local Government Area. That learnt the skills to put on an event . Which resulted in…
October 26, 2019
$10,000 Blue Mountains City Of The Arts Grant: Safire Palms’ Single Launch
In late 2019, Retro Rehash organised a mentorship from local creative industry professionals for the young Blue Mountains psych-funk band, Safire Palms. This resulted in a sold out launch event at Junction 142 to celebrate the release of Safire Palms' debut single 'Jam Sandwich', which was grant-funded with the support of guest vocalist Michelle James,…
December 31, 2018
Michael Smith (The Atlantics & The Drum Media)
Later in 2018, we employed Michael Smith, (former Atlantics bassist and head editor at The Drum Media), to mentor Blue Mountains musicians by getting him to perform and rehearse with six local players. On New Year's Eve, the newly-formed group performed hits and covers collected through Michael's 50 years in music at a packed event…
April 14, 2018
Brian Nichols (The Radiators)
Maintaining the intergenerational benefits observed through Kilbey and Swanee's mentorships, Retro Rehash employed The Radiators' frontman Brian Nichol to mentor local punk band Madam Fatale. After two solid rehearsals, the four rockers performed live hits from Brian's 37 years in show business for a packed event at Katoomba's Hotel Gearin in 2018. "I was asked…
August 26, 2017
Swanee (Barnsey’s Brother)
In 2017, Retro Rehash employed Jimmy Barnes' older brother John 'Swanee' Swan to mentor Blue Mountains musicians through running a rehearsal and performance with eight local players. The handpicked group performed hits from Swanee's 45 years in show business at a sold out event at The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. "Willem (Retro Rehash) had the…
May 28, 2016
Steve Kilbey (The Church)
In 2016, Retro Rehash employed The Church's frontman Steve Kilbey to mentor a select group of Blue Mountains musicians. This occurred after Willem recruited a backing band for Steve that featured some of our finest local talent. As Steve Kilbey & The Mountaineers, the assembled group headlined at a sold out event at Katoomba's Hotel…
