INXS band member Andrew Farriss to join ANU

Andrew Farriss, the creative force behind iconic Australian rock band INXS, will join the Australian National University (ANU) School of Music as a Visiting Fellow in 2015.

Mr Farriss, who has been appointed the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellow for 2015, is known for co-writing hits such as Original Sin, What You Need and Need You Tonight with INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence.

As Coombs Fellow, Mr Farriss will work closely with students and academics while passing on his expertise and knowledge to the next generation of rock musicians.

“I am truly honoured to be recognised by the academic community within the ANU and also for being named the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellow for 2015, even more so given the ANU School Of Music is celebrating its 50th year,” Mr Farriss said.

Mr Farriss has been an internationally-recognised songwriter, performer, producer, and recording artist for more than 30 years. Under the fellowship, he will undertake a creative project at the University and take part in creative workshops with students.

Mr Farriss will make an initial appearance at the School of Music in February 2015.

“During the course of my fellowship in 2015, I am really looking forward to working with the students and staff through mentoring and teaching workshops, live performance and recording production techniques with particular emphasis on creativity and improvisation,” Mr Farriss said.

“I hope to help the students learn ways to stay relevant and broaden their skill sets so they can acquire jobs in today's rapidly changing music business.”

Head of the ANU School of Music, Professor Peter Tregear, said Mr Farriss is an outstanding choice for the Fellowship in its golden jubilee year.

"INXS are one of the most influential musical groups in Australian music history, and indeed in global popular music history, and Andrew Farriss is the chief creative force behind the band’s phenomenal success,” Professor Tregear said.

“By honouring us by accepting the Coombs Fellowship for 2015, Andrew will help inform and inspire a new generation of leading Australian musicians.”

The H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship supports creative artists in music, literature and visual art.

It allows the visitor to engage in uninterrupted work in residence at ANU and to contribute to the fostering of the creative arts within the University. It also connects Visiting Fellows with the University community.

Prominent artists to have visited ANU under the scheme include Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and George Dreyfus, and most recently Kim Mahood and Chris Drury. 2015 is also the 50^th anniversary of the HC Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship which began at the ANU in 1965.

In November, ANU announced leading young Australian jazz musician Johannes Luebbers would also join the School of Music.