UnConvention Brisbane 2012 to take a blowtorch to the music industry.
The terms we use to talk about music making – especially by ‘professional musicians’ and ‘industry workers’ – can give the impression of a big machine, churning out product for mass consumption. A flow on effect is that the music business is seen as an industrial complex that artists need to ‘break into’ in order to be taken seriously or be successful. “It’s a really flawed concept”, explains UnConvention 2012 director Ed Gugliemino, “and one that doesn’t accurately describe how things work in my experience – especially in Australia”.
This year UnConvention Brisbane is firing up the blowtorch and exposing the inner workings of the Brisbane music industries. Across two days, the conference will be modelling a DIY approach to music making by recording and releasing three new tracks by Brisbane artists Kellie Lloyd, Nikko and Mexico City. Through a series of panel discussions and workshops, the weekend event will cover the entire process from pre-production and recording through to touring, building a strong brand, release schedules, promotion, and advice for surviving your first year in ‘the industry’.
“Our goal is to empower people with an understanding of the process involved in creating, releasing and marketing music”, Ed continues, “and to encourage them to get amongst it. UnConvention is about more than just musicians and our speakers represent an incredible depth of knowledge from across a range of careers within music. We want to introduce upcoming promoters to guys like Alhambra Lounge’s Jesse Barbera, to give aspiring writers the opportunity to learn from Clinton Walker and have Richard Lowenstein inspire local film-makers to create amazing work. Music doesn’t happen in a big machine, it comes to life in an ecosystem of musicians; fans; promoters; producers; writers; and a whole range of other talented individuals. It’s why the UnConvention ethos is so important for independent artists and industry workers – it’s not about do-it-yourself, it’s about do-it-together”.
UnConvention Brisbane 2012 will be held Nov 24 and 25 at the Edge in Brisbane’s South-Bank precinct.
Speakers include legendary film-maker Richard Lowenstein, journalist and author Clinton Walker, Triple J presenter Dom Alessio, Go-Betweens bassist John Wilsteed, manager and Alhambra Lounge co-owner Jesse Barbera, audio engineer and label owner Cameron Smith, Artist Manager Leanne De Souza and independent publicist Stephen Green.
This years event will feature live and studio performances from Kellie Lloyd, Nikko, Mexico City, Kikuyu and Anonymeye as well as a rooftop party at the Edge.
Workshops include DIY touring and getting grants, Zine writing with Everett True and how to write that all important artist Bio.
Check out this years full program at http://www.unconventionbrisbane.com/category/program-2012/
– Tickets on sale NOW for 2012 Conference –
Saturday 24th November and Sunday 25th November