EMC 2017 Drops first speaker line-up

PRESS RELEASE:

Electronic Music Conference(EMC) makes a triumphant return to Sydney in 2017, seeingAsia-Pacific’s electronic music community come together for two days of music discovery and collaboration, to celebrate electronic music culture. EMC is thrilled to reveal the inaugural line-up of speakers set to descend upon the New South Wales capital for a series of panels, workshops, talks and masterclasses at the sixth edition of EMC, taking place from November 29 – November 30, 2017.

EMC will provide thought-provoking, original conference programming involving the combined knowledge and expertise of respected industry leaders and insiders, who navigate today’s musical climate as either successful veterans or trailblazing up-and-comers. The program’s agenda comes to life at Redfern’sGiant DwarfandCake Wines Cellar Doorwith specialised sessions such as:Kicking Goals In Your Own Backyard, Festivals; Our New Favourite Import?, When Beats Just Don’t Match; Mental Health in Electronic Music, Conscious/Unconscious Gender Bias, Where The Streets Have No Name; Parties off the Radar, You’re The Voice; Electronic Music and the Marginalised,and much more.

One of the most renowned electronic music artists of all time,Andrew Weatherallwill return to Australia for an up-close and personal‘In Conversation’session, opening EMC with an exploration into his life as a pioneer of electronic music since the 80s. Having transcended industry change and fluctuating trends for the past 30 years, Weatherall remains a relevant and revered recording artist and performer with boundless learnings and insights.

EMC will invite some of the world’s leading international festival brands entering the Asia-Pacific region for the panelFestivals; Our New Favourite Import?Sonar Hong Kong’s Justin SweetingjoinsUltra Australia’s Travis Grech,Ismaya Live’s Dita Hariadiand more, for a discussion facilitated byRichard Moffat. While Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist,Dr Adam Winstockwill facilitate a discussion on mental health management in the electronic music sector for,When Beats Just Don’t Match; Mental Health in Electronic Music. The panel sees globally adored DJ and recording artistTigerlilyteam withtriple j Unearthedfeatured artistZiggy Ramoand artist managerEva Trifonas(Kučka) for an honest discussion into the challenges faced by artists & their team members, alongside coping mechanisms in an environment shrouded with competitive individualism.

EMC will look at music consumption in an era of genre cross-pollination and musical diversity amid today’s youth market, with a panel titledThe Genreless Fan.Eglo Recordsfounder and esteemed selectorAlexander Nutwill appear alongsideAlice KimberleyofVICE Australiaas they look at the impact of playlisting and the demise of genre tribes. Moreover,The Future of Radiopanel facilitated byFresh FM’s Troy Sincocksees both broadcast and streaming specialists likeOllie Wardsfromtriple j,FBi Radio’s Amelia Jenner,George FM’s Dan AuxandDream Channel VR Radio’s Murat Kilicdiscuss the shifting platforms on offer for artists to break through a noise-filled landscape.

Other panels includingConscious/Unconscious Gender Biaswill see well-loved Melbourne artistBrooke Powers, joinAPRA AMCOS’ Jana Gibson,Picnic Events’ Carly RobertsandJungle’s Chloe Rickardin an examination of the industry resolutions needed to address skill gaps, confidence gaps and wage gaps when striving for gender equality in electronic music. Simultaneously,The Cultural Appropriation Tightropelistens to Australian artists likeNgaiireandThelma Plumfor their input in a challenging and necessary discussion of cultural appropriation, and how it affects countless Australians.

Fighting For The Right To Party; Activism in Electronic Musicasks what is the role of activism in contemporary music fromKeep Sydney Open’s Tyson KohandMelbourne’s Katie Pearson aka Whiskey Houston. WhileMotorik’s Vi Hermens, andKate Beckerof theOffice of Film + Music City of Seattlediscuss the significant role of non-traditional, un-conventional spaces in the progression and support of electronic music communities for the panelWhere The Streets Have No Name; Parties Off The Radar.

EMC also introduces an ala carte ticket purchase option in 2017. Purchasers can choose between buying individual session tickets starting at $25 ex gst, or full two-day conference passes starting at $219 ex gst. Tickets are onsale now atelectronicmusicconference.comwith more sessions and speakers being announced in the coming weeks.

EMC are also excited to announceEMCPlaywill return in 2017, with a special series of showcases and parties dedicated to unearthing some of Australia’s brightest new artists and future stars. Applications for artists to showcase at EMCPlay open on Monday October 9 and close at midnight Sunday October 22. To apply, head tohttps://electronicmusicconference.com/emc-play.

With over 80 speakers contributing to EMC, there are many more names to be announced. EMC will be held atGiant Dwarf,Cake Wines Cellar DoorandThe Work-Shop, Redfern for the first time in 2017; whileEMCPlaysees labels, curators and party throwers take over select venues acrossRedfern,ChippendaleandBroadway, andMusica Copaclosing the week on Friday December 1 at the KIKOFF Soccer Centre in Marrickville.

EMC 2017
November 29 – November 30
Giant Dwarf, Cake Wines Cellar Door & The Work-Shop, Redfern

Speaker lineup (in alphabetical order):

Adam Winstock, Global Drug Survey UK
Aden Mullens, etcetc
Alexander Nut, Eglo Records (UK)
Alice Kimbereley, VICE
Amelia Jenner, FBi Radio
Andrew Li, Zouk (Singapore)
Andrew Weatherall, Artist (UK)
Anna Burns, Future Classic
Ant Celestino, onelove
Beatrice, Artist
Ben Tucker, For The Love
Brooke Powers, DJ
Bryony Beynon, Good Night Out (UK)
Carly Roberts, Picnic Events
Cathy Adamek, Adaemek Productions
Chloe Rickard, Jungle
Chris Berkley
Chris Murray, Falcona
Chris O’Donnell, Eventbrite
Dan Aux, George FM (NZ)
Dita Hariadi, Ismaya Group (Indonesia)
Dr. Bianca Fileborn, UNSW
Driller Jet Armstrong, Artist
Emily York, Penny Drop
Eva Trifonas, Inertia
Frank Rodi, APRA AMCOS
Hannah Crofts, Artist
Helen Marcou, Bakehouse Studios/Your Choice
Huw Nolan, Good Manners
James Mathison
Jana Gibson, APRA AMCOS
Jo Pretyman, i-Manifest
Johann Ponniah, I OH YOU
Jonno Seidler, One a Day
Justin Sweeting, Sonar HK (Hong Kong)
Kate Becker, Office of Film + Music City of Seattle
Katie Pearson, (Whiskey Houston) Artist
Leanne de Souza, AAM
Miss Blanks, Artist
Murat Kilic, Dream Channel
Ngaiire, Artist
Ollie Wards, triple j
Paul Stix, undr CTRL
Richard Moffat, Way Over There
Richie Carrera, T100
Richie McNeill, Hardware Corp
Si Gould, Wondercore Island
Thelma Plum, Artist
Tigerlily, Artist
Touch Sensitive, Artist
Travis Grech, Ultra Australia
Troy Sincock, Fresh FM
Tyson Koh, Keep Sydney Open
Uda Widanapathirana, Mellum
Vi Hermens, Motorik

Plus more to be announced!

Tickets are onsale now at electronicmusicconference.com

EMC 2017 is supported by Australia Council for the Arts, APRA AMCOS, Roland, Eventbrite, Fbi Radio, inthemix, Picnic Events, Pilerats, Pulse, Purple Sneakers, Stoney Roads, The Industry Observer.

EMC 2017 – SESSION INFO

Andrew Weatherall: In Conversation

Speakers:
Andrew Weatherall
Facilitator: Chris Berkley

One of the most renowned electronic music artists of all time, Andrew has been a pioneer of electronic music since the 80s. An absolute lion of the industry, Weatherall has transcended not only industry change, but trends, genres and time over the past 30 years. In partnership with Picnic Events, EMC presents this up close and personal ‘In Conversation’ with one of electronic music’s global icons to open our 2017 conference.

Kicking Goals In Your Own Backyard

Speakers:
Eva Trifonas, Incgnto
Huw Nolan, Good Manners
Si Jay Gould, Wondercore Island
Facilitator: Leanne de Souza, AAM
+ more to be announced.

With an abundance of Australian artists killing it across numerous international markets, we gather some of the best and brightest managers to explore the highs and lows of developing an artist based in the relatively small, faraway market of Australia. The brains trust on this panel will explore the changing landscape of artist development locally. This includes radio versus streaming services support, effective alternatives to traditional marketing strategies, the importance of breaking your home country first and, with a growing dependence on corporate and brand alignment, what impact saying no has to opportunities on overall artist development.

Festivals; Our New Favourite Import?

Speakers:
Dita Hariadi, Ismaya Group, Indonesia
Justin Sweeting, Sonar Hong Kong
Nick Arbor, Genesis Industries
Richie McNeill, Hardware Corp
Travis Grech, Ultra Australia
Facilitator: Richard Moffat

With an influx of international festival brands coming into the Asia-Pacific region, we investigate concerns on sustainability with the high number of new entries into this market; the vast differences in major event compliance across the many markets in this region, the economic impact of income generated through these events leaving our shores to global owners and how these festivals benefit Asia-Pacific audiences, businesses and artists.

Safe Spaces

Speakers:
Miss Blanks, Artist
Helen Marcou, Bakehouse Studios/Your Choice
Uda Widanapathirana, Mellum
Dr Bianca Fileborn, UNSW
Facilitator: Bryony Beynon, A Good Night Out

In the past two years we have seen more commitment toward addressing the harsh reality of sexual assault and harassment in our industry, venues and at festivals. There are a number of brave, intelligent and inspiring people who are driving change to ensure our industry and our experiences as music lovers are inclusive and safe. Some of the leading minds that have been driving this change feature on our very important panel discussion, taking a rigorous look at safe spaces in 2017 and beyond.

We focus on the cold hard facts of sexual assault and harassment in Australia; what programs are in place to combat this and which are yet to come; how the impact of these programs will be measured; our mutual understanding of what constitutes assault or anti-social behaviour today and the role that promoters, hosts and artists play in educating their audience in the way that only they can.

When Beats Just Don’t Match; Mental Health In Electronic Music.

Speakers:
Tigerlily, Artist
Ziggy Ramo, Artist
Eva Trifonas, Artist Manager
Facilitator: Dr Adam Winstock, Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist

Those working in the electronic music sector are amongst the most vulnerable when it comes to managing good mental health. Late nights in environments where alcohol and substances are prevalent means many of our artists and team members are particularly susceptible to mental health challenges.

Managers and agents live in an environment of competitive individualism, where, sadly, our “competition” is most likely the people who will be able to empathise with our situation.
A group of artists and managers honestly share their insights and experiences dealing with mental health issues to tackle some very important topics including health management and coping mechanisms; how we support anyone on our team dealing with mental health concerns or issues and what we are doing as an industry to create and provide overall support for each other.

Fighting For The Right To Party; Activism In Electronic Music

Speakers:
Katie Pearson (Whiskey Houston), Artist
Tyson Koh, Keep Sydney Open
Facilitator: Hannah Crofts, Artist
+ more to be announced

Dance/electronic music has strong roots in activism that often go unacknowledged in the mainstream as compared to genres like punk and hip-hop. But is the electronic music scene as revolutionary as it one was?

With electronic music on the whole achieving mainstream acceptability, are there now less ‘activists’ in the scene? If electronic music plays a role in the right for equality, what role is that and how impactful is it today? Does the involvement of corporate stakeholders in electronic music contradict its historic role in social change? Hell, is electronic music still an agent for change at all?

No Refunds; Is The Ticketing Industry In Crisis?

Speakers:
Phil Silverstone, Eventbrite
Richie McNeill, Hardware Corp
Facilitator: Jonno Seidler, Music Writer
+ more to be announced

With our entire industry so heavily reliant on touring and performance income to ensure sustainability for artists, the majority of promoters, managers, agents, labels, publishers, PROs (and, of course) ticketing agencies live or die by successful ticket sales.

In 2017, an abundance of issues and developments in the ticketing sphere are under the spotlight. These include scalping, an influx of new white label platforms, the major agencies opening their APIs, the hefty investment required by the ticketing agencies for tech catch-up, venue-exclusive deals, exorbitant fees from many of the ticketing agencies, not to mention ticket reselling now on the agenda in Parliament. Specialists in this field discuss different perspectives on the current state of play and what the future looks like for many issues we’re currently facing in ticketing.

The Genreless Fan

Speakers:
Alexander Nut, Eglo Records (UK)
Alice Kimberely, Vice Australia
Ant Celestino, onelove
Facilitator: Jonno Seidler, One a Day
+ more to be announced

As the way we consume music has changed so significantly, and as we continue to see an increase in the cross-pollination between genres, so too are we seeing the rise of the genreless fan. We look at the impact of playlisting, the demise of genre tribes, insights into the minds of young music consumers and the journey of music diversity with consistency.

Where The Streets Have No Name; Parties Off The Radar

Speakers:
Kate Becker, Office of Film + Music City of Seattle
Vi Hermens, Motorik
Facilitator: Cathy Adamek, Adamek Productions
+ more to be announced

Since the very beginning of electronic music, non-traditional, un-conventional, and dare we say ‘illegal’ spaces have played a significant role in the development of it’s culture. We hear from experts from the grassroots on ground operators to international government on the place of non-conventional spaces historically and presently in our culture, how legislation has repeatedly forced a rise in the culture of these spaces and parties, the impact of this on traditional clubs, venues and events, risk management processes in non-compliant events and spaces, and how parties and spaces of this nature allow voices to be heard, that are excluded from conventional venues and events.

The Cultural Appropriation Tightrope

Speakers:
Ngaiire, Artist
Thelma Plum, Artist
Driller Jet Armstrong, Artist
Facilitator: Beatrice, Artist
+ more to be announced

Is imitation the highest form of flattery? We embark on a challenging but necessary discussion of Cultural Appropriation head-on. As a music community we need to take positive steps towards a positive future by facing the reality of how cultural appropriation affects many Australians, which go beyond the appropriation by audiences at festivals reported on in the media. Given the sample-based culture inherent in electronic music, where is the line? And are there other cultures positively represented in electronic music?

The Future of Radio

Speakers:
Amelia Jenner, FBi Radio
Dan Aux, George FM
Murat Kilic, Dream Channel VR Radio
Ollie Wards, triple j
Facilitator: Troy Sincock, Fresh FM

With Spotify increasingly providing an alternative platform to radio for artists to break through, and radio stations extending their offering beyond just broadcast, the radio landscape continues to change significantly. Australia this year has also seen the launch of its first VR radio station. The figures at the forefront discuss the future of radio. It looks very interesting indeed.

Our Festival Scene’s Homegrown Heroes

Speakers:
Andrew Li, Zouk
Chris Murray, Falcona
Ben Tucker, For The Love
Facilitator: Emily York, Penny Drop

Alongside the increasing number of international festival brands pouring into the Asia Pacific region, there’s also a number of shining examples of local operators who’ve created homegrown brands to much success domestically, and internationally. We highlight those that have been working hard on their own brands; their global expansions underway and the benefit locally grown brands delivers to audiences, artists and businesses within the electronic music sector across the Asia Pacific.

Conscious/Unconscious Gender Bias

Speakers:
Brooke Powers, Artist
Jana Gibson, APRA AMCOS
Carly Roberts, Picnic Events
Chloe Rickard, Jungle
+ more to be announced

Oh God. Is this still a thing? Well yes, actually, it is. There’s been a slight shift on the needle of gender diversity, but as a sector we still have a very long way to go before we can claim to reflect true equality.

We investigate the initiatives that currently are in place – or coming into play in 2018 – to continue to address this issue. These include how the impact of these initiatives will be measured, what has been done to date and how effective it’s been, how the music industry stacks up against other male dominated industries, what we can learn from how said industries try to resolve this problem; and strategies for addressing skill gaps, confidence gaps and wage gaps.

Indie Labels: Taking The Power Back?

Speakers:
Anna Burns, Future Classic
Johann Ponniah, I Oh You
Aden Mullens, etcetc
Facilitator: Eva Trifonas, Inertia

A quick look at some of the biggest records and artists over the last 12 months clearly shows us that indie labels are leading the way in label world. We look at the labels landscape in 2017 and heading into 2018 to explore the roles both indies and majors are now playing in electronic music; how majors are adapting and working positively with independent labels and artists; and how the big indie business models are continuing to evolve and grow.

You’re The Voice; Electronic Music And The Marginalised

Speakers:
Brooke Powers, Artist/Trans activist
Christine Leahy, Music With Mates
Facilitator: Jo Pretyman, i-Manifest

Electronic music has its roots in marginalised groups, but is this still the case today? Gathering a variety of perspectives, we explore how music gave marginalised groups a voice and a community to belong to, how the electronic music sector can play a role in educating the wider community about marginalised people. We’ll also look at whether technology has changed the ability to provide a voice and whether marginalised people truly feel included in electronic music.