It’s not often that the greatest minds, innovators and leaders in the music industry join forces to share their knowledge. Face the music is such a place where the best of the best welcome business people, students and fans alike to hear what they’ve learned so far. Below is a rundown of the highlights of the industry forum, though it is two days of many.
The Ecology of triple j
Presented by The Push
With the tastemaking power of triple j in 2015 more prominent than ever before, Face The Music will explore the role that national airplay plays, from an artist’s first upload to triple j Unearthed through to play across the triple j Unearthed, triple j, Double J and ABC Local Radio networks. This year, for the 40th anniversary of triple j, Face The Music has secured the participation of key decision-makers across the channels. Dave Ruby Howe (triple j Unearthed), Nicole Cheek (triple j) Dorothy Markek (Double J) and Jacinta Parsons (ABC Local Radio) discuss the behind-the scenes processes that go toward supporting artists, from decisions about playlisting to editorial calls on segments such as Like a Version and Live at the Wireless.
triple j Listening Lounge
Following the session, Face The Music delegates have the opportunity to have the undivided attention of the triple j team at the Face The Music triple j Listening Lounge. Panelists will offer up to 20 artists and their management the chance to sit down, one-on-one, to pitch their music and to pick the brains of one of the key decision-makers at triple j. To apply go to facethemusic.com.au.
The Evolution of Digital Music Production
Presented by Yamaha Music Australia and Steinberg
For the producers, Yamaha and Steinberg presents The Evolution of Digital Music Production. In a fascinating insight into the world of music production, producers M-Phazes (Eminem, Illy), Yeo (Hermitude) & Dub FX will discuss their pathways into production and how this ultimately shaped their careers as artists. Music production software helped them become who they are as an artist – how did they adapt to an ever-changing playing field? A small group workshop for future producers and those already at the top of their game. To apply go to facethemusic.com.au.
Keynote: JD Samson (US)
Presented by Melbourne Music Week
Presented by Face The Music and Melbourne Music Week, JD Samson is set to deliver one hell of a keynote at this year’s Face The Music. An integral member of electronic-feminist-punk band Le Tigre and one of the world’s most visible, outspoken and inspiring gender queer performer/activists, JD will document her rollercoaster ride from experimental punk band to the realities of running a business, creating and touring in support of a crew who sometimes earn more than the band.
Better Get A Lawyer, Son.
Presented by Arts Law Centre of Australia and Music Victoria
Providers of free legal advice to all Australian artists, Arts Law, this year partner with Music Victoria to present Better Get A Lawyer, Son, where some of Australia’s sharpest music legal minds including Brett Oaten (Brett Oaten Solicitors), Jennifer Tutty (Studio Legal), Morris Averill (Arts Law), Darren Sanicki (GI & Sanicki Lawyers) and Marcus Walkom (Media Arts Lawyers) pull apart some of the topics that have served as endless
clickbait for the media this year, from royalty rows to illegal download cases and beyond.
The Producers
Presented by Music Victoria
Producers Casey Rice (Dirty Three, Ponyface), Anna Laverty (Meg Mac, Cut Copy, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds) and Andrei Eremin (Chet Faker, Hiatus Kaiyote, Japanese Wallpaper) will select one production piece from their career catalogue and dissect it in front a live audience. The panel will reveal insight into the inner workings of the producer’s brain – the techniques, artist relationship, technology and decision-making which informed the outcome of their most successful track.
Keynote: Ruth Daniel (UK)
Presented by Melbourne Music Week
Internationally renowned music activist Ruth Daniel joins Face The Music 2015 with a strong DIY message for Australia’s independent artists. Ruth is the founder of Un-Convention, the global grassroots music event and community with a presence in 25 countries. Based in Manchester, UK, she is also Co-Director of In Place of War, which supports artists in sites of war, revolution and conflict. Their entrepreneurial programs are giving creative people the skills they need to make a sustainable living from their art in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.
Ruth will introduce us to the work of her colleagues Fora Do Eixo, the revolutionary Brazilian music group who have created one of the world’s amazing music scenes. She will discuss the new Off Axis Network they are jointly creating to take Fora Do Eixo to the rest of the world, providing a cooperative model of audience development and artist networking to provide long-term opportunities for independent artists.
Ruth Daniel’s work challenges traditional ‘industry’ pathways for popular music by looking at innovation and new community models that connect to new audiences and can be a powerful tool for social change.
When & Where: Arts Centre, Melbourne – November 13-14