ELECTRONIC MUSIC CONFERENCE

Expands

2017 SPEAKER LINE-UP

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Electronic Music Conference (EMC) today announce further speakers descending upon Sydney in 2017, uniting Asia-Pacific’s electronic music community for two days of collaborative music discovery and electronic music culture celebration. The already high calibre lineup of guests including Andrew Weatherall, Ngaiire and Alexander Nut (Eglo) expands as more than 80 speakers embark on 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 at Redfern’s Giant Dwarf and Cake Wines Cellar Door, when respected industry leaders and insiders contribute combined knowledge and expertise in navigating today’s musical climate. Adding to 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, are panels like Breaking Down Blockchain, Hit The Power Button: How Tech is Supersizing Events; Fabric: A Case Study and much more.

EMC welcomes some of the brightest in their field for the Breaking Down Blockchain panel, that sees APRA’s Frank Rodi, Jaxsta’s Jacqui Louez Schoorl and Gazecoin’s Jonny Peters in a motivated discussion on how the industry can forecast blockchain’s potential disruption. Meanwhile, the Off Limits; Defining Artist Boundaries in the Age of Social Media panel explores the cost of artist accessibility, both emotionally and financially in a perpetually socially connected age, with KLP, Touch Sensitive (PICTURED BELOW), Mary Hoang of The Indigo Project, Vanessa Picken of Comes With Fries, facilitated by James Mathison.

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Joining the EMC programming, is Fabric: A Case Study – a panel designated to the role of clubs in night time culture and their representation to a wider community, involving Fabric’s programmer and Promotions Manager Judy Griffith, Global Drug Survey UK’s Dr Adam Winstock and Night Mayor Amsterdam, Mirik Milan as facilitator.

EMC will look at how cutting-edge technology is changing the game for the event industry in Australia, with Hit the Power Button; How Tech is Supersizing Events, seeing industry leaders like Eventbrite’s Chris McDonnell, Rhythm & Vines Festival’s Hamish Pinkham and Novatech’s Leko Novakovic come together to highlight its pioneering use. EMC 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 at electronicmusicconference.com.

EMC will also welcome the return of EMCPlay in 2017, with a special series of showcases and parties dedicated to unearthing some of Australia’s brightest new artists and future stars. Leading the way is Sydney clubbing institution S.A.S.H, who welcome deep house legend Fred P to the Inner West’s Sly Fox Hotel on Tuesday November 28 for an EMCPlay night of soul-driven house as the perfect warm up to the week. Tickets to this event are available now through Eventbrite. Applications for artists to showcase at EMCPlay are now closed, with the full list of nominated parties to be announced shortly.

More than 80 speakers will contribute to EMC, this year held in Redfern for the first time at Giant Dwarf and Cake Wines Cellar Door, while EMCPlay will see labels, curators and party throwers take over select venues across Redfern, Chippendale and Broadway, and Musica Copa close out the week on Friday December 1 at the KIKOFF Soccer Centre in Marrickville.

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EMC 2017

November 29 – November 30
Giant Dwarf & Cake Wines Cellar Door, Redfern

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2017 speaker line-up (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
Austin Gavlak, Top Tap Tech
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
Hamish Pinkham, Rhythm & Vines
Hannah Bronte, Artist
Hannah Crofts, Artist
Helen Marcou, Bakehouse Studios/Your Choice
Huw Nolan, Good Manners
Jacqui Louez Schoorl, Jaxsta
James Mathison
Jana Gibson, APRA AMCOS
Jo Pretyman, i-Manifest
Johann Ponniah, I OH YOU
Jonno Seidler, One a Day
Jonny Peters, Gazecoin
Judy Griffith, Fabric
Justin Sweeting, Sonar HK (Hong Kong)
Kate Becker, Office of Film + Music City of Seattle
Katie Pearson, (Whiskey Houston) Artist
KLP, Artist
Laura Huddle, Eventbrite
Leanne de Souza, AAM
Leko Novakovic, Novatech
Mary Hoang, The Indigo Project
Michelle Grace Hunder, Photographer/Film Maker/Radio Host
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
Sam Carmex, TRNSMT
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
Vanessa Picken, Comes With Fries
Vi Hermens, Motorik

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Tickets are onsale now at electronicmusicconference.com

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

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EMC 2017 – SESSION INFO

**JUST ANNOUNCED**

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Breaking Down Blockchain

Speakers:
Jacqui Louez Schoorl, Jaxsta
Jonny Peters, Gazecoin
Frank Rodi, APRA
Facilitator: Nick Crocker, Blackbird Ventures

With the help of experts in the field, we explain blockchain simply and clearly; smart contracting and how it works;  the forecast on the ways blockchain will disrupt the music industry in the next decade and how businesses, organisations and individuals can prepare now for this change.

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Fabric: A Case Study

Speakers:
Judy Griffith, Fabric
Dr Adam Winstock, Global Drug Survey UK
Facilitator: Mirik Milan, Night Mayor Amsterdam
+ More to be announced

This international panel shares with us a case study on the regulations enforced on Fabric in 2016 and its cost to clubbing culture in London and globally. They discuss in depth how clubs and authorities can better work together; the role drug use plays in this; how we can all better represent electronic music to the wider community; what strategies business owners and the community can put in place to create spaces where people are free to enjoy the whole night safely; the impact their #savefabric campaign and the subsequent 160,000+ signatures on their petition had on the journey from closed for business in September 2016 to re-opening in November 2016.

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Off Limits; Defining Artist Boundaries In The Age Of Social Media

Speakers:
KLP, Artist
Touch Sensitive, Artist
Mary Hoang, The Indigo Project
Vanessa Picken, Comes With Fries
Facilitator: James Mathison

We explore the cost of our new age of artist accessibility, both emotionally and financially. How can artists address the challenge of having to have equally high outputs of music as well as themselves on social media? Does this compromise the art or the quality of music? We’ll examine how artists can avoid measuring their self worth on the basis of social media engagement alone – and whether that’s even possible in 2017. Our panel will discuss strategies an artist and their team can put into place to protect themselves and what support foundation can be put in place early in an artist’s career.

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Hit The Power Button; How Tech Is Supersizing Events

Speakers:
Chris McDonnell, Eventbrite
Hamish Pinkham, Rhythm & Vines Festival
Austin Gavlak, Top Tap Tech
Leko Novakovic, Novatech
Facilitator: Jared Kristensen

Cutting-edge technology continues to change the game for all facets of the industry, but none more than events. Australian audiences are seeing more and more groundbreaking examples of how tech is being used to enhance the experience for the music lover and event-goer, from the pre-event campaign engagement to onsite experiences. We highlight the pioneering use of tech for and at events, and savvy operators making the most of the benefits of it.

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 **ALREADY ANNOUNCED**

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.

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Kicking Goals In Your Own Backyard

Speakers:
Eva Trifonas, Incgnto
Huw Nolan, Good Manners
Melody Forghani, TWNTY THREE
Si Jay Gould, Wondercore Island
Facilitator: Leanne de Souza, AAM

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fighting For The Right To Party; Activism In Electronic Music

Speakers:
Hannah Bronte, Artist
Katie Pearson (Whiskey Houston), Artist
Tyson Koh, Keep Sydney Open
Facilitator: Hannah Crofts, Artist

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?

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Hold Onto Your Stubs; Challenges And Opportunities Facing The Ticketing Industry

Speakers:
Laura Huddle, Eventbrite
Richie McNeill, Hardware Corp
Facilitator: Jonno Seidler, Sydney Morning Herald
+ 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, as well as what we have to look forward to as technology and new integrations make it easier than ever to connect with your audience and sell tickets.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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Conscious/Unconscious Gender Bias

Speakers:
Brooke Powers, Artist
Jana Gibson, APRA AMCOS
Carly Roberts, Picnic Events
Chloe Rickard, Jungle
Facilitator: Michelle Grace Hunder, Photographer/Film Maker/Radio Host

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.

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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.

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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.

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AMNPLIFY – GD