Australian Music Week Gets Intellectual With Expansive Industry Panel Offerings

With 100 musical acts already lined up for this year's inaugural Australian Music Week industry event, it was perhaps inevitable that the 'conference' side of things would have to be as epic as the 'showcase' side — and organisers have done much to ensure a sense of equity with their revelation of this year's expansive spread of panels.

The array of sessions canvass a broad spectrum of topics, from the nitty-gritty of artist management (Managers Anonymous, featuring Yvette Mill, Jess Beston, Nick Yates, Nate Farrell, Neal Hunt and Troy Barrott) and getting on the airwaves (Understanding Radio, featuring John Zucco, Nik Tropiano, Chris Johnson, Maggie Collins, Nick Findlay and Nicole McInnes) to the rise of boutique events (Festival Tribes, featuring Damian Cunningham, Peter Noble, Chloe Goodyear, Ben Tillman, Alistair Cranney, Mark Duckworth and Andy McLean), the pervasiveness of digital marketing (Are You On Facebook?, featuring Hazel Savage, Vanessa Picken, Alyssa Jane Ivery, Larry Heath and Henry Compton) and the minutiae of songwriting (It's All About The Song, featuring Lucia Doll, Tuka, Alistair Richardson, Tony Buchen, Matt O'Connor and Ron Haryanto) — and that's just on day one.

Check out the full rundown of panels below.

Australian Music Week will be held in Cronulla, Sydney, next month, from 18 to 22 November, with performances coming from the likes of Tuka, Guards Of May, Ivan Ooze, Chase The Sun and a swathe of others. See the event's website for more information.

Australian Music Week: Confirmed Panels

MANAGERS ANONYMOUS

Thursday 19 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - Breakers

What drives otherwise sane people to want to manage artists? In this panel we talk with some of Australia's most successful and experienced artist managers about why they do what they do, what they're looking for when signing a new artist, and what they expect from the people they represent.

With:

Yvette Myhill - Association of Artist (Moderator)
Jess Beston - Tiny Monster
Nick Yates - Unified
Nate Farrell - Nathan Farrell Entertainment
Neal Hunt - Sureshaker
Troy Barrott - Hub Artist Services

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UNDERSTANDING RADIO

Thursday 19 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - Breakers

Where does your music belong in the landscape of Australian radio? how do formats work? How do you build contacts in radio? What’s your plan? Can you do it yourself or do you need a pro to help you. The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) and Australian Music Week bring together a panel of radio people to discuss these issues as well as the ins and outs of this important media outlet.

With:

John Zucco - The Right Profile (Moderator)
Nik Tropiano - Shake Appeal / Know The People
Chris Johnson - AMPAP
Maggie Collins - Fans Creative Management
Nick Findlay - triple j
Nicole McInnes - Pandora

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SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED - IN CONVERSATION WITH DEW PROCESS AND SECRET SERVICE

Thursday 19 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - Level 2

Insight into the workings of one of Australia's most successful independent labels: Discussing dew process - Stacey Piggott and John Mullen discuss discovering and signing new artists, deals, lawyers, the recording process, setting up the release, manufacturing, how they establish release dates, retail setup, rolling out marketing, servicing the media.

With:

Scott Mesiti - MJR Presents (Moderator)
John Mullen - Dew Process
Stacey Piggott - Secret Service Public Relations

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FESTIVAL TRIBES

Thursday 19 November 2015 11.45am

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

On this panel we talk to the directors of some of Australia's most successful and enduring festivals, and some rapidly rising new events - events that have a loyal and dedicated audience who come back again and again because they trust the programming choices and taste of the festival team. Our panel will be discussing what's required to keep the tribe coming back each year.

With:

Damian Cunningham - Live Music Office (Moderator)
Peter Noble - Bluesfest
Chloe Goodyear - Woodford Folk Festival
Ben Tillman - Farmer & The Owl
Alistair Cranney - Gorgeous Festival
Mark Duckworth - Broadbeach Alliance
Andy McLean - East Coast Music Association

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DIGITAL MARKETING: ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?

Thursday 19 November 2015 11.45am

The Cronulla RSL – Breakers

Technology has levelled the playing field, it has never been easier to play the game, but is it harder than ever to win? Come hear our industry experts discuss the merits of the DIY approach to marketing artists versus how the pros do it.

With:

Hazel Savage - (Moderator)
Vanessa Picken - Comes With Fries
Alyssa Jane Ivery - Secret Sounds Group
Larry Heath - AU Review
Henry Compton - The Orchard

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WAR OF WRITERS - GUDINSKI VS CHUGG

Thursday 19 November 2015 12.15pm

The Cronulla RSL - Level 2

Michael Chugg and Michael Gudinski are two pioneers of the Australian music industry, and their war stories, successes, failures and histories have been documented in two fine books: ""Hey, You in the Black T-Shirt" - by Michael Chugg with Iain Shedden, and "Gudinski - The Godfather of Australian Rock and Roll" by Stuart Coupe. Watch and listen as Coupe and Shedden go head to head as they interview each other on the stories behind the books behind the men, Michael Gudinski and Michael Chugg.

With:

Iain Shedden - The Australian
Stuart Coupe - Laughing Outlaw Records

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IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SONG

Thursday 19 November 2015 12.15pm

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

There's always pressure on artists to come up with 'The Song' - the masterpiece that will help push them to the next level. The song that will get the rotation on radio, that will land that lucrative sync opportunity, that will will get shazam ticking over and win that award. But what does a hit song look like in 2015? How do you pick one and what do you do with it once you've found it? Join our panel of writers, Producers, A&R and publishing experts as they discuss their successes (and failures) in the world of songwriting.

With:

Lucia Doll – APRA (Moderator)
Tuka - Thundamentals
Alistar Richardson (The Cairos)
Tony Buchen - Spookyland/Studio Le Pavois)
Matt O'Connor (The A&R Department)
Ron Haryanto (Studios 301)

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SHOW ME THE MONEY

THURSDAY 19 November 2015 1.30pm

The Cronulla RSL - Breakers

White Sky Music Business Services and Australian Music Week present this master class on the essential topic of fundraising and crown funding, budgeting, and accounting specific to the music industry. Get on top of he finances for your next tour or recording project.

With:

Tom Harris - White Sky Music (Moderator)
Jeremy Furze - White Sky Music
Matt Bird - White Sky Royalty Accounting
Sarah Currie - White Sky Music
Scot Crawford – PledgeMusic

FRIDAY

DO YOU NEED A PRODUCER?

Friday 20 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - Breakers

Producers have been shapers of the sound of popular music since the 50's, their role often encapsulates that of director, conductor, arranger, A&R, confidant, engineer and psychologist as they take the responsibility for the creation of the recording and steer the recording process. Most labels, managers and successful artists consider producers an essential part of the team, but what do they actually do? Do you need one for your next project, and how would you go about finding the right one?

With:

Gianni Michelini – The Abbey Road Academy (Moderator)
Lachlan Mitchell - Jungle Studios / Attic Studios
Simon Todkill - Studios 301
Ryan Hazel – Push Pull

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BUILDING THE BRIDGE

Friday 20 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - Level 2

In this master class manager Gregg Donovan and agent Stephen Wade discuss the process of taking an artist from small shows through to large venues and headlining national touring. Using case studies of artists they've worked with such as Boy & Bear, Grinspoon, and Josh Pyke, they'll be discussing tour strategy, planning ahead, how to re-invest in the show, budgeting, working with crew, and much more.

With:

Maggie Collins - Fans Creative Management (Moderator)
Stephen Wade - Select Music Agency Greg Donovan – Wonderlick

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AUSSIE MUSIC HISTORY Q&A

Friday 20 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

Join Stuart Coupe as he interviews Australian authors David N. Pepperell and Murray Bennett as they discuss their books delving into origins of 60s and 70s Aussie music.

With:

Stuart Coupe - Laughing Outlaw Records
David N. Pepperell - Author “100 Greatest Australian Singles Of The ‘60s”
Murray Bennett – Author “PRODUCT 45” – The Art of The 7”

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THE VENUE’S PERSPECTIVE

Friday 20 November 2015 11.45am

The Cronulla RSL – Breakers

APRA's Live Music Office and Australian Music Week present a panel of venue people to discuss the live scene from the venues' point of view. How healthy is the live scene at the moment? What can promoters, artists, and their managers do to make the venue's job easier?

With:

Geoff Trio - Code One / Indica Australia (Moderator)
Don Elford - Ultimo Music
Sam Nardo - Century Venues Group
Jacob Snell - Monster Management
John Wardle - Live Music Office

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WHAT DO RECORD LABELS EVEN DO?

Friday 20 November 2015 11.45am

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

Despite the well-documented decrease in CD sales, Record Labels continue to be a vital part of an artist's team, we're joined by people from an incredible collection of Australian labels who are going from strength to strength.

With:

Marshall Cullen - Damien Gerard / Foghorn Group (Moderator)
Andy Cassell - Winterman & Goldstein, Ivy League Records and Ivy League Publishing
Basil Cook - ABC Music
Henry Compton - The Orchard

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BOOKING AGENTS' ROUND TABLE

Friday 20 November 2015 1.30pm

The Cronulla RSL – Breakers

With live performance becoming an ever-increasingly important source of an artist's income, working with the right booking agent is crucial. But do you need one? How do you get one? What do they do, what don't they do? Join our panel of booking agents as they discuss the climate within their segment of the music industry and the issues they face when finding the right shows for their artists.

With:

Steve Griffiths - Top Shelf Productions (Moderator)
Edwin Tehrani - New World Artists
Evan Davis - Village Sounds
Katie Rynne - Select Music Agency
Jeremy Sharp - The Harbour Agency
Damian Costin - 123 Agency

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IS YOUR TRACK SYNCABLE?

Friday 20 November 2015 1.30pm

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

In the wake of ever decreasing album sales, synchronisation has become an ever more important income steam for artists. But why do some tracks get picked for Sync opportunities ahead of others? Who do you need in your team to maximise your chance of getting "The Big Sync", and how do you approach them?

With:

Peter Patterson - Perfect Pitch Publishing
Rob Scott - Source Music / Indica
Diana Torossian
Bob Hunker - Hunkarts

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TED GARDNER - AN INTERVIEW

Friday 20 November 2015 5.50pm

The Brass Monkey

Join Stuart Coupe as he interviews manager extraordinaire Ted Gardner. Working as Men At Work's road manager took Gardner to America where he continued to live for 25 years. During this time he worked with Echo & The Bunnymen, P.I.L, The Sugarcubes, New Order, UFO. and Frank Zappa. Along with his wife he managed Jane’s Addiction, Tool, The Verve, HUM, The Geraldine Fibbers, Queens Of The Stone Age, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre who he continues to manage..

Gardner co-founded Lollapalooza with Perry Farrell and Jane’s Addiction's agents Mark Geiger and Don Muller. He returned to Australia In 2007 and currently co-manages The Cairos, Zefferelli, Masco Sound System, and The Harlots.

With:

Stuart Coupe - Laughing Outlaw Records
Ted Gardner - Cross Section

SATURDAY – Music Industry 101

GETTING A START IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Saturday 21 November 2015 10.30am

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

Ever wondered what a publicist, booking agent or publisher does? Thinking about managing an artist, or managing yourself? What does it take to be successful in the music industry? Our panel of experts talk about the factors that have got them to where they are today, how they got their start, and what they do all day.

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BRANDING BASICS

Saturday 21 November 2015 11.45am

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

So you've got some songs together and it's time to let people know that you exist. What are the steps you need to take to sell yourself to venues, the media and others. Our panel of marketing gurus discuss the right way to get a start in pitching your artist.

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THE REALITY OF TV

Saturday 21 November 2015 1.30pm

The Cronulla RSL - Breakers

"Wow, you have the best voice, you should go on The Voice/Idol/The X Factor/Australia's Got Talent!" - it's a comment heard by emerging artists all the time. Our panel of experts and past contestants discuss their experiences, and look at the pros and cons of appearing on a reality TV show.

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RECORDING AND RELEASING YOUR FIRST TRACKS

Saturday 21 November 2015 3.15pm

The Cronulla RSL - The Francis Drake Room

Making that first recording is a big step for an emerging artist, so when is the right time to record? Where should you record? Do you need a producer? What are the options available for getting it released and getting it heard?