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The Podcasts of the panels are here

Please note that these are unedited and so,  although in the main perfectly fine, there there may be some short lulls in the conversation.

The third Unconvention was held in Salford in June 2009

The fourth Un-Convention is in Swansea?, but what is it?

Un-Convention is not about the music industry.

Un-Convention is not about the business of music.

Un-Convention remembers the words business and industry are prefaced by the word music.

Un-Convention celebrates music. It’s purpose is to provide a forum for those of us who work at the grassroots. For artists and musicians that want to understand how to get their music heard and how to practice their craft. For labels who want to champion this music and to spread the word. For people who want to work with music whether they be promoters, publicists or creatives.

Un-Convention understands that the most interesting stuff happens on the margins. We don’t mind the mainstream. We just don’t find it relevant.

Un-Convention is a forum for ideas, for creativity, for shared experiences and knowledge and for seeing and hearing great artists.

Un-convention doesn’t believe in ‘do it yourself’. We believe in ‘do it together’.

Un-Convention is unconventional.

Un-Convention is a not for profit grassroots led music conference for DIY and Independent music makers and companies.

“Most people I met are thinking at the same level; I don’t like fancy conventions where no work happens. Events like this are about ideas.” Vijay Nair, International Young Music Entrepreneur winner, India

“Un-Convention is fucking awesome, there is so much shit that passes as a voice in the music business and this feels like it is cutting to the essence of what people need to hear.” Martin Atkins, Killing Joke / Nine Inch Nails / Author Tour:Smart, Chicago

Hosted by Gareth Main (Editor of Bearded)
Panelists: Hamish Macbain (Reviews Editor NME), John Brainlove (Brainlove Records & Charm Factory PR), Stephen Ackroyd (This is Fake DIY)

Ever found yourself getting your records beautifully pressed and then thinking ‘how do I get it reviewed?’ Unfortunately, working out how to get your record listened and written about is the last checkpoint on the list of most small labels, and it is regularly an uphill struggle for independent labels to get media outlets to notice there music.

The trick is in knowing the rules, if you want a print magazine of website to listen and review your music, you need to know how to submit it, to who and when. PR companies know this info, but can you afford to use them? Will your record be reviewed even after they’ve submitted it for you? You’re in a very competitive market, and sometimes magazines just don’t have the resources to review every record.

This panel will give you an insight into how magazines and websites choose which records to review, the fundamental differences between submitting releases to each and some basic – but often overlooked – rules on how and when to send in a release.