Panelists: Huw Williams (Pop Factory/ Sony Publishing), John Rostron (Swn/My Kung Fu), Chris Healings (Hybrid)
The protocols of the business – and why observing some of them makes sense. Preparing a campaign to generate a sustainable career. Understanding the needs of the media, the fans and the band. Knowing when to break a rule and when to take the rule.
Over the last century the music business has developed best practice for the commercial management of musical creations. Over the last decade we have witnessed major developments in the operation of a creative career in music. How do we pick through the ‘best practice’ of old and incorporate it into the ‘new’
08.07.2009
Panel 2, UnCon Swan
Panelists Rhys Mwyn(Anhrefn Records), Jeff (Fat Northerner), Robin Benson (Tidy Like Records),
How does a stable Independent Label function?
What admin is essential? What partnerships must it form? How many artists can be sustained by one, single, successful artist?
How does a label convince a profitable artist to stay with them? What partnerships does a successful Indie need to forge to achieve success in markets dominated by much larger companies? How does a not for profit or Community label work?
This panel will include people who run independent labels or varying sizes and styles. There will also be a satelite session with Steve Lawson who runs a label that releases only his own work who will talk through his experiences, practices and strategies – and play some music.
08.07.2009
Panel 1, UnCon Swan
All the unconvention salford panel podcasts are available to listen to here: http://soundcloud.com/un-convention enjoy!
I’ll be raiding these for salient advice and funky soundbites but this is the raw collection
08.07.2009
UnCon Salford
There have been many blog posts and a positive flock of Tweets abount UnConvention Salford. Over the course of 3 days there was much to take in and talk about.
Just Press Play have a great round-up of the event and Lee Jarvis has posted several pieces and was a great contributor to the event. Andrew Dubber curated, and organised, one of the most rewarding panels of the event, ‘Thinking Outside of The Box’. This assembled several artists and labels together who operate in niche genres or obscure musics. Steve Lawson was an erudite and witty panel, and audience, member and the inclusion of an 18th Century pop chanteuse, a Sufi Muslim musician and a pair of experimentalists on this panel made it refreshingly diverse.
Dubber also made the viral hit of the weekend, an instant video for Merchandise’s track ‘Lies Like These’. Andrew gives his thoughts on the event and managed to grab a short chat with Martin Atkins. Martin, who after years with Public Image Limited, Killing Joke and Pigface, is rapidly becoming the voice of the DiY music culture. His straight talking, direct approach, is peppered with expletives and excellent advice for the X-Rated adventure that is being in a band. Anyone involved in music should read his Tour:Smart book – essential reading. I met up with Martin at SXSW and we became friends after he kicked a box of Blueberry Muffins into my face. This led to his appearance at UnConvention Salford and we are talking about getting him to Swansea to give his full Tour:Smart talk. If we can get him over that should be one not to miss.
11.06.2009
UnCon Salford
UnConvention Swansea is all about information, insight and instruction – into how to work effectively in the Music Industry. It’s a gathering of Independent media activists and artists from across Wales and the UK. People with real experience talking honestly about the methods and strategies used in the creative industries, from DiY to the mainstream.
At www.unconventionswansea.com we will have pre-event forums and blogs, to get the panel discussions started, and support material for all discussions. After the event, we will host a full archive of the panels and practical sessions, How-To’s for the topics discussed and relevant links.
We’ve got the knowledge and understanding of a grassroots, non-corporate community, that is monitoring and making developments for independent artists and businesses. If you’ve got the energy, commitment and creativity to succeed, then this is the event that can give you practical help. So, roll up your sleeves, make some friends and let’s get on with the job.
UnConvention Swansea is at Monkey in Swansea on 4,5,6 Sept 09. Check www.unconventionswansea.com for details. Twitter: Follow @unconswansea or Join the Facebook Group http://groups.to/unconventionswansea
18.05.2009
UnCon Swan
