Alan McGee has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger. McGee is best known for co-forming and running the independent Creation Records label from 1983–1999. Creation Records was a key label in the mid-80s indie movement, having released artists such as Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fanclub. Creation's biggest signing was Oasis, who went on to sell millions of records.
After he sold Creation Records to Sony, McGee continued to publish songs of label acts such as Oasis, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fanclub, under Creation Songs. He formed and ran the Poptones label from 2000-2007 with a roster that included The Hives. McGee also ran the international club night, Death Disco and wrote for The Guardian's weekly music blog.
Iain Shedden is the Music Editor for the Australian, used to play drums in The Saints and is Scottish. We reckon he is perfect to go toe to toe with Mr McGee.
Yes, you really are supposed to do everything. Each year, it seems that many of the people that have staying power in the music industry wear many different hats. THE ALLROUNDER panel explores the concept that you need to be both a jack and a master of all trades at the same time. They will also discuss ways around doing this while not spreading yourself to thin.
Gone are the days when scoring a sync for your song was cringe-worthy. Our panel will discuss the credible roads you can take in synchronizing your music. The quality of TV series on the likes of HBO and Showtime has made TV sync some of the most revered and sought after goals in an artists career. Our panel will share their experiences and the realities of these opportunities.
Join The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) for the official launch of this brand new (and free!) service. AirNet instantly promotes your community radio airplay on the Internet. AirNet compiles music videos, images, info and shopping links to match the music on radio playlists and showcases this on the station’s website and social networks. Find out how to access AirNet to promote your online content through station websites and track your radio airplay.
Our panel discuss the art of putting on a great festival. They will cover the reality of application processes and share some great stories. The panellists represent specialist and contemporary festivals both locally and internationally. We also ask each of them the question of their festival highlight and why.
Everybody needs good neighbours. Our panel discusses ways we can improve artist relations on both sides of the ditch. It is incredibly cost effective for New Zealand artists to tour Australia and vice versa but the music cultures are surprisingly more different than you imagine. We explore the reasons why and ways around it.
Haunting melodies, shimmering organ lines and one powerful voice: BROUS' music is an uncompromising vision for pop. Brous (pron. Bruce) is the daring musical venture by Melbourne musician Sophia Brous. Single 'Streamers' received critical praise and her debut self titled EP is released in September.
The Laurels are a four-piece from Sydney. Their sound has been described as a mixture of My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, Sonic Youth + The Scientists with a hint of The Beatles. They create luscious, complex and dangerous psychedelic shoegaze that is as mesmerising on the stage as it is on record.
Gossling
Gossling (aka Helen Croome) was discovered by Triple J after drawing attention as an Unearthed artist with debut EP ‘If You Can’t Whistle’. Her sophomore EP, ‘Until Then’ as well as some high profile tour supports & sold out headline shows have solidified her reputation as an artist to watch.
Tiny Ruins is only Hollie, and Hollie is all Tiny Ruins needs to be. She writes dream-laden folk melodies from New Zealand.
Seventies inspired psych-rock opal Stonefield spent 2010 / 11 playing festivals and their first (sold out) headline shows. With tracks 'Foreign Lover' and 'Through the Clover' loved by triple j and XFM (UK) they moved from the fields of rural Victoria to the stages of Glastonbury. A new vinyl A-side soon to come.
Best known from The Gin Club, Giants of Science & Wilson Pickers, Brisbane singer-songwriter Ben Salter has also been a soloist for over ten years. He has played throughout Australia and Europe, where his striking vocal range & captivating lyricism have drawn comparisons to Neil Finn & Elliot Smith.
Butterfingers chief songwriter & front man Evil Eddie (Bris) returns with his unique mix of distorted guitars, monster truck beats & sharp lyrical humour. After playing sold out shows up & down the coast of his home state of Queensland on the strength of only 2 singles, this act is not to be missed.
The Chemist clocked in a solid year of touring this past year in support of bands such as Birds of Tokyo and Boy & Bear plus numerous festivals and a headline tour of their own! Now tucked in at home, they are writing an album to follow up their two acclaimed EP's which we should see early 2012.
Melbourne rock band The Vasco Era features vocalist and guitarist Sid O’Neil, his brother and bassist Ted O’Neill, and drummer Michael Fitzgerald. Hailing from the coastal town of Apollo Bay, the boys recall playing to packed out living rooms before hitting actual stages around Australia.
In the age of 3:30 digital singles, The Paper Scissors are cutting against the grain with their new album 'In Loving Memory'. 'In Loving Memory' is for lovers of long-form albums, the record brings together a range of influences and topics to create a truly international rock soundscape.
www.myspace.com/thepaperscissors
Touring Australia with strategy. There are many ways to skin this cat and we present a great cross section of our best strategic agents and managers to dig into their tour books. Australia has a unique history and culture when it comes to touring pubs, clubs and festivals. Our team share stories and insights on ways to make this your career.
Tim Clark and his mate David Enthoven are the co-founders of ie:music, the artist management company that represents Ladyhawke, Jimmy Page, Robbie Williams and Passenger as well as recently expanding their base to invest in ‘This is Music’ (Findlay Brown, Little Boots and Simian Mobile Disco).
These guys have spent a lifetime in music working with the likes of Bob Marley, T-Rex, Brian Eno, King Crimson, Nick Drake, Roxy Music, Cat Stevens, Massive Attack and Robbie Williams. Tim and David are widely respected throughout the music industry for their innovative approach to artist friendly music management and their support of digital.
They will be interviewed by their co-conspirator Colin Daniels who is the Managing Director of independent distributor & record company, Inertia.
We are incredibly lucky to have some of the most successful managers of recent times join our panel. They will share their experiences (both artistically and commercially) and dissect the relationship between the artist and the manager.
Some say there is no more unique relationship between two human beings.
There have been some magnificent lists published recently on this topic. These lists have been incredibly controversial and have inspired much debate from true Australian music fans. We challenge our panel to pick five albums that have made an impact internationally and discuss in depth why they are so special.
The Jungle Giants are a band that have quickly grabbed the attention of industry and fans alike. Forming in late 2010, 2011 has seen the band play shows with bands like Last Dinosaurs and Ball Park Music, have their singles played on national radio, as well as release their debut self-titled EP.
www.facebook.com/thejunglegiants
www.myspace.com/thejunglegiants
The Rescue Ships is Brian Campeau and Elana Stone's new project. At once complex and immediate, it's their modern take on folk, rock and pop. Brian’s last album was called “genuine genius” by Drum Media and Elana is described by the Age as “one of the best singing voices in the country.”
Millions are a #swag 4-piece garage pop band from Brisbane. 'Those Girls' is Millions first slick single from their forthcoming EP, winning Millions the opportunity to open the main stage at Splendour in the Grass 2011 - thanks to Triple J.
It’s been a minute since Sydney artist Jonathan Boulet released his excellent debut, self-titled album. The last year and a half has seen Boulet fill his spare time with more than the odd project here and there. Boulet has produced a cluster of local acts and produced and mixed his own 2nd album.
Together barely a year this dark indie six-piece delicately balances the deep theatrical croon of lead vocalist Valdis Valodze with the uplifting qualities of violin and piano. With rousing choruses, dark lyrics, and refined and restrained composition, the talent of this band well belies their youth
Eagle & The Worm's live show is a big-dynamic, loose ended fanfare. Spotlighting the E street band, David Byrne and Beefheart, they refashion their own sound that is truly exciting. Expect classic rock balladry, country heartbreak and psychedelic meltdowns. Their debut LP 'Goodtimes' is out now.
With an arsenal of radio tunes behind them, Ball Park Music have become known for their ruckus ways and impressive stage shows. Look a little further and you’ll find an equal dose of substance waiting in the wings. It’s pop music at its very best; spontaneous, meaningful and infectious
Michael Chugg, or “Chuggi” as he’s known, is a legend of the Australian music industry and he doesn't have time for bullshit. Three of Australia's most high profile music journalists are going to interrogate him for an hour for your entertainment.
Wake up in the morning with a smile on your face. Music is magic and should be treated with true reverence. Some things are much more important than money. Our panel discuss the challenges of committing your life to something as important as music and the idea of actually loving what you do for a job.
The global music industry is shrinking every day however, Australian artists with successful international album releases are few and far between. Our panel ask the question why and discuss the idea of thinking globally as part of the creative process.
BIGSOUND are proud to continue to the tradition with the last word coming from an inspiring artist. This year is no different with Spiral Stairs (Scott Kannberg) founding member of PAVEMENT providing our closing address.
Hailing from California USA, Pavement’s 11-year career produced 5 highly memorable records that created a cult following of both fans and musicians alike. Pavement re-united for a highly successful world tour in 2010.
Spiral Stairs has also put out three solo albums. Two with Preston School Of Industry and one under the Spiral Stairs moniker. He also founded the San Francisco indie label, Amazing Grease Records, which has over 25 releases.
Spiral lives north of Brisbane, QLD with his wife and newborn daughter.
Local favourite and Time Off editor, Steve Bell will be interviewing Spiral. Steve lives for music and loves it more than most and loves PAVEMENT even more.
Neil Robertson
Johanna Greenway
Brian Taranto
Brian Winton
Paul Hanly
Henning Ahrens
Street Chant
Bonnie Dalton
The Laurels
Hazel Brown
Guineafowl
The Mercy Beat
Eagle And The Worm
Busby Marou
bluebeardmusic.com.au
