BIGSOUND

Posse is a platform that enables bands to encourage their fans to promote their music, tours and merchandise.  Set quests for fans to post to Facebook, Twitter, blogs and email and reward them with prizes when they help sell out your show.  Set up and customise your own Posse social marketing page for free at www.posse.com.

In 2006, triple j Unearthed graduated from its unsigned band competition roots to become a permanent Australian music community at www.triplejunearthed.com.  This site now boasts over 30,000 unsigned and independent Australian acts, and has been responsible for introducing artists like Washington, Boy & Bear, Art vs. Science and Stonefield to the airwaves and eventually the world.

But the triple j Unearthed story keeps evolving and in 2011, an exciting new chapter will begin.  triple j Unearthed Producer Stephanie Carrick and triple j Manager Chris Scaddan will talk you through the next phase for triple j Unearthed and answer questions about the service.  Find out how you can get the most out of the triple j Unearthed community, get your music on the radio and be heard by more people online.

The Music Matters campaign began in 2010 in the UK with huge success. It is a collective of people across the music community, including artists, songwriters, managers, labels, publishers and stores formed to remind listeners of the value and significance of music.  Allowing the music to speak for itself, Music Matters brings together a growing collection of short animated films about inspirational artists who have dedicated their lives to music and helped shape our cultural landscape as well as creating an opportunity for fans to share their own stories.  It launched in Australia and New Zealand in August 2011 sharing the stories of Eskimo Joe, Dave Dobbyn, Oh Mercy and many others.

There is a growing awareness amongst musicians and the music industry in general about the risks of noise induced hearing loss from loud music. Unfortunately this awareness does not routinely result in good habits when it actually comes to protecting one of our most valuable assets - our ears!

Audiologists, Steve Grayson-Riley from Musicians Hearing Services and Andy Shiach from Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS) will be discussing these issues and provide practical advice including the effective use of ear plugs and in-ear-monitors to ensure musicians can effectively practice their craft now and well into the future.