Confirmed so far
Keynote Speech
Mary Anne Hobbs in conversation with Dave Pichilingi
Having fronted Radio 1’s Rock Show as well as its massively influential Breezeblock show for fourteen years, Lancashire-born Hobbs is a true figurehead within the music industry. A new sound enthusiast to the very end, she’s also a keen advocate in recognising the need for greater communication between the more established industry insiders and its younger, innovative-thinking generation, seeing that it’s these new creatives who are ultimately going to be the catalyst in how the business will evolve in the future.
Applying her belief in progression to her own career too, Mary Anne has recently moved to Xfm to host a new prime time show. In what’s sure to be a fascinating interview with Liverpool Soundcity CEO Dave Pichilingi, the disc jockey will discuss what tools and methods those starting out in 2011 can equip themselves with to succeed like she has for over twenty years.
Steve Levine in conversation with John Robb
Following our previous announcement that Mary Anne Hobbs is to appear as a keynote speaker, MMS is delighted to unveil Steve Levine as our second.
In a career that’s stretched over 35 years, Levine has touched on almost everything to do with music production, right back from his beginnings as a trainee tape-op at CBS Studios in 1975 and graduation to sound engineer there, working with the likes of The Clash and XTC.
As a producer, Levine’s biggest commercial success behind the mixing desk was undoubtedly The Culture Club’s three multi-platinum albums of the 80s; he can also boast the Beach Boys, Motorhead and Ziggy Marley among those he’s worked with – not to mention his own radio production company, Magnum Opus Broadcasting, which has produced many shows for the BBC.
In 2011, Levine sits as chair of The Music Producer’s Guild and UK Music, while also being involved as a Director at PRS for Music. He’ll be talking about the paths new acts should consider when recording their first tracks and discussing how UK Music is helping those at the grassroots of the industry get into the game.
Panels
‘A Method To Management’
Like any profession in the music industry, management has always been relatively untaught, with many finding that the best progression is to piece together a job description and learn the ‘done thing’ as they go along. However management has been gaining semblance consistently for the past 20 years, a consolidation that has accelerated considerably since the global boom of TV talent shows that saw a wealth of short shelf life acts that required short term representation.
Management is a volatile and saturated sector, yet that’s all part of the charm. It offers the unique opportunity of moving the goalposts to suit your own creative strategies, there is no right or wrong, merely a ‘suggestible’. This panel explores some of the most interesting methods of management in 2011 presented by those putting them into practice.
Anthony Addis (Muse,) Ali Hudson (Joe Duddell,) Dan Parrott (Dutch Uncles,) Yaw Owusu (KOF, DJ Target, Dev) Jeff Thompson (Un-convention, moderating)
‘Critiquing The Melody Makers’
Many have a romanticised idea of becoming a music journalist, but what does that even entail in 2011? Are you a blogger discovering the latest artist before they’ve even left their bedroom? Are you a news reporter gaining another scoop on Pete Doherty? Or are you a freelance writer, flogging your opinions tirelessly to print and online publications? How relevant are you within the music industry at a time when people can make their own minds up about a band with the click of a button and write a critique in 140 characters? A panel laying out the truths of those wanting to write about music in the 21st century, debating the best pathway and theorizing over the sort of environment you can expect to find in 10 years time.
Matthew Britton (The Pigeon Post,) David Cooper (In House Press,) John Doran (The Quietus,) Dave Haslam (DJ, moderating) Lauren Strain (Muso)
‘The Perfect (Radio) Pitch’
Radio has been given a tough time of it over the past few years, with endless and unnecessary jibes about over cautious playlists saturated with mainstream artists and the centralization of on air content stifling the growth of grass roots musicians and emerging talent. This is simply not the case. Of course there are elements of daytime playlist shaping to suit mainstream audiences; radio stations are businesses like any other and must cater to the largest market share. What’s important to remember however, is that there is always a way in, whether your aim is to start slow and gather local support or head straight to the commercial play lists, you just need to box clever and do your homework.
Jon Green (Unity Radio,) Liam Walsh (AskMe PR,) Mike Walsh (Xfm, moderating)
‘Keeping What’s Yours And Earning What You’re Owed’
It’s an area that’s often neglected at the best of times. When you’re writing new songs, laying down tracks and working with new and exciting artists, the paperwork becomes an afterthought. Yet, as tedious as the processes can be, the contracts that need signing and the bank statements and receipts that need to be accounted for are the key behind whether your project is heard by 10 or 10,000 people. It really could be the difference between doing what you love and never being able to do it again.
Mike Burgess (HeavyFeet,) Tom Clarke (Akoustik Anarkhy, moderating) Carol Isherwood (Ward Hadaway,) Gemma Kenyon (PRS For Music,) Dave Smith (MDM Music)
Songwriting From The Artists Perspective - An Insight Into The Creative Process
It sounds glib, but anyone can write a hit single, anyone can be taught how to write a song; those that go down in history however do more than strictly follow the template, they’re the ones who manage to project themselves onto the structures they’ve learnt, imbuing tracks with a sense of something uniquely theirs. The members of this panel look to their own processes, and discuss how and why it works for them.
Duncan Wallis (Dutch Uncles,) Johnny Jay (moderating,) Dave ‘Murkage Dave’ Lewis (Murkage,) Thallie Ann Seenyan
Take The Hit To Make The Hit
Whether you’re a newly formed band or a solo artist looking to expand beyond their bedroom, eventually you’re going to have to spend money and hook up with others to make that next step. In 2011 though, the more traditional pathways to success have become cluttered and in need of repair, while at the same time other more self-sufficient avenues have opened up; with a limited budget at your disposal, how do you know what’s going to be the best route for you? Do you hire a PR? Look for label assistance? Adopt a completely DIY approach? This panel looks at various ways an artist can spend their money in order to make that slaved-over debut album reach as many people as possible.
Dave Bassinder (Loomer Agency,) Owain Kelly (Fanfare Media,) Simon Pursehouse (Sentric Music, moderating,) Jay Taylor (Ruby Lounge,) Tim Thomas (Blueprint Studios)
