How To Make It In the Music Industry - VIVID Ideas - Feedback Conference

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a Music Industry seminar organized by Vivid Ideas called Feedback.

The talks took place at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) at Circular Quay in Sydney. There was a great turn out and the calibre of the speakers was exceptional.
The morning started with MC Dom Alessio from Triple J's Home & Hosed, and who better to navigate us through the varied careers and histories of our assorted speakers! Dom did an excellent job.

First up was the keynote speech by Aussie everyman Brendan McLean. Musician, blogger, actor and opinionated extraordinaire. Brendan encouraged us to release our inner bitch (meaning have courage of convictions). He detailed how he got to this point in his career, interning blogging, jamming and generally gaining haters.
"If you have a strong opinion on a touchy subject, say it." - Brendan McLean

                                                    

He brought up his only regretted article in his entire history or journalism. It detailed the fall of the Sydney venue The Sandringham. I think he made some great points about the fact that while it is sad to lose another local live music venue, it's not like it was a spectacular place to play anyway. Unfortunately shit decor, terrible marketing and noise restrictions did not a great venue make. He also made the point that you should blame where blame is due, i.e bad business plans resulted in the failure of a business.
However, Brendan did state that he regretted this article (which the editor at the publications unnecessarily titled 'Why I Won't Miss the Sando') because whatever the reason was that the business had failed, the fact is it had. And that meant that someone had lost their livelihood, and he wished he had at least provided a few weeks healing time before publishing his thoughts on its downfall.

Brendan also addressed Australia infamous desire to implement the Tall Poppy Syndrome so frequently. We build people up just to tear them down. It is evident in all aspects of our media. Brendan specifically referenced his most recent role in  Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Baz, an Australian who is doing amazing things, and creating beautiful movies and doing stuff that we should all be proud of. Instead, there is a Facebook page titled 'I Hate Baz Luhrmann' and reviews stating "wild horses couldn't drag me to Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby". This brought him back to his original point of standing by your opinions, someone will always disagree with you. So just make sure you can back up your views.


After lunch the Panel discussion started. The discussion topic was D.I.Y or D.I.E!
The first panel of the day consisted of:
(left to right)
SPOD - Musician and Video Director
Emily York - Penny Drop
Nic Warnock - RIP Society and Sound Summit
Nicci Reed - Wing & Gill

This panel discussed the pros and cons of being an Indie band and making it on your own without the big label backing you. It was a great panel because there was quite a difference in viewpoint from each member, each of which seems to work perfectly for the individual employing them.
Nic Warnock has a very laid-back attitude, he started up his record label by releasing albums from his friend's bands. He doesn't really believe in the whole 'Networking' thing, both he and SPOD claim to operate on the under the practice of making mates not contacts in the hope that they both yield the same benefits.
SPOD was quick to suggest collaborations are a great way to meet people and "make contacts". The Australian music industry is relatively small. In some ways its just a family. A great way to become a member is to meet the people doing the same thing as you are. Help a brother out. The favour will be returned. It's a pretty effective cycle. The advice was given to "Be active and talk to people. You don't know what doors people might unlock for you".

Audience member and musician Holly Winters asked a great question in regards to getting a venue to book you as an act. The panel were all in agreement with their reply. Venue's only care about filling the venue. You need to show them you have the ability to fill their space (no innuendo intended). You can do this by either displaying you have a cult following of fans or by impressing with a marketing plan.
"Be Honest/Believable" - Nic Warnock


Next speaker was Tim Levinson AKA Urthboy.

 Did you know Urthboy's first alias as a DJ when he was a teen was DJ Rodeo Rosie? Hilarious!
 Tim compared the process of a music career to a car (don't worry he hates this metaphor too). When driving along there are ups and downs and corners and sometimes you run out of petrol. But the journeys just got to keep going. He claims that a gradual upward ascent for an artist guarantees a strong core audience. Apparently it took his band mate Hermitude ten years and almost four albums before he made any kind of noise or gained any kind of recognition.
 "The following up process, patience and not having an expectation of immediacy helps to establish creative respect." - Urthboy

The most thought provoking thing Urthboy said was to not leave that day being "inspired". Yep that's right, do NOT be inspired. A little confusing (and surprising) at first but he explained himself. If you leave inspired to follow your dreams and aspirations its almost like false hope. In a few months you will have forgotten and done nothing. Instead leave today with a plan. Something to focus on, something to aim to complete. A theology that could be adapted for many other aspects in life as well.



The final panel of the day 'Don't Stop Believin'
Panelists (left to right):
Samantha Clode - MusicNSW and Triple J Mag
Greg Carey - Umbrella Music
Dom Alessio - Triple J
Jay Whalley - Frenzal Rhomb
Sweetie Zamora - Remote Control Records and FBi
Panel Facilitator - Jonno Seidler from The Vine and One A Day

The final panel of the day was very thought provoking. The basic theme was to keep believing in your dreams. And work towards them.
Of the five panelists two of them started out in a Psychiatry and one was an accountant. They originally had no intention to to be in the industry but just sort of tumbled into it. Not one of them have any regrets.

They had varying pieces of advice on how to get there. Dom seems to have gotten where he is by lying. Not to understate his abilities, he just said that embellishing really helped get him the initial attention he needed before winning perspective employers with his winning personality!
On this subject Samantha Clode says "Only lie to get a job to the point where you know you can give it a go." As in, only tell a little white lie that you intend to back up.

Sweetie suggested to not to take on too much at once and spread yourself too thin. There's no point in being a jack of all trades but a king of none. Excellently put Sweetie!


The whole day was really successful and I gained a lot from the day. I really recommend Feedback and will definitely attend again. 

=)