Brisbane’s BIGSOUND conference announces its first round of speakers, this year headed by Dave Grohl’s mum Virginia Grohl.
Virginia Grohl, mother to Foo Fighters frontman Dave and author of ‘From Cradle to Stage’ has lived what it’s like to raise a rock star. Her book interviews the mothers of Michael Stipe, Adam Levine, Amy Winehouse, Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson and Dr Dre, looking at how these amazing women encouraged and nurtured future industry leaders and how they dealt with the dangers, excitements, joys and milestones in their children’s lives. And whether they still remind them to pack a warm coat before they leave on tour.
The other keynote speaker is Mardi Caught, who is one of Australia’s most respected label executives as Warner Music’s General Manager and is now launching her own independent marketing services company The Annex. With over two decades rising to become one of the most senior females in the Australian record industry, her keynote will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the new music economy, independence, gender equity and entrepreneurship.
But the announcements don’t stop there. BIGSOUND also welcomes its first range of buyers and influences including massive list of industry from across the world including Paradigm Talent Agency (USA), Line of Best Fit (UK), C3 Management (USA), Universal Canada, Maybe Mars (China), CIE (Mexico), DFSB (Korea), X-Ray Touring (UK), Domino (USA),Vinyl Me Please (USA) and many more. You might see these people popping up on panels, watching bands or grabbing a drink at the bar, but in traditional BIGSOUND style, these are the people (along with a massive second announcement still to come) that will be shaping the future of our showcasing artists.
BIGSOUND artist applications are open now at bigsound.org.au and have been extended with a new closing date of May 17. With alumni including Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana, Courtney Barnett, San Cisco, Violent Soho, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Methyl Ethel, The Jungle Giants and many more, the event has become a rite of passage for Australian musicians breaking out onto the world stage.
Showcasing artists are also eligible for the $100,000 Levi’s® Music Prize which has resulted in $25,000 each for Stella Donnelly, Alex Lahey and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever since last year’s event to help them achieve their export goals with two prize announcements still to come. Levi’s® are also pleased to announce that this year’s prize will also increase to include $5,000 to each winning artist in travel from Stage & Screen.
“It’s fantastic to see BIGSOUND continue to go from strength to strength off the back of multi-year support from the Australia Council. It’s a great example of the kinds of innovative programming and opportunities that can be achieved through this type of investment.”Australia Council Director of Music Paul Mason
BIGSOUND’s music tech is also expanding to provide even more hands-on opportunities for delegates to experience the future of music and applications are open from today for those wanting to participate. The successful BIGSOUND visual arts showcase (which last year launched the now infamous BIGSOUND octopus) is also open with applications closing on May 20. For more details on the tech and arts programs, visit www.bigsound.org.au.
BIGSOUND
THU 4 || FRI 5 || SAT 6 || SEPTEMBER
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
