Unconvention Brisbane - Do It Together
 

UnConvention Brisbane by the Bloggers

Thanks to those of you who attended UnConvention Brisbane last weekend and felt inspired enough to blog about your experiences.

Here's some of the cherry-picked highlights. If you'd like to add to the conversation jump on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your feedback – we'd love to hear it.

The Good

"I had suspicions at first that it would be simply a congratulatory circle jerk but I was wrong. Having a panel discussion allowed for an array of often divergent views to focus attention on what may be good and what may be not so good about the local music scenic. Furthermore, I also got to say 'hey' to some fellow bloggers, including Bianca from Music For the Laundromat and Jodi from Plus One. It's always great to put faces to names. Congratulations to Andrew McMillen and Dave Carter for organising what was a great and badly needed conference that I hope returns next year" –  Darragh, Parallel Lines for a Slow Decline  

"Unconvention was fantastic. I’ve been involved in several “creative” conventions, and find that they’re not usually worth the hundreds of dollars per ticket, so at $20 including a sausage sizzle, Unconvention was the best value convention I’ve ever encountered. It was filled with smart, creative, fun, talented people, who were all super approachable, and keen to share and network" – Jaymis, Oxygen Kiosk (and UnConvention Tech Nerd) 

"The weekend was an invaluable experience for me. It was enlightening to hear people’s views on the ever changing music scene in Brisbane, and it certainly gave me a more positive perspective on it. If you didn’t get to make it this year, I would highly recommend it for next year" – Bianca, Music for the Laundromat 

"Undesirable questions received a Capella singing in response. Fifteen or so minutes were dedicated to stories about hair and rock stars. Tom Hall advised aspiring promoters that you could get up ‘100 posters in an hour at a good run’. Everyone ranted about the state of music in Brisbane and nobody agreed. I don’t know what happened but hell, it was good fun." – Jodi, plusonebrisbane describing the Music as Culture panel.

"I went and really enjoyed the whole thing. I learned a lot about how this music industry operates. … I can't believe the whole thing cost $20. If they have one of these things in your local area you really should go." – Brendan, Turn It Up to 10 

"I have learnt a lot, but it has also affirmed my belief in punk rock, and its ability to work outside of any conventional music industry" – Matt, Papercuts Collective 

"If their intention was to inspire, I would say, "mission accomplished." It really was quite an experience to realise that these people who are ingrained in the industry, and who are doing great things for independent artists, had an idea and followed through with that idea, making mistakes, grasping opportunities and making contacts along the way" – Shayne, Cowbell Music (and UnConvention panelist) 

The Not So Good

"I can't speak for whether Unconvention was indeed unconventional in its otherwise pristine imitation of a Music Business Convention. Somehow I suspect not. But, um, good on them for bringing attendance prices down or something" – Everett True (UnConvention Panellist)

The Plain Weird

"Five weird things that happened to me on the weekend:
  1. I went to the Down Under Bar. Worse still, I dimly remember being pretty excited about it.
  2. Unconvention Brisbane took place for the first time. I chaired a panel on Music As Culture and during which Andrew Stafford, the author of Pig City: The Saints To Savage Garden, broke into song. Fellow panelist Everett True had decided that if we were asked a question we didn't wish to answer, we had to sing. What did I ask Andrew? Oh just something light and breezy: 'So what was the worst thing that happened to you because you wrote Pig City?' (I made Everett sing as well).
  3. I walked around Highgate Hill at 3am with a cocktail.
  4. A taxi driver told me that we should just shoot people who wish to immigrate to our country. 'Just shoot them, it doesn't cost a lot to shoot people.' And I tipped him. This morning I couldn't remember why. Then I did. I tipped him because I was scared he was going to kill me and dump my severed body parts in the river.
  5. Walking up Merthyr Road last night, not 15 minutes after Ted Bundy the taxi-driver, a car pulled up next to me as I walked along. The driver said 'You want a lift.' I told the driver I lived closeby so it was cool. I was eating a packet of crisps. Then the driver said 'Do you want me to suck your cock?' and I said 'Nah man, I'm good' and he drove off"  – Ian, Ambrose Chapel (and UnConvention panel curator) 

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UnConvention In The Media: OurBrisbane

OurBrisbane featured a story on UnConvention Brisbane this week. Check out the excerpt below.

UnConventionally Yours

This weekend sees a new grassroots, DIY music industry conference come to town.

UnConvention Brisbane hits The Edge in South Bank for two days of panel discussions, networking events and a free, all-ages independent music showcase.

Promoting itself as independent, not-for-profit, realistic, collaborative and inclusive, UnConvention Brisbane aims to bring together like-minded people to discuss the future of independent music and how to work together to ensure its development.

Expect to see independent musicians, promoters, labels, entrepreneurs, writers, technologists, innovators and artists addressing the issues within our local independent music industry.

Check out the full story over at OurBrisbane.

 

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UnConvention in the Media: Andrew McMillen on 4ZZZ

 

 

 

Andrew McMillen spoke to Chris Cobcroft on 4ZZZ FM's Lair of the Jukebox, discussing his role in organising UnConvention Brisbane. There's a minor glitch at the start when Chris is introducing Andrew.

Have a listen the interview below.

 

(download)

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UnConvention in the Media: FourThousand

UnConvention Brisbane received a nice mention in the FourThousand weekly newsletter today. 

What: 

UnConvention 2010 

Where: 

The Edge, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Bank 

When: 

Sat Jun 12, 9am 

How much: 

$20 from here

Music Industry types, this is possibly the most important Brisbane event you'll attend this year. UnConvention is a not-for-profit, grassroots conference for DIY and Independent promoters, labels, entrepreneurs, writers, technologists, innovators and artists. Here to discuss the future of independent music and the DIY nature of this city. UnConvention wants us thinking lets 'do it together'. Round out the evening with sets from The Cairos, Hunz and more Brisbane locals. 

Visit fourthousand.com.au to subscribe via email. FourThousand is an entertaining weekly guide to Brisbane's creative subcultures.

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UnConvention in the Media: Brett Wood in Time Off

Brett Wood, head of Starving Kids Records and principal of Brisbane's Music Industry College spoke to Time Off about what to expect from UnConvention Brisbane.

There are only two days to go and places are limited so book your tickets now.

Click the image to get a larger version.

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UnConvention in the Media: Hunz in Time Off

UnConvention Brisbane showcase artist and speaker Hans Van Vliet spoke to Time Off about his role in UnConvention Brisbane and his on-stage alter-ego, Hunz.

Interest Of Conflict

Taking time out from his busy recording schedule, Hans van Vliet - better known to the musical world as Hunz - fills Ben Preece in on the latest and his part in the upcoming UnConvention conference.

You don’t have to move far in the Brisbane musical community to come across the name Hunz. It’s a name almost instantly associated with quality musicianship and the credible execution of its brainchild Hans van Vliet. However, once a vehicle for the music of the vocalist, keyboardist and composer, Hunz is quickly becoming a name synonymous with the live band which also comprises of bassist Phil Evans and drummer Richie Young. As an indie artist, van Vliet has been asked to speak at the upcoming UnConvention Brisbane, an opportunity for local like-minded folk to get together and discuss the future of independent music and how the technological age may or may not affect music.

“I was asked to speak on a panel about musicianship, technology and being an entrepreneur,” he explains. “I don’t quite know where I fit into it but it was kind of awesome to be asked to do that. It was funny because I was talking to my wife and she was like, ‘But you just do what you do’ and I know, but I guess having ideas makes you an entrepreneur; you just want to go somewhere and do something with what you’re doing. So yeah, I’m an entrepreneur apparently but I think, ‘Isn’t that what everyone should be doing?’ To be able to talk about that will be really interesting and, at the same time, you’re always going in with that learning mentality. With UnConvention, the mentality behind it lines up with how I feel about that argument, ‘Do you need the industry or should you remain independent?’ – learning more about it and knowing more people that are striving to do it without an industry setup.”

And meanwhile in Hunz-world, the trio are working towards an album – the third release from the project but first to utilise a full-band scenario and not just van Hliet’s solo prowess. “We’re currently working on an album and with this one, we’re writing it together,” van Vliet explains. “The one thing that’s lacking from the recordings is the mash-up between the live and the electronic. I’m kind of transitioning from being a solo act to a three-piece now and I’m tossing up the idea of releasing an interim album before this one, just because I’ve got tonnes of material. So I’m still figuring what to do, whether to release one more electronic album and then straight after that, a more live one. It would also be a helpful way to generate cash for the live one too – when you’re doing things indie, you can’t borrow money from a label, you have to put it together yourself.”

Working solo for some time, van Hliet says he’s enjoying suddenly adding the two extra musicians into the creative process and, while he’s had to change the usual way he operates, he says it’s for the best. “It’s pretty fantastic,” he enthuses, “because the one thing you don’t get working on your own is conflict. The best thing that can come out of working with others is conflict and I just love it. I was told by one of the guys that I overcomplicate everything so that hangs in your head as you write new material: ‘Have I simplified this enough?’, ‘Are you writing a good song?’, ‘Are the melodies strong?’ and all that other stuff. Had I not opened up to make the transition to be a three-piece, that would have never have happened and the music may have gotten more complicated and less accessible. I’ve been reading a book about Stuart Copeland and Sting and they were talking about how their conflict made their melodies much stronger – individually, they both suck!”

Catch Hunz, along with Lion Island, The Cairos and Laneous and the Family Yah at the  UnConvention Brisbane FREE all ages showcase at the Edge this Saturday from 6.00pm.

 

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UnConvention In The Media: Mess+Noise

UnConvention Brisbane was mentioned as a news story on Australian music website Mess+Noise today. Check out the excerpt below and click through to read the full article.

Brisbane’s Music Conference With A Difference

A grassroots music conference aimed at independent artists and members of the music industry will make its debut in Brisbane this weekend.

Based on a concept that originated in the UK, UnConvention Brisbane will run from June 12-13 at The Edge in South Bank. The two-day, not-for-profit event will comprise five daytime panel discussions focused around creating sustainable careers within Brisbane's independent music scene. It aims to bring together like-minded individuals of all ages to discuss the future of independent music and how it will develop and flourish in the technological age.

Speakers include Ian Rogers, sometime M+N contributor and member of No Anchor and Ambrose Chapel; Tom Hall from AXXONN; music critic Everett True; Screamfeeder bassist Kellie Lloyd; Brisbane digital music distributors Musicadium; Maggie Collins, triple j presenter and manager of The John Steel Singers and DZ; Pig City author Andrew Stafford; and AIR general manager Nick O'Byrne.

Click here to read the full story on Mess+Noise.

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UnConvention in the Media: Ian Rogers in Rave Magazine

Music as Culture panel curator Ian Rogers spoke to Rave Magazine this week about his involvement with UnConvention Brisbane.
Check out the excerpt below and read the full interview on Rave's website.

GEARED: You’re going to moderate one of UnConvention Brisbane’s panels - how did you get involved with the event?

IR: I work one day a week as an arts programmer at The Edge (State Library of Queensland), where the event is being hosted. As soon as I found out what the event was about, I contacted the organisers about getting involved. Additionally, I had come across [UnConvention co-organiser] David Carter from my day job in academia.

G: How do you think UnConvention is beneficial to the development of Brisbane music scene?

IR: Well, let’s wait and see if it is going to be beneficial. I’m as interested in UnConvention as everyone else but seeing as it’s the first year, its contribution is still relatively unknown. I’m generally optimistic. The Brisbane music community can be pretty good at shaping things to fit.

G: What’s your primary goal with UnConvention Brisbane?

IR: The focus of my academic work is on the culture of music. If you think about the culture of a music community, it’s not really about money or a commercial focus. It might be for 5% of the people involved, but the vast majority of musicians in Brisbane are, for the want of a better term, hobbyists.

Despite which, there is a tendency – especially in recent years – to overlook this, and as such the story of Brisbane music has become one of increasing professionalism and commercial success. The primary goal of my panel is talk about money and careers as infrequently as possible and instead focus on music as art, communication and leisure.

G: Two of UnConvention panelists are fellow Brisbane musical experimentalists Tom Hall and Lawrence English – which topics are they going to address?

IR: My idea of what constitutes contemporary music in Brisbane is fairly broad. Tom is on my panel to provide an account of music beyond bands and venues. As the host/promoter of a moderately long-running series of house shows last year and an experimental musician, Tom is an ideal guy to have on hand. And as anyone who has met Tom knows, he’s a particularly motivated and energetic person.

G: And lastly, what advice can you give to young local artists/bands?

IR: As Van Dyke Parks once said, “There’s no shelter in the arts.” That’s pretty much the best advice any young person can hear.

 

UNCONVENTION BRISBANE runs June 12–13 at The Edge, South Bank, featuring panel discussions, a live music showcase featuring Laneous & The Family Yah and more. 

For further info check out the UnConvention Brisbane program. 

Tickets are $20 and are available through OzTix.

 

 

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UnConvention in the Media: Laneous and the Family Yah in Rave Magazine

West End hip hop collective Laneous and the Family Yah spoke to Rave Magazine this week about their involvement with UnConvention Brisbane

Check the interview below and catch them live at UnConvention Brisbane's FREE all ages showcase at the Edge this Saturday from 6.30pm.

MORGAN JOHNSON: How important is the promotion of grass-roots industry knowledge to you as musicians?

LANEOUS: Very important. There are a lot of things that you can’t simply just make up when it comes to the industry, so the promotion of this knowledge means that dumb-sters like us can be made privy to stuff that, otherwise you’d need your rich parents to pay a capitalist arsehole to do [that]. Also, perhaps the promotion of independence and grass-rootsiness itself will help punters and others accept artists taking their biz into their own hands, rather than only accepting a creation if its been made unnecessarily expensively.

MJ: Can you see benefits in the education of those active in the greater music community in which you operate?

L: Most certainly. We have a lot of peers in the greater music community that are so keen to support, probably because they understand first hand what it’s like to try and create something independently in this country. Brisbane’s a freak. Young musicians have the opportunity to be exposed to mentors that learnt everything they know in the interesting times they call the ‘90s.

MJ: Your sets often revolve around the importance of home and place. Being held in the rather swanky digs at The Edge, South Bank how will your set showcase your West End pride?

L: I think our Wes’ Endian pride will be well represented in the sheer juxtaposition of a West End band being in a ‘swanky’ dig. Our pure West Endish dishevelry will speak chapters for itself without having to try.

MJ: UnConvention aims to showcase the ‘best of Brisbane indie’. If you had to curate four bands, who would make up Laneous & The Family Yah’s best of Brisbane independent artists?

L: That’s a tuff’n. If I was to say the best, it’d have to be more than four, and I’m not just saying that ‘cos I’m friends with more than four independent bands and they’d bash me if I didn’t mention them. There’s seriously a lot going on here considering the size of Brizzy. We were having a good time listening to the Dead Shades this morning. So today they’d definitely cut the list.

MJ: What’s cooking in the land of Laneous & The Family? Since the well-received St. Ill Regal was released last year, what will 2010 hold?

L: We’re touring like idiots at the moment. Flying, driving, swimming, rolling all over the East Coast, and all this while making another full length album. It’s an exciting piece of work full of stories of favourite animals, unrequited love, gratuitous sex, you know, the usual stuff. Speaking of grass roots, anyone got 5000 bucks?

LANEOUS & THE FAMILY YAH play as part of UnConvention on Saturday Jun 10 alongside Lion Island, The Cairos and Hunz. St. 


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UnConvention In The Media: Scene Magazine

UnConvention Brisbane co-organiser Maggie Collins was interviewed by Scene Magazine's Stephanie Jane last week about what she hopes the event's younger audience gains from their attendance.

Click the image below to view a larger version. 

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