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From 13-16 October, Central Victoria’s biggest music conference returns for its second year, bringing together Victoria’s regional and Melbourne music communities for a host of panels, workshops, networking events, and a youth program.
Held on Djarra Country in Castlemaine, the conference sessions cover a myriad of topics and play host to an extraordinary array of music industry professionals including artist managers, booking agents, musicians, academics, activists and more.
The conference kicks off in style at The Taproom on Thursday 13 October with a launch of television and radio broadcaster Myf Warhurst’s book The Time of My Life – described as “a captivating and joyous memoir of wisdom, humour and heart that unleashes the music within us all”. Join Myf in conversation with Gold Sounds Director Fionna Allan, as she shares funny, fabulous and occasionally fraught tales.
Friday 14 October sees the event move to the Phee Broadway Theatre in the centre of Castlemaine. Conference programming will feature sessions on mental health wellness, music and activism, regional festival and venue programming, opportunities and tips when applying for grants and funding, and a session on creative collaboration.
“As our industry recovers from the last few years, focusing on how to look after our own and other’s mental health is as important as ever. Coupled with sessions on how grant funding organisations work, how regional festivals and venues are programmed, and the desire to make important work, either solo or with others, Friday has something for everyone,” said Ms Allan.
On Saturday 15 October, the focus turns to songwriting copyright and licensing, community radio, marketing and PR and youth-focussed events programmed in direct response to young people. Saturday will also feature a special Yarning Strong panel from Support Act, focussing on breaking down barriers for First Nations artists, including guests Mitch Tambo and Dallas Woods.
“The conference panels are a great opportunity to hear about the journeys of a diverse group of industry legends, from the lessons they have learnt over the years to where they are heading. The Yarning Strong session has Dallas Woods returning to the conference again, sharing his knowledge and experience alongside other talented and passionate First Nations people ,” said Ms Allan.
On Sunday 16 October, musicians take centre stage as songwriting clinics featuring Cash Savage another yet to be announced, held by APRA AMCOS.
“Having an esteemed songwriter like Cash Savage share their knowledge and sit with our local musicians to create something together brings us back to the heart of what we do – producing great music. These sessions are supportive, inspiring and a great springboard for budding songwriters to take that next step,” said Ms Allan.
Gold Sounds Music Conference will also feature music interview training and other practical sessions.
Tickets are on sale Thursday 1 September, 2022, via the Gold Sounds website. Last year’s inaugural conference featured keynote speeches by industry heavyweights Jen Cloher and Liz Stringer alongside workshops run by two of the region’s biggest stars, Dallas Woods and Jess Ribeiro. Held as Victoria was emerging from lockdown in late 2021, the Conference was delivered as part of Music Victoria’s Regional Music Development program. The inaugural event attracted more than 100 people from the music industry and community across the weekend, and won the Mount Alexander Shire Council Community Event of the Year. |
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Gold Sounds Music Conference 2022 schedule:
Thursday 13 October:
Myf Warhurst – star of ABC’s Spicks and Specks, SBS’s Eurovision coverage and ABC radio broadcaster and podcaster – launches her book The Time of My Life at the Taproom, Walker St Castlemaine. This event is supported by Northern Books and Shedshaker Brewing. All tickets include a signed copy of Myf’s book.
Friday 14 October:
Identity: The Music, The Mind, The Me Led by Music Victoria’s Mental Health Clinician/Consultant Bree Chapman-Stewart in conversation with Benny Clark (drummer, Baker Boy), BATTS (Musician/advocate) and Kiwat Kennell (Musician and Community and Project Manager at Music Victoria).
Under the Influence: Music & Activism A lively discussion including Berish Bilander (CEO, Green Music Australia), Dr Catherine Strong (Associate Professor, RMIT University) and more. This session will also present Green Music Australia’s ‘Sound Country’, a green resource for musicians and the music industry.
Where it’s At: Regional Festival & Venue Programming With Dina Bassile (Director, Tibi Access/Groove Tunes), Emma Ireland (Director, Chill Out Festival Daylesford / Spring Bliss Hanging Rock), Rebecca Strong (Collective Artists/Fairground Festival) and Justin Rudge (Program Director, Port Fairy Folk Festival).
Follow the Money: Grants & Funding An informative panel presented by representatives from Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria.
Team Work is Dream Work: Working in Creative Teams A panel discussion about the joy of collaboration with Meagan Loader (ABC’s Head of Music & Creative Development), Alastair Burns (Heart Stop Music – Julia Jacklin/Marlon Williams) and more to be announced.
Saturday 15 October:
Yarning Strong: Breaking Down the Barriers Yarning Strong is a series presented by Support Act that focuses on First Nations mental health and what it looks like in the music industry. This session will feature guest panellists Mitch Tambo (Artist), Dallas Woods (Artist), Larissa Ryan (Artist Manager/A&R Warner Music) and is led by Cerisa Benjamin (Support Act).
Shout it Out Loud: Marketing/PR: Getting Media Ready & Your Message out there With Jane Gazzo (TV & Radio Broadcaster/Writer), Emily Kelly (Deathproof PR), Eliza Hull (Musician/Writer/Disability Advocate) and facilitated by Josh Meadows (Artists/MainFM broadcaster).
On the Air: Community and Public Radio A fascinating discussion outlining why Community and Public Radio is so important, with Meagan Loader (ABC’s Head of Music & Creative Development), Shane Homan (Assoc Professor, Monash University) Richard Moffat (Programming Coordinator, MainFM) and more to be announced.
An Introduction to Copyright & Licensing With Chris O’Neill, Director – Membership & Stakeholder Engagement, APRA AMCOS – part of the public and youth conference program.
Songcraft: In Conversation APRA AMCOS presents a fascinating discussion and insight into the process of songwriting Jonine Standish (HTRK), Racquel Solier (Mod Con/Various Asses) and one more to be announced, led by Annaliese Redlich (Neon Sunset RRR, Imperial Leather).
Music Interviewing Skills A practical session led by music broadcaster Jane Gazzo, this 3 hour session will equip radio presenters and musicians with the skills to undertake great interviews. Presented by the Community Media Training Organisation and taking place at Castlemaine Community House.
Youth Program With support from The Push, Saturday’s program will include targeted sessions for Young People, curated in response to their direct requests. The sessions will cover topics such as songwriting, touring and more. Details of these sessions will be in the coming weeks.
Sunday 16 October:
321 Songwriting Sessions A day of in-person collaborative sessions curated by Cash Savage and another yet to be announced, presented by APRA AMCOS. 321 sessions are a fantastic opportunity to sharpen and hone songwriting skills. Participation is by application only. To register your interest, head to the Gold Sounds website for more information. |