2019 PROGRAM

The 2019 conference program features keynotes and ‘In Conversations’ from national and international pioneers, a program stream dedicated to mental health and wellbeing, spotlight sessions on Western Sydney and the fast emerging Middle East North Africa region, investigative sessions on financial stability for managers and artists, an interactive session on the future of the Australian music media landscape, an exploratory session on today’s value of music education, and much much more.
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  • DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY 13 NOV


  • DJ and BBC Radio 1Xtra Broadcaster Jamz Supernova says since the financial crash 10 years ago, economic circumstances mean that her generation and the generations after have no option but to become hustlers. From fashion, music, lifestyle, business ideas to start-ups, young people are taking control of their careers and futures. It’s what Jamz calls the DIY Generation. Jamz started the DIY Generation as a regular feature on her weekly BBC Radio 1Xtra show as a way to highlight the achievements of this generation, to share their stories and to inspire the next generation of uni starters, school leavers and the young adults who want a career change. The DIY Generation soon evolved from a regular feature on her radio show to The DIY Handbook – a series of events including 101 masterclasses and interactive workshops on how young people can launch a business and create careers, hosted by those who have successfully done it themselves. The DIY Handbook is now about to be launched as a podcast series. Australian born, LA based George Maple is a force to be reckoned with. Beyond her 340 million+ Spotify streams, 350,000 Shazam followers, US number #1 records, sell out shows from Paris to Sydney, 20 million+ YouTube views and features in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Interview she is the epitome of the new wave of artists taking control of their careers and futures. In September this year, George Maple launched her production company ‘The Process’ and an Artist Development/Management company ‘T.B.C.A’. Following many years of falling into accidental roles including Manager, Producer, Creative Director, Stylist, Lighting Designer and more, she has harnessed this experience into these new businesses, focussing on collaborating with other artists and professionals who inspire community and vision. The DIY Handbook: Jamz Supernova in conversation with George Maple opens EMC’s 2019 keynote theatre. These powerhouse women tap into each other’s minds to discuss their journeys as creative entrepreneurs, the mistakes that became learnings applied to create magical career milestones, the advice they offer emerging artists and professionals and what is exciting them the most about the new decade ahead.
    IN-CONVERSATION
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • This decade saw the momentous rise of content in the digital space. Rapidly we moved away from traditional media, now needing to create a million different assets for a million different platforms. With myriad formats available, it’s getting hard to know where to invest your time and money. We’re told a lot about the rise of vertical video and the power of YouTube, and the increasing presence of VR. So. Many. Buzz. Words. So, what should artists be doing to engage and grow their audience? And how can they stay ahead of the curve? This panel takes into consideration the role of VR in the future, where to invest your time and money (regardless of budget) and how to work with brands to fund content or piggyback on existing audiences. We’ll also question the value of video clips and other content, what really works online and what developments are coming next. This panel wants artists, managers, labels and booking agents to walk away knowing that they are creating content with a purpose, that works for each audience.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Women of Music Production Perth (WOMPP) will present two workshops on producing music using Ableton live. Each workshop will be run by Rosie Taylor & Ableton Certified Trainer Elise Reitze-Swensen, which will involve expert demonstration and interaction for audience members. Audience members are invited to bring their laptops and headphones and follow along with activities given in the workshop. In the final 30 minutes, two members from the audience will partake in track sharing, where they present a track they have produced in Ableton Live and discuss their process. This opens up the workshop to a discussion style session where attendees can ask questions, explore creative process and troubleshoot issues together. Topic One (30 minutes): Programming beats in MIDI using Drumrack Topic Two (30minutes): Sampling for beat making Track sharing (30 minutes): Two members share an original track, open the floor for discussion
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 2

  • Every artist, dancer, manager, raver and worker has to come home from the party and still have a healthy, sustainable life. Creatives and passionate hard workers in the industry will push their physical, emotional and socially lubricated limits. But at what cost? Our industry doesn’t stop for anyone, as we have seen with the late Keith Flint (The Prodigy) and our countless colleagues who are often too exhausted to appreciate the music they help bring to the world. We encourage a culture of excess. We often skip the ‘eat, sleep’ and double down on the ‘work, rave, repeat.’ This panel will openly discuss some of the obvious and the more subtle, structural contributors to poor mental health and wellbeing. They will also look to the future and propose what changes could be made for people and teams to create a working environment that is more supportive for our mental health and wellbeing.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • There is no doubt that the popularity of modular synthesis is rising. You don’t have to look far to see the enormous interest in these instruments - in clubs, studios and bedrooms and worldwide. But what exactly are these boxes of coloured cables and knobs? Are they worth the investment? Do they live up to their hype? Musical fads come and go. Interestingly though, modular synthesis has come full circle. Due to its limitless nature, modular synthesis will virtually never date. It is always able to reinvent itself and herein lies its true beauty and power. There is no right or wrong when using modular. With that in mind though, it does require at least an interest in synthesisers. A passion for sound creation and a desire to expand your knowledge and understanding of synthesis is also important! Modular synthesis might seem daunting to you if you’ve never worked with it before. Like most things, the more you learn and increase your knowledge of modular synthesis, the more comfortable you will become. Once you understand the core aspects, it will all become much clearer. Opening EMC’s music creation workshops program is a 90-minute Introduction to Modular Synthesis, presented in partnership with Roland and hosted by mod synth expert David Haberfield. Learn the basics of what you’ll need to get started, how to set it up and most of all how to experiment to create some of the sickest sounds in electronic music.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • A lot of Sydney’s attention has been focused on the lockouts and its impact on nightlife in Sydney’s Inner City and Suburban areas. However, in the City’s Greater West, there are a unique set of challenges and opportunities for artists, industry and cultural organisations. We will speak with artists, managers, and community educators to address challenges like accessibility, the lack of venues beyond Parramatta, artists bans and artistic censorship. This panel will also celebrate the cultural richness and diversity that’s found in the arts communities of Western Sydney, particularly in educational spaces and cultural community groups.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Want to be open about your own mental health? Perhaps you’ve made it through a tough time and are open to listening to someone else? Perhaps you want to talk about the industry and how we could work on making it healthier, safer place for everyone? This is the space to do so. Support Act and speakers from ‘The Future of Wellbeing’ panel will be there to continue the conversation. You can also find out more info before attending the following Support Act Workshop, ‘Wellbeing for Artists’.
    NETWORKING
    Where
    DYSTOPIA - NETWORKING SPACE

  • Maintaining good mental health is a critical part of every artist and music worker’s overall health and wellbeing. Support Act is proud to present this workshop to help the electronic music community to identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, learn how these can be managed, how you can introduce a conversation about mental health with your friends and colleagues, and how to ensure your own self care. This will be a practical and informative session run by a trained clinician with experience in providing service to the music industry through the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline
    KEYNOTE
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • 2019 has been a volatile year for the festival sector in Australia, and specifically in NSW. In February the NSW Government introduced new legislation for festivals, including the determination of ‘high risk’ festivals - of which eleven out of the twelve festivals on this list are either exclusively or majority electronic music. Following the back and forth of the new festivals legislation being removed in September then reinstated in October, there is now a political process at play which will determine the future of the regulations around music festivals in NSW. The organisations and people at the frontline of these issues provide a briefing to explain the regulations with clarity to the electronic music sector. This session will also deliver a current status of this situation and will clarify the political process when negotiating this regulatory framework which affects industry and music lovers alike.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • In 2019, artists have been exceedingly motivated to get on playlists, but are they the career builders that they appear to be? With the challenges of access to the editors and the algorithm’s impact on curation, how do you get noticed? This workshop looks at the barriers to the editors behind the curation and the ways you can cut through to get noticed. It also looks at what happens to listener numbers once you climb or drop off a key playlist, how to convert passive listeners to followers and how the streaming space differs in China from Western markets.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 2

  • You have a new track ready for a hot vocal…now what? EMC, in conjunction with Q-Music, walks through the fundamental steps of online collaboration. This discussion will give you tips to make your creative process quicker, easier and help you achieve better outcomes. You have a new track ready for a vocal… now what? EMC in conjunction with Q-Music walks through the fundamental steps of online collaboration. This discussion will give you tips to make your creative process quicker, easier and help you achieve better outcomes. · Finding the right vocalist for your project · How to effectively brief a vocalist · What's the best way to provide feedback Throughout the discussion, participants will put together a vocal request and learn what type of information is important to include. The participants will have the opportunity to connect remotely with new and emerging artists in Queensland and work with them on piecing together a demo. Ready to send off a vocal request or not, this will be valuable for anyone wanting to finesse their online collaborative process.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • As CEO of Nightlife and a career built on understanding digital rights, data collection and technology, David O'Rourke is an expert when it comes to understanding why data matters. Get up to speed on how accurate, transparent data will drive growth in the music industry. Learn about what makes best practice for play data and where the opportunities and potential solutions lie to empower businesses, DJs and artists beyond 2020.
    KEYNOTE
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • If you didn't have time to ask questions at the ‘Roland Presents: A Crash Course in Modular Synthesis’ workshop, or thought of something on the way out, head to the Roland Creative Hub on Level 3 for one-on-one time with producer and instructor David Haberfield. Get your burning questions answered, and have a play with the second modular synthesis set-up in the Roland Creative Hub!
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    Roland Creative Hub

  • In today’s music world, the entire ecosystem - from artists to labels, to management and publishers - have endless dashboards at their fingertips to track the streaming/consumption/placement of music in the digital world. However, in the performance space - including touring, venues, nightclubs and festivals - obtaining accurate data of exactly what music has been played and applying that data to accurate income distribution is perhaps one of our industry’s greatest challenges. The Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) estimates that GBP £100 million (over AUD $180 million) is lost every year in performance royalties to the rightful writers, producers and artists. Since 2014, Music Recognition Technology (MRT) has long been claimed as a solution to this issue - with specialised solutions like DJ Monitor, BMAT and Yacast now being deployed by a number of Public Rights Organisations (PROs) around the world. With the future of DJ sets being performed via streaming tracks from the DJ booth unfolding in real time, there’s a new layer of considerations to ensure artists, producers and writers are paid accurately. So where exactly has that $180 million-plus a year been going? This panel of MRT and streaming experts investigate the current deployment of MRT in Australia, including the proven benefits and best practices of the technology to what can be done in the next decade to fix the leaky data pipes.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • Not every artist is looking to write a banger, and often it is written word or the voice that leads the charge. Hosted by Elina Godwin from Sydney Ableton User Group, and Chase Zera will unpack a track that has been created with lyrics at the forefront. They will talk you through their writing and production process, followed by an in-depth Q+A. Ableton User Group Sydney is a not-for-profit community group, which aims to bring together passionate musicians, producers and creative minds to share their knowledge through presentations and discussions.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • There’s a certain excitement for artists and managers signing on the dotted line, however this excitement can mask some scary and exploitative clauses if not carefully understood. How can an inexperienced artist or manager spot those red flags? How do you know if what is on paper is fair? How can one negotiate with big players when they don’t have deep pockets for lawyers? This panel will dissect some of the weirdest, scariest and clever contract clauses from management, label, publishing and booking contracts, and will offer practical advice on how to make sure you’re not getting stiffed.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • Want to ask the Work Hard Playlist Hard guru some questions? Continue the chat with Mike Warner in the Dystopia Networking Space
    NETWORKING
    Where
    DYSTOPIA - NETWORKING SPACE

  • In the age of free accessible YouTube learning, many DJs and Producers might not know what value private, vocational or higher education providers can offer. It also makes one beg the question - is paying for education worth the tuition fees? Will I even make back my money or find work in the industry? What questions should I ask of these different providers to find out if they're a good fit for me? We bring together speakers from a variety of private, public and higher education institutions to help answer some of these questions, and to dive into the different approaches to education, and what value it provides the individual and industry in an uncertain future. There will be a networking opportunity after the panel to ask questions to people from specific represented education providers.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Learn how to elevate your tracks in the mix with highly-regarded producer and engineer Antonia Gauci. Running through real session files, Antonia will be joined by Sydney R&B artist Clarissa Mei to dissect and rebuild her track Point of View. This session will not only let you peek behind the mixer's curtain, but will allow insight into the ways that both artist and mixing engineer can work together to push songs to their sonic boundaries. You can also hear Clarissa Mei speaking on Wednesday’s ‘Spotlight On Western Sydney’ panel.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 2

  • Come chat with the panel following the ‘Is Music Education Worth The Price Tag?’ session. If you’re thinking about studying, or want to chat with others about future learning, this is the place to mingle!
    KEYNOTE
    Where
    DYSTOPIA - NETWORKING SPACE

  • Album art has played a pivotal role through music history and often the decision point on purchase, especially in the days of flicking through vinyl in-store. Now more than ever, as the world of social media and technology progresses, people are focusing on the visual as their first engagement with music content. The most captivating content extends beyond instagram shorts, posters merchandise and release artwork - it becomes a transcendent component of the artist’s brand, right through to the immersive elements of the live performance itself. This panel showcases the role of visual creatives working with musicians and artists to bring their vision to life in a world often viewed through a smartphone and often with ’sound off’. We will address how to approach marketing strategy for advertising your shows and releases, as well as creating a brand that works as a visual narrative supporting your music from advertising, streaming, sales and on stage.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • Mirroring global trends, we have seen a gradual decline in music journalism from media in Australia. Coupled with large changes in the digital and traditional media landscape, and with the fragmentation of audiences offline, there appears to be a distinct lack of community or ‘voice’ in this space. Especially, as audiences rely more heavily on algorithms than human interpretation for their music suggestions. - What impact does this have on breaking Australian artists? - Is this stopping audiences from taking risks on events and unknown music? - Is there a certain future for Australian Music Journalism? Has the demand for this kind of journalism shifted - what music news do audiences want now? Bringing in key players in Australian music journalism and media, this two-way panel will facilitate an open discussion between the audience and panel-participants. This is your opportunity to voice what want from Australian music media and journalism.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Want to get intimate with the nuances of bass-heavy music? In this session, classically-trained drum & bass producer Dylan Martin, aka Royalston, will unpack one of his signature tunes to show how he does it. In the process, Royalston will offer key insights on mastering for drum & bass and tactics to make your productions stand out. The workshop will also include a Q&A session, so you can put your burning questions on all things bass music to a seasoned pro.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • Few jobs in the music industry require a degree or formal training, and especially in the world of management, anyone can call themselves an artist manager. The relationship between artist and manager is usually the most crucial in an artist’s career. The standard Australian artist management agreement allocates roughly 20-percent (less some deductions) of the artist’s income to the manager, but there’s no guarantee the artist will ever make any money. In fact, a 2018 survey conducted by the Association for Artist Managers (AAM) found that the average hourly rate for over 80-percent of artist managers in Australia is just $26.62 per hour. There are endless stories of artists becoming successful and moving on to other managers once they’re riding a certain level of success. Many powerful managers reap the benefits of the time and effort invested into an unknown artist by that first manager. Like many aspects of the music industry, it is time to review the traditional commercial terms of the artist/management agreement. Already, Australia is behind other international markets in adopting a more progressive and fair model that ensures that managers are remunerated fairly for their work in those early development years. In this session, we consider a hypothetical six-year arc in an artist’s career, and how it impacts their manager’s bottom line. An expert panel of managers and lawyers will then assess these economics and propose ways to modernise the management agreement.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • DAY 2 - THURSDAY 14 NOV


  • Since Napster launched 20 years ago, the music industry has experienced ongoing disruption and change, and the future forecast predicts a new wave of intense upheaval. Widespread media, tech and music experts globally unanimously agree that the music industry is about to embark on a new suite of technologies and disruptions to navigate. What widespread media and many experts aren’t articulating is not just what is coming, but how as an industry we adopt and exploit the next wave of tech disruptions to our benefit. In his keynote ‘Are You Ready For A New Sensation?’, Warner Music’s Chief Innovation Officer Scott Cohen focuses on what’s on the horizon, how we adopt and deploy these new technologies, what we have learned from the music industry’s resistance to the last two decades of change, and how we must apply these learnings to tomorrow. ‘Are You Ready For A New Sensation? ’will look at the essential need to embrace the new ways consumers want to engage with music, usage pricing beyond streaming, and how we can change the lens from challenge to opportunity for music and VR, AI, blockchain and MMOs. ‘Are You Ready For A New Sensation?’ is a must for anyone wanting to prepare themselves and their business for the next five years to ensure they’re not left behind in the very, very near future.
    KEYNOTE
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • Producers Elina Godwin and Chris Mudge from the Sydney Ableton User group will be helping your mixes sound that bit more magical - with realism. Can’t tell a tremolo from your trill or tenuto? Need to better understand phrasing, dynamics and the natural range of these orchestral instruments? Want to know how to layer samples for the perfect finish? Then this is the session for you. Elina, also a trained violinist, will show you how strings should sound, and then explore ways in which you can create realism using Ableton. Suffer from flat tracks? Would like a visual understanding of how to create a better composition through concepts similar to photography? Want to create depth without the mud? Chris will show you the magic of 3D music - creating space and focus within your tracks, using the four key parameters of delay, reverb, filtering and panning. Ableton User Group Sydney is a not-for-profit community group, which brings together passionate musicians, producers and creative minds to share their knowledge through presentations and discussions.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 2

  • We are often left in awe when we attend club or festival events with inspiring on-stage graphics that weave through the DJ’s performance. However, we rarely consider the VJ as being pivotal to creating these experiences or what it takes to craft a paired visual offering. VJ Morph and DJ/producer A-Tonez will be taking you on a mini-club set journey for EMC, where you can experience this AV collaboration from the comfort of your armchair. It will feature some of their best Ministry of Sound creations and fresh improvisation. Both Morph and A-Tonez will be taking questions after their set, and will cover some of the must-know info about creating an engaging AV club experience.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • For the average person who doesn’t own a yacht or has a bank account in the Cayman Islands, the idea of being one of ‘those guys’ dropping thousands of dollars on a VIP table/booth with bottle service seems like a disconnected reality. Other than the obvious perception of exclusivity, this VIP culture seems a slap in the face to the origins of dance music, which is traditionally a place of inclusivity and freedom. For some promoters and venue owners, VIP culture is the only way GA ticket prices can be made affordable when bringing over international acts. Is VIP culture a necessary evil? Is this what drives up EDM artist fees or makes top-tier artists viable? Is it a gateway for the average punter? Or is it creating classist cultural exclusion? Is there an alternative? We bring in both international and domestic experts to dissect the economic realities of booking international artists and to reflect upon the impact of VIP exclusivity culture.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Digital distribution is now open to anyone. But when do you seek help from a label and when do you do it all yourself? How do you know you are ticking all the boxes when releasing your own music? Every artist with tracks ready to share with the public has gone through a fraught process in their head, weighing up questions about self-worth and control of their own music. This session speaks with artists and managers who are making the DIY path work for them and will demystify some of the prevailing questions. They will talk about some of the key activities that take place and how they have built their audience. The final 20 minutes will be a 'how-to-guide' hosted by Noisehive’s Arlo Enemark on what strategies to employ, the key steps to the DIY releasing approach and best practices for self-releasing independent artists.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • If you attended the ‘VJ Meets DJ: Elevating Your Sets with AV’ session and still have questions around crafting a compelling AV club set, A-Tonez and VJ Morph will be in the Roland Creative Hub to chat directly with you and share their expertise one-on-one.
    NETWORKING
    Where
    Roland Creative Hub

  • The Beat Collective is an inclusive community of music producers based in Melbourne, Australia, providing a platform for personal, professional and creative development. For EMC, the Beat Collective invites budding producers to take part in their Fortnightly Creative Challenge during October, with samples provided by Wile Out Music. Paulo Flores (Founder of Wile Out Music) will then select and present some of these unique tracks submitted during the Fortnightly Creative Challenge, offering an insightful opportunity for critique and feedback. Come check out the contrasting results of this month's beat challenge at EMC. If you're not a member already, please visit beatcollective.net to sign up for their fortnightly Creative Challenge.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • Outside of the underground, every nightclub’s business model is dependent upon the sales of alcohol, and in Australia it’s almost unpatriotic not to have a drink in your hand. But there is an ever-growing trend of those who want to enjoy dance music without an alcoholic vice and not just on their headphones on the way to work. Can music survive without its silent partner - alcohol? What communities and businesses are thriving without the booze and what benefits do they have to offer? What alternatives are there? Could this be the future of inclusive partying? We sit down with panelists who are creating new communities and notable parties to talk about the challenges and successes in the sober-space. We also include a Drug and Alcohol Policy Researcher, and someone who works in the alcohol-marketing space that can speak to consumer research about the changing drinking habits of our youngest generation.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Women of Music Production Perth (WOMPP) will present two workshops on producing music using Ableton live. Each workshop will be run by Rosie Taylor & Ableton Certified Trainer Elise Reitze-Swensen, which will involve expert demonstration and interaction for audience members. Audience members are invited to bring their laptops and headphones and follow along with activities given in the workshop. In the final 30 minutes, two members from the audience will partake in track sharing, where they present a track they have produced in Ableton Live and discuss their process. This opens up the workshop to a discussion style session where attendees can ask questions, explore creative process and troubleshoot issues together. Topic One (30 minutes): Custom synthesis using Wavetable Topic Two (30minutes): How Creatively Extend Yourself Using Max for Live Track sharing (30 minutes): Two members share an original track, open the floor for discussion
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 2

  • Sampling has been a backbone of electronic music for decades. But how do you walk the tightrope of copyright issues? This panel discusses successfully clearing samples, not clearing samples, sampling methodology without clearance and how to avoid the whole mess altogether.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • Want some feedback on a tune? Took part in the Beat Collective Challenge, or checked out the WOMPP workshops? Maybe you want to network with other producers? The Networking Space will be filled with workshop facilitators from the conference and headphones so producers like YOU can get feedback on your work-in-progress masterpieces. Get chatting with other artists, vocalists and facilitators so you can connect and improve your music. All levels of experience welcome!
    NETWORKING
    Where
    DYSTOPIA - NETWORKING SPACE

  • This lecture is a reflective insight into the development and nurturing of the creative process. George Maple will use her own experiences as a blueprint to guide us through the limitless potential of the creative mind. The lecture explores, from the artist’s perspective, the simple question: “What am I trying to say?” George Maple believes that every individual has a unique creative process, however there are pillars and techniques we can use to unlock and develop to our full potential. Our creative voice is essential in authentic artistry and has the potential to translate across multiple mediums. It creates a thread that can be transposed into many areas of our lives. George will use her most recent multimedia live spectacle, 'Utopia’, as a narrative guide to articulate a range of topics, from the 'artistic voice' to the practicalities of building a skill set. She will open the doors to her mind and show us the process behind her work from inception to execution. From GM: “My own journey has been one of twists and turns, magic and mishaps. I never imagined to be where I am today. My original outlook was far more specific and simple (to be a songwriter), however as a result of a turbulent yet rewarding series of events, I have ended up in a space where I feel far more fulfilled and challenged. Utopia was a turning point for this. I realise my artistic voice is simply a thread that binds multiple mediums and many stories. I am still a writer, however I have a multitude of shapes, threads, characters and narratives. Every element of my work has Its own sub-voice and they all lead back to the mothership that is my 'artist voice.' I spend a lot of time nurturing and exploring this space. I read, reflect, study, enquire. There are pillars and consistent threads / characters that bind everything I do. These expand all the time. I have being thrown into so many different strange and often incredibly stressful situations which at the time almost broke me. However I am now open to any form of creative expression and don't feel limited by labels. My biggest lesson has been shifting the ego from 'self' to 'story.' Using the power of the ego to guide narratives, build characters and expand horizons in my mind. I believe the opportunities are limitless once you spend your time focusing on developing and nurturing your own creative voice.”
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • Australia is a country that prides itself on its cultural diversity, and yet this diversity is not always mirrored within our culture or nightlife. Evidence also shows that organisations with diverse boards, members and patrons benefit and outperform those that do not, but this fact is not enough to bring about change. So how can we work towards fostering an intersectional creative community? Can we dance our way to a more inclusive society, revitalising Australian nightlife along the way? Can club culture be used to contest and dismantle cultural stereotypes? How do we bridge our existing communities to create a more synergistic, accessible and socially cohesive ? This solutions-oriented panel will positively focus on realistic outcomes, where we discuss the importance and benefits of creating more diversity within Australian culture and nightlife, and will benefit promoters, industry and artists alike.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Levll 4 Seminar Room

  • There are few tales more compelling than the rise of the enigmatic producer, artist and songwriter Running Touch. The elusive and multi-faceted creative has spent the best part of the past few years fast cementing himself as an incredible musician, performer and visionary. Through his music, live-show and identity (or lack thereof), Running Touch has curated a multi-dimensional brand that gives a focus to storytelling through art, performance and music and sits in a realm that is matched by few. The creator of hits such as ‘MY HANDS’, ‘WHEN I’M AROUND YOU’ and ‘BETTER TOGETHER’ with Hayden James, which last year alone reached #1 on iTunes in the USA, and was fast added across the board and on high rotation to every commercial station in the country. Running Touch has held a firm place as one of the top played artists on triple j and signed with ODESZA’s record label ‘Foreign Family’, sparking a worldwide interest in the homegrown act. On The Couch with Team Running Touch is a close look into the journey of Running Touch and his team, exploring the triumphs and challenges since his 2016 breakout, and what 2020 and beyond looks like for one of Australia’s most exciting talents.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • Middle East North Africa (MENA) is one of the fastest emerging regions for music, and in particular, electronic music across different genres - from techno, to hip hop, to soul and house colliding with jazz and more. Our panelists bring diverse experience from this territory to EMC this November. They will share the musical and cultural history and trends of this region, and also celebrate the successes of strong females succeeding in such a male dominated market.
    PANEL
    Where
    WE ARE THE NIGHT - SEMINAR ROOM 2

  • This panel session addresses diverse issues and perspectives around sustainability and electronic music. Considering the conference theme of “the next now”, our panellists consider the ironies and imperatives of sustainability thinking that will shape the opportunities, needs and challenges of the new decade ahead. Drawing from both educational experts and students applying their knowledge in the field, each panelist will engage with the audience in an informative, open discussion. This discussion will examine the environmental challenges for electronic music in the coming decade, while also addressing the dynamics of community-building based on the students’ experience of driving Reverb UTS and the UTS 450 Records label. Importantly, this discussion will consider current work on equity and diversity issues as a key part of the sustainable development of electronic music, and the music industry more broadly.
    PANEL
    Where
    DISCO BALL - Level 4 Seminar Room

  • Considered a legend of the DJing world, between his residency with Ibiza’s Glitterbox and packed bookings on the White Isle and beyond, Mo’funk is also the go-to DJ for even the most seasoned international stars to learn new techniques using CDJs, rekordbox software and the DJS1000 sampler. Considered a legend of the DJing world, between his residency with Ibiza’s Glitterbox and packed bookings on the White Isle and beyond, Mo’funk is also the go-to DJ for even the most seasoned international stars to learn new techniques using CDJs, rekordbox software and the DJS1000 sampler. If you’re ready to take your DJ capabilities from beat mixing up a serious notch, don’t miss this workshop. Mo’funk will be set up with an overhead camera in the 360-degree engagement space to give you the bird’s eye view on techniques you probably didn’t know were possible.
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING - OVAL ROOM LEVEL 3

  • Game music has a quintessential relationship with electronic sound production, but many producers don’t know how to approach making these kinds of arrangements or how to enter the niche yet expansive world of gaming music composition and production. Jared will demonstrate how he starts a compositional idea, and builds a sound palette and mix. He will show real examples of games he has worked on and discuss collaborative exchange process between himself and game developers. The presentation will include examples of early experiences composing music for games, so that should offer some insight and hope for other composers wanting to make a start in game music composition. Key takeaways will include: - interpreting the brief from the game developer - writing a title theme - in-game music - menu loops win & fail stings
    WORKSHOP
    Where
    EXPERIENCE - OVAL ROOM LVL 2

  • With strong indications that the lockout laws will be repealed in Sydney in early 2020, the rebuild of Sydney’s nightlife is a priority on the agenda for the new year. This panel focuses on the future of Sydney’s nightlife. Rather than dwelling on the impacts of the laws introduced in 2014, we look forward to our vision for Sydney’s nightlife in 2020 and beyond. If Sydney nightlife is open again for culture and business to thrive, it’s time to consider some big picture questions. This panel will dive right into those thorny issues, addressing the structures and strategies essential to rebuilding a nightlife that is positive, representative of all communities in the ecosystem, safe, and most of all fun. This is very much an interactive session that welcomes the sharing of lived experience from the attendees in the room. Please bring your questions, forward-thinking attitude and recommendations on ways Sydney’s nightlife can push on, free of the restrictions felt in the last five years.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)

  • Regardless of industry or context, ‘sustainability’ is often a focus of future planning - or at the very least, a buzz word thrown in for good measure. Whether considering the environment, an individual’s career or the global music ecosystem, we need systemic transformation rather than a continuation of the status quo. We are beginning to realise the power of music not just as a cultural touchpoint but as an agent of change that creates significant social impact on a global scale. Change is bringing more attention to our mental health and wellbeing, while beginning to deliver overdue equity for artists and professionals that are First Nations, LGBTQIA+ and women. Closing EMC’s conference, we gaze into the crystal ball to imagine ourselves in the year 2030. Utilising the collective knowledge of this panel of changemakers, we consider our roles today in transforming the systems holding us back from a brighter future. We consult these bright minds and big hearts on what the priorities are to make tomorrow a better place for everyone in the global music community, so we can move beyond having conversations about change to being an active contributor to the change.
    PANEL
    Where
    SPACE CAT - (KEYNOTE THEATRE)