The eyes and ears of the music world will turn to Brisbane this September as the city once again hosts Big Sound – the longest running annual music conference and showcase in the country.
Now in its 9th year, Big Sound 2010 will take place from September 8th to 10th and feature three days of conferences, workshops and public showcase events. In 2010 Big Sound continues it’s tradition of attracting some of world’s most influential music industry figures and artists, unveiling today the event’s first batch of speakers.
Among them is one of the world’s most read and respected music writers Michael Azerrad (USA). A writer since 1985, the New York based Azerrad is best known for his seminal books Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 and Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana which has been translated into eight languages and has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.
Joining Azerrad in the first BIG SOUND announcement is 2010 keynote speaker and Australian industry icon John O’Donnell. Among the country’s most respected industry figures, O’Donnell has been instrumental in the careers of some of Australia’s biggest artists including Missy Higgins, silverchair, Something for Kate and Empire of the Sun. More recently he has taken on management for Aussie rock legends Cold Chisel.
Other Big Sound speakers announced today include legendary Australian artist and Hoodoo Gurus frontman Dave Faulkner and manager of The Living End, Gyroscope and Children Collide, Rae Harvey.
They will be joined by international guests Peter Jesperson – Senior Vice-President of A&R at US label New West Records (Ben Lee, Steve Earle, John Hiatt, Kris Kristoffersen, Drive-By Truckers); and UK music lawyer Nicky Stein of Clintons Solicitors, whose list of clients includes Vampire Weekend, The Script, La Roux, Hot Chip, The Temper Trap and The Kooks.
This first batch of speakers will be joined by dozens more to be announced over the coming months, providing artists and industry with a rare chance to meet and learn from the best in the business.
Big Sound will also see over 40 of the country’s hottest acts showcasing their music across six Fortitude Valley venues as part of the two-night Big Sound Live event, which is open to the public.
Big Sound Executive Programmer Graham Ashton said that over the past eight years, the event had grown into among the most important on the national music industry calendar – with the event also making waves internationally.
“Brisbane music has always fought outside of its weight division and Big Sound follows in that tradition,” he said. “Artists like Temper Trap and The Middle East have had significant outcomes out of the last two Big Sounds and are now taking the world by storm. We are extremely excited to launch with the quality of our first announce of speakers and can’t wait to share the artists with you.”
More here.