Arts writer
AFRICAN artists from a variety of genres are coming together in support of The Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference, which will be held at The Protea Hotel Fire & Ice in Tamboerskloof on September 30 and October 1 from 9am.
Some of the participants include AKA, who will be interviewed side by side with Jack Parow, Jeremy Loops, DJ Mizz, Mike from P.H.fat, Felix Laband, Ready D, Shane Cooper (Card On Spokes), Ready D, Ben Peters (Goodluck), Sibot, Mr Sakitumi, Youngsta, Zion (Liquid Deep), Dean Fuel, Craig de Sousa, Erefaan Pierce and Dilo Xclusive.
This strong artist contingent will also be supported by an industry line-up that includes the likes of Leigh Morgan (head of international trade marketing at Believe Digital UK), Kazim Rashid (marketing manager for Warp Records UK), Benza (AKA and Zonke’s manager), Sipho Sithole (Native Rhythms/Moshito), Shaun Duvet (Ultra/Anything Goes, Cococ), Damon Forbes (Breakout Agency) and Nomndeni Mdakhi (Edits Communication/Kalawa Jazmee).
This year the conference will include more than 60 participants from across the country and Africa at large, and is set to be the biggest event yet.
Apart from imparting knowledge and insight the conference aims to ensure its participants have as much fun as possible with poolside lunch time showcases, evening networking party sessions, and with it being part of Cape Town Music Week, it serves as the perfect backdrop for an inspiring week.
“We have worked hard this year to make the conference as fun and engaging as possible. We want people to share knowledge and network as much as possible and get the business side locked but our industry is also very much about networking and a lot of relationships are often cemented in a social setting.” says conference co-director Trenton Birch.
Topics that will be covered at the conference include The Art of Business and Music Partnerships presented by BASA; Brand Music Strategy; Streaming – Understan-ding the new revenue models for the digital music industry presented by IDM Mag.com; Short and Sweet Music Video Awards – Meet the Directors; American Accents in our Music and Media; The State of the Cape Town Music Industry, and Digital Distribution – Streaming vs Downloading and how the industry is shifting by Leigh Morgan (UK) presented by The French Institute.
Other highlights include Empower Your Art Workshops powered by SAE Institute; Emerging Promoters and Artist presented by British Council/ Connect ZA partnership; Refining and Developing Your Artist Brand and Image; and Meet the Makers sessions with artists Felix Laband, DJ Maranza, Shane Cooper and DJ Mizz.
Ableton will also present a session on Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers; while Pioneer DJ and Scratch Lab will host a Bridges for Music DJ Workshop; Charles Webster will head up a producer workshop with African Dance Music Technology, and Paul Bothner Music and Roland South Africa will host a technical workshop.
l Tickets: R80, or R150 for both days. For information, www.breathesunshineconfer ence.com,www.facebook.com/Brea theSunshine