Author: admins

Each year, we are incredibly lucky to have a variety of guests from across different aspects of the industry and this year is the same. The guests have been announced but who are they and what do they do? Here’s a little insight to each guest panel by panel before the conference takes place on Wednesday 11th March.

Panel 4 – 3:30pm Demo Panel

Featured guests: Gary Powell, Alex Banks and Lou Cooper

Here at SMILEfest, we are delighted to have The Libertines drummer Gary Powell on board for this year’s demo panel. Outside of The Libertines, the label 25 Hour Convenience Store was the brain child of Gary and Wayne Clarke. The label has a rooster of varying musical styles from hip hop to alternative rock. With a history in the music industry spanning 20 years, Gary has also performed in other bands including Dirty Pretty Things and The New York Dolls. He also is an active percussive clinician and composer for his own band, The Invasion of… and, brands including Christian Louboutin, Burberry and new British designers Agi and Sam.

Next up on the panel is Alex Banks. Alex Banks’ musical mission is going into overdrive. After building a hefty reputation via killer DJ sets across Europe and a few extraordinary remixes (Bonobo, Husky Rescue, Andreya Triana etc), he’s now signed to Monkeytown, the label owned by doyens of German electronic/club music, Modeselektor. His talents are showcased on the album, ‘Illuminate’. Two years in the making, it’s the culmination of Banks’ initial aspirations, at once rich in production artistry but ready for the dancefloor, seasoned with melodies and the leaping vocals of Gazelle Twin’s Elizabeth Bernholz, yet boasting a sonic heft and ambition on a par with the likes of Jon Hopkins, Daniel Avery and Nicolas Jaar.

Completing the panel is Lou Cooper. Lou Cooper works with Toolroom Records. Toolroom Records is known across the globe as one of the most innovative major brands in dance music.

This panel is the unique opportunity for students to have their own music critiqued by industry professionals. Head down to see what our very own talented students and your course mates! Make sure you attend the Music Industries Conference open from 11am in Studio Solent (JM315).

Each year, we are incredibly lucky to have a variety of guests from across different aspects of the industry and this year is the same. The guests have been announced but who are they and what do they do? Here’s a little insight to each guest panel by panel before the conference takes place on Wednesday 11th March.

Panel 3 – 2:20pm Viv Albertine In Conversation with John Robb

Featured guests: Viv Albertine and John Robb

We are immensely excited to be joined by punk legend Viv Albertine for our ‘In Conversation…’ panel this year. Viv, the singer/songwriter, is best known as the guitarist for all female punk band The Slits.

The boss of Louder than War, and award winning journalist, John Robb will be leading the conversation with Viv Albertine.

Viv and John are certain to bring a different insight to the industry and sharing their own experiences. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from a punk legend! Make sure you attend the Music Industries Conference open from 11am in Studio Solent (JM315).

Each year, we are incredibly lucky to have a variety of guests from across different aspects of the industry and this year is the same. The guests have been announced but who are they and what do they do? Here’s a little insight to each guest panel by panel before the conference takes place on Wednesday 11th March.

Panel 2 – 1:15pm Blurred Times: music and misogyny 

Featured guests: Laura Snapes, Zoe Millar, Mel Lewis and Tre Stead

Laura Snapes is currently the features editor at popular music magazine NME. She has previously worked with Pitchfork as an associate editor and also assistant reviews editor, again at NME.

Next up we have Zoe Millar who is currently the Head of Press at Mute Records. Founded in 1978, Mute has some great acts on their rooster including Depeche Mode, Goldfrapp and Erasure amongst others.

Working in Event Production at BBC Radio 1 (and former Solent student!), Mel Lewis will also be joining us on this panel.

Finally, tour manager to the likes of Frank Turner and Jessie Ware, Tre Stead completes the panel.

This is sure to be an interesting panel, discussing the perceptions of the two genders in the industry and a look at Feminism; currently a very relevant topic. Make sure you attend the Music Industries Conference open from 11am in Studio Solent (JM315).

Each year, we are incredibly lucky to have a variety of guests from across different aspects of the industry and this year is the same. The guests have been announced but who are they and what do they do? Here’s a little insight to each guest, panel by panel, before the conference takes place on Wednesday 11th March.

Panel 1 – 12:00 Digital Witness: The future of Music?

Featured guests: Anya Strafford, Mike Smith and Tony Crean

First up we have Anya Strafford. Anya is the International Marketing Manager for Caroline International. Her previous experience includes working as International Label Manager at Co-Operative Music. Caroline International provide a variety of different services to those in the industry, across the globe, from A&R to Finance.

Also joining this panel is the President of Music at Virgin EMI at Universal Music Group, Mike Smith. Mike Smith has been responsible for signing many acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Blur and Calvin Harris whilst working at MCA publishing, EMI publishing, Colombia Records and Mercury Records. He now works as President of Music at Virgin EMI at Universal Music Group.

Completing the panel is Tony Crean. Tony is an experienced artist manager and marketing consultant with over 20 years experience in record labels, management and international touring with award-winning artists including Goldfrapp, The Chemical Brothers and Portishead.

With some great experience under their belts and sure to be some fascinating stories to tell of their time in the music industry, make sure you attend the Music Industries Conference open from 11am in Studio Solent (JM315).