Music Industry

Indie Week kicks off five-day online conference Monday

It’s back and all online: Indie Week 2021 starts a jam-packed five-day conference Monday.

Featuring a one-on-one interview with Marky Ramone, keynotes from Steve  Stewart of Vetz, Inc., Margaret McGuffin of Music Publishers Canada and Michael Anthony Alago, the former executive from Elektra Records known for signing Metallica, Indie Week will allow attendees to map out their own conference by signing up for virtual discussions and workshops. 

Stewart offfers insight into not just band and artist management — he worked with Stone Temple Pilots for a number of years — but how blockchain can be used to help musicians directly monetize their intellectual property directly from fans. 

McGuffin will discuss the Music Publishers Canada’s Women in the Studio program, an effort to help 10 women and gender non-conforming producers gain access to the tools and resources they need to get their foot in the studio door. Females accounted for just 2% of all producing jobs on the 2020 Billboard U.S. Hot 100 hits and McGuffin wants to make sure that changes for the better.

Indie Week sessions also include discussion on how to navigate touring and management during the long, slow restart following COVID, acknowledging that the pandemic is still ongoing and how to keep bands, crew and fans safe; addressing mental health challenges and new methods for monetizing music to help make up for lost opportunities during the past two years. There are mentoring sessions available in addition to B2B meetings and one-on-one discussions with companies including CD Baby, Bandzoogle, the Canadian Rights Recording Association, the Canadian Independent Association, LyricFind and others. Sessions will be livestreamed and recorded with access available for attendees for six months. 

With more than 50 sessions and 100 speakers, there’s something for everyone in the industry to learn from and explore. More information is available here. 

Amber Healy

I write about music policy and lawsuits because they're endlessly fascinating.

Amber Healy has 517 posts and counting. See all posts by Amber Healy

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