A 100 per cent First Nations youth-led music conference and showcase, the inaugural BLAKSOUND will deliver Australia's very first dedicated Indigenous music industry event virtually next month (6-8 September) from Meeanjin (Brisbane).
Presented by Digi Youth Arts and Vyva Entertainment, and supported by QMusic and BIGSOUND, BLAKSOUND will encompass a series of online workshops and discussions, 'designed to elevate, celebrate and represent the voices and perspectives of current and future First Nations artists and industry workers'.BIGSOUND First Nations Programmer and Producer (as well as Artistic Director of Digi Youth Arts), Alethea Beetson will mentor young First Nations musicians Sycco, Jem Cassar-Daley, DOBBY and Loki Liddle as they co-curate the event.
"BLAKSOUND provides a sovereign platform for conversations that need to be heard by the wider music community," Alethea says.
"Digi Youth Arts invites the music industry to listen to our community, and then respond or where required step aside so we can continue the work of carrying on our stories through song."
The inaugural programme is highlighted by renowned artist and keynote speaker Naomi Wenitong, who'll be joined by fellow speakers: award-winning musician Emily Wurramara, rising rapper BARKAA, media broadcaster and founder of talent agency AGNT BLAK Bianca Hunt, songwriter, hip hop artist and producer DRMNGNOW, and radio and podcast personality Rhianna Patrick.
Spotify's Jono Harrison (Artist & Label Partnerships Lead, Spotify Australia & New Zealand) will front a workshop focused on navigating the platform as a young First Nations artist.
Triple J's Karla Ranby and Nooky (Blak Out) will be available for a virtual networking opportunity, sharing their knowledge and a few yarns as well. While Ditto Music's Jinaya Walford will give a behind the scenes look at how Digital Streaming Platforms work.
"BLAKSOUND is an opportunity for First Nations youth to talk back and challenge the music industry at large," co-curator Loki Liddle says.
"It is charged with powerful conversations that will shine a light on the issues we face, and the future we plan to create."
BLAKSOUND is free to register (with payment options available for those who can) and will be held on the Swapcard platform on 6-8 September.
BLAKSOUND 2021 Line-up
SPEAKERSNaomi Wenitong (keynote)
Barkaa
Bianca Hunt
DRMNGNOW
Emily Wurramara
Rhianna Patrick
WORKSHOPS
• Spotify Masterclass: Navigating the platform as a young First Nations musician
• triple j Blak Out: A Music Yarn
• Ditto: Distribution, DSPs and Playlisting with Ditto Music - Get Your Music to the World
