Words By Lucas Radbourne
First Nations conference BLAKSOUND boasts the creme-de-la-creme of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, artists and cultural leaders.
The pay-what-you-can conference is open for registrations now, with events running from 6 September to 8 September.
It features panels with such alluring titles as “F#$K the system, we own our stories”, “Turning our backs to the state”, “From One Generation To The Next” and “What Does It Mean To Be The Youngest Generation Of The Oldest Surviving Culture In The World?” Check out the full lineup and conference program here.
What you need to know
- BLAKSOUND is a First Nations-led music and cultural conference
- The full lineup and conference program is now online
- It runs between Monday 6 September and Wednesday 8 September
Keep up with the latest music interviews, news and reviews here.
Massive breakthrough artists Christine Anu, Ziggy Ramo, Baker Boy and Alice Skye bring the contemporary musical nous, while country superstar Troy Cassar-Daley is now joining the lineup.
Marlene Cummins, Kobie Dee, GLVES, Shaun Allen (Shal) and local SOVBLKPSSY (Juanita Sumner) will all also be involved. Still Here will host a yarn with practice advice on navigating and creating sovereign pathways inside and outside the music industry, featuring Ancestress, DancingWater, Paul Gorrie and Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW).
It’s turning out to be a must-see for aspiring musicians, with a Spotify Masterclass presented by Jono Harrison (Artist & Label Partnerships Lead, Spotify Australia & New Zealand) will address navigating the platform as a young First Nations musician and demonstrate how to make the most of Spotify.
Triple j’s Karla Ranby and Nooky will host a virtual networking opportunity for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander young people, where they can meet and yarn with the faces of triple j’s Blak Out program. Ditto Music’s Jinaya Walford will also discuss distribution, DSPs and playlisting, providing a behind the scenes look at how DSP’s work, and offering a how-to for First Nations artists who want to make the most of Ditto to distribute their music.
In addition to the huge musical lineup, BLAKSOUND will also feature celebrated journalist Rachael Hocking, artist and community leader Fred Leone, First Nations arts and culture director at the Australia Council for the Arts Patricia Adjei, as well as artist and BLKMPIRE creator Jimblah and Seed Mob’s Tishiko King.
To register for BLAKSOUND 2021, click here.
