August 16, 2007
By George Matlala
ASPIRING artists will be given the chance to further their careers at the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, where they will be able to perform in front of an audience of music industry experts and record company executives, in the hope of securing recording deals.
The four-day conference, now in its fourth year, will feature debates between international and local experts about issues in the industry, live performances by rising stars and exhibitions.
It will take place at Museum Africa in Newtown from Wednesday, 22 August to Saturday, 25 August.
David Alexandra, the Moshito treasurer, says the conference will give unsigned artists a platform to sell themselves to record companies, managers and agents, who will all be scouting for new talent.
Moshito Artist Showcase
"The Moshito Artist Showcase will see selected artists performing in front of music industry experts, who will then provide all the artists with valuable feedback on their performances."
Artists are required to submit a demo CD, with an original song not more than five minutes long. The disc should be handed in with contact details and the artist's profile or biography. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 17 August, before 3pm. Organisers will phone those who are selected to perform at the conference.
A backline kit including keyboard, microphones, guitar amp and drums will be available for artists; performers can arrange with the Moshito Artist Showcase manager to bring their own instruments.
And for the first time in its four years, there will be an "open day", during which the public will be able to ask experts - including lawyers and record company personnel - questions about the music industry.
"All the critical decision-makers in the music industry will be at one event at one time," Alexandra adds.
The Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition takes place at Museum Africa in Newtown
An exhibition of more than 30 stands is also on the cards, offering information about the music industry from record companies like EMI and Gallo. "It is a huge opportunity for upcoming artists."
Issues to debate
Piracy, technology and where the South African music industry should position itself in the run up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, are some of the burning issues that will be tackled in the Hot Seats debates.
Speaking about other topics that will be discussed, Alexandra points out that infringement of copyright will be high on the agenda, noting that some companies don't pay for the ring tones they sell to the public.
Speakers include Paul Bodlovich of Western Australia Music and Christoph Borkowsky, the chief executive of the World Music Expo. Pallo Jordan, the minister of arts and culture, will deliver the keynote address opening the event.
Arnold Mabunda, the chairman of Moshito, says that over the past few years, the organisers and the government has forged a close relationship, which has helped to facilitate trips to the Marché International de l'édition Musicale, or Midem conference, in France, the world's largest music industry trade fair.
The relationship has also helped to establish the South African Music Export Council, or Samex.
The business of music
"Right from the start, Moshito's focus has always been passionately on South African music – specifically the business of music in this country," Mabunda says, inviting everyone involved in the music industry, from songwriters and artists, to record company personnel, promoters, engineers, producers, distributors and the media, to the conference.
The SABC and Independent Newspapers are media sponsors.
Registration to attend costs R300, and can be done online on the Moshito website. The fee includes entrance to all days of the conference and a cocktail party on 22 August.
"Provisions are being made for delegates who cannot afford to pay the fee. Seats are limited so delegates are encouraged to register as soon as possible," Mabunda says.
For more information call 011 838 9145 or e-mail info@moshito.co.za.
The Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition takes place at Museum Africa in Newtown from Wednesday, 22 August to Saturday, 25 August.
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