The Mid-Atlantic Music Conference
Learning and Networking for Independent Artists
Sam Ash Music Stores, The Caldwell Group and Wholeteam Enterprises will be hosting the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Music Conference November 14 to 16, in Charlotte, NC.
“The MMC is the largest and longest event of its type in the region, with the goal to provide artists and industry stake holders with networking and growth opportunities at the same time, focus national and international media and related sources on the Mid-Altlantic,” says James Caldwell, founder and conference manager of the event.
The MMC consists of music seminars, showcases, conferences with top music industry panelists, and music competitions, all of which give participating musicians networking, publicity and educational opportunities.
The first event that kicks off the conference is the Midtown Sundries Stage, in Midtown Sundries University at Lake Norman, and features acoustic performances from unsigned acoustic and rock bands, and is recorded for the local television show, “The Sonic Lounge.”
The second event is the Sam Ash Carolina Battle of the Bands, a two-day competition at the Sam Ash’s Charlotte store, between the best high school and college bands from Charlotte and Raleigh. Three winning bands, from each city, will be performing three songs for fans and judges. The winner at the end of the competition will receive a gift card to Sam Ash Music Stores, music gear and performance opportunities, including a performance at the MMC’s grand final party.
I DO Music studio will be taking its Atlanta-based music showcase on the road to MMC, allowing for people in the industry to meet and build business relationships. The event will also feature new hip-hop and R&B artists for a panel that gives feedback and selects one artist to perform in the I DO Music showcase at Apache Café in Atlanta this December.
The most anticipated event at MMC is the MMC Best of the Best Stage, which, in honor of its seventh anniversary, will showcase the seven top new artists of the Mid-Atlantic States, based on month-long online voting. The seven winners will perform three songs for a panel of judges and industry experts. Prizes for the winner include a Sam Ash Music Store gift card, music gear and performance opportunities in the region.
Other events include the New Artists Showcase, where hip-hop artists perform for managers, label executives and booking agents to be judged. There is also the Beat Street Live II / Global King of the Beats US Grand Finale Round One, in the Sam Ash Music Store, which will be an elimination-type competition between music producers in the industry.
Also, seminars such as “Making Money Without a Major Label or Record Deal,” “Your Band/Your Brand and how to Effectively Promote” and “Music Publishing 101 an Advanced Songwriting Seminar” will be held.
The weekend will end with MMC Grand Finale Party, where the Sam Ash Carolina Battle of the Bands winner and the winner of the MMC Best of the Best will perform.
Registration to play this event ended September 30, but for future reference, registration can be done online at www.midatlanticmusic.com, or you can either submit online through Sonicbids or print out to be mailed, both with a $35 dollar fee. A $150 conference fee is waived for every band that registers.
To have full access to the MMC, register online at their website. There is a fee of $100. To attend only the showcases is $20.
Voting for the Sam Ash Carolina Battle of the Bands and Best of the Best Contest started September 15 and went on through October 15.
Some renowned panelists that will be in attendance at the MMC are Ted Pearlman, who in 2006 was the Grammy winner for best pop instrumental, and Producer DJ Steedy, who has worked with Outkast and Young Jeezy.
-Vanessa Voigt |
In the News
Charlotte-based studio Catalyst Recording recently completed five albums in August with local musicians, including Constructing the Destructive by the thrash metal band Final Curse, Transcontinental by rock band Dead End Echo, Dreamtown by indie artist Chris English and a demo by rock band Sixx Shott Nunn. The studio also wrapped up recording for Spanish Christian band, Bandera Blanca. Rob Tavaglione, the owner of Catalyst Recording, is also the guitarist for local band Black Lagoon, who is scheduled to start recording its first album at the beginning of September.
www.catalystrecordin
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Charlotte’s international hip-hop indie artist Supastition is parting ways from Rawkus Records to promote his new album, Leave of Absence, on his own new label, Reform School Music. On September 13, he kicked off a mini-tour in the U.S., which includes performances in Columbia, South Carolina, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Urbana, Illinois. He is preparing for a two- to three-week tour in Europe in October with DJ Forge.
www.myspace.com/s
upastition
Charlotte indie singer-song writer Benji Hughes was featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on August 17 for his new album, A Love Extreme. It took Hughes and fellow band mate Keefus Ciancia three years to create all 25 songs that are featured on the two-disk album. The program compared Hughes to musicians such as Beck and The Magnetic Fields and said his album “mixes hook-laden choruses and danceable beats” and also that it is “catchy and fun, but at the heart of his songs are themes of love and heartbreak.” Hughes currently has no plans for a tour.
www.myspace.com/
benjihughes
The band Soulganic revamped its website, www.organicsoulmusic.com, and is working on their next album at studios in Charlotte and surrounding areas, such as Rock Hill and Davidson. According to the band, it is taking its time to perfect this album, and the band is very enthusiastic with the results so far. To stay updated on the album process and future 2009 shows, visit Soulganic’s website.
www.organicsoulmu
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