NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ By Tiffany Shipp/ Sunshine, Sachs & Associates) - Indie bands aren't the only CMJ participants in the spotlight this year as members of the American Association of Independent
Music (A2IM) speak out on over twenty different panels at the CMJ 2007
Music Marathon & Film Festival in New York City from Oct. 16 to Oct. 20. The proliferation of A2IM members on CMJ panels means real insight from the industry veterans who are uniquely qualified to speak about the current revolution taking place within the music industry.
Since A2IM's formation in 2005, the faded perceptions of what it means to be 'independent' have been replaced; that 'indie' means 'unsigned,' that 'indie' refers to a genre of rock rather than a business model, that 'indie' artists are not professionally marketed or distributed. Now, facts are surfacing that has given everyone in the industry a wakeup call.
Independent music currently represents 30% of the entire music industry's market share. Superstar artists are abandoning major labels and venturing into the independent sector. Developing independent artists continue to emerge through non-traditional avenues. Pandora Radio reports that 55% of the music that their listeners' choose to hear is Independent music. Therefore, the Independent music sector has become one of the only growth sectors in a business that is facing one of its most challenged times.
Today's Independent music companies are led by savvy executives � many of whom defected from major labels when it became clear that the major label model would eventually implode.
Rich Bengloff, President of the American Association of Independent Music, is participating on one of the panels, as are a long list of other A2IM members and associate members. A schedule of panels with A2IM participating member IN CAPS below:
TUESDAY, OCT. 16, 2007
- Copyrights, Royalties and Music Legislation in the Digital Age A discussion about synchronization and mechanical licenses, royalty types, accounting procedures and basic entertainment law concepts along with a specific focus on recent intellectual property legislation as relates to digital media. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Room 905 & 907 // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Ira Selkowitz (University of Colorado Denver, Senior Instructor); Christos Badavas (Harry Fox Agency, Senior Counsel); RICH BENGLOFF (A2IM, PRESIDENT); Jonathan Gottlieb (Sony/ATV Music Publishing, A&R Manager); Tyler Lenane (RealNetworks, Inc., Corporate Counsel);
- Punk's Still Not Dead Now fueled with new wave and dance elements, punk has returned to the American popular consciousness. What does it mean to the old schoolers who started the genre? Do these new hybrid punk artists have the right to play this music? Is the attitude really punk rock? VENUE: Kimmel Center: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Garry Velletri (Bug Music, Bug Digital, Senior VP); Sylvain Sylvain (The New York Dolls); Jonathan Anastas (Slapshot, DYS, Founding Member, Bassist); MIKE GITTER (ROADRUNNER RECORDS, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF A&R); Richard Lloyd (Television, Founding Guitarist); Jason Tate (AbsolutePunk.net, CEO/Founder/Webmaster);
- Ones And Zeroes An in-depth discussion about the digital technology takeover with a focus on uses of the digital medium in music promotion, distribution, publicity, sales and more. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Rosenthal Pavilion // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Ned Sherman (Digital Media Wire, Inc., CEO & Publisher); RAY FARRELL (ROYALTY SHARE, INC., SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & LABEL RELATIONS); Andy Gadiel (JamBase, Founder & President); Daniel P. Harris (Mediapass, Chairman & CEO); David Krinsky (Rhapsody, RealNetworks, Director, Label Relations)
- Blood, Sweat and Tears: Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Challenges A discussion about entrepreneurship in the music industry. Topics such as start-up areas, basic tax laws and registration practices with real life stories from business owners who had a dream and made it happen. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Professor Catherine M. Fitterman (New York University, Director, Undergraduate Music Business Program); James Cho (Sidecho Records, Founder); Stephen Murray (RevImage, Principal Partner); DAVID SANFORD (SPECTRE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, CEO); Asya Shein (Fusicology & Mir-Media, Founder/President)
- Radio Revolution - Professionals from all sides of the issue discuss radio, webcasting and the shifting legal landscape of streaming and broadcasting music. The Copyright Royalty Board's decision to raise royalty rates for webcasters will be cracked open for a thorough explanation of the nuances of the issues from various points of view from radio pros to label bosses. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Rosenthal Pavilion // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
WITH: Jason Fry (Wall Street Journal, Assistant Managing Editor); Corey Denis (reapandsow, Inc., VP Integrated Marketing); DICK HUEY (SOUND EXCHANGE, INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER); Arthur Owens (Attorney); TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17, 2007
- Indie Rock Taste Test Does all "indie rock" sound the same? Is "indie" an aesthetic, a business model, something else? The experts hammer it out in this look at the changing face of what it means to be "indie." Includes a special focus on the effects of the definition debate and international differences of opinion. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 10:30 AM
WITH: Wendy Fonarow (Glendale College/UCLA, Anthropologist); SUSAN BUSCH (SUB POP, HEAD OF RADIO PROMOTION); Dan Deacon (Composer/Performer); Guy Lowman (Fierce Panda Records, A&R); ELISE NORDLING (SOMA FM, MUSIC DIRECTOR, DJ FOR INDIE POP ROCKS!); Mike Wolf (Time Out New York, Music Editor)
- Through the Looking Glass: The Near Future of the Music Business Music industry visionaries discuss their well-informed opinions and predictions for the near future of music and the entertainment business. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 10:30 AM
WITH; Jason King (N, Artistic Director of The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music); Andrew Dubber (UCE Birmingham, Senior Lecturer in Music Industries); Celia Hirschman (One Little Indian, US Representative); Jesse Kirshbaum (Nu Universal Entertainment Agency, NUE A, Founder & Chief Executive Officer); ALLAN KLEPFISZ (QTRAX, CEO & CHAIRMAN)
- Business Without Borders Explores the flow of the international music market with discussion about international copyright laws, piracy, culture and touring. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Rosenthal Pavilion // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 11:45 AM
WITH: Phil Gallo (Variety & Variety Daily, Associate Editor); MICHELE AMAR-OUIMET (IODA, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL CONTENT); Ronan Coleman (Subtle Media Group Limited, Director of Music); Laurent Masset Decon Media, International Label Manager; Roger Miller (The Bicycle Music Company, Chief Investment Officer); HORST WEIDENMULLER (!K7 RECORDS, CEO)
- Outside the Matrix Is it possible to succeed in music without living in New York, Nashville or LA? Music professionals based outside the epicenters interact with peers who live within the matrix. This discussion will focus on the merits and pitfalls of each lifestyle in relation to success. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Room 905 & 907 // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 11:45 AM
WITH: Natasha Miller (Entire Productions, Founder); Andrew Corey (KEXP 90.3 FM & KEXP.ORG, Programming Coordinator); Kevin Sakoda (Timeless Music/Music Nation/KSPC, N/A); MAT WHITTINGTON (ESL MUSIC, LABEL MANAGER)
- Biting the Dust: The Decline of the Album Format Is the album dead? This panel explores what artists can do to profit from their passion in the face of extreme change and the importance of the digital single. Topics include the shifting landscape of single sales and new angles for artists emerging in the world of the digital single. VENUE: Frederick Loewe Theater: Room 300 // 35 W. 4th St. TIME: 3:30 PM
WITH: SUHRID MANCHANDA (WORLD'S FAIR LABEL GROUP, ONLINE MARKETING DIRECTOR); MOLLY NEUMAN (eMUSIC DIRECTOR, LABEL RELATIONS); DAVID PAK (CAROLINE DISTRIBUTION, SALES & MARKETING MANAGER); JORDY TRACHTENBERG (THE ORCHARD, VP OF MUSIC LICENSING AND A&R); Jim Welte (MP3.com, Music News Editor)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007
- Disposable Content Has the availability of affordable recording equipment and the permeation of the Internet devalued music? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? This panel is an exploration of how technology has changed the core value of musical content. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 11:45 AM
WITH: David Thomas (Pere Ubu, Founder); Anthony Batt (Buzznet.com, President and Founder); ADAM FARRELL (BEGGARS GROUP/MATADOR RECORDS, HEAD OF MARKETING); Bob George (ARChive of Contemporary Music, Founder/Director); Marcy Wagman (MAD Dragon UNLTD, CEO)
- Culture Convergence: Art & Media - Artists, designers and directors discuss the intersection of art and music as it relates to album artwork, media design, the gallery scene and art as live entertainment. This panel also includes discussion of the integration of careers in film, music design and visual art. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 1:15 PM
WITH: Carrie Schupper (Gen Art, Assoc Director Music & Special Programs); Austin Brown (Paul Frank Industries, Director of Global Marketing); JESSE FERGUSON (DEFINITIVE JUX, GENERAL MANAGER); Rob Jones (Animal Rummy, President & Social Secretary); Geoff Peveto (The Decoder Ring Design, Partner)
College Radio 2.0 The internet isn't just for streaming. Find out what else there is to terrestrial radio in an online world. These experts discuss what's worked for them and what could work for you. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:15 PM
WITH: Moderator TBA; Isabelle Davis (WERS, Web Editor); Brian Turner (WFMU, music director); JESSICA WEBER (SPECTRE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, VP OF PROMOTIONS)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2007
- Music Business Primer: Digital Distribution A session focusing on the online music market, digital music outlets, blogs and other digital distribution options. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Room 905 & 907 // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 10:30AM
WITH: JEFF PRICE (TUNECORE DIGITAL DISTRIBUION, FOUNDER, CEO & PRESIDENT); Barry Benson (IGA Music Group, Digital Sales Specialist); Michael Eldredge (Fuzz, CTO); TIM MITCHELL (IODA, VP OF MARKETING); Xander Smith (Run Run Run, Singer/Founder); Keith Washo (SanDisk, Product Marketing Manager, MP3 Players); Paul Wright (MediaGuide, VP Business Development)
- DIY or DIE Discussing independent record label management with artists who have made it on their own. Special focus on whether or not the traditional record label model is still relevant in today's changing music industry. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 11:45 AM
WITH: Virgil Dickerson (Suburban Home Records, Founder/President); Lorrie Boula (Soul Kitchen, President/CEO); TOM GATES (NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP, MANAGER); CORTNEY HARDING (BILLBOARD MAGAZINE, INDIES CORRESPONDENT); Z- Trip (DJ/Producer); Nick Young (A.i., A.i Music, A.i. Vocalist and Guitarist)
- The Turnkey Method - A discussion about the proliferation of do-it-all companies that handle many aspects of a music career, from publishing to distribution to promotion. Does this help or hurt the artist, and is it legal? VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 1:15 PM
WITH: Marc Schapiro (Ferret Music, VP Label Operations); Noah Dinkin (United for Opportunity, Co-Founder and Principal); MATT LASZUK (IRIS DISTRIBUTION, PRESIDENT & C.E.O.); Kevin Morris (SCI Fidelity Records, President); Jason Rudolph (Heavy Hitter Inc, CEO)
- Music Business Primer: Marketing and Promotion Explores the functions of marketing and promotion in the music business with case studies on successful campaigns. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Room 905 & 907 // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Jason Feinberg (On Target Media Group, President and Founder); George Davis (The MuseBox, General Manager); JENNY OPPENHEIMER (NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING); Jonathan Schwartz (Relix Record, Zenbu Media Group, Music Executive)
- Showdown: UK vs. US UK and US music professionals and performers face off about what's hot now, what's coming up and who influences whom. It's a battle of the Yanks vs. the Brits! VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 2:30 PM
WITH: Martin Heath (Lizard King Records, Founder & CEO); Maurice Bernstein (Giant Step Records, Co-Founder); Fiona Bloom (The Bloom Effect, Founder); Bryan Mechutan (Radical Records, Demolition Records, Label Manager); PAUL MORGAN (CHERRY LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES) Tim Yasui (Cleopatra Records, VP/General Manager)
- 2007: The Year In Tech Where would we be without RSS feeds, embedded videos on our blogs and GPS directions to our favorite band's show? Tech experts discuss developments that enable unprecedented interaction between artists and fans.This session will touch on DRM issues, social networking sites, digital sales trends and tech-related artist case studies. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Shorin Music Performance Center // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 3:45PM
WITH: Mark McClusky (Wired Magazine, Products Editor); Mark Malek (JamNow, Founder/President); Bill Rosenblatt (GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies, President); Wilson Rothman (gizmodo.com, Editor); BRUCE TAYLOR (SNOCAP INC, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS); Clive Thompson (Journalist)
- United States of Americana This panel explores the roots of Americana and the resurgence of bands playing homage to country, folk and early American musical forms. The discussion will lend attention to the societal, political and cultural events that are influencing the current Americana movement. VENUE: Kimmel Center: Room 905 & 907 // 60 Washington Square South. TIME: 3:45 PM
WITH: NAN WARSHAW (BLOODSHOT, CO-OWNER); Karling Abbeygate (Singer/Songwriter); Johnny Boyd (Singer/Songwriter); David Rogers-Berry (O'Death, Drummer); Walter Salas-Humara (The Silos, Vocalist/Guitarist/Songwriter); Jessie Scott (X Country XM 12, XM Satellite Radio, Program Director); Robert 'Kalani' Tifford (Gypsy Eyes Records, President)
ABOUT A2IM A2IM seeks to serve the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry's market share in the US . The organization represents the Independents' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York , and seeks to establish a legislative presence in Washington , DC . The organization's board of directors is comprised of the following: Concord Music Group President Glen Barros; The Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley; Thirsty Ear President Peter Gordon; TVT Records president Steve Gottlieb; Roadrunner Records Executive Vice President Douglas Keogh; Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow; Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman; Tommy Boy Records Entertainment founder and CEO Tom Silverman; Amaechi Uzoigwe A2IM Board Chair and co-founder Definitive Jux.
