2016’s BIGSOUND festival was already shaping up to be one of the hugest events on the Australian music calendar. The two day festival celebrating the music industry is set to include performances from artists like Sampa The Great, Ivan Ooze, Alex Lahey and Fractures across venues in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley as well as key note speeches during the day by music industry luminaries from across the globe.
Today organisers have announced a swathe of new keynote speakers confirmed for the event, headlined by none other than Kim Gordon of golden era grunge legends Sonic Youth. Announced along with Gordon are two of hip-hop’s most influential figures in Peanut Butter Wolf, artist, DJ and now head of the iconic Stones Throw Records along with long-time Stones Throw labelmate J Rocc. Three of the most influential names in rock and hip-hop unloading all of their knowledge will provide for some of the most memorable BIGSOUND moments of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y21VecIIdBI
The trio join the likes of Jaddan Comerford from UNIFIED and Briggs and Trials, the duo better known collectively as the incendiary A.B. Original as well as others including Jim Pitt, booker for American late night television heavyweight Conan O’Brien as well as representatives from huge industry names like ATO, Universal Publishing, Avocado Booking, The Bowery and so many more.
BIGSOUND is also unveiling its “masterclass” program for the very first time, where participants will get to work with industry professionals on a number of topics like advanced digital advertising, international touring and business management and tax for artists. It promises to provide a wealth of knowledge for everybody getting involved and well worth it for anyone seeking to make their mark in the industry.
Tickets and conference passes for BIGSOUND 2016 are on sale now and this announcement will have them moving even faster out the door. Get them from BIGSOUND’s official website, where you can also view the full list of performing artists and keynote speakers.
Image: Harper’s Bazaar
Producer and Stones Throw Records founder Peanut Butter Wolf has discussed the documentary that was made about his label and the elusive Madlib in a recent interview.
Speaking exclusively to HipHopdx, Wolf whose real name is Chris Manak, explained how the record company came about from the death of his best friend and musical collaborator Charizma. The duo performed together in the early 90’s as both were attempting to get a break in the music industry, but unfortunately the rapper lost his life at just 20 years old, ending their dream together.
After a break, Wolf returned to the music scene with designs on making a new record company, which he subsequently did and released his and Charizma’s track My World Premiere as the first single off his newly formed label.
Now there is a documentary that covers the history of his label titled Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records. Founded in 1996, Stones Throw Records has since grown to be a massively respected and successful label, which has overseen the release of such masterpieces as J Dilla’s Donuts and MF Doom and Madlib’s Madvillainy.
Talking about the famed producer Madlib, Wolf admitted that when he heard his music it made him want to focus all his attention on helping him and similar talents in the industry. “For me, when I met Madlib it was like am I going to keep concentrating on my own music or am I going to concentrate on this person who I believe makes better music than I do?”
“I always liked what I did. I feel I was better than other people, but also felt that Madlib was better than me,” he continued.
The notoriously camera shy producer proved hard to find though when it came to his contribution to the documentary. “Rob Broadway and Jeff Braiver did the Stones Throw documentary. Madlib would always say, ‘Yeah, I’m down,’ but he’d never coordinate a time and a place where we can do it. When he actually did it in the end, I was really surprised.”
Watch the trailer for the amazing documentary below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwZVV_77MhM
The DVD and accompanying CD can be purchased from their site here.