No doubt the hughest music event of the month at the Motor City, possibly the year is the Motor City Music Conference. So what’s this about? Detroit has always been a lightening rod for kick ass rock’n’roll. From Motown to the MC5 to Eminem, Kid Rock and The White Stripes, nothing compares to Detroit Rock City. The first annual Motor City Music Conference to be held April 20-24 will include 3 days of music, industry/A&R panels and a music and lifestyle tradeshow.
THE AVATARS, THE HARD LESSONS & CORONADOS appear on the MC2 national promo campaign:
 |
 |
 |
Melody
Licious of CORONADOS |
Chris
Taylor of THE AVATARS and Gin of THE HARD LESSONS |
Gin
and KoKo of THE HARD LESSONS |
Big names on the roster include:
Musician, record producer and Detroit native, Don Was is the conference keynote speaker. Was is currently producing the latest Rolling Stones album due out later this year. In the early 80's he co-founded the rock group, "Was (Not Was)," and over the years has produced a number of award winning albums for Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, Iggy Pop and the B-52's. In 1995 he won a Grammy for producer of the year. Was has also ventured into documentary film production by directing "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times," about Beach Boy Brian Wilson in addition to co-producing an album of the same title. MC2 Platinum Music badge holders will have a rare opportunity to hear Don Was as he leads us into our week of informative industry/A&R panels.
Also, be prepared to see pop-techno musician Moby, Billboard's current No. 1 artist, Omarion, as well as noise rockers …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead; blues revivalists the Black Keys; and Detroit rappers Proof and Paradime, former Replacements leader Paul Westerberg; and acclaimed singer-songwriter Billie Miles. And oh, wait, Snoop Dog has just been added to the bill! Courtesy of NO FUN RCDS the festival will also include performances by THE HARD LESSONS, THE AVATARS & CORONADOS!
***************
The MC2 NO FUN RECORDS SHOWCASE will take place on Friday April 22 at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit:
1 am - DEMOLITION DOLL RODS (very special ‘friends of the label’ appearance!)
12 am-THE HARD LESSONS
11 pm - THE AVATARS
10 pm – CORONADOS (featuring special Detroit guest on bass!)
9 pm – SISSY (‘friends of the label’ glam rock act)
MC2 will also include bands from Japan, Australia, Canada and throughout the United States - including the Snaggs from the Cheap Trick family. Detroit-area groups will comprise half of those performing, Eminem's Shady Records will take part in one of the conference's industry panels. Locally based labels No Fun Records, Times Beach Records and Ghostly International, as well as members of the multiplatinum rap group D12, will host showcases as well. There will be panel discussions at Cobo Center, dealing with
all aspects of the music business, from an in-depth study of the history of Eminem's Shady Records label to the 10 things every artist should have in a recording contract. There will be one-on-one panels with notable figures from the local music community and a demo listening lounge, songwriting and production workshops for artists. Over 100 exhibits from indie labels to retailers. Axis Music will hold their "School of Rock" to give guitar, drum and DJ lessons. As well as all of MC2's industry panel discussions led by well- known artists, label reps, managers, booking agents and radio programmers.
The NO FUN RECORDS INDUSTRY PANEL will take place on Saturday April 23 in Room 0240 at Cobo Hall. The session is titled "Independents Day: Smaller Labels Making a Major Impact." Topics will include the unique talents needed to run an indie label successfully, how indie labels can get started, challenges, rewards and obstacles indie labels face, distribution issues and what indie labels can do for bands that major labels won’t. In addition, No Fun Rcds’ very own Claudia will be the featured moderator for the indie label panel. Labels featured include No Fun Records, Ghostly International and Times Beach Records.
***************
Of special interest: Jones Soda has recruited Grimshaw, Arminksi, Niagara and Carl Lundgren to design special labels for 10,000 bottles that will be distributed during the conference. The artists also will custom paint 30 guitars for a silent auction at the C-Pop gallery to benefit the Music For Relief fund for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami.
MC2 Sponsors:
Print media sponsors: Hits Magazine, Detroit Free Press, Real Detroit Weekly, The Metro Times, Hits Magazine, Clear Magazine, Big City Rhythm & Blues .
Radio sponsors: WRIF, 89x, Channel 955, WDRQ, Radio One, WJLB, WDET, Acoustic Café.
Television sponsors: Fox 2
Other sponsors: Verizon Wireless, Budweiser Select, Jones Soda, Red Bull, Borders, Sportsrock Merchandise, Skidmore Studio, First Act Guitars, DE1x, Axis Music, Lucky Monkey
For many more details visit www.motorcitymusic.com