SA music comes up trumps at Music Exchange 2013
South African music is entering an exciting era of opportunity and progress as new markets open up for homegrown sounds. This was one of the key messages emerging from the 2013 Music Exchange Conference, which saw industry moguls and musicians congregating at the iconic Cape Town City Hall to talk about the serious business of music.



For three days, from 21 to 23 March 2013, the City Hall was abuzz with the sound of music – with a full programme of workshops and panel discussions on making it, marketing it, getting it heard on various platforms and ensuring that it moves with the times.
This independent music conference, now in its third year, attracted hundreds of experts and delegates from across the music spectrum – from composers and publishers to record company executives and media – to share knowledge and ideas, network, perform live showcases and identify opportunities to boost South African music locally, regionally and abroad.
Among the high-profile music creators spotted at the conference were Vicky Sampson, Mynie Grové, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, RJ Benjamin, Chad Saaiman, Jimmy Nevis, Mark Haze, Dub Masta China and Arno Carstens, as well as industry heavyweights such as Universal Music A&R consultant Benjy Mudie, Cape Town Jazz festival founder Rashid Lombard and Rolling Stone SA editor-in-chief Miles Keylock.
The international speakers on the programme included acclaimed house music producer and remixer Charles Webster (UK), music promoter Doug Davenport (USA) and Africori CEO Yoel Kenan (France).
One of the conference’s undisputed highlights was the keynote address by Trevor Jones, moderated by Universal Records managing director Randall Abrahams. Now based in the UK, Jones was born in District Six and is considered one of the top five film score composers in the world, with several Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations as well two ASCAP Awards in the bag.
Jones has made an indelible mark on the global entertainment industry, scoring international blockbusters such as Notting Hill, The Last of the Mohicans, Mississippi Burning and The Mighty and working with the likes of U2, Sting, David Bowie, Sinead O’Connor, Britney Spears, Elvis Costello and Charlotte Church.
Jones became overcome with emotion after being given a standing ovation by delegates, who warmly welcomed him back home.
During his inspirational talk, he spoke about the importance of music education and his desire to give something back to South African music industry: “Key to South Africa’s success is hard work and building a positive perception of our country and us a nation,” he said.
Award-winning local singer, songwriter and guitarist Arno Carstens, who spoke at the conference about the song that made him famous, said it was an honour to be part of Music Exchange and it was encouraging and inspiring to see so many enthusiastic people attend and share their experiences and knowledge.
Joining Carstens on the stellar line-up of artists speaking about the song that made them famous, Vicky Sampson acknowledged songwriter Alan Lazar (formerly of Mango Groove, and now a successful composer based in Los Angeles), who wrote African Dream. “I am grateful that Alan gave me the song and did not pass me up for Mango Groove’s Claire Johnston,” Sampson quipped. She spent every minute of the conference absorbing and learning, as well as reconnecting with her mentor Benjy Mudie and her old friend RJ Benjamin.
Versatile singer, composer and teacher Benjamin, who has been invited to be a vocal coach for the upcoming season of Idols and will be composing SABC2’s new signature tune, continuously urged delegates to make use of social media platforms to reach new audiences. Benjamin stood out as one of the speakers to whom delegates were drawn and his presentations proved to be extremely popular.
After the weekend’s proceedings wrapped up, local music legend Hotstix tweeted: “What a conference; what great speakers and delegates – wow!”
Added a delighted Music Exchange founder and board member, Martin Myers: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the positive feedback we’ve received, and the animated conversations on social media platforms about the success of Music Exchange.
“Recording and performing artists, as well as composers and other industry players, have complimented the conference for being relevant, engaging and thought-provoking. There was a strong focus on the business side of music, which elevated this event above a mere talk shop: they left with useful, practical information that will undoubtedly be of immense value in their various professional ventures.”
Visit www.musicexchange.co.za to find out more about next year’s Music Exchange conference, or follow @musicexchange on Twitter.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Music Exchange – www.musicexchange.co.za
Exciting Opportunity Not to Be Missed – FREE Industry Workshop | Paul Bothner
E-Newsletter – 29 October 2012 | Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser |
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Greetings AllYou undoubtedly are aware that every October in the SA Music Scene is a rather busy one. Now in its eighth year, 2012 is no different! The emphasis, this year, is mainly based on building a strong foundation, for independent musicians. Please note that the workshops listed below are open to all over 18s. As you probably know by now, BAND ACADEMY is taking place on Tuesday, the 30th of October. All other details you might require, are listed below. Feel free to contact any of our branches, or visit our website for more info www.bothner.co.za. The location will once again be The Assembly, with the time and all other details listed below. Just a cheeky request: If you know of anyone that might find the information helpful (or whom could do with a set of headphones J), please could you forward this info to them? Band Academy 2012 http://bothners.co.za/news/band-academy-2012-free-artist-independence-workshops/ Brought to you by Paul Bothner Music, The Assembly and Assembly Radio www.theassembly.co.za Date: 30 October 2012 Please note – Licensed Venue: Cash Bar will open Address: Harrington Street, Cape Town WIN!!! Free Artist Independence Workshop Independent Recording: Achieving Higher Quality Getting Your Independent Released & Aired on Internet Radio How to Effectively Equip Your Band for the Age of Social Networking Methods for Independent Bands to Tap into Distribution |
New website for Carol Thorns
The Virtual Braai
Twitter is like those newspaper headlines that you see on lampposts. Just a quick bit of news to encourage you to investigate more. Minute-by-minute information of what is happening right now.
Facebook is like a newspaper that you buy and scan through, picking out the interesting bits and throwing the rest away. Day-by-day information of what is happening in your world.
A Blog is like a magazine, that you read more thoroughly, and perhaps even keep for future reference.
A Website is like a coffee table book with lots of detailed information on a subject you are really interested in.
And all of this is so we can stand around our Virtual Braai and discuss topics that are close to our hearts.
Brian, My Web Guy
Brian Currin is known to many of his friends and clients as “My Web Guy” and to a number of people all over the world as “a guy who knows a bit about music“.

A few of his recent and current projects include:
- Sixto “Sugar Man” Rodriguez
- Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse
- Triple M Entertainment
- All Jazz Radio
- The Yoga Factor
- The Production Person
- Cold Fiction
- Lyzyrd Kyngs
- Fashion Cape Town
- Fresh Music
- Rhythm Records
- Sharky Holiday Home
- Blk Sonshine
- RockFest Radio
- Red Cello
- Neo Muyanga
- Moonshine Productions
- Ernestine Deane
- Mabu Vinyl
- SAmp3.com
- Symphonic Rocks
- Computravel
My Currin(t) Projects
Cape Town Small Business Websites
Since 1997, I have been helping bands, brands and businesses establish a presence on the internet.
A fan website, officially endorsed by Rodriguez and his family.
The original Ramases fan website, set up in October 1997.
UK-based Music Choice is the Audio Channel supplier for TopTV. Since April 2010 I have been consulting on 3 South African channels; SA Modern, SA Traditional and SA Gospel.
This online music store was established in August 2006 and I am the content editor and involved with their online marketing.
I co-founded this project in 2002, and it has been the official supplier of free mp3s to Channel24 (MWeb) since 2004.
South African Rock Encyclopedia
I founded this website in 1999 and I am still the curator.
Co-founded this e-mag in 1999 with Stephen Segerman and it ran weekly until April 2004. It was re-established in 2009, as part of Sugar Music, embracing social media tools and platforms.
1001 SA Songs You Need To Hear Before You Go Deaf
Project created by John Samson in May 2011. I provide technical support and music research.
REBECCA BLACK: WINNERS AND LOSERS | FUTUREHIT.DNA
A week ago, I certainly didn’t intend to write (or obsess) so much about Rebecca Black and her viral internet meme “Friday”. However, there is so so much to learn from this track. In one week, this song basically upended the music business conversation. What are the results of this? – Jay Frank
via REBECCA BLACK: WINNERS AND LOSERS | FUTUREHIT.DNA.
Content Creator or Curator
Blogging is a way of life and a very important way to build an online reputation.
And being the central portal for people to find information about the thing that you are passionate about is great.
Re-blogging other people’s posts is very useful and necessary, but you are really only being a content curator. (Thanks to Michael Steltzner from Social Media Examiner for bringing this term to my attention.)
Content creation is where you can really set yourself apart and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
Nothing wrong with being inspired by other people’s posts and new events (like changes on Facebook for example), but original thoughts is what will keep people coming to you and staying with you.
No need to think out of the box … there is no box.
Ping pongs for South African users
Apple has launched their new social media for music product called “Ping“.
Here is my brief take on it so far … firstly it is a social network that requires software (iTunes 10) to be downloaded to your computer or iPod, or iPad, etc. Which I did immediately, of course.
Ping seems to be only accessible on iTunes by enabling the iTunes store.
Now I love iTunes; it has been my PC jukebox of choice for many years, and I spend hours every day browsing and listening to my music using it. I no longer even play music through my hi-fi system, my PC is the exclusive source of music in my home.
However Apple does not allow South African credit card holders to buy from their store, so the store is not for me, which probably means that Ping won’t be either.
I am open to hear more thoughts and ideas on how Ping works, but right now it is not a place I will be spending time on or recommending to others.
Don’t think my opinion is going to affect Apple’s share price by very much, though.
(Oh, and Ping sounds very similar to Bing, doesn’t it? A not-very-subtle dig at Microsoft … and Ping.com is the website for the golf clubs, so lots of web traffic coming their way soon, I am sure.)
Artslink.co.za – Moshito 2010 programme
Also contributing this year is a who’s who of South African-based music business experts including Brian Currin of Brian Currin Music, a well-known Media Marketing Consultant; Thabiso Khati, CEO of Johannesburg-based Street Music; Yoel Kenan, the founder and CEO of online digital music marketing company, Africori; Jacob Sibiya, Communications Manager at UJ FM; Eugene Ulman Director at Zimbabwe’s Elegwa Arts; Nick Matzukis of the Academy of Sound Engineering lecturer; DJ Christos, CEO of Katsaitis Music; Charlie Beuthin, MTV Base’s Talent and Music Manager and Deon Maas, MD of Meerkat Media.