MUSIC EXCHANGE (#MEX21) SPEAKS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY 

MUSIC EXCHANGE (#MEX21), South Africa’s preeminent entertainment-economy-invested conference, returns this September for the 11th consecutive year, hosted by Ticketpro.

Lauded and awarded for its consistent commitment to the broader South African music industry, #MEX21 will run from 11 September to 2 October 2021, with a wealth of quality international and local speakers.

Some of the topics #MEX21 will unpack, in detail, include our streaming reality, the platforms generating engagement (Ayoba) and driving artist’s incomes (SubmitHub), right through to the importance of heritage (MEX Chairman), the state of radio in South Africa (KFM), and just how artists are rebuilding and morphing in response to the pandemic (RJ Benjamin).

Our Keynote speaker, from Australia, is Michael Smellie. He speaks about the seven deadly sins of the music business.

Michael’s career in the music business spans more than 25 years.

He has worked across five continents as former Global Chief Operations Officer of Sony BMG, Asia Pacific Head for BMG, and Managing Director of Polygram and rooArt in Australia.

He is an investor, adviser and board member to many start-ups’ creative businesses in Australia and the United States and is currently the Board Chair of the Music Council of Australia.

Stuart Rubin, from New Zealand, speaks about the importance of the song and looking to legacy for wisdom and inspiration as well as unpacking Elvis 30 Number 1’s and Neil Diamond.

At the height of his career, he was Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing for Sony BMG. Stuart’s career in music started in New Zealand in 1976 with PolyGram. 

He “crossed the ditch” to Australia and held several senior marketing roles in PolyGram and BMG, before moving to Hong Kong in the 1990s where he became BMG’s VP of International Marketing for the Asia-Pacific region. In 2001 he moved to New York, becoming Senior VP International for BMG. Following the merger with SONY, three years later, Stuart was made Senior VP International of Commercial Marketing. 

Stuart’s interview reveals a person fascinated with people, whether they are artists or music lovers. With his long experience in selling music to a global market, and as an A&R professional, he delivers a unique perspective on the industry.

Gasant Abarder, the author of Hack the Grenade, columnist, and former editor of the Cape Times & Argus speaks to the Cape Town reality for artists and his take on the media landscape in both print and online.

We speak to legacy with producer Greg Cutler, an engineer from London; regarding his relationships with Harari, Hotline and Rabbit, bands that shaped the SA sound that we know and love today.

Despite the past 18 months being the most challenging in MEX’s decade-plus dedication, investment and global outreach, Music Exchange 2021 (#MEX21) is opening its annual industry-focused indaba to the world come 11 September 2021.

Over the past 11 years, MEX has actively informed, partnered and brokered with some of the biggest and most influential players and institutions, with the sole purpose of elevating, educating and sharing a wealth of learning from all four corners of the planet and 2021’s #MEX21 commits to being no different.

If anything, #MEX21 is offering everyone, directly or indirectly professionally affected by the pandemic, an opportunity to explore the possibility of change, with speakers who exemplify talent, success, and perseverance at a time like no other.

MEX has welcomed and hosted the likes of composer Dr Trevor Jones, musician and producer Bryan Michael Cox the Orchard’s Ben Oldfield, Mark Murdoch, Mos Def, Tim Renner, Rachel Z, Tom Novy, Karen Zoid, Siphokazi Jonas, Christian Wright from Abbey Road, Arthur and Charles Goldstuck and Moreira Chonguica among many more, all in an impressive lead up to this year’s impressive list of confirmed speakers.

The #MEX21 speaker line-up includes, but is not limited to:

Michael Smellie – Chairman of Music Australia – Australia.

Jason Grishkoff – Founder SubmitHub – USA.

Stephen Werner – Station Manager @ KFM – RSA.

Stuart Rubin Former Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing for Sony BMG – New Zealand. 

Gasant Abarder Author, and former editor at Independent Newspapers – RSA.

Greg Cutler – Producer engineer visionary proud ambassador of SA Music legacy – UK.

Melissa Conradie – Music industry specialist, publicist, booker, radio plugger – RSA.

RJ Benjamin – Artist – RSA.

Sipho Mabuse – MEX Chairperson and Artist – RSA.

With more names to follow, #MEX21 talks will deliver on what MEX is known and respected for by delivering quality conversations that lead to quantifiable outcomes.

In partnership with Ticketpro, Paul Bothner MusicWestern Cape Government, AYOBA and the City of Cape Town.

 #MEX21 will host local entertainment industry thought-leaders and game-changers in 30-to-60-minute presentations on the Ticketpro streaming platform.

For a mere R100 investment, per ticket, #MEX21 delegates will enjoy an all-access pass to the full 11-day conference, comprising a series of unmissable keynote addresses and international thought leadership sessions from some of the most relevant and revolutionary minds in the business.

Martin Myers, founder, and convener of the conference remarked “2021 is another big year in Music Exchange’s history. Our collective and ongoing investment to help influence, adapt, evolve and remain relevant in a massively compromised economy sits at the heart of all we do.”

Follow us on Facebook to get breaking announcements, as they happen.

Secure your ticket and watch here:

https://tickets.heroticket.co.za/thero/shops/985c875

For booking details, and more information, go to: musicexchange.org.za

For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:

Martin Myers @ MEX

martmyers@gmail.com

083 448 4475

Music Exchange 2014 Dates Announced

Sipho and Trevor

MUSIC EXCHANGE 2014

MUSIC EXCHANGE, South Africa’s premier music, film and entertainment conference, returns for the fourth time in 2014. The three-day MUSIC EXCHANGE program opens on Thursday 6 March 2014, and will culminate with a fitting tribute to one of the worlds, and this country’s finest musical exports, Dr Trevor Jones on Sunday 9 March 2014.

Since its inception in 2009, MUSIC EXCHANGE has served as a catalyst between the artistically anchored worlds of entertainment, film, music, academia, and the distinctly gifted men and women who feed, and are fed, from its many disciplines.

Three jam-packed days filled with the most committed and talented people in the entertainment industry today, MUSIC EXCHANGE is passion personified on a multitude of levels. “It’s a family of like-minded and hardworking people,” MUSIC EXCHANGE founder Martin Myers confirms. “Included in that mix are artists, composers, national and international advocates, film producers and public relations and entertainment specialists, Brand and Image Consultants and Music legends the calibre of Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse. It’s always humbling and incredibly rewarding to be responsible for bringing so many amazing people together. All with the same aim in mind – empowerment and growth of the many critical contributors to our entertainment economy.”

Cape Town’s beautiful and richly historic City Hall will welcome patrons, investors, musicians, students and peers, and play host to the three-day heavyweight assembly. The first 48 hours, of the 72-hour emersion, will be filled with keynote addresses, lectures, collaborative breakout sessions and multiple opportunities for all present to actively participate and contribute during the conference phase.

The original motivation and intent behind what MUSIC EXCHANGE is today is that of being a platform where future collaborations are formed and opportunities created for emerging and established artists. “This extends to anyone and everyone touched the many aspects of the creative process,” Myers adds. “MUSIC EXCHANGE provides artists with practical tools and insights into the workings of the music, film and entertainment business’, in order that they’re better equipped to make a success of their specific careers. And that’s made possible thanks to the investment made by the expertise of the industry leaders MUSIC EXCHANGE attracts.”

The fourth and final day of MUSIC EXCHANGE 2014 promises to be extraordinary thanks to the motivation of music icon Dr Trevor Jones. Post workshops and master classes, conference delegates will get to share in a showcase like no other. In association with Cape Town’s City Parks, MUSIC EXCHANGE will stage both emerging and established artists on a platform built expressly to celebrate the rich and diverse career of the composer, arranger, producer, musician and proud South African.

Moving from City Hall, south to the foot of Table Mountain, De Waal Park, in Vredehoek, will play host to a closing concert the likes of which the city, and country, has ever seen thanks to MUSIC EXCHANGE‘s Ambassadors Tribute Concert to international film composer Dr Trevor Jones.

“We believe that utilising public spaces will benefit both the City of Cape Town, and all of the artists Involved,” Myers says. “MUSIC EXCHANGE‘s ultimate aim is to bridge the cultural divide, and ensure the integration of cultural diversity and inclusivity, through music and cultural exchange. The more that happens the greater the reward to us all. Our closing concert will be a fitting confirmation of what MUSIC EXCHANGE continually looks to achieve and strive for.”

Tickets to MUSIC EXCHANGE are available now through Computicket , Shoprite and Checkers outlets countrywide, online at www.computicket.com, or by calling 0861 915 8000.

For more information contact:

Triple M Entertainment

Martin Myers

E-mail: info@musicexchange.co.za

Mobile: +27 083 448 4475

MUSIC EXCHANGE participants will include:

  • An Internationally awarded Hollywood film composer.
  • Top producers and songwriters of commercial music.
  • Top performing South African and international artists.
  • Artist managers.
  • Licensing and collecting agents.
  • Various revenue streams hosts and agents.
  • Top music advocates and lawyers.
  • Top executives involved in digital distribution.
  • Physical distribution specialists.
  • Publications and media executives.
  • Sound engineering academies.
  • Concert promoters and festival organisers.
  • Live Music venues managers and owners.
  • Touring – current acts touring South Africa and globally.
  • Recording studio owners and managers.
  • Top brand executives.
  • International record label executives.
  • Top image consultants.
  • Top South African retailers.
  • Electronic dance music executives.
  • Key print and online media specialists.

The MUSIC EXCHANGE board members are:

  • Martin MyersFounder of Music Exchange / Owner of Triple M Entertainment
    / 17 years working with SONY BMG.
  • Sipho HotstixMabuseSAMA Lifetime Achievement Winner and 46664 ambassador.
  • Dr Trevor JonesInternational award winning film composer. Trevors collaborated with the likes of David Bowie, Sting, U2, Sinead O’Connor, Charlotte Church, Britney Spears and Elvis Costello, and has also been invited as a jury member for BAFTA, the Mercury Music Prize and the International Film Festival of Flanders, Ghent.
  • Professor John RowettCEO of the Rhodes Trust, and the creator, in partnership with Jakes Gerwel, of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation). Former Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, where he developed, with African colleagues, the more than eighty-billion-rand programme, Renewing the African University.
  • Advocate Nick MatzukisCEO of the Academy of Sound Engineering.
  • Peter LaceyCEO of Musketeer Records.
  • Razia MyersPartner, Triple M Entertainment.

For more information contact:

Triple M Entertainment

Martin Myers

E-mail: info@musicexchange.co.za

Mobile: +27 083 448 4475

www.MusicExchange.co.za

Rodriguez… A Man on Fire | Maties Marketing244

Searching For Sugar Man DVD (SA)

Whatever the reason Rodriguez presently is a famed artist and has some of the most loyal and varied fans out there. In marketing terms he has unwittingly created a strong, mysterious brand image and a legacy far beyond his years, Rodriguez is NOT A FAD. Although reasons for this may be hard to pin he remains a remarkable case study for marketers, marketing through non-marketing.

Read more at Rodriguez… A Man on Fire | Maties Marketing244.

Still Searching for Sugarman | Ted Baker Blog

When we heard that friend of Ted, Ali B of Air Recordings, had been to the one and only Mabu record store in South Africa, we wanted to hear all about it, and now we want to go too – all donations welcome! read his tale and prepare to be just a little green around the gills…

Still Searching for Sugarman

“In April this year I made a trip to Cape Town, South Africa to attend Afrikaburn, the Burning Man Festival of Africa, which I was introduced to by my friend Tal. Tal’s father Stephen had been involved in the recent Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugarman, about Detroit musician Rodriguez, who had become huge in South Africa during the 70s, while remaining virtually unknown to the rest of the world. So, on arrival in Cape Town, I made sure that I made a trip to Stephen’s record store, Mabu, to see if I could find any of Rodriguez’ music on vinyl.

A few weeks later, when I finally caught up with my friend at Afrikaburn, we were chatting about the recent success of the film and I’d told her that I’d been digging for 45s in her Father’s store. Meanwhile she was busy eyeing up the jacket I was wearing; an 80s silk blazer covered in the most ridiculous design of black and white cats. Being a sucker for anything with animal print on it, Tal suggested that I trade the jacket with her and in return, she would set it up for me to visit her Father’s basement which was apparently full of 45s – my favourite ever kind of vinyl. As much as I love my stupid cat jacket, without hesitation, I agreed.

Read more at Still Searching for Sugarman | Ted Baker Blog.

Susan Cowsill’s 39-year trip to an opening spot with Rodriguez | Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?

Susan Cowsill
Susan Cowsill

I’m sitting here wondering why I don’t have any photos of Susan Cowsill.

Even before starting this blog, I often took photos at shows to create lasting memorabilia. I’m not sure if I’ve even seen her since 2009, when this blog started. I know I saw her at least once on her own in New York, after catching her perform numerous times with her old band, the late, lamented Continental Drifters.

But nevermind that.

She and her lusty, raggedly-pushed-to-the-edge vocal style will be back in New York in October, when she opens a Barclays Center show for Rodriguez (aka Detroit-based 1970s singer-songwriter Sixto Díaz Rodríguez), who rediscovered the spotlight via the award-winning 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man.

Way back in 1974, 16-year-old Susan was a fledgling solo artist just two years past the collapse of her family band, The Cowsills. She had a record deal and decided to cover a cool song titled “I Think of You.” She probably didn’t know who wrote the song, and never could have imagined the impact it would have on her life four decades later.

via Susan Cowsill’s 39-year trip to an opening spot with Rodriguez | Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?.

 

Jake Gunn at On A Roll, 5th September 2013

Jake Gunn
Jake Gunn

  • 7:00pm
  • Up and coming blues rock musician playing gigs around Cape Town with fellow guitarist Devin Smith. Influences include The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson and Bob Marley. First album Triple Jack now available! Watch this space…

    Jake Gunn is an up and coming blues rock musician hailing from the northern suburbs of Cape Town. After discovering rock ‘n roll at a young age, he was inspired to start playing guitar and worked tirelessly to improve his skill, which finally led to him joining the Lyzyrd Kyngs (Piet Botha & Akkedis) in 2010. He spent a year under the mentorship of these veteran musicians, before teaming up with the talented young guitarist Devin Smith.

    Sharing a love of music and complementing each other’s guitar playing, they started doing gigs around Cape Town, followed by a tour up the coast. They later evolved into a full electric band after being joined by CJ Bergh and Allen Smith. Jake Gunn’s first album Triple Jack, recorded in the winter of 2012, is now available and includes the song “Radio Mojo” which was featured in the Rolling Stone Rock Chart of 19 January 2013.

    “Springing from the backwaters of Brackenfell with the hair of Robert Plant, the skill of boy Clapton and the voice of a morning-afternight-before Mark Knopfler, Gunn is a revelation.” -Alice Inggs, Rolling Stone SA

Late Night Keynote Presentation with Malik Bendjelloul | The Conference 2013

Malik Bendjelloul

Imagine that you are filmmaker who won an Oscar. You think about how the film was made and realize that even the music score and some animations featured in it are your own. They are there because the film almost didn’t happen. Because funders and producers didn’t believe in it. In this presentation, such a filmmaker will talk about never giving up on a good idea and to find ways to materialize it for the world to see it.

via Late Night Keynote Presentation with Malik Bendjelloul | The Conference 2013.

Dead Men Don’t Tour, Rodriguez in South Africa 1998 (TV Documentary) | SugarMan.org

Dead Men Don’t Tour, Rodriguez in South Africa 1998 (TV Documentary)

Footage from this documentary features strongly in the Oscar winning film, Searching For Sugar Man.

Directed by Tonia Selley, Dead Men Don’t Tour, was first broadcast on SABC 3 at 9.30pm on the 5th July 2001 just after ‘Ripley’s Believe Or Not’.

This film features wonderful concert footage, backstage antics, interviews with Craig Bartholomew Strydom and Stephen “Sugar” Segerman, Rodriguez and his family, the promoters, the fans and the musicians.

All live footage was filmed at the concerts in Pretoria, Durban and the Blues Room in Johannesburg.

The soundtrack for the documentary is based on the Live Fact CD with video collages from the various performances. The concert footage is linked with interviews, backstage antics, rehearsals, etc.

  1. I Wonder
  2. Inner City Blues
  3. Jane S. Piddy
  4. Sugar Man
  5. A Most Disgusting Song
  6. Like Janis
  7. Establishment Blues
  8. Climb Up On My Music
  9. I Wonder by Generation EXT (filmed during the studio recording)
  10. Forget It

Produced by Incha Productions
Executive producers: Georgina Parkin and Charles Watson
Directed by Tonia Selley
Edited by Cathy Winter

Footage from this documentary features strongly in the Oscar winning film, Searching For Sugar Man.

Landmine Rock 7, 13 July 2013

Landmine Rock 7, 13 July 2013
Landmine Rock 7, 13 July 2013

  • July 13 at 1:00pm until July 14 at 1:00am
  • Started in 2007 as a one day music festival to raise awareness and funds for landmine victims and demining companies, Landmine Rock has grown into an annual NOT-TO-BE-MISSED event raising money for various charities!

    Supported by Wolmer Bush Lounge (Events Arena) and our local bands we have raised over R60 000 for charitable causes!! This year marks the 7th anniversary of Landmine Rock and will once again be held at The Wolmer Bush Lounge (Events Arena) in Pta-North. Don’t be afraid of the cold, Wolmer Bush Lounge will provide enough heat to keep you rocking till dawn!

    Line-Up thus far:

    Akkedis
    The Fake Leather Blues Band
    Hoot ‘n Anny
    The Black Cat Bones
    Boargazm
    The Smoking Mojos
    Juggernaught
    Aidan Martin
    Kabaal(klankbaan)

Rodriguez and Big Sky live at The Blues Room, 17 & 18 June 1998

15 years ago, today, Rodriguez performed at The Blues Room in Johannesburg to launch the Live Fact album. This album was recorded on the 10th March 1998 on the Cold Facts tour of South Africa which features strongly in the Searching For Sugar Man film.

Musicians

Sixto Rodriguez: Vocals, acoustic guitar
Willem Möller: Electric Guitar
Reuben Samuels: Drums, percussion
Graeme Currie: Electric bass, acoustic bass
Tonia Selley: Background vocals, percussion
Russel Taylor: Keyboards
Robin Walsh: Acoustic guitar

Willem Möller and Rodriguez | photo: Nadine Hutton
Willem Möller and Rodriguez | photo: Nadine Hutton

The Set list

  1. I Wonder
    from Cold Fact
  2. Only Good For Conversation
    from Cold Fact
  3. Can’t Get Away only on 17th
    from The Best Of Rodriguez / At His Best
  4. Crucify Your Mind
    from Cold Fact
  5. Jane S. Piddy only on 17th
    from Cold Fact
  6. To Whom It May Concern
    from Coming From Reality / After The Fact
  7. Like Janis
    from Cold Fact
  8. Inner City Blues
    from Cold Fact
  9. Street Boy
    from The Best Of Rodriguez / At His Best
  10. Halfway Up The Stairs
    from Coming From Reality / After The Fact
  11. I Think Of You
    from Coming From Reality / After The Fact
  12. Rich Folks Hoax
    from Cold Fact
  13. Climb Up On My Music
    from Coming From Reality / After The Fact
  14. Sugar Man
    from Cold Fact
  15. Forget It
    from Cold Fact

RMH presents: One Night Only with Mark Haze & Natasha Meister

RMH presents: One Night Only with Mark Haze & Natasha Meister
RMH presents: One Night Only with Mark Haze & Natasha Meister

7:00pm until 10:00pm

(www.webtickets.co.za)

The River Club , Liesbeek Park Rd Cape Town 7925

RMH Entertainment brings you One Night Only with rising stars Mark Haze and Natasha Meister.

Mark who having come from 2nd position in SA Idols 2011, to performing in front of thousands of fans at the Cape Town Stadium as his band opened for Bon Jovi(2013), not only is going from strength to strength but also bringing us “Rock ‘n Roll” like we have never seen it before.
Natasha the only woman in Africa who is endorsed by both Fender and Lakewood guitar makers bring us a powerful vocal and guitar combo, having performed with Mark at Kirstenbosch earlier in the year, is ready to bring us a unique unplugged combo. These two artists will perform both solo and duo sets. Set in the Players Restaurant & Bar venue at the luxurious Riverclub Golf Club.

Matt Roux will be giving a guest appearance as well as our MC for the evening! www.facebook.com/thisismattroux

Come ready to enjoy a show that has never been seen before! Tickets R50 at www.webtickets.co.za or cash at the door on the 21st June.

Mark Haze – www.facebook.com/MarkHaze12
Natasha Meister – www.facebook.com/meisternatasha

For More info: 021 448 7906

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