EXCLUSIVE: Electric City Music Conference announces free 2018 panels/mentoring sessions in Dickson City on Sept. 15
From a press release:
The Electric City Music Conference has announced the schedule of free panels, mentoring sessions, and speakers for its 2018 edition. For the first time, the conference has partnered with Northeast Music Center in Dickson City to host the educational portion of the annual event on Saturday, Sept. 15 with some big names in the music industry locally and nationally.
This portion of the conference was previously held at the AfA Gallery in downtown Scranton.
“[Northeast Music Center owner] Jack Gretz has always been supportive of our event since the beginning, and when we floated the idea of hosting the panels at his location, he enthusiastically accepted,” ECMC co-organizer Ken Norton said of the new location.
“The location has plenty of parking, and if any musicians need supplies before they play that night, Jack will have them covered. Northeast Music Center hosts educational panels often; it really is a match made in heaven.”
After a free breakfast, the informative panels and group mentoring sessions at Northeast Music Center (713 Scranton Carbondale Hwy., Dickson City) are geared towards helping local musicians and aspiring music industry professions who wish to learn more about how to succeed in the industry while networking with experienced professionals. The presentations begin at noon with personal mentoring sessions and run through 5 p.m.
“I really hope bands and attendees realize that the panels and mentoring sessions are the most important part of this entire weekend. Also, they’re 100 percent free. If you’re in a band, playing a showcase at the conference is really cool, but that’s really step two. Where else are you going to get one-on-one face time with industry pros of this scale?” ECMC co-organizer Joe Caviston noted.
“Mark Woodbridge and Erick Droegmoeller have gotten bands signed to Equal Vision, Pure Noise, InVogue, No Sleep, Victory, Rise (BMG), and Black 17 Media (The Orchard) – just this year. Mark also does A&R for Darkshore Music Group. Sean Mott and Joey Lanzillotto book national tours everyday. Artery Global is one of the largest booking agencies in the country and has artists like Bam Margera, Ice Nine Kills, CKY, D12, Drowning Pool, I See Stars, Oh Sleeper, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus on its roster. John Phillips has tour managed Breaking Benjamin and Ice T, and he just signed onto TM for Snoop Dogg. Kris Jones is one of the most highly respected business people in the tech industry worldwide. Dave McWane and Big D and the Kids Table have toured with everyone from Anti-Flag to Less than Jake. He’s carved an amazing 20+ year career out of the music industry that includes developing other acts and even publishing books. Josh Balz was in Motionless In White, one of the biggest metal bands in the country and has since become an amazingly successful business owner,” he continued.
“If you’re a musician, you have no excuse to not take advantage of this opportunity to network with these individuals. You henceforth forfeit the right to ever say that you ‘never got the right opportunity’ because we’re literally placing an opportunity in your lap.”
The Electric City Music Conference begins on Thursday, Sept. 13 with the Steamtown Music Awards and continues with live music at 13 different venues on Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15.
As the largest event of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, this celebration of the diverse local music scene is much more than a music festival, bringing hundreds of artists and music industry professionals together annually to meet and network while recognizing and showcasing established and up-and-coming musicians.
Electric City Music Conference presentation schedule
11 a.m.-noon: Artist registration table opens/free breakfast
Noon-1 p.m.: Mentoring sessions: learn from the people who live it
Mini breakout sessions will give attendees the chance to have face-to-face, small group mentoring sessions with industry professionals.
Mentors:
Mark Woodbridge, talent manager at Word Is Bond
Erick Droegmoeller, talent manager at Word Is Bond
John Phillips, entrepreneur/tour manager (Breaking Benjamin/Ice T/Starset/Snoop Dogg)
Josh Balz, entrepreneur/musician/former member of Motionless In White
Sean Mott, booking agent at Artery Global
Joey Lanzillotto, booking agent at Artery Global
Dave McWane, lead singer/touring musician with Big D and the Kids Table
Freddie Fabbri, radio personality/former manager of Breaking Benjamin
1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Touring – how to survive on the road
Touring sounds like fun, but to do it properly, there is a science involved. Industry professionals discuss the ins and outs of a proper tour. How do you book the tour, how do you pick the right tour, and how do you stay alive while on that tour? Hear it from the professionals who live and breath touring.
Panelists: Mark Woodbridge, John Phillips, Sean Mott, Joey Lanzillotto, and Dave McWane
2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Tech in music – how technology can allow you to focus on music
Technology and music now go hand-in-hand. Utilizing the right applications and dedicating your resources to the correct tools is half the battle. Kris Jones of the Special Guest App and Ryan Hertel of Socialocca explain how, when properly utilized, their technology platforms can make your band’s life easier.
Panelists: Kris Jones (co-founder of Special Guest App) and Ryan Hertel, (touring DJ/owner of Socialocca and Tree Frog)
2:45 p.m.- 3 p.m.: Free snacks/drinks
3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Branding – your band is your business
Music is one thing. But, to really make it, a band must present themselves as the total package. Industry professionals that understand what it takes to present your band in the proper light discuss the dos and don’ts of branding your band.
Panelists: Keith Perks (photographer and owner of 1120 Creative), Josh Balz, and Erick Droegmoeller
4 p.m.-5 p.m.: Keynote – developing a career in the music and radio industry
This year’s keynote speaker is Freddie Fabbri, a local radio personality and former manager of Breaking Benjamin. Freddie has navigated the waters of the music and radio industry for years. His presentation will call upon special guests, live experiences, and data to discuss the ever-changing landscape of music and radio.
Stream or download last year’s Electric City Music Conference panel discussions as free podcasts here.
See NEPA Scene’s photos from the 2018 ECMC announcement party here and read the full 2018 conference schedule here. See photos from the 2017 Steamtown Music Awards here and the entire Electric City Music Conference here. Listen to Caviston and Norton talk about the conference and the awards in depth in Episode 26 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
