LISTEN Conference 2015 will provide a unique opportunity to engage in constructive discussion on ideas relating to gender, feminism, creativity, intersections within communities, writing, performance and more. This conference will provide a platform to reflect on new ways to nurture diversity and creativity and continue to enquire into Melbourne’s world-renowned music community.
The program runs over two days, with 4 panels each day and a couple of workshops as well.
Panellists include:
Alterity Collective, Leah Avene, Fjorn Butler, Simona Castricum, Sarah Mary Chadwick, Jen Cloher, Carolyn Connors, Bianca Fileborn, Ashley Goodall, Rosalind Hall, June Jones, Stephanie Kabanyana, Caroline Kennedy, Juliet Kim, Annalee Koernig, Stephanie Bowie Lieu, Helen Marcou, Evelyn Morris, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Eli Nigol, Joanna Nilson, Jacinta Parsons, Katie Pearson, Holly Pereira, Jules Pereira, Lucy Phelan, Luccrecia Quintanilla, Kirsty Rivers, Antonia Sellbach, Lara Soulio, Jonnine Standish, Anh-tu Nguyen Tran, Chloe Turner, Jenny Valentish
DAY 1: Saturday 31st October
10:00am – 10:30am Meet & greet
10:45am – 11:45am Safer Spaces
12noon – 1pm Gendered Sound
1pm – 2pm Lunch
2pm – 3pm Nervous Systems: Bridging the Confidence Gap
3pm – 4pm Zine Making
DAY 2: Sunday 1st November
10:00am – 10:30am Meet & greet
10:45am – 11:45am The Audience Speaks
12noon – 1:15pm Tech Skills / Lunch
1:15pm – 2:15pm Unconventional Music
2:30pm – 4pm Hearing Colour: intersections between race and music
Northcote Town Hall, West Wing Studio
189 High St, Northcote
Panels and workshops:
Safer Spaces
Examining the ways that sexual harassment, verbal abuse, assault and the threat of violence encroach on women and LGBTQIA+’s experiences and safety in live music venues. This panel will also outline actions being taken to curb these incidents through the raising of awareness in music media, lobbying and policy change and discuss further strategies for implementing change.
Jenny Valentish, Helen Marcou, Simona Castricum, Juliet Kim, Katie Pearson, Bianca Fileborn, Alterity Collective
Gendered Sound
This panel will examine some of the ways that people embody gender through performance, posing questions such as ‘What is female music?’ and ‘What is queer music?’ The panel will also explore issues of inclusion and safety in public spaces and music venues, relatingto those who do not fit into gender norms.
Simona Castricum, June Jones, Jules Pereira, Alterity Collective, Evelyn Morris
Nervous Systems: Bridging the Confidence Gap
This panel discussion explores the role of performance anxiety and catharsis in music and performance. It will also explore strategies to address ‘the confidence gap’ within the music community and surrounding creative industries.
Jacinta Parsons, Antonia Sellbach, Kirsty Rivers, Jen Cloher, Lucy Phelan, Joanna Nilson, Caroline Kennedy, Jonnine Standish, Sarah Mary Chadwick
Zine Making
A practical, hands-on workshop where participants get to contribute to the making of a LISTEN special conference edition zine. An introductory presentation will also discuss the role of visual communication as a powerful tool for feminism.
Antonia Sellbach, Ashley Goodall
The Audience Speaks
Experts are not just on the stage – they are also in the crowd. This panel explores involvement in music beyond performance. We speak to a range of music scene participants including band managers, photographers, festival attendees, zine makers and self-confessed ‘fangirls’ about their experiences of live music, as well as examining the vital roles they play in the live music eco-system.
Chloe Turner, Holly Pereira, Carolyn Connors, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Eli Nigol
Mixing your Sound
A workshop for women and LGBTQIA+ (all ages) on finding their way around a mixer. To look at how a mixer works, basic concepts of getting a good sound from the PA and having a successful sound check.
Rosalind Hall, Lara Soulio
Unconventional Music
What is unconventional music? How do we make and break conventions? Active female writers and musicians discuss breaking conventions in a landscape that has largely been documented and dominated by men.
Fjorn Butler, Carolyn Connors, Evelyn Morris, Annalee Koernig
Hearing Colour: Intersections Between Race and Music
7 people talk about difference within the music world in a question and answer format.
Stephanie Bowie Lieu, Giselle Au Nhien Nguyen, Anh-tu Nguyen Tran, Alterity Collective, Stéphanie Kabanyana, Luccrecia Quintanilla, Leah Avene