Music Matters delegates moved upstairs for the final day of the Music Matters Conference in Singapore. Kicking off the day was a wrap up of one of the popular threads of conversation throughout the week: the growth potential in Asia’s developing markets, a discussion that naturally weighed heavily towards piracy issues in the region.
Moderated by Neeraj Roy, the Managing Director and CEO of Hungama Digital media entertainment, the panel included executives from YouTube, KRU Music, PR Musica Studio’s and Universal/EMI. The discussion looked at what’s happening across the region, such as in Malaysia, where they are trying to educate the public about the dangers of piracy in order to encourage consumers to access content legally through physical or digital formats.
Meanwhile, it was suggested that music subscriptions built into phones of the 150 million mobile internet users in India is the future for that country, because it takes away piracy as a choice. It was also brought up how important the streaming infrastructure is, with video being a strong component for the way Indians experience music.
Anthony Zameczkowski, the Head of Music Asia/Pacific for YouTube also pointed to events like the YouTube Fan Fest – which is happening across the weekend in Singapore and next weekend in Australia – as a great opportunities for video content makers to find brands to connect with; brands that have the money, technology and infrastructure to help fund careers, and in some cases, add to the experience.
The rest of the final day of Music Matters consisted of four panels which focused on the music business in four countries: Taiwan, Canada, Australia and Korea .
Taiwan was first, with panelists outlining the growing live scene in the country, especially in Taipei, the capital, where there are “thirty shows every weekend across the clubs in the city”. And what are people listening to? “It’s more diverse and there are more choices with music events in Taiwan than ever before. Rock music is mainstream now.”
In the Q&A part of the discussion, a member of the audience asked the panelists if Taiwan should be seen as the gateway to Mainland China for emerging musicians. The answer from the panelists was that, “it could definitely be the first place to work into the Chinese market. The country has been developing Chinese pop for a long time… there are reliable partners to work with on Taiwan. It’s harder to find partners in such a large place like mainland China. It’s progressing and getting better, and we want to be a part of making that happen, because we do share the same blood and language.”
Moving onto Canada, the panel that included representatives from CIMA, CO.PILOT, Light Organ Records, Northstarr Entertainment, Paper Bag Records and Kytami Music, highlighted grants and the support the government provides musicians in the country through initiatives like FACTOR (The Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records) and CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association), that have provided Canadian artists with excellent opportunities both at home and around the world.
But the opportunities are as internal as they are external, with radio stations dedicated to independent Canadian music seen as “commercial” in cities like Toronto. But it’s all a very recent thing – before the 1970s, there was no music industry whatsoever in Canada. Now it’s the 7th biggest in the world, with opportunities in a string of “A” cities along the US border (e.g. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal) and dozens of “B” cities across the country (e.g. Ottawa, Quebec City), not to mention the hundreds of festivals that happen in the province of Ontario alone.
Other discussion raised looked at how Quebec still loves the physical product, and is still behind the rest of the world in adopting digital formats and how Asian artists often have success in the major cities – especially Vancouver and Toronto, with 750,000 Chinese people in Toronto alone! Recent changes to the working Visas were also raised, and Stuart Johnson from CIMA assured everyone that the government is promising to make amendments, and exemptions for musicians are on the cards in the next few weeks.
Then it was Australia’s turn, with Sound Australia’s Millie Millgate moderating a panel featuring Vanessa Picken from Comes With Fries discussing the growing digital trends in Australia – a country which saw digital outselling physical for the first time in the world. Dan Rosen, CEO from ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) was able to shine a light on the opportunities that ARIA presents to musicians, as well as how the major labels operate.
Brett Murrihy from Artist Voice focused on touring Australia and yours truly looked at radio, print and online promotion, outlining the influence of triple j and the alternatives to get your songs heard in the land down under. This panel was preceded by an introduction from Philip Green, the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, who set the tone of the discussion, which encouraged a strong artistic relationship between the two countries.
And finally, closing out the three day Music Matters conference, was a panel on one of the world’s most successful industries: Korea. Jong Shin Yoon, Executive Producer from MYSTIC89 was joined by MYSTIC89 (and Music Matters showcasing) artist Lim Kim in conversation with Bernie Cho (pictured above).
Jong Shin Yoon explained the rise of the singer/songwriter genre within K-Pop and how Superstar K reality shows were the breakthrough in discovering these artists, who until then had been overshadowed in the media by the dancing idols. Mega producers like YG, SM and JYP are now seeing more diversity in their musical rosters. “The kpop the world knows is only a few artists. Domestically it’s all encompassing… not just the idols which the world knows.”
Lim Kim, who was discovered through Superstar K, added her thoughts to the discussion. Though the language and lyrics of Korean language is an attractive point of Kpop, she was shocked that people from other countries liked her music. “The surprising thing was the I didn’t find my voice unique at all. But Superstar K brought out my best singing voice.”
The insights continued in a fascinating panel about one of the world’s most unique music scenes. And with that, the three days of Music Matters panels, keynotes and interviews came to an end with something which matters most of all: Caffeine.
Photo by Johnny Au. Words by Larry Heath.
