Pop Rockin’ Beats

No doubt a good number of Brisbane’s independent artists have heard about this in full already, but for those not in the know, UnConvention 2011 is coming to town.

The not-for-profit event features a series of forum discussions and networking activities focused around the highs and lows of careers within the local music industry. Ray Bourne, otherwise known as Rainman – Brisbane's DJ/ MC/ beat-maker extraordinaire – is the curator for their hip hop and electronica panel. â€œUnConvention is mostly about independent artists. I see it as an opportunity for people not within the scene to consult their curiosities,” Rainman shares, “for non-hip hop or electronic heads to have an opportunity to learn a bit more. I know when I started going to information sessions, networking things and panel discussions through organisations like Q Music when I was 18-19, I learned a lot of stuff.”

However, it wasn't all educational. Despite Australia's hip hop evolution over the past ten years, back in the day, it was a little less rockin' than it is now. â€œThere was rarely a speaker coming from a hip hop or electronic realm – it was all pop, rock, metal. You kinda felt excluded from the main concept of music in Brisbane.”

For Rainman, success is subjective. â€œFor me, success is being able to keep making music, and have it so that I’m not working my ass off unable to make music because I’m slaving away at a day job.”

He's excited to have an open discussion at UnConvention, ready to pass on what he knows to the next generation of Brisbane artists. â€œI think what’s really good about this session is that it's really trying to break down this idea that Brisbane equals pop/ rock. Brisbane music also equals hip hop, electronica, metal, punk, etc. It’s good to have a specific session to bring us all onto one page.”

To those who might be manoeuvring their way in the industry, Rainman has some words of wisdom to share: “Just remember it’s about the music first and foremost. Don’t get lost in the marketing and stuff. Everything connects to the music.”

UnConvention will be held at The Edge, South Bank, June 11-12. unconventionbrisbane.com