Hannah Collisson talks to Jeff Thompson about an innovative music event for young and old coming soon to Hastings

Making a career in the industry has never been more challenging for musicians thanks to the impact of technology on the ways in which music is consumed and professionals earn a living.

A two-day seminar in Hastings aims to combine entertainment with practical advice from those in the business.

Un-Convention Hastings is taking place on February 16 and 17 as part of Hastings Fat Tuesday, a five-day Mardi Gras music festival, and is aimed at established, aspiring, and recreational musicians, promoters, producers, and engineers, as well as those who simply love music.

Speakers and musicians from all over the country will be attending the event, and highlights include a masterclass from Skunk Anansie guitarist Ace and an interactive panel with folk band Skinny Lister.

“Un-Convention is a series of music conferences and events providing relevant and practical advice on everything from songwriting through to building sustainable careers in music,” says co-founder Jeff Thompson, who also runs a number of independent record labels in Manchester.

“They also look to bring together like-minded individuals to educate and inspire one another, develop local scenes and instigate alternative models for the modern industry.”

Such events have taken place in towns and cities across the UK, as well as internationally in places such as Groningen, Brisbane and Sao Paulo.

“It’s great to be able to work with Fat Tuesday on what will be our 73rd event,” says Jeff. “I had the chance to come and visit Hastings at the end of last year and I was blown away by the scene here – so many people involved in making things happen, and so many places putting on regular live music.

“I think there’ll be things we learn here that we can take with us to other towns and cities across the UK, and indeed further afield. It promises to be a great event, with some fantastic speakers, and some incredible bands from across the country.”

Over the two days working musicians and industry experts will lead panel discussions and breakout sessions on the topics including how to make the jump to being a full-time musician, the impact of new technologies on live performance and promotion, and an exploration of the art of songwriting.

Skinny Lister, a band currently making waves in the UK, USA and Japan, will discuss the day-to-day reality of life as musicians, and how they balance work and play, interspersed with live performances.

Ace, guitarist of rock band Skunk Anansie, will be leading a guitar masterclass.

Others confirmed include writer, performer and label director Louis Barabbas, and Jeff Thompson himself.

As well as Un-Convention, Jeff has helped to develop a number of innovative models from music co-operatives in Uganda, to a new, alternative UK touring network called Off Axis, inspired by the Brazilian Fora do Eixo.

This touring network, which launched in the UK in 2014, allows artists to play soldout shows across the whole country, even in cities they have never visited before.

It is free to use and now involves 30,000 artists from across 200 cities, generating $44 million for the independent music sector. The system is designed to work with, and reward, dedicated and hard working artists of any genre, says Jeff, enabling them to play successful and meaningful shows across the whole of the UK.

Off Axis also forms part of this year’s Hastings Fat Tuesday festival, and on Sunday, February 15, a total of 12 bands will perform at a showcase event. The show includes Of Empires, named by The Argus as one of three Brighton bands poised to make it big in 2015 (details are available at www.hastings fattuesday.co.uk/2015/sunday).

“For our part, I think the most important thing is that hopefully Un-Convention offers an opportunity for all those involved in music in the area to get together, be that the bands, promoters, bloggers, venue owners, or simply people interested in music,” says Jeff.

“I think there can be nothing more powerful in moving things forward than getting together, meeting peers, sharing ideas, talking about shared problems and figuring out how we can all work together to make things better.”

  •  Un-Convention Hastings takes place on February 16 and 17, 10am-6pm, St Mary in the Castle, Pelham Place, Hastings. Tickets are £10 per day or £15 for both days, available online at www.hastingsfattuesday.co.uk/2015/un-convention.
  • Also visit the website for full details of sessions and speakers as they are announced.