Music Matters is the pioneer music industry conference and festival in the Asia Pacific region. Music Matters Live is a free, live international music festival which brings together a dynamic lineup of over 40 international and local bands over 3 nights of live performances, working with a number of leading live music venues around Singapore. Music Matters Live 2011 saw 42 bands play at Clarke Quay many of whom picked up new deals with labels and promoters. They are currently taking submissions from Sonicbids artists from now until April 14th (so submit here now). We had the chance to catch up with Music Matter CEO & Co-Founder, Jasper Donat on the history of the event, why artists should play abroad and a few of his favorite past performers.
What's your musical/professional background? How long have you been working for Music Matters Live?
I’ve been working in the media/entertainment business since 1987 and music since 1997. We launched Music Matters in 2005 and are about to celebrate our seventh edition.
Tell us a bit more about Music Matters Live. What's the history of the event?
Music Matters began with a conference designed to celebrate positive music industry stories and promote Asia Pacific as the most exciting place on earth. Three billion crazy music fans and the world’s largest and most advanced digital networks can’t be wrong! In 2010 we launched a multi-venue festival in Hong Kong, moving to Singapore in 2011. All bands get high visibility from the industry.
We have a lot of artists on Sonicbids that are from the US and Europe checking out this event. What would these artists gain from playing at an event like Music Matters Live?
Artists come to Singapore from around the world every day to discover more about the region and be discovered by the leading promoters, labels and managers. For example, US outfit Evaline signed an Asian distribution deal with Universal Music at the 2011 festival.
What's your general booking process?
Bands apply to play. We have a committee of ‘ears’ who selected the best and most appropriate bands.
Give an example of a recent artist you selected. Why did you select them?
The Jezabels from Australia in 2011. They were a quality outfit that were clearly going somewhere and subsequently toured Asia and won loads of awards!
What's the most memorable performance you've seen at Music Matters Live?
Korean band Midnight Express dressed as women and played in the shop window of H&M (a sponsor) in the middle of Hong Kong in 2010. We turned their window into a venue but got told to turn our music down by the police!
Canadian rockers Simple Plan made an impromptu appearance in Singapore in 2011. That was awesome as well.
Do you have any other advice you'd like to share with bands that want to play Music Matters Live?
Come to learn, leave with real business opportunities. And be prepared to come back!