As the cultural tapestry of India finds expression in its diverse music scene, the upcoming Deccan Alternative Music Conference (DAMC) in Bengaluru stands as a testament to this evolving landscape. Envisioned to be a meeting of minds and melodies, the DAMC promises a vibrant mix of discussions, workshops, and performances centered around the burgeoning independent music sector.
Prarthana Sen, part of the pivotal force behind Neon Culture, a music business consultancy rooted in Bengaluru, delineates the structure of this inaugural event, stating that it seeks to blend the elements of a conference with the dynamism of a musical showcase. Past conferences in India, according to Prarthana, have catered to a more expansive, illustrious audience. However, a void exists in the dialogue at the actual stakeholder level, particularly given the nascent state of the Indian independent music industry.
The realization of this gap led Prarthana to underscore the necessity for artistes to navigate the industry with business acumen, averting the all-too-common need to juggle multiple roles merely to make ends meet. Accordingly, DAMC aims to foster a business-to-community discussion vital for continual growth.
More than a conglomeration of music professionals, the conference targets artistes, students, and mid-level career persons who are poised to shape the industry’s trajectory, instilling the ethos of grassroots development. Co-founders Prarthana Sen and Vishruti Bindal are advocates for regularity in such events, which they believe will engender discourse on the music scene, especially in the Deccan region.
With intent to shine a spotlight on hyperlocal regional content, the DAMC has firmly set its gaze on cities beyond Bangalore that are progressively charting their own musical identities – places like Kochi and Odisha come to mind. Infusing the conference with a regional flavor, the organizers have chosen eight music acts through an anonymized jury selection. These acts, already armed with some degree of public exposure, are deemed ready to ascend to greater heights, notably through live performances and by extending their sonic reach beyond their city limits.
Among the finalists are musicians that resonate with the local vernacular, majorly eschewing English, to the extent where only two or three out of the list perform in the language. These include acts like Alva Kuuto, delivering Tulu tunes; Clan Bokka Phod with their Dakhni rap; Ghauley Bhai’s Nepali ensemble from Bengaluru; Kali, spinning stories in Kannada rap; and the instrumental collective Lakkshya, interweaving contemporary music with undertones of jazz and classical Carnatic melodies.
Participants can anticipate a wealth of wisdom from masterclasses and workshops on critical subjects like Rights Administration, Music Licensing, the flow of money within the industry, and the rudiments of Artist Management. The DAMC has on its agenda an array of mid- to expert-level music career professionals delivering masterclasses and workshops.
Crucially, the conference has been meticulously sculpted to include intentional networking slots, crafted to maximize the efficacy of the conferences for all attendees. The choice of venue for the daylight hours of the conference, the Bangalore Creative Circus (BCC), is a nod to environmental consciousness. DAMC has aligned with BCC’s circular economy practices, striving for sustainability through the use of recycled materials where possible.
The conference spans February 9 and 10, and tickets are distinct for shows and the conference itself, as each caters to different sets of interests. Evening showcases will be held at Social Indiranagar and The Raft in Koramangala. The tickets are currently available on Skillbox, with detailed workshop schedules accessible on deccanalt.in and via Neon Culture’s Instagram handle @neonculture.in.
With the fervent goal of starting essential conversations at the grassroots, to pave the way for a richly interconnected and savvy music community, the DAMC beckons those ready to immerse in the harmonious ambitions of Deccan’s diverse sonic realms.
