FMC will be at the annual Hideout Block Party (right before our musician education seminar), spreading the word about the importance of net neutrality to musicians as part of One Web Day - a worldwide celebration of the open internet. If you’re a Windy City native or will be in the area, head to 1354 West Wabansia Ave and hear sets from Neko Case, The New Pornographers, Ratatat, Black Mountain and more. Make sure you swing by and say hello!

FMC will be at the annual Hideout Block Party (right before our musician education seminar), spreading the word about the importance of net neutrality to musicians as part of One Web Day - a worldwide celebration of the open internet. If you’re a Windy City native or will be in the area, head to 1354 West Wabansia Ave and hear sets from Neko Case, The New Pornographers, Ratatat, Black Mountain and more. Make sure you swing by and say hello!

Thanks to the internet, there are now a mind-boggling array of tools and services that help musicians and independent labels promote, distribute and sell their music. But which services work? What are the best strategies for promotion? And how are musicians, labels and songwriters compensated? Panelists who are involved in some of today’s most exciting platforms will discuss how musicians and labels are participating in this emerging digital marketplace.

Kevin Giglinto Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
David Harrell Musician, The Layaways and Blogger, Digital Audio Insider
Dean Rolando Director of Electronic Media, Chicago Federation of Musicians
Kristin Thomson Education Director, Future of Music Coalition (moderator)

One of the biggest challenges for today’s working musicians is obtaining and paying for health insurance. But going without it is risky: illnesses, accidents and other circumstances requiring doctors’ visits or hospital stays could happen to any of us - and the costs of medical care without health insurance are staggering. Given the complexities and shortcomings of the current health insurance system, what’s the best you can do with what we’ve been given? How do you solve your personal health insurance crisis? What solutions are out there? Representatives from some of the most innovative and practical resources for the creative community will cut through the obfuscation and offer practical advice to musicians.

This panel will be moderated by Alex Maiolo from FMC’s Health Insurance Navigation program — HINT — which provides informed, musician-friendly support and advice to musicians who need information about health insurance, for free.

Jessica Faller and Erin Moore Co-directors, Columbus Music Co-op
Nan Warshaw Co-owner, Bloodshot Records
Alex Maiolo HINT Project Coordinator, Future of Music Coalition (moderator)

With technology so drastically changing the music landscape, there are suddenly dozens of new ways that artists can generate revenue. In addition to money from traditional CD sales and live shows, there’s now income from digital downloads, digital performance royalties from airplay on internet or satellite radio, as well as licensing for film, TV or video games, even merchandising. This breakout will survey all the sources of revenue out there, and tell you how you can ensure you collect all the money you’re entitled to.

Ann Chaitovitz Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition
Sean Glover Royalty Administration Director, SoundExchange
Josh Kaplan Attorney, Stahl Cowe

Podcasting and webcasting have created new opportunities for musicians and labels to promote their work. How can musicians get their music to webcast stations and podcasters? How can you create your own? And what are some of the ongoing issues related to music, webcasters and royalties?

Anthony Musiala Managing Director, Minty Fresh Records
Casey Rae-Hunter Communications Director, Future of Music Coalition

This breakout will provide attendees with an overview of the grant and funding opportunities available to Illinois-based creators and presenters.

Michelle Bibbs Director of Cultural Grants, Department of Cultural Affairs
Encarnacion Teruel Director of Visual Arts, Media Arts & Multi-Arts Programs, Illinois Arts Council

The environmental movement is becoming more common in every aspect of our lives, with record labels and bands now experimenting with ways to go green. Learn what labels and touring musicians are doing to reduce their carbon footprint, and how you can incorporate eco-friendly business practices into your career.

Frank Mauceri Founder, Smog Veil Records
Kristin Thomson Education Director, Future of Music Coalition
Andrea Troolin Manager, Ekonomisk Mgmt

It’s never too late to get involved in protecting and preserving the arts. This roundtable discussion with some of the region’s most engaged and connected activists will cover the best practices for artist advocacy, freedom of information and how to get involved on a community/grassroots level.

Michael Bracy Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition
Shawn Campbell President and Founder, Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP)
Brian Imus State Director, Illinois PIRG

Founded by Tom Lunt, Rob Sevier, and Ken Shipley in 2003, the Numero Group is a Chicago-based record label dedicated to saving the most fascinating and overlooked artists from the dustbin of musical history. Scrupulously researched and painstakingly re-mastered, Numero Group resurrects music — from thrift shop soul to skinny tie pop, Belizean funk, and hillbilly gospel — from obscurity and re-issues it on both top-of-the-line compact disc, LP, and in digital format.

Join us for a special conversation between music critic Greg Kot and Numero Group co-founders Ken Shipley and Rob Sevier, who will talk about how they find the music they release, working with the musicians, how they get permission from non-existent record labels and hard-to-find artists to re-release music, as well as how the label is using new technologies to create a bridge between the analog past and the digital present.

Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley Co-founders, the Numero Group
Greg Kot music critic, Chicago Tribune

Network Neutrality — or Net Neutrality — is the principle that preserves an open Internet. Net neutrality ensures that all users can access the content, or run the applications and devices of their choice. This short presentation uses YouTube clips and real band experiences to talk about why musicians are organizing in support of net neutrality.

Michael Bracy Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition

Net Neutrality Fact Sheet

Webcasting rates. Copyright clauses. Media ownership. Broadband policy. In a surprising number of cases, how musicians and songwriters are compensated, and how much access they have to the media, are affected by state, federal — and even local — policy. This panel will review some of today’s key legislative issues, why musicians need to have a voice in the debates, and how you can get involved.

Shawn Campbell President and Founder, Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP)
Michael Maranda Strategic Director, Catalytic Communities
Patricia Polach Associate General Counsel, American Federation of Musicians (AFM)/Bredhoff and Kaiser, PLLC
Carl West Publisher/Editor/CEO, Midwest Gap Enterprise
Brian Austin Whitney Founder, Just Plain Folks
Michael Bracy Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition (moderator)