Over the past decade, there’s been a lot of looking backwards, with a tendency to itemize the failures of the music industry to respond to technology-driven changes. Some rearview glancing is necessary to avoid the missteps of recent history, but hindsight is always 20-20. It’s equally important to look ahead to a future where music and digital technology can coexist in an environment conducive to creators and fans. To do so, we need the insights and perspectives of those who are driving change, not merely reacting to it. Today’s Policy Summit programming will offer a glimpse around the bend through presentations from a range of thought-leaders and a look at the ideas that are inspiring transformation throughout the entire music ecosystem.

Rep. Mike Doyle D-Pennsylvania, in conversation with Nicole Atkins Musician
Rep. Doyle and Atkins will talk about the importance of Low Power FM to local communities, and how informed public policy can benefit American music and culture.

Daniel Ek Founder and CEO, Spotify, in conversation with Casey Rae-Hunter Communications Director, FMC
Founder of the most buzzed-about new music service on the planet, Daniel Ek will offer an overview of Spotify — a streaming audio service that’s already taken Europe by storm and is set for an American launch. Hear firsthand what role this streaming service can play in a legitimate digital music marketplace.

Wayne Kramer Musician, MC5, and Ian MacKaye Musician/Dischord Records
Two legends of the punk rock and DIY-music traditions sit down for an unscripted, anything-goes riff on music, politics, and what their experiences have taught them about longevity in a changing industry.

Brian Message Partner, Courtyard Management, in conversation with Eliot Van Buskirk WIRED
This discussion between Message — part of the management team that represents Radiohead, Supergrass and the 20-20s — and WIRED music technology scribe Eliot Van Buskirk will focus on musician empowerment in the digital age, and what it means to operate an artist-oriented label.

Jordan Hirsch Executive Director, Sweet Home New Orleans, in conversation with Craig Klein Musician, Bonerama; Neda Ulaby Arts and Culture Reporter, NPR; and Willard Jenkins jazz broadcaster, educator, writer, openskyjazz.com
Hirsch will talk about how New Orleans’ musicians have struggled in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the work that Sweet Home New Orleans and their partners have done to help these American cultural ambassadors return to their homes and communities.

Mike Relm Musician, in conversation with Raymond Leon Roker Co-founder, URB/urb.com and President, NativeSon Media, Inc.
Multimedia DJ/mashup artist Relm will showcase the next evolution of collage-based audio/video creation and how technology is pushing music to new heights of conception and expression.