ASCAP EXPO Brings Songwriting Trade Talks, Expanded Schedule To Hollywood
By Geoff Nudelman of Telos Studios.
Sandwiched between both Coachella weekends, the annual ASCAP EXPO is back next week April 18-20 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood.
The yearly conference dedicated to songwriting and composing features an expanded programming schedule this year with some impressive keynotes and conversations lined up:
Some of the highlights:
– Katy Perry in an "I Create Music" Interview with ASCAP EVP of Membership Randy Grimmett
– "Decent Work for Decent Pay": Diplo and Big Sean in Conversation moderated by Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde
– "Beyond the Beats" Featuring Ken Jordan of The Crystal Method and RJD2
– Anthony Gonzalez (M83) speaking with ASCAP composer Joseph Trapanese and director Joseph Kosinski on writing the Oblivion soundtrack, which will be released in theatres the same day.
– More than a dozen additional creative and business panels featuring a wide range of players from across the industry.
Another unique opportunity of the EXPO is for artists to get their music heard – and critiqued – through a variety of showcases featuring successful producers and songwriters like Don Cannon and Brandy Clark.
An interesting piece for the tech community will be the "Website Demolition Derby" where players at the tech/music intersection will critique an artist's submitted website. The "Derby" is bringing out some big names such as Bandzoogle CEO David Dufresne and Live Nation Labs' Kyle Bylin to scrutinize web pages and offer ideas for improvement.
The night before, ASCAP will honor Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith with the ASCAP Founders Award at the 30th annual ASCAP Pop Awards also at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
The awards, given out to honor pop's most performed songs of the past year, will also be giving Diplo the ASCAP Vanguard Award for his "contributions to help shape the future of American music."
