soun Web viewSound System Outernational #4. in association with Sound System Culture, Let’s Go Yorkshire, Skin Deep, Lion Beat, Unit 137 sound system and Goldsmiths TRU

Sound System Outernational #4in association with Sound System Culture, Let’s Go Yorkshire, Skin Deep, Lion Beat, Unit 137 sound system and Goldsmiths TRU

Vinyl WeekenderStrictly Vinyl ConferenceProfessor Stuart Hall Building (PSH), Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NWSaturday 13th January 2018

Programme @ 7th January 2018 v8

Lower Ground Atrium

Let’s Play Vinyl Exhibition from Thurs 11th Jan – 12th Feb

Heritage Hi Fi sound system – bring your own vinyl on Sat 13th and Sunday 14th Jan

Food and Refreshments on sale on Saturday 13th Jan from 12.30

Record Stalls on Saturday 13th Jan from 12.30

Programme SummarySound System Outernational #4 Saturday 13th January 2018 1

Pre-Session A: Gregory Isaacs Listening Session11.30 – 12.50 Room 102 Professor Stuart Hall Building (PSH)

Registration from 12.30 Atrium, Professor Stuart Hall Building (PSH)Introduction to the Day13:00 - 13:15 Room LG01 Professor Stuart Hall Building (PSH)Session 1: Sound Business13:15 - 14:30 LG01 PSH

Vinyl & Copyright Selling the Vibes Commercial Opportunities

Session 2: The Groove14:30 – 15:45 LG01

The Dark Side of the Groove: the art of Dubplate cutting Mastering Vinyl The Great Vinyl Debate Rockers, Soulheads & Lovers: Sound Systems back in da Day "Vinil Brasil”: the new aura of reproducible music also enchants us Collecting Vinyl Records behind the Iron Curtain

Break 15.45 – 16.15Session 3: Herstory - from Ranking Miss P to the Present16.15 – 17.30 LG01

Sister Culture Nzinga Sounds Legs Eleven CAYA (Come As You are) Lady Xplosive

Rankin Merva Nkechi Aligbe-Abeing (Warrior Queen) DJ Xcel

Session 4A Outernationalism17.30 - 18:45 LG01

India’s Reggae Resistance: Defending Dissent Under Modi (film)

The Other Half of the Sky: Sound System Women in Europe Nadine Dogliani, (Muxima (KDW), Italy) Anja Winnes (Siren Sisters, Germany) Dasha Fyah (Energy of Dub, Czech Republic) Lady Laia (Purple Rockets, Spain) Anna D'Andrea (Italy)

Session 4B The Poetics of Dub17.30 – 18.45 Atrium PSH

Dub Media Archaeologies – the Ghosts of Dub Sound System Culture & UK Dance Music Spiquency Reflections on Dub and the Aesthetics of Noise

Conference Closing Remarks18:45 - 19:00 LG01

Session 5: Skin Deep Sonic Transmissions19:15 - 22:00 Student Union Bar, Dixon Road, SE14 6NW

Post Conference Session: Unit 137 Full Sound System & Crew22:00 - 04:00 Student Union Bar

Pre-Session A: Gregory Isaacs Listening Session

Sound System Outernational #4 Saturday 13th January 2018 2

11.30 – 12.50 PSH 102Edwina Peart (PhD candidate, Goldsmiths)

This participatory session is aimed at those who appreciate the musical contribution of the late, great Gregory Isaacs. Drawing from his vast repertoire, a selection will be played that spans his 40 years in the industry. Aired through a sound system, it provides the immersive experience for which the music was written and conceptualised. A fitting tribute. I invite you to participate in a focus group discussion sharing your opinions and thoughts about the artist and his music. The emphasis will be on eliciting responses that assess the value of music.

Pre-Session B: Let’s Play Vinyl Children’s workshop 12.00 – 1.00 PSH 302

Professor Stuart Hall Building, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW(all places taken, more workshops on Sunday)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-lets-play-vinyl-free-family-workshop-tickets-39772810547

Conference Registration from 12.30 Atrium, Professor Stuart Hall Building, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW

Introduction to the Day Chair: Dr William ‘Lez’ Henry (University of West London)13:00 - 13:15 LG01


Sound System Outernational #4 team: Brian D’Aquino (Bababoom Hi Fi/ PhD candidate L’Orientale University, Naples) Vincent Moystad (PhD candidate, Goldsmiths), June Reid (Nzinga Soundz / MA student, Goldsmiths) and Prof. Julian Henriques (Media and Communications Dept. Topology Research Unit, Goldsmiths).

In the midst of the current “vinyl revival” it is important to recognize the hugely important role that the Jamaican sound system played in turning the domestic record player into a musical instrument in its own right. In Jamaica sound system culture re-purposed the gramophone, taking it from the middle class living room out onto the street to be enjoyed by the community. In the Bronx this became hip-hop, across the world the performance art of DJing was born along with rave and club culture. The vinyl medium – 12” singles and 45s – has been central to this. Now an appreciation for the value of the “vinyl sound” is only increasing in a world of digital music files. The SSO#4 Vinyl Weekender pays respect to where this sound comes from.

Dr. William 'Lez' Henry was born in the London borough of Lewisham of Jamaican Parentage and is the British Reggae Deejay Lezlee Lyrix. He is an Associate Professor in the School of Law and Criminology, University of West London and is renowned as a first class public speaker. Dr. Henry delivers various educational/training programmes, specialising in race, ethnicity, diversity, equality, education and black history. Dr Henry is currently delivering his ‘GOAL MODELS: Pathways to Success’ in tandem with University of West London’s Outreach Team to Secondary Schools and works with the Mature Learners team as well. He is a founder member of the National Independent Education Coalition and The Lewisham Black Fathers Support Group and has led study tours to Egypt. He delivers Mentoring Programmes and has worked on the Home Office, Ending Gang and Youth Violence initiative (EGYV).

Session 1: Sound Business Chair: Dr Mykaell Riley (University of Westminster)13:15 - 14:30 LG01A sound system or a record selection is always a labour of love and an act of resistance. Nevertheless, the present moment offers unprecedented opportunities for monetising the culture. Records are sold at huge prices to collectors, and sound system festivals have turnovers in the millions, not to speak of the impact of the culture on global popular music. It’s a moment that calls for reflection on the past and planning for the future. In this panel, we discuss different experiences with the economics of sound, from record collecting and copyright law to the resurgence of vinyl manufacturing.

Mykaell S. Riley began his career in the late seventies as a performer with pioneering Reggae outfit 'Steel Pulse' who went on to achieve a Grammy. In the nineties he founded the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra, who represent the most visibly black/multicultural collection of classically trained musicians in the UK. He has been a professional writer/producer and performer for over 25 years. Over this period he has achieved Silver, Gold and Platinum awards and contributed to four number 1 singles and seven number 1 albums via his production and writing


work. He works as a music industry consultant and a content developer for music related educational programmes. He is a subject specialist (music/production) for the Open University validation panel. He is a member Arts & Business foundation, a board member of Camden Arts & Business Consortium, on the steering group for South Themes College, and a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

Vinyl & CopyrightDr. Enrico Bonadio (The City Law School)The advent of the phonogram (aka “vinyl”) in the late 19th century revolutionised the music world. It was the first time music could be recorded and fixed on a physical support, and then listened at another time and place. This talk will expand on this historical revolution, highlighting the initial concerns of both (i) music composers, who had been left without legal tools to prevent the production and sale of objects which mechanically reproduced their tunes, and (ii) the recording industry, with producers being progressively and increasingly exposed to competitors’ bootlegging, i.e. the process of making and distributing recordings without the authorisation of the first producer. The talk will then focus on the legal responses to the above concerns, with national and international rules having been adopted to protect the interests of composers and labels, therefore strengthening further the exploitation of music as a collectable commodity.

Selling the VibesClaudia Wilson (Pure Vinyl Records)Passionate about music from an early age as a result of her family background, Claudia Wilson has been collecting, selecting and selling vinyls for several years now. In 2016 she established her own shop in Brixton, Pure Vinyl Records. Drawing on her experience as a female records shop owner, the talk will address topics such as the current vinyl revival and the value a local music shop may have in opposing the gentrification process.

Business IssuesYoung Warrior Young Warrior is son of the historic dub legend Jah Shaka. Playing out for numerous years all over Europe he has developed his own unique sound generating a following all over. The Young Warrior has worked as a producer for many years now working with the likes of Jah Shaka, Gussie P, Mafia & Fluxy, Ras Muffet and many more. He has recorded soon to be released tracks with ever rising UK female artist Lexxy and South East London’s well known Rockaway, Sandeeno, Sister Beloved and many more to be added to his list. Many of the Young Warrior’s productions have been played by sound systems like Iration Steppas, Jah Voice, Tabot sound and most of all the great Jah Shaka sound system.

Commercial Opportunities Jean-Claude Charnier in conversation with Theo Houston and Sasha Steppa


Jean-Claude Charnier has led efforts to grow the influence of sound system culture through his consultancy, Lionbeat. Founded 2006, Lionbeat offers sound business intelligence to clients, with a focus on new technology developments for promotion and distribution. He established event company Trinity Music London in 2008, and has since brokered national and international touring opportunities, recording and publishing deals, label joint ventures, community-based and festival-based arenas for sound system culture clients.

Theo-Lee Houston is a business mentor for the Prince's Trust, and Operations Manager at Kerb Food, delivering street food markets. He has nurtured a deep interest in sound system culture since 2005, inspired by Channel One sound system's legendary Vibe Bar residency. Having created RISE UP, an event showcasing conscious music, he took sound system culture to the street with Kerb, promoting the Reggae Roast sound at the newly-built Granaries, Kings Cross. It was KERB's best event to date, and convinced Theo that sound systems belong out of doors.

Sasha Steppa hails from Bristol and heralds the new wave of sound system DJs as an emerging, vital collector of strictly roots & culture vinyl. Closely affiliated with Bristol's hand-built Lionpulse Sound System, she's growing her presence on the Bristol club circuit, and her festival appearances include Love Saves The Day and BoomTown. As she continues to establish herself in an expanding scene, Sasha is interested to ensure there are opportunities for young people within sound system culture.

Session 2: The Groove Chair: Edwina Peart (PhD candidate, Goldsmiths)14:30 – 15:45 LG01

The vinyl record is the historic backbone of sound system culture. A sound's record collection is an archive and a history; pressed on wax, shared, and re imagined. This panel discusses the material culture of sound systems, from vinyl to digital formats and from ways of knowing and feeling together to the circulation of physical objects. As the vinyl revival gathers momentum and the development of digital technologies offers new ways to reproduce and manipulate sound, how do our ways of archiving, representing, and sharing our culture change?

Edwina Peart is a part time, PhD Student in the Media and Communications Department of Goldsmiths University. Her academic background started in sociology, continued in education and international development and has facilitated a wide and varied research career. A lifelong Gregory Isaacs fan she is passionate about exploring the full impact of this music.

The Dark Side of the Groove: the art of Dubplate cuttingLeon Chue (Music House) in conversation with Brian D’Aquino (Bababoom Hi Fi)


Enhancing frequencies, deepening sound, pushing loudness to its physical limit: cutting dubplates is an art of its own, which has been organic to the development of sound system culture for more than five decades. Drawing on Leon’s 22 years of experience as cutting engineer at the world-renowned Music House studio, the talk will address the sonic features of dubplates, their role in reggae industry and the links between reggae and other bass-loaded urban sounds.

Mastering VinylCicely Balston (Mastering engineer, Air Studios)Currently at world-renowned Air Studios founded by George Martyn, Cicely has worked at various companies and recording studios before channelling her interests into mastering, and particularly vinyl mastering, at the all-analogue studio and record label Gearbox Records. Her talk is about the process of making a vinyl record. All aspects of cutting and manufacturing will be briefly covered - from creative decisions at the very beginning of the process through mastering and all the way to pressing. This talk is aimed at everyone, whether you’re looking to release your own records or just enjoy listening to them.

The Great Vinyl DebateNatty Harvey & Cecil Remy (King Tubby’s Sound System) Vinyl is coming back we are told, but for some sound systems its never gone away. This presentation considers the pros and cons of the vinyl vs. laptop. It asks how relevant is the format today? Is it a step forwards or back? What is the appeal of the sound itself? Based on many years of experience Natty Harvey also examines practical issues of weight and convenience, as a well as more philosophical ones of authenticity.

Rockers, Soulheads & Lovers: Sound Systems back in da DayDr. Michael McMillan (University of the Arts London)Sound system culture is intrinsic to black diaspora music formation, and was brought to the UK by post-war Caribbean migrants, where alternative dancehall and dance-floor spaces were created wherever there was black settlement, which subverted, resisted and transgressed colonial fantasies about the black body that were recycled in the media and popular discourse. As a sign of postcolonial modernity, black pre-eminence on the dance-floor where sound systems ‘sounds’ ‘played out’, their sartorial interventions, and creolisation would influence white working class subcultural style, as well as a generation, during the 1970s, searching for a black British identity. While sound system culture has been commodified, it does not feature in histories of British popular culture. This article addresses these mis(sed) representations, uses a theoretical framework to unpack the material culture of sound system culture in terms of the House & Blues party, and dance-hall, the migration of bass culture, feminine and masculine erotic power in the call and response in the dance-floor’s corporeality, and sartorial aesthetics and interventions of the dancers or ravers. This is also informed by autoethnography as a raver, which was part of my curatorial antiphony in the installation-based exhibition Rockers, Soulheads & Lovers: Sound Systems back in da Day (2015-16, New Art Exchange, Nottingham and 198


Contemporary Arts & Learning, London), from which oral history interviews with sound system pioneers, practitioners and ravers are also used in this article.

"Vinil Brasil”: the new aura of reproducible music also enchants usDr. Leonardo Vidigal (Universidade Federal do Minas Gerais, Brazil) and Guilherme Freitas (via Skype)Brazil has a very potent musical culture, which has maintained vinyl to this day as a medium and as an object of affection. The country is now beginning to experience the effects of the new wave of revaluation of vinyl, with the inauguration of its second pressing plant (Vinil Brasil), the only two in Latin America. Most of the vinyls pressed in them are classics of popular music practiced in Brazil, with a 60% growth in orders over the last four years, even though few people have purchased quality turntables. In the Brazilian reggae scene, the demand for vinyl had a big boost with the rise of sound systems, starting in the late 2000s. But most of the sounds still prefer to cut dubplates and press 12’’ and 7’’ abroad, where they can get cheaper and better results. New Brazilian distributors are also emerging. For all that, the vinyl culture in Brazil still faces many difficulties, but also holds enormous potential to transform the hype in music creativity and livity.

Collecting Vinyl Records behind the Iron Curtain: Piracy, technology and social networkDr Dariusz Brzostek (Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń)In the 1970s and 1980s in the Polish People’s Republic Polish artists’ vinyl records released by Polish record labels (e.g. Polskie Nagrania “Muza”, Wifon, Tonpress) costed around 500 PLZ, while prices of foreign albums oscillated from 700 PLZ (Hungarian, Czechoslovakian) to 2,000 PLZ (Western releases) – by the average monthly salary of circa 5,000 PLZ (in the second half of the 1970s). Officially released – under the licence – LP records or compact cassettes by Western artists were true rarities in Poland. Collecting vinyl records at that time included the communities of people collaborating in the spheres of economics (purchase of expensive original releases), recording practices (coming together to copy music from original sources with high quality audiophile gear), distribution of recordings (sharing records, tapes, cassettes), and social position (people who could not afford to assemble original releases and sought contact with other music lovers in a similar situation).

Break15:45 - 16:15Refreshments

Session 3: Herstory - from Ranking Miss P to the Present


Chair: Juliet Alexander (Broadcaster, Journalist and Lecturer)16:15 - 17:30 LG01

This Panel features Sound System Operators/DJs from back in da day (the ‘80’s) alongside DJs who established their systems in the 2000’s. Contributors will share their experiences of setting up their Sounds, their music practice, their audiences, their achievements and the challenges they have overcome.

Juliet Alexander is a massive vinyl fan with a large and eclectic collection of LPs, white labels and singles. And mother of three music loving children. An award winning media communications and education consultant. Currently Careers Manager in a large secondary school in Hackney. A media lecturer at Birkbeck College, Regents American College London, Boston University London, Roehampton and Thames Valley University. A former journalist with the Guardian, Sunday Times and Hackney Gazette newspapers. Broadcaster with Women’s Hour, Law in Action, Newsbeat and Black Londoners. And Presenter with Ebony the UK’s first black current affairs programme, John Craven’s Newsround, Songs of Praise, Granada Reports, Central News, BBC Newsroom SE and LWT news. And a former interim manager of the Bernie Grant arts Centre in Tottenham.

Sista Culcha

Moving to the UK in 1967 linked me to the ubiquitous Blue Spot gram so commonplace in the West Indian living rooms. Being the right fit to stack the 7" records I became the kid who played the music at gatherings and parties. We had records from Tom Jones, Englebert, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, and many imported from Jamaica like Milly Small, many on the Duke Reid, Dr Bird, Coxsone Dodd, labels. We also had some long play albums of the great King of calypso The Mighty Sparrow. My mother and father also loved to sing, and on many occasions they would take out the reel to reel and we would tape the sessions. Dad would sing "Oh Danny Boy" and one of mum's favourites was "They tried to tell us we're too young." In my early teens I began collect Motown records, but listened to a range of soul and reggae music. I began playing music by running my penny disco at school and took my records to the local youth club. When I joined the sound system I called myself Mummah Cutty. In 1980 I joined a group of young women who operated a sound system called Sister Culture.

Nzinga Soundz (Junie Rankin & via Skype DJ Ade)

Nzinga Soundz was established in the early ‘80’s by DJ Ade and Junie Rankin and has become one of the UK’s longest running, all women sound systems. Their music selection is wide ranging spanning reggae, soul, calypso, African, Latin and jazz. Both of them have worked in the music industry and the Black arts sector. In addition to corporate events, private dances, concerts, weddings, community based events and blues parties, the sound has played at various London venues including the Astoria, Charing Cross (supporting The Mighty Diamonds), Kentish Town


Forum (supporting Burning Spear), Four Aces Night Club, Seventy-Seven Social Club, the Africa Centre and the Mambo Inn. For several years during the 1980s DJ Ade and Junie Rankin established and hosted a popular Sunday afternoon community radio show on SLR Radio which featured many of their interviews with leading Reggae artists including Ziggy Marley, Augustus Pablo and the Mighty Diamonds. In April 2016 DJ Ade and Junie Rankin were featured in the major exhibition entitled; “Rockers, Soul Heads & Lovers, Sound Systems Back in the Day” at the 198 Contemporary gallery based in Brixton.

Rankin MervaI was born in London, Kensington Hospital, and lived in Harlesden for period, until my Mother decided to migrate to Jamaica in 1969. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1973 so I returned to London in August 1986. Living in Kingston Jamaica, I was always surrounded by music from all genres. I can remember my first Ska record at the age of 6yrs old, (Jamaican Ska – by Monty Morris), and my first dance. My Fathers 'house was the main Head Quarters for the exportation of pre- release Reggae records at the time and became the ‘front-line’ of the community - somewhere everyone associated with Reggae music and came to spend time and network with other artists. In the United Kingdom, I would have to say my most inspirational support came from the well-known top Reggae producer and event promoter Dr Hawkeye, at his world famous record store ‘Hawkeye Records, in Harlesden, London – the birthplace of sounds like Trojan and Arawak Records. I had the opportunity to visit various recording studios alongside Dr Hawkeye and met some of Jamaican top musician to see how records were created. By doing all this, I started collecting my own records, attending more parties and clubs. I also listened to a wider variety of music such as Northern Soul, Disco Soul, Rock Steady, Ska, and of course, Calypso, which was played by one of Jamaica's top Dee Jays Winston Blake. I was always inspired by watching the Male selectors playing records and one day I decided to approach Senor Daley of Klassique Disco and let him know I was interested in becoming a Female selector. I must admit, he did smile but wasted no time in assisting me. I met up with him at the House of Leo Venue - Cargill Avenue, Half Way Road, where he played every Wednesday, and watched how he worked the crowd, picking up tips to perfect my craft. Senor Daley gave me my first lessons in selecting and thereafter I became his warm up Presenter – playing records from his box. At that time, my older brother had just decided to invest in a sound system, Newland High Power. I would be the selector for the night when he played at private parties, etc. I was much younger and knew all the latest Reggae tracks – remember, in those days, it was one Turntable and the open top amplifier with the valve tubes.

Legs Eleven

The trinity known as Legs Eleven Sound System from North-West London/UK, comprises sisters Mili Red (MC), Princess (DJ) and Xuxu (operator/selector). Originating from JOE 90 High-Power Sound System, these ladies simply just love to play good music and take their listeners on a musical journey that they will never forget.


Thali Lotus (CAYA, Come As You Are)

CAYA was born October 2015, as a result of my spiritual awakening. I was at a point of my life where I had achieved the status quo ideals but still felt a lack of happiness and moral. It was around 2014 that I began looking deeper into the meaning of life, existence and spirituality and becoming more with in line with energy and vibration and was drawn to the Roots scene following attendance at many sessions. I consciously sought guidance from elders and new young sounds up and down the Country, I’m still learning, I don’t think that will ever end. The sound was completed in October 2016. CAYA is a movement of Positivity, Spirituality, Music, Frequency Education & Charity.

Lady XplosiveXplosive Music started in May 2015 and was setup by DJ Lady Xplosive. It is based in London United Kingdom. The service it provides involves links with Artistes, Musicians, Producers and Radio Stations. The connection mainly is from countries such as United Kingdom, Jamaica, Germany, USA, France and Africa. The main focus of Xplosive Music is the promotion of Artistes and their music. There are more plans for involvement in Entertainment and Music Presentations. The aim of the music presentations is to create awareness and provide additional specific information about the music Industry. The main genres Xplosive Music focuses on are, Reggae, Dancehall, RnB, Hip-Hop, and Dance Chart and etc. Also there are future plans for conducting interviews of artistes and maybe others in the Music Industry.

Nkechi Aligbe-Abeng (Warrior Queen) Nkechi has always been known to frequent Roots Music sessions “to keep my life in balance after so much hard work” she quotes. Known Musically as Nkechi the WarriorQueen, from 1999 to 2004, Nkechi presented the Roots Feast Information (with music) Show on Genesis Radio, London UK and after taking a break from radio, joined RealMusicFm’s Family Reasoning Show as a co-presenter in 2014. She now has two radio shows per week on ReakMusicFm.com. The RootsFeast Cultural Music Show (Wednesdays 10pm -12am) and Mondays @ 10:30 pm until 1 am, the Conscious Living Vibrations discussion & Music Show. These shows include interview with music artists and people doing useful works in the community. Nkechi the WarriorQueen performs as a Roots Reggae Selector playing vinyls, CD’s & Macs with a distinctly a roots & culture spiritual vibration regularly with large sounds such as Josiah Sound System, I- Creation Sound System as well as sessions at Drumbeat in Leyton, Orleans Night Club in Finsbury Park, Fox and Firkin in Lewisham and the Magic Gardens in Battersea. She has warmed up shows with great roots and dub artists such as Twinkle Brothers, Johnny Clarke, Mad Professor and Mungo Hi Fi. Finally, Nkechi is also a member of the Reggae Choir where she has played in chorus and solo in several live shows.

DJ Xcel


Session 4A Outernationalism Chair: Prof Liv Sovik (UFRJ, Brazil)17.30 - 18:45 LG01

The sound system vibration has always found resonances across the world. In this panel, soundpeople from India to Italy share their thoughts and experiences as participants in a culture that is increasingly global. What are the resonances and dissonances that arise as the sound travels? How do local and outernational ways of feeling and thinking clash and mix? How can sound men and women across the world support one another's efforts?

Liv Sovik uses the Brazilian popular music tradition as an avenue to understand Brazilian imaginaries and subjectivities. Her work has focused on foreign influence and domination, in the context of the postmodern debate and Brazil’s affinity with it; the discursive mechanisms for valuing whiteness in a country that has long seen itself as mestiço; the historical presence of independent women even as feminism was silenced; non-academic, disciplined ways of thinking and knowing, two examples being music and capoeira. She edited a major collection of Stuart Hall’s work in Portuguese (Da diaspora, 2003) and is the author of Aqui ninguém é branco [Here no one is white] (2009) and Tropicália Rex (2018). She teaches communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and in an MA program on Ethnic and Race Relations at CEFET, a technical college in Rio de Janeiro.

India’s Reggae Resistance: Defending Dissent Under Modi (film screening, 25min.)

Taru Dalmia an Indian reggae musician builds a Jamaican-style sound system to energise a wave of protests defending free speech.with Taru Dalmia (Delhi Sultanate, Delhi presentation via Skype)

The Other Half of the Sky: Sound System Women in Europe (7 minutes per contributor)

Nadine Dogliani, (Muxima (KDW), Italy)One of the first international sound system women on the European scene, Muxima is active since over 20 years. She used to run the King David Warriors sound system and done countless gigs in Italy and Europe with it. She co-produced the infamous Benidub "Conquering Lion-A tribute to Yabby You" and produce music for her label "Muxima". Nowadays she selects on her own and sometimes she is blessed to goes along Oxman


from Dub Vendor/Souljazz crew on the mic. She co-directed with Massimo Mosca the video called "The only good system is a Sound System" for Tate Britain and Whitechapel Gallery in London, UK.

Anja Winnes (Siren Sisters, Germany)I started spinning records in my early 20s (now I am 42 years old) and I found Siren Sisters in 2007. With my selection I focus on spiritual and political tunes with a strong message of love and unity. I do sessions in Munich, and I am on the management board of kulturimpuls, a non-profit association dedicated to reggae & dub, organizing the Rootsbase on Fusion Festival and other events. I write regularly for the German RIDDIM magazine about Soundsystem culture.

Dasha Fyah (Energy of Dub, Czech Republic)Since 2001 Dasha Fyah has been playing reggae and dub music all across Europe, staying faithful to a heavy bassline on vinyl and enjoying mixing and blending the riddims together. You could see her spinning at Rototom Sunsplash (SP), on stage run by Cross Club - Dasha´s resident venue; Ostroda (PL) or United Nations of Dub (UK); or maybe supporting artists such as Twinkle Brothers (Brixton Jamm), Macka B (one of sessions during her 10-year residency in Hootananny, London) or Jah Shaka (Cross Club, CZ) and many more. For 2 years she used to spread the conscious vibes on international DubForce radio.

Lady Laia (Purple Rockets, Spain)Lady Laia started out on a young age hosting a radio show in her hometown. She formed 'The Amazon Sound Sisters' late 2009 after moving to Barcelona. When this ended she continued solo but in 2015 she formed 'Purple Rockets' a collective with again only female members. Young collective but they already played in the Dub Academy at Rototom Festival, International Dub Gathering and around the Spanish festivals and venues. Lady Laia plays solo too and she travels around to bring here message of equality and respect! In 2010 she joined the radio show 'Sound System FM' based in Barcelona since 1989. But many other projects passed after moving to Barcelona as Roots Unity Project or What About the Half (WATH) a national help program, which is the latest and as all projects before, its focus is on bringing equality and integration. Also as a reporter and photographer she contributes to the Southern reggae scene.'

Anna D'Andrea (Habesha, Italy)Anja started spinning records over 20 years ago and founded Siren Sisters in 2007. She plays and organizes sessions in Munich regularly and can be heard throughout Germany at reggae clubs and festivals. With her selection she focuses on spiritual and political tunes with heavy basslines and a strong message of love and unity. Anja is on the management board of kulturimpuls, a non-profit association dedicated to reggae & dub, organizing the Rootsbase on Fusion Festival, Rootsbase Festival and other events like Dubimpuls. She writes regularly for the German Riddim magazine about soundsystem culture.


Session 4B The Poetics of Dub Chair: Dr. Michael McMillan17.30- 18:45 Atrium PSH

Sound system culture has built unique approaches to the craft of sound, developing techniques and philosophies to move the people, challenge power, and keep the culture moving forward. In this panel, active soundmen and women discuss their own practices of excavating, mixing, and propagating sound and share their thoughts and philosophies about the poetics of dub and sound systems.

Michael McMillan is a London based writer, playwright, artist/curator, and scholar of Vincentian migrant parentage. His plays include: Brother to Brother (1996), Master Juba (2006), and curatorial work includes the critically acclaimed: The West Indian Front Room (2005-06), and more recently: No Colour Bar: Black British Art in Action 1960-1990 (2015-16), Doing Nothing is Not an Option (2015) Rockers, Soulheads & Lovers: Sound Systems Back in Da Day (2015-16). His publications include: The Front Room: Migrant Aesthetics in the Home (2009). He has the first Arts Doctorate from Middlesex University (2010), and is currently an Associate Lecturer in Cultural & Historical Studies at London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London).

Dub Media Archaeologies – the Ghosts of Dub (10 minutes)Dr Eddie George (Post-Doc, Media and Communications Dept, Goldsmiths)Eddie George will be speaking about his ongoing research around dub, architecture, archaeology, the photographer Eugene Atget, critical theorist Walter Benjamin, and about what haunts dub and also who and what dub haunts. The presentation discusses cross-genre connection and features the music of Howling Wolf, some Bob Marley, some Frank Ocean, a little Buju and maybe some Sizzla and definitely some N’dagga Rhythm Force plus a few obscure 70’s African singles.

Sound System Culture & UK Dance Music (10 minutes)Felix Parry, GoldsmithsThis paper presents a socio-ethnomusicological investigation into Jamaican sound system culture, its presence in England, and the subsequent influence it has had on music in the UK. The assortment of styles throughout the UK’s dance music scene, such as jungle, drum & bass, garage, grime and most recently dubstep, all rely on the ‘DJ culture’ that has been built on the foundation of Jamaican music and its presence in Britain (Henriques, 2011). This paper intends to examine how the characteristics of the modern dance music performance, and its communal nature, have emerged from its Jamaican heritage.


Spiquency (10 minutes)Thali Lotus, CAYA SoundA look at the relationship between Spirit, Frequency and Vibration and how this has an effect on audience connectivity with the Sound Artist, with particular reference to Roots & Culture & Dub compositions. Whilst most popular songs and music are favoured for their lyrical content and visual illustration, in the World of Sound System there is in fact a lot more then what meets the eye and hears the ears. In particular the resonance of music and sound at frequencies which are in tune with ones own vibration creates synergy between the individual and music, hence Spiquency.

Brief Q&A

Reflections on Dub and the Aesthetics of Noise (35 minutes)Trevor Mathison and Gary Stewart (Dubmorphology) and Aniruddha Das (Dr. Das/ADF)

Dubmorphology create experimental audio visual performances and installations inspired by the spirit, practice and approach of using dub principles as a means to explore, probe and investigate speculative sonic territories of social transformation. For the conference, Trevor and Gary with occasional collaborator Aniruddha will expand on how dub relates to their practice of creating electronic and experimental music through a performative lecture where they will examine the ways that they have used dub in unexpected spaces.

Brief Q&A

Conference Closing Remarks Chair: David Katz (Author)18:45 - 19:00

Born in San Francisco and long resident in London, David Katz is the author of three books exploring Jamaican music, politics and culture. He has also produced radio documentaries on the evolution of sound system culture and the relation between music and politics in Jamaica and his writing and photographs have appeared in many publications worldwide, including Mojo, Riddim, Caribbean Beat, Wax Poetics, Fact, The Guardian and The Telegraph. He has also annotated over 100 Jamaican music retrospectives and currently hosts Dub Me Always, a monthly reggae vinyl night in Brixton.


Session 5: Skin Deep Sonic Transmissions Student Union Bar, Dixon Road (5 min walk) with Pay Bar + Ital meal19:15 - 22:00Free

presented by Anu Henriques (Skin Deep Magazine) with Unit 137 Sound Systemwith Wayne Francis (United Vibrations) and Hadiru Mahdi (Brother Portrait) + Ed West, Hylu, Kosher & Sleepy Time Ghost + Special Guests (Unit 137 Sound System + Bababoom HiFi + CAYA + Nzinga Soundz)

Sonic Transmissions is a series of exploratory live public listening sessions and conversations with musicians, DJs, artists and music makers. Navigating identity, politics, music and style, each session offers an alternative way to experience music and sound. This session will demo sampling and vinyl techniques with performance.

Post Conference Session: Unit 137 Full Sound System & CrewStudent Union Bar, Dixon Road, SE14 6NW 22:00 - 04:00with Iron Dread (Congo Natty), Shumba Youth (Reggae Roast), Sasha Steppa

£5 special entry for conference attendees

Unit 137 is a collective of progressive musicians, vocalists, producers, sound engineers, DJs, videographers, VJs and photographers drawn together by a shared passion for conscious, forward-thinking bass music. They are based in SE London (Lewisham) where their sound system, recording studio and record label are all located. The Unit 137 Sound System is a powerful hand built wooden system. It consists of eight super scoops, four HD 215 kick bins and four DMT 210 tops. Powersoft & Matrix amplification is used to provide the perfect balance of warm, deep bass, and clear and crisp top end, with a well-defined mid-range. The complete system has a peak output in excess of 20k watts.


Documents

soun Web viewSound System Outernational #4. in association with Sound System Culture, Let’s Go Yorkshire, Skin Deep, Lion Beat, Unit 137 sound system and Goldsmiths TRU