TALK/PLAY/COLLABORATE - call out for ten commissions!
THE PROJECT
Talk/Play/Collaborate is a project to connect musicians, singer-songwriters and musical artists in conversation and collaboration. We believe the fruition of the music industry in our country should be decided, first hand, by the people that make it. We’re inviting applications from young (16-30) musical artists from throughout Scotland, with preference to artists based in Dumfries & Galloway, to connect, chat and create, either together or inspired by one another on one of several questions and posed themes.
On offer are ten micro-commissions for musical based artists, songwriters and musicians to collaborate on a chosen topic. As a duo, you will chat, put the worlds to rights and respond in your own chosen way to one of several topics or themes relevant to music in a post-COVID-19 society.
The project is driven by the need to connect, share and collaborate across the musical community, from Stornoway to Stranraer, at a time of uncertainty and imbalance within the music industry. We endeavour to support musicians to continue to be inspired by one another, outside of their respective scenes and communities, as well as significantly contribute to the discussions facing the musical community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. DMC is a musicians-first organisation that believes diversity and inclusion of voices from across the spectrum of genres and disciplines are vital in growing and maintaining a vibrant regional music scene.
Talk/Play/Collaborate is a long-term project, beginning in September and ending in October before our 2020 Conference.
THE COMMISSIONS
We are offering ten separate commissions to take part in the project. Each commission will receive an all-inclusive fee of £150.
We will select two music makers every 2 weeks as part of this long term project. Selected musicians will be paired together via Zoom and asked to explore one of several themes related to the challenges facing the music industry in Scotland. We expect the conversation to last roughly one hour, initially led and facilitated by one of the DMC Team. After this, applicants will have the rest of the day to creatively respond to the conversations in whatever way they choose. From a short song, an article, a photograph, painting, poem or piece of prose. Anything creative!
At the end of the day, participants will gather together again for a brief 10 minute Q+A with the DMC Team on their music, their day and their creative output. Afterwards, we’ll share the findings, outputs and highlights on our website and social media so the conversation can carry on online.
Bands are welcome to apply, but due to the flat fee we recommend one member from the band apply for a commission.
TALK/PLAY/COLLABORATE AIMS TO
● INSPIRE AND EMPOWER LOCAL ARTISTES/BANDS WITHIN THE DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY REGION
● ENCOURAGE THOSE LOCAL ARTISTES/BANDS TO NETWORK WITH FURTHER AFIELD MUSICIANS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.
● HELP CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY.
● HELP PROVIDE THE BASIS TO EXPLORE WAYS TO ADAPT TO THE CURRENT SITUATION.
● SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE NEW NETWORKS AND COLLABORATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
TO APPLY
Please send us:
● Up to 500 words (max) or a recorded video (3 mins max) exploring one of the prompts listed HERE. We want to hear your opinions, thoughts, ideas and questions. Please note, if selected, you may be given an alternative prompt to discuss. Download the list of prompts by clicking here.
● Links to your online content, music, press packages, websites and related information.
● Please send by email to dumfriesmusicconference@gmail.com
● The deadline for receiving submissions is 5pm on Monday 31st August.
● The first creative team will be notified by email on Friday 4th September, and successful applicants will begin their work the following week.
● Thereafter, successful participants will be notified ahead of their allocated time slot.
● We will always send an email acknowledging receipt of any applications. If you do not receive an email, please contact us again by email.
● If you require specific support when making an application please let us know.