Presented by EMC, AIR and Cirrus Audio, CONNECT is a free event for electronic music artists, DJs, labels, promoters and wider music community members from across Muloobinba/Newcastle and surrounding areas.

Held at 12B Lounge, Clyde St Arts on Sunday 3 May from 6pm to 9pm, CONNECT is a space for conversation, networking and shared insight, featuring a social mixer, two in-conversations plus the launch of practical resources to support independent artists and labels.

Maria Amato (CEO - AIR) joins Jane Slingo (Director - EMC) in conversation to discuss how AIR is working to support Australia's independent recorded music sector through advocacy, funding pathways and practical support for independent labels. AIR will also launch a new suite of free resources developed by EMC for AIR, designed to equip independent artists and labels with the knowledge and tools they need to grow and thrive.

Tim Levinson (Elefant Traks), Assembler Code (International Chrome) and Shivani Sharma (EMC) will explore what it’s taken for these two distinctive Newcastle-based labels to build their community and business outside traditional industry pathways. The conversation will also offer insight into what labels look for when signing artists, what healthy artist-label relationships look like in practice, and what artists should know before signing anything.

Whether you’re an emerging artist, label,  or simply looking to meet others shaping electronic music in Greater Newcastle and beyond, CONNECT offers a welcoming space networking, knowledge sharing and strengthening the local community. Attendance is free with registration. 

EMC and its initiatives and programs are supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia and the NSW Government through Sound NSW. The CONNECT program is also supported by Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) . Extra thanks to Clyde St Arts for hosting the CONNECT program.