Modular People

A day of free talks exploring early experimentation in music, film and video and the cultural influences surrounding one of the most creative periods in Australia's music history.

Key panelists including Tom Ellard (Severed Heads), Andrew Penhallow (Volition Records), Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) and Roger Grierson (Thought Criminals) share their works, insights and experiences from the underground of Australian music.

Session 1: World Domination - The Australian Post Punk Movement
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
January 16 at 12pm, 1 hour including Q&A
FREE

Australia's Post Punk movement sought to 'steal' music back from the experts and promote artistic expression with little concern for mainstream success. It was an era of tribalism, collaboration and experimentation challenging the foundation of the Australian music industry. This first Signal to Noise Session will compare the Post Punk era to today's creative community and question why the music received international praise while it was relatively overlooked at home.

Moderator: Marty Wirth
Presenter: Julian Knowles
Panelists: Michael Tee, Jaimie Leonarder, Roger Grierson, Andrew Penhallow, Clinton Walker

Session 2: Postmodern vs. Modern debate on Remixing and Recycling
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
January 16 at 1.30pm, 1 hour including Q&A
FREE

For the past two decades we have been consumed by the culture of remixing, sampling and recycling but what do we have to show for it? Does remixing offer an avenue for artists to explore new ideas or has it desensitised our appreciation for originality? This Signal to Noise session will challenge the ideals of musicians, film makers and academics involved in the Post-Punk era and try to answer the question: what would Roland Barthes do?

Moderator: Marty Wirth
Presenter: Tom Ellard
Panelists: Steve Malinder, Julian Knowles, Phil Turnbull, Ross Harley

Session 3: Experimental Film and Video
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
January 16 at 3pm, 1 hour 30 mins including Q&A
FREE

Although music was the headliner the Post Punk era also saw a surge in experimental film and video. The final Signal to Noise session will feature presentations of rare and previously unseen footage showcasing the groundbreaking ideas and DIY methodology that has come all to close to being forgotten.

Host: Jaimie Leonarder
Presenters: Jaimie Leonarder, Ross Hartley, Ian Andrews, Tom Ellard, Stephen Jones

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