The concept is a variation of the popular “Silent Disco” where the audience wears headphones as pulsating dance music is pumped into their ears. An unusual site to see and one that has really taken off this year around Boston.

The silent concert was the idea of Allan Kraut, an Associate Professor at the New England Institute of Art (ArtInstitutes.edu/Boston), and Founder of Cambridge-based Merch Music (MerchMusic.com), a digital music download company.

Boston’s premier party band, The Sub5, will be performing top hits and classics during the NEiA Summer barbeque. Attendees walk up to a table, leave their ID and get to use a set of headphones to hear the band. They can even adjust the volume of the music to their own liking.

“This changes everything” says Kraut, “Now bands can perform almost anywhere: museums, backyards, airports or a parking lot like this!”

The guitar is run through a computer that simulates the sound of various amplifiers and is controlled by a “GiO” (ApogeeDigital.com/products/gio.php) provided by Apogee Electronics of Santa Monica, CA. The drum pads trigger various samples of actual drums and all the signals are combined using a device known as a JamHub (JamHub.com) by the Whitinsville, MA company of the same name.

Students in NEiA’s enormously successful audio program, under the guidance of professor Kraut, will be running the show. He’s planning other concerts in the area later this Summer.

The performance is on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 from 11:15am – 12:15pm @ The New England Institute of Art, 303 Boylston St., Brookline, MA. This event is exclusively for New England Institute of Art students. Exceptions are made for press.

Come on by, grab some lunch and enjoy the music or the silence!

December 2, 2009 • The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles Street

www.thebostonmusicawards.com

Boston Music Conference • September 24-25, 2009

“Where Preparation Meets Opportunity”

www.bostonmusicconference.com

The BMC is a two-day conference that offers various educational forums, networking opportunities, and exclusive music industry events to educate and empower aspiring talent and entrepreneurs by providing them with the information and tools necessary to pursue a career in music and entertainment.

It brings together 1500+ participants from around the country, including artists, entrepreneurs, entertainment personalities, students, major music industry labels and corporate representatives, as well as publicists and marketers. The schedule includes workshops, panel discussions and Q&A with top industry executives, social and networking events, showcase performances, and an all-star concert bash. Featured representatives include Sony, EMI, Universal, Motown, iZotope, Harmonix, Sonicbids, Open Labs, BMI, and The Recording Academy.

The overarching theme of the conference this year is the impact of digital technology on the music industry. Subcategories include: how new digital distribution platforms are creating opportunities, new channels of digital revenue, and some of the innovations that are fueling growth. Topics to be covered include: “Brands, Bands and Fans”, “Deals and Distribution”, “Breaking into Crossover Markets and International Deals”, “The Digital Age of Music”, “Getting Your Music in Games”, “Audio Engineering”, “Songwriting” and more.

Workshops will be held on Thursday, September 24 from 12-5pm and showcases will be held in the evening from 7-10pm. Artists who would like to participate in the showcase performances are encouraged to submit their music. There will be major label A&R’s present as well as top music industry executives. This is an opportunity to showcase your work in front of people who can change your career, as well as a receiving positive and constructive feedback. Performances will be judged and the winner will receive recognition as well as prizes. Submit your music at: http://www.sonicbids.com/BostonMusicConference or pay for spot by visiting the BMC website for details.

Panels will be held all day on Friday, September 25 from 11:30am-7pm with a Finale Party to follow. Please check the BMC website for detailed information and as well as all updates.

Register now! Tickets are $99 in advance and $150 at the door. Students can receive a 50% discount by emailing (info@bostonmusicconference.com) from their school email address and receiving a discount code.

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Erin Lyder and Amberlynn Johnson represented Merch Music at the event:

Merch Music will be attending South by Southwest 2009 in Austin, Texas.

The SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE features a legendary festival showcasing more than 1,800 musical acts of all genres from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin.

By day, the Austin Convention Center comes alive with conference registrants doing business in the Trade Show and partaking of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature. In its 23rd year, SXSW remains an essential event on the music industry calendar.

Visit Web Site

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Here are some highlights from our trip:

Allan @ SXSW

Julia handing out Merch Music swag

Allan with the Energizer Bunny

Allan with Christopher Anton from Information Society

Julia with ‘Muck’ from Muck and the Mires