By Michael Nicholson
What is DMC? It’s a good question. But ‘what wasn’t it?’ might be better.
The third Dumfries Music Conference slid triumphantly on its knees into The Stove Building on Friday, 24th April, and Saturday, 25th April, 2015—dragging behind it a heady concoction of workshops, panel discussions, live music, film, and a radio station in its vapour trail. With two successes under their belt and a bagful of lessons tucked neatly under their arm, this was the coming-of-age DMC.
While DMC 2012 and DMC 2013 were important in their own right—the first for being first and the second for being a four-day monster (lesson learned)—DMC 2015 carried an extra bit of weight on its shoulders. DMC 2015 was to be the event that opened The Stove Building. Yeah, you heard it. That project, started by a beautiful bunch of arty folks (of which Team DMC belong), with a vision for a better Dumfries, began around four years ago and has had more ups and downs than the Big Dipper—this was the one. Not to mention the fact that DMC had been in hibernation for 18 months.
Unfurl the bunting and re-hang the banners—this had to be big!
Well, it was less bunting and more Rock Against Racism. The exhibition, which depicts the vibrant fight against fascists and racists, who have intermittently raised their extremely ugly heads over the last four decades, was on display throughout DMC2015—on the ground and middle floors. This is the artwork for marches, demos, and gigs that have stood in the name of social justice and equality for all. It gave The Stove a look that suited it to a tee and brought out a part of its personality that had been hiding beneath its blank canvas.
The major addition to the Dumfries Music Conference format this year was Radio DMC. It’s an idea that the organisers discovered at goNORTH Festival (now XpoNorth), and it worked an absolute treat. It gave the event a sense of currency and monkey bars to swing across throughout the daytime. Presenters Craig Watson and Chazz (also known as Deep Fried Soul) and Melissa Gunn (of Thursday Night Showcase on Alive Radio fame) infused it with the energy and professionalism that were vital to its success.
Over 20 local musicians, bands, and DJs performed over the two days—broadcasting live to the room and over the digital airwaves. The special and unique moments that Radio DMC created were truly unforgettable.
So many great Radio DMC moments. Listen back to (almost – slight technical issue) all of them here.
A special mention—and one of the many highlights of Radio DMC—was when 15-year-old Doonhamer Euan Leslie, who just happens to be the ‘Young Scottish Drummer of the Year 2015’, performed live and was then joined by a group of young musicians for an impromptu jam session on Saturday afternoon. The music was so sweet that Radio DMC presenter Chazz transformed himself into a rapper for an off-the-cuff rendition of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by Sugarhill Gang—or should we say the Stovietoon Gang. Epic!
Then there was Cinema DMC—a room on the top floor of the three-storey Stove Building, which was transformed into an intimate cinema space. The general subject, of course, was music. The programme featured End of a Century: The Story of The Ramones, Who Shot the Sheriff (about Rock Against Racism), Hector Bizerk’s Bird That Never Flew, The Punk Singer, and Searching for Sugarman. All in all, it was a pleasant and relaxing addition to the DMC line-up. Bringing your own popcorn was optional.
So, those three things were the constants. The Rock Against Racism Exhibition served as a backdrop to every DMC 2015 event (apart from the cinema). Radio DMC broadcast on both days between midday and teatime—6 pm on Friday and 4:30 pm on Saturday. Cinema DMC screened music documentaries between midday and 6 pm on both days.
Since it began, DMC has been a bastion of sharing ideas. Its workshops are the stuff of legend—and, frankly, this year was no different. MusicPlus+ has been a valued DMC partner since the first event, and this year the music-mentoring vehicle motored in with an absolute belter: Hector Bizerk frontman, Louie, with Hip Hop was Born in Scotland.
The two-hour session provided a unique opportunity for young (and older) enthusiasts to hear from one of the UK’s most exciting hip-hop artists, who is part of one of the UK’s most exciting hip-hop groups. It was as much about knowledge and culture as it was about mastering the art—Louie was crowned King of Dumfries (for the day).
Number-one soundman Dave Miller took charge of the other two workshops—‘Recording Audio Using Pro Tools’ and ‘An Introduction to Live Sound’. For anyone at the live gig that concluded DMC2015, for which Dave was the sound engineer, you’ll already know the level of this man’s skills. The sound for the gig (in a pretty challenging acoustic environment) was stunning. Those who attended Dave’s workshops walked away as better people: better informed, better EQers, better everything. Dave was King of Dumfries that day (sorry, Louie).
For many people, Friday night’s DMC 2015 Seminar will go down as their favourite part of the event. Masterminded and held together by Derick Mackinnon (there are rumours that the D, M, and C in DMC come from Derick’s name, which are so far unsubstantiated; however, there is no denying how important he is to the event and its organisation), it featured a—again, this cannot be overstated—ridiculously brilliant cast of music industry movers and shakers. Let’s recap: Ally McCrae (manager, Prides, and A&R, Sentric Music), Keren McKean (We Make Music Work and Deep Blue Festivals), Scott Kirkwood (manager, KLOË, Hit The Road, and First Run Records), Alan Morrison (The Herald), Jeff Thompson (Un-Convention and Off Axis), and Nick Roberts (Electric Fields Festival). The seminar was exceptional, revealing industry secrets about media coverage, record labels, and management.
The post-seminar portion of the evening was the moment all the bands and musicians in the audience (featuring a who’s who of the D&G music scene) were most excited—and downright petrified—about: the A&R Listening Lounge, where their music was played and reviewed before an audience of roughly 60 people. All acts of bravery were commendable. These particular acts received warm appreciation from both the audience and the industry experts. It could have gone terribly, but in fact, it was the topper to a dazzling evening and a smile-inducing day.
Saturday night was, of course, crowned by DMC Live, featuring Miaoux Miaoux, KLOË, Sean vs The Robots, and MØGEN. Pretty much everybody knew this gig would be great beforehand. All it needed was good sound (check—nice one, Dave, and The Stove for investing in a top-notch Funktion-One sound system) and an appreciative audience. Hello to the 100 or so (sold out) good souls who made it down for that, and apologies for making you stand outside while the bands finished their sound checks. As it turned out, the timings were pretty much spot on (lesson learned). It really was a treat for the ears. Afterwards, some DMCers toddled off to the Electric Theatre Workshop for the aftershow, while others disappeared into the night.
Whichever way, they—and all who sailed its path—were united by the warm glow of everything that had been DMC 2015. A brilliant event in a splendid new creative hub for the town and the beginning of a new chapter for all.
