Little BIGSOUND is the younger brother of the music industry get-together, BIGSOUND.
The annual conference, which takes over the Fortitude Valley for two days, is where movers and shakers move and shake, cut deals, organise tours and generally have a good time of it.
Little BIGSOUND, then, is for tomorrow's movers and shakers. Returning for a second year, the one-day conference takes place the day after BIGSOUND.
Former Powderfinger guiatarist Ian Haug, who’ll be a speaker on the day, explains why he became involved. “Because of my history I guess people presume that I have some kind of knowledge to impart. I've been in the industry for a long time now. Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it's hard to just talk about it. There needs to be these sorts of forums so young people do get the knowledge they need about the industry.
“I'm really looking forward to it, I've been to BIGSOUND before but never Little BIGSOUND, so I'm really happy to be involved.” Ian is impressed by the professionalism with which the event has been organised. “It's organised pretty much by a committee of volunteers from YMI, or Youth Music Industries. Most of the kids are from The Queensland Academy of Creative Industries, which is a pretty awesome place. We had a meeting there and frankly I'm pretty jealous that sort of place didn't exist when I was at school. Ah man it's just incredible!”
For Ian music really is a way of life. “My first bands were when I was 13 or so … I have to make music, it's just in me to do that. I didn't do it to make money, I did it because I love music. I think if people go into it with the wrong goals, just wanting to be famous or rich or something, then it's not too rewarding a career. You've got to do it because you love it. That's why Little BIGSOUND is so great, it's not just the musicians, there are so many background people that have to exist too and the day helps demonstrate that.”
Little BIGSOUND takes place at the Judith Wright Centre on Saturday September 15.