For this one-night-only event, independent labels Tone List and Rockton Records join forces to bring US journalist Liz Pelly into conversation with local musician and educator Michael Terren. Drawing from complementary areas of research, the two will discuss how contemporary culture is being shaped by digital tools for creative production and consumption, such as Spotify and Ableton.

Liz Pelly's book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist is an unsparing investigation into Spotify's origins and influence on music, weaving unprecedented reporting with incisive cultural criticism. Hard copies of Mood Machine will be available for purchase on the night, supplied by Rabble Books.

Michael Terren is co-editor of the book Creative Tools and the Softwarization of Cultural Production. The book explores how creativity is increasingly designed, marketed, and produced through digital products and services, which are not always politically, economically or culturally neutral.

As independent music labels operating in grassroots communities, Tone List and Rockton Records recognise the need to divest from extractive, unethical streaming platforms like Spotify. We hope this evening of discussion sparks reflection, criticality, and further action amongst the Boorloo music scene.

Schedule:

5:45PM — Doors open

6:00PM — Discussion begins

6:50PM — Questions

7:15PM — Wrap up

7:30PM — Doors close

PS. Tone List are presenting O,D,E, an experimental opera by Sage J Harlow at The Blue Room Theatre on the same night, in the same building at 8:00pm, upstairs in the theatre. Ticket holders to the Tuesday night O,D,E show can access discounted ticket prices to this event.

Acknowledgments

Tone List operates on Whadjuk Noongar boodja: sovereign Country for eternity. We pay respects to boodja, and to Noongar birdiya (elders) and custodians across time. We dream of a culture of sounding and nih (listening) which supports restorative justice and the Lore of the land.

Tone List stands for a Free Palestine: for peace, for freedom from occupation and apartheid, for self-determination, the right to return for Palestinians in their homelands, and for safe, liberated expression in cultural spaces.

Accessibility

The Blue Room Theatre is a wheelchair accessible space. This event is held in the Kaos Room, which is on the ground floor. Accessible, all-gender bathrooms are located on the ground floor. The venue will be lit by a mixture of fluro and natural lighting. Windows can be opened in the space for ventilation. This event will also have a link to attend remotely via live video meet.

Contact the host of Mood Machine: Liz Pelly [NY] & Michael Terren