Institut Français du Nigeria and Goethe-Institut Nigeria are organizing a second Electronic Music workshop as a follow-up to the very successful first edition that took place in 2015. The workshop is aimed at expanding the scope of Nigerian music’s already booming scene and previously featured 6 participants from DJs to music producers.
Nigeria boasts a very rich musical tradition. Alongside the traditional music forms and percussion-based style found in its diverse cultural regions, the scene has, over time, been shaped by Western influences from the 50s and 60s (Highlife and Afrobeat) through the 80s and 90s (Hip hop and R & B).At the turn of the millennium, increasingly electronic elements came into the various music styles, which nonetheless retained their traditional rhythmic structures.
Based on its population structure, Nigeria has been able to develop a music industry that is heavily influential on the rest of the continent. However, this dominance of very commercially-oriented musicians has made it increasingly difficult for independent artistes to access a platform for developing artistically-ambitious music. Artists like Keziah Jones, Nneka, Asa, Ade Bantu and others are more successful abroad than in Nigeria and independent music producers and artists don’t have sufficient support schemes and places to produce and present their musical creativity.
Taking this into consideration, the two partner organizations– with additional support from the Franco-German Cultural Fund – will once again select a small number of Nigerian DJs /electronic music producers to take part in a 9-day Electronic Music workshop, labeled “Electronic Soundscapes”.
Facilitated by 3 internationally-renowned producers, the workshops will take place daily from October 9 to 17, 2016 in Lagos and Abuja.
DJs and producers with a strong artistic interest in electronic music are encouraged to apply!
Training Objectives
“Electronic Soundscapes” is inspired by the TEN Cities Project, which presented an intersection of club and electronic music between different European and African cities. The workshop is set up within this context and aims to foster artistic interaction among German, French and Nigerian musicians in the area of electronic music.
It is a mutually-beneficial exchange for participants and the facilitators and will hopefully improve the skills that participants bring to the session as well as offer a rare opportunity to work with world-class producers from varying backgrounds.
Specific objectives of the workshop:
- Improve the technical level
- develop the artistic approach linked to producing electronic music
- produce electronic music tracks
- Perform high quality electronic music show after the workshops
After the conclusion of the project, the aim is to have further workshops and regular events involving Nigerian DJs in order to generate continuous creative and active input towards this new platform for electronic music. The objective is to establish a network of active DJs/electronic music producers, and identify potential partners for future alternative music projects and establish a sustainable co-operation between Nigerian and European partners.
Target Group
The Workshops are targeted at practicing Nigerian music producers, who are above 18 years of age, with tangible experience in electronic music.
Language
The working language of the workshop is English.
Experts for the Training
- Adegboyega Oyedele, (DJ Afrologic, Nigeria)
- Daniel Haaksman (Man Recordings, Germany)
- Jonathan Vigreux (Jon Attend, Salon Records, France)
- Wura Samba (Percussionist, Nigeria)
Application Requirements
- Download and complete application form
- Proven experience producing electronic music (accessible online), previous experience with live performances is an advantage
- Applicants must have their own equipment (i.e laptop, headphones, MIDI Controller, and other related gear.)
- Be proficient with electronic music production software such as Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro, Fruity Loops and/or Avid Pro Tools
- Applicants must be above 18 years of age.
- All applicants must be resident in Nigeria
Incomplete application documents will not be reviewed.
Deadline for Submissions
The deadline for submitting applications is: Sunday, September 18, 2016
Applications will be accepted via e-mail only. Completed applications must be submitted in one mail to the following organizers:
aurelien.sennacherib@diplomatie.gouv.fr,
cultural@institutfr-nigeria.org
Please indicate “DJ/“electronic soundscapes” and state preferred location (Lagos or Abuja) in the subject line of the e-mail.
