The second edition of the Deccan Alternative Music Conference (DeccanAlt or DAMC) is set to take place at the Kerala Museum, Kochi, on February 7 and 8, 2025.
This traveling conference and showcase festival focuses on innovation, grassroots capacity building, and creating a platform for stakeholders in the independent music industry to network, upskill, and explore new music scenes.
With the theme “Looking Inward // Looking Outward,” this year’s DAMC will present actionable insights and skills-oriented programming to strengthen the music economy. The conference emphasizes diversity and representation, featuring curated sessions by local experts and mid-career professionals with practical, real-world experience.
Key highlights of DAMC 2025 include:
- Workshops: Hands-on sessions on lighting design, music production, and vocal techniques.
- Masterclasses: Deep dives into music business finance, contracts, and licensing.
- Case Studies: Topics include A&R in hip-hop, monetizing music, and fan engagement strategies.
- Fireside Chats: Discussions on music education, publishing, artist identity, and technology, hosted by industry veterans.
- Networking: Dedicated sessions with labels, publishers, and educational institutions.
Speakers include Aditi Nayyar (Director, Kerala Museum), Ashwin Nath (musician and CA), and Tribemama Marykali (artist and activist). The conference also collaborates with local women entrepreneurs and artisans, with Kochi-based NGO “Mind Empowered” as a community partner to promote sustainability.
DeccanAlt co-founder Vishruti Bindal explains, “As a traveling conference, we aim to build a strong network of music industry stakeholders and local businesses across cities to share ideas and work together.” Fellow co-founder Prarthana Sen adds, “Our focus is on curating diverse voices and providing practical, impactful programming for the independent music community.”
DeccanAlt Music Conference 2025 promises to be an engaging, knowledge-rich gathering for the independent music industry.