Community In Resistance
In a digital-first world, building real community on your own terms takes intention and a willingness to do things differently. This event is about exactly that.
Join us at ACE and hear from Western Sydney artists BAYANG (tha Bushranger) & S.C.U.M on how they've built community on their own terms – and what that's meant for their music and freedom as artists. The conversation will be hosted by MusicNSW’s Western Sydney Coordinator, Fernando Benavides, and will cover topics like:
- How DIY thinking has influenced their practice
- Why building community is an act of resistance
- Releasing music outside of traditional streaming models
Then, attend a hands-on workshop led by designer & screen-printer Kels Tran (KILLJOY/Bottega Made), where you will learn how to burn your own CDs. This workshop will cover:
- Getting your tracks ready - file formats, organisation and what you actually need
- How to put your music on CDs
- DIY methods for designing CD covers & artwork
- Merchandising tools
Who is this workshop for
You will get the most out of this workshop if you are:
- An emerging, independent artist or producer
- A DIY record label
- An independent music collective
How to get involved
An official ‘COMMUNITY IN RESISTANCE VOL. 01’ compilation CD will be created on the day. If you're an artist and would like your music to be considered for feature on the compilation, submit a link to one track of your choice (please add a streaming link via Spotify, Bandcamp etc. AND a downloadable link via Dropbox, GDrive etc.) at the checkout. Artists selected will be able to design their own CD cover with Kels as part of the workshop. The compilation will be curated by Western Sydney Coordinator Fernando Benavides. Spots are limited – get in early.
Featured Guests
Bayang (tha Bushranger)
BAYANG (tha Bushranger) is a Dharug-based musician who works across multiple different sounds and genres (rap, noise, punk, electronic). Lyrically, he navigates themes of identity, heritage and urban experience, often infusing tracks with Filipino cultural references that highlight the diaspora’s influence. He has released mixtapes and albums in collaboration with artists as disparate as Kuya Neil, BRACT and Nerdie (1300), toured Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines and has performed locally at Dark Mofo, Soft Centre and FBi Turns 20.
S.C.U.M
Carmen Mercedes Gago Schieb is a Guildford-based programmer, organiser, performer, and musician. Otherwise known as experimental noise artist ‘Society of Cutting Up Men’, she has performed at Dark Mofo, Parramatta Lanes, hosted Soft Centre, performed alongside hardcore giants Sunami, toured with blackened industrial doom legends Bract, and programmed ‘Parramatta Heavy’ in 2024 and 2025. Concerned with being together & championing the presence of heavy music in Western Sydney, she has led carpark shows at Pari Ari and for local council.
Kels Tran
Kels is the founder of KILLJOY, a one man label that serves as his creative exploration for graphic design, product design, photography and print-based processes. His work is informed by his role at Bottega Made (Creative Studio), where he bridges the divide between raw conceptual design and the technical execution of local manufacturing to help support and elevate the city’s independent artists and community. Kels has collaborated with numerous celebrated local artists including 700Feel, Bayang (tha Bushranger), Collarbones, SPEED & Hail Mary.
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