Now in its sixth year, the San Diego Music Thing conference continues to educate and inspire emerging and established musicians and industry professionals. This year will feature speakers Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) and Mike Herrera (MxPx).

Kim Gordon is best known as a founding member of iconic noise-rock band Sonic Youth. Gordon has also been involved in numerous collaborations with other artists and musicians including Julie Cafritz, Thurston Moore, Lydia Lunch, Vincent Gallo and Yoko Ono. Gordon’s current project Body/Head with guitarist Bill Nace will perform during SDMT.

Mike Herrera is best known as the tattooed and pierced punk stalwart who has spent the last two decades fronting the band MxPx. Fans following Herrera’s twists and turns may also be aware of the eclectic singer’s exploits with alt-country outfit Tumbledown and the more pop-tinged territory of his sporadic side work with a band called Arthur.

Badge holders will have access to all daytime events at the conference’s host hotel, the Sheraton Mission Valley located at 1433 Camino Del Rio South in San Diego, as well as to the evening music showcases. The day schedule includes featured speakers presentations, panels, mentoring and interactive sessions as well as the Instrument Petting Zoo where attendees can play with various manufacturers’ gear. Super badge holders will also have access to daytime pop up live performances and artist sessions with Lol Tolhurst (the Cure) and Scott Page (Pink Floyd) and other artists to be announced, as well as marquee nighttime showcases.

Additional venues, including the Birch North Park Theatre, the Griffin, the Irenic, and Seven Grand, have also been added for this year’s evening showcases. The first round of confirmed bands includes
Ra Ra Riot, Titus Andronicus, The Album Leaf, Body/Head, The Big Pink, Bleeding Rainbow, Orgone, Wardell, Soft White Sixties, In The Valley Below, The Features, Sad Robot, Girl in a Coma, Leftover Cuties, Disappears, and Weekend.