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These
archive versions of The Session are posted as initially published. Deadlines,
contacts and links have not been updated. Please keep this in mind when
using this resource. In some cases, updates can be found in a more recent
edition of The Session.
February 2004
Office
News...
Please note that our office hours are currently 10 am to noon, and
1 to 5 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 10 am to 1 pm on Friday. Please do
call ahead if you are dropping by, as we are extremely short staffed,
and/or in meetings frequently.
Julie
Desjarlais left her position at SRIA effective January 23, 2004. Ms.
Desjarlais has accepted the position of Human Resources/Consulting Analyst
for Meyers Norris Penny, Regina.
During
the past three years of her employment with SRIA, Ms. Desjarlais was instrumental
in developing and delivering our grants and small business loans programs,
and was FACTOR’s regional coordinator for Saskatchewan, in addition
to working on our many other initiatives and services. For three years
prior to joining SRIA as a full-time employee, Julie assisted us as a
volunteer and summer student.
Julie’s
knowledge, and her commitment and passion to the music industry, made
her a valuable asset to our association. She will be greatly missed!
We wish Julie the very best of luck and success in her challenging new
position.
The Board
of Directors of SRIA would like to offer you all a warm welcome to the
new year! 2004 will certainly mark many new beginnings for SRIA, and
the Board looks forward to connecting with our membership and community
to make sure we are meeting the needs of our every-changing industry while
we plan for the upcoming year.
One of
the most significant changes at SRIA is our office staff. By the time
of our Annual General Meeting at the end of March, we will introduce a
new Executive Director to the office, as well as a new grant administrator
to replace Julie Desjarlais, who has accepted a job with Meyers Norris
Penny as Human Resources/Consulting Analyst. The passion and dedication
that Julie demonstrated during her three years with SRIA will surely be
missed, and the Board would like to wish Julie all the best in her new
career. The board would like to acknowledge the hard work of Interim
Executive Director Noreen Neu and Lorena Kelly, who continue to use their
valuable skills to serve our members and industry, acting as valuable
resources to the Board of Directors.
The
Board and staff of SRIA are working together to manage these changes to
our human resources, including a recent decision to postpone the Flatland
Music Festival in 2004 and to focus on hosting a bigger and better event
coinciding with the province’s centennial in 2005. We have established
the Flatland Committee, which will work with SRIA members and the public
to get input on the festival and its effect on the Saskatchewan industry
and community. This step to evaluate the festival is an opportunity to
work together and find out how we can build on the successes the Flatland
Music Festival experienced during its past eight years. Such reflection
is a necessary part of growing and adapting to shifts in the Saskatchewan
music industry and the changing needs of our members.
Taking
one opportunity to connect the Board, staff, and members of SRIA, I would
like to invite you all to our Annual General Meeting on 21 March 2004
in Regina. Our AGM is a chance to celebrate where SRIA has come from
and collectively discuss where we can take the Saskatchewan music industry
in the future. I look forward to seeing you there!
Cheers,
Carrie Horachek
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Annual
General Meeting
SRIA
Members
You need to be here!
SRIA
Annual General Meeting
Sunday, March 21, 2004
12:00-3:00 pm
MacKenzie Art Gallery Salon (upstairs)
3475 Albert St., Regina SK
Meet n’ mingle luncheon noon-1 pm
MEETING
COMMENCES 1 PM
It has
been a very interesting year for our association. We are positive that
you will want to hear a full review of the past year, and help us plan
for the coming year!!!
Tell
us what you like.
Tell us what you
don’t like.
This
is the main annual event where you have the opportunity to talk to the
association in a public forum. Your participation in this meeting will
have a direct impact on what programs and services SRIA will offer its
members for the next year.
Members
have received a nomination form for the Board of Directors with this newsletter.
We encourage you to consider running for the board, or nominating someone
you feel would be appropriate. We are looking for people who are experienced
and active in the music industry, and are willing to volunteer their time
to participate on our board.
The annual
time commitment is approximately:
- Three
weekends (Western Canadian Music Awards and Annual Board Retreat, plus
an event weekend). Expenses for “mandatory” events are
reimbursed.
- Board
meetings (approximately once monthly), generally done via conference
call.
The
Board makes policy for and directs the actions of SRIA. Board members are
involved in events including the Western Canadian Music Awards, hiring of
the Executive Director, directing fundraising and other related activities.
These
are not paid positions, but expenses are covered for out-of-town travel
if required.
Knowledge
of board governance would be helpful, but is not necessary. We will be
seeking to fill at least nine vacancies on the Board of Directors at the
AGM, including the role of President. Each is a two-year term.
We
welcome and encourage board members from any region of Saskatchewan. We
seek diversity on the board and hope to receive interest from candidates
representing many different functions and/or genres in the Saskatchewan
music industry.
Please
contact the SRIA office or one of our current Directors if you have questions
about the nomination process or duties.
We
will be bidding farewell to the following directors who are finishing their
term: Kim Fontaine, Roy Sydiaha, Ross Nykiforuk, Neil Meckelborg, and Rick
August. Carrie Horachek will be running for re-election for a second term.
Entering the second
year of their terms will be Danny Fortier, Scott Pilling and Dave Taylor.
Dave Lang has recently resigned from the Board.
The AGM
alternates between Regina and Saskatoon.
MEMBERS
FROM OUT OF TOWN, if you are interested in attending, we will arrange
a shuttle and/or help to set up carpools. Please contact our office 347-0676
or 1-800-347-0676 to let us know that you’re interested.
The
main items of business to be dealt with at this Annual General Meeting
include:
- Auditor’s
Report for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2003;
- Reports
from the SRIA Treasurer, President and Executive Director;
- Reports
on all of our current initiatives, including a discussion of the Flatland
Music Festival;
- Proposed
increases to membership fees;
- Election
of Directors.
You
must be a Participating or Corporate Member of the Saskatchewan Recording
Industry Association to nominate, vote, or run for positions on the Board.
Associate Members, and guests accompanying members, are welcome to attend
this meeting.
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Western
Canadian Music Awards 2004 Calgary, Alberta, September 30 to October 3
Help Us Plan the Event:We
want to present the best Western Canadian Music Awards Conference yet,
and we’d like input from you, our members. Please go online to
www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca and fill out the short survey. Your
answers will be used to develop the content of this year’s event.
Request
for Proposals: There are a number of Request
for Proposals now available on the website. Please visit the site for
all the necessary information. Positions include: Awards Show, Music
Festival Producer, Western Canadian Music Industry Awards Dinner, Marketing
and Publicity, Production Management, and Registration Services. Deadlines
vary. The WCMA office is now located in Winnipeg, MB.
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Free
Promotional Tools
You may
have seen this posted previously – but there are still a lot of
you who haven’t taken advantage of the following! It’s an
initiative of every provincial music industry association in Canada; FACTOR;
and CIRPA.
Cost:
It’s free for any Canadian artist.
What
is it: Post your new album and/or single, and every radio station
in Canada is notified about it.
Why
you should get on it: This FREE service makes your music accessible
so programming directors see and hear your latest release. The ANR lounge
appeals to both producers and promoters of music. Music and programming
directors have the convenience of a one-stop-shop to visit when making decisions
on the week’s play list. Every week an email announcement of new
releases (including yours) is distributed to radio stations across Canada
(all formats). All you have to do is register.
Do
this: Upload information about your new releases, including sound
clips and images. For information visit http://mincanada.com.
IF YOU
NEED ASSISTANCE with the creation of MP3s and/or the registration process
please contact SRIA, 306-347-0676.
Cost:
It’s free, but you have to be a member
of SRIA or one of the other provincial MIAs to have access.
What
is it: A national directory of artists and services.
How
you can get listed in it: Watch SRIA announcements for the next invitation
to submit your free listing.
Do
this: If you’re a member, go to mincanada.com and take a look
at the directory. (Members with email addresses should have already received
an invitation to register for access.)
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New
Minister
Prime
Minister Paul Martin has selected a new minister for the Department of
Canadian Heritage. Hélène Chalifour Scherrer takes over the portfolio
from the Hon. Sheila Copps. Hélène Chalifour Scherrer is the MP for Louis-Hébert
in Quebec City. Elected for the first time in the 2000 election, she
is a passionate Martin supporter, and was recently named one of three
co-chairs of the upcoming election campaign. Mrs. Scherrer’s primary
interests lie in the areas of sport and health. She has served on the
Standing Committee for Health and the House Sub-Committee on Sport, as
well as the House Committee on Sustainable Development and the Prime Minister’s
Task Force on Urban Issues. For more information, please see www.helenescherrer.parl.gc.ca.
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Saskatchewan
Arts Board Announces New Funding
The Saskatchewan
Arts Board is pleased to announce its plans for the distribution of $500,000
in additional funding received for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004.
The increase to the Arts Board’s provincial allocation was announced
by the Premier in May 2003 and subsequently approved by the Government
of Saskatchewan in October 2003 as part of a three-year, $1.5M commitment
of new funding to the arts in Saskatchewan.
This
new funding allows the Arts Board to increase support to Saskatchewan’s
artists and arts organizations and provides the opportunity for the agency
to pursue a number of key objectives in the priority areas of aboriginal
arts, arts education, the permanent collection and communications.
The Board
of the Saskatchewan Arts Board has approved the distribution of the new
funding for 2003/2004 as follows:
An increase
of $150,000 to support Saskatchewan’s arts organizations through
the Global Grants Program.
- The
establishment of a new Indigenous Arts Program with initial funding
of $75,000.
- An
increase of $50,000 to the Project Assistance Grant Program.
- An
increase of $50,000 to support individual artists in all disciplines
through the Individual Assistance Grant Program.
- $16,000
directed to the new Centres for Contemporary Culture component of the
Gallery Grant Program.
- $2,000
for the enhancement of a cultural mapping project in the City of Saskatoon.
- $105,000
ear-marked for the needs of the agency’s Permanent Collection,
including development of a proper conservation facility.
-
$52,000 for program review and development, enhanced communication capacity,
and consolidation of the agency’s presence in the central region
of the province through its Saskatoon office.
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Flatland Music Festival on Hiatus
The
following press release was distributed to members and the media on January
27.
The
Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (SRIA) announces that it will
not be presenting the Flatland Music Festival in 2004.
As part of SRIA’s strategic planning process, an extensive review
of the festival - SRIA’s largest and most well known program - will
take place. After eight consecutive years, and in advance of the planning
of an event to celebrate Saskatchewan’s Centennial in 2005, the staff
and board of SRIA feel this is an opportune time to conduct an analysis
of all aspects of the festival.
In
order to collect feedback on this decision, SRIA has established the Flatland
Committee. The committee invites SRIA members and the public to provide
input on future programming.
The
decision to not host the Flatland Music Festival in 2004 was the result
of a lengthy deliberation by board and staff. Ultimately, the decision
was based on SRIA’s current human resource situation and the need
for a timely review process. Financial considerations were not an issue
in these discussions.
Program
Manager Lorena Kelly comments, “It’s been an extremely successful
eight years for the Flatland Music Festival. What started as a ‘one-time
event’ blossomed into a string of internationally known festivals.
However, the festival is only one of the programs we present at SRIA,
and we feel it’s time to review the impact and value of the festival
before we commit to further investment.”
The
Board of Directors states, “The Flatland Festival has been very
successful in showcasing Saskatchewan talent, which is why we feel it
is important to work with the community and our partners to evaluate the
potential of future festivals.” The association wishes to thank
all those who have assisted with past festivals, with a special thank
you to sponsors, partners, and volunteers.
SRIA
envisions a dynamic music industry and remains dedicated to the development
and promotion of Saskatchewan music and sound recording through partnering,
education, community involvement and ongoing leadership.
The
community is invited to direct their inquiries and/or comments to the
following: Noreen Neu, Interim Executive Director, The Flatland Committee,
Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association, 114-2001 Cornwall Street,
Regina SK, S4P 3X9. Telephone 306-780-9822 or 306-347-0676; email festival@saskrecording.ca.
Flatland
Committee Report
The
SRIA Board of Directors, while engaged in strategic discussions this fall,
decided to create a committee made up of both board and staff to address
issues surrounding the Flatland Music Festival.
Both
staff and board had identified the need for a thorough evaluation of the
festival and development in the areas of sustainability, volunteer infrastructure,
public involvement, staffing, promotion and sponsorship.
Following
the decision to not present Flatland in 2004, the committee (comprised
of Dave Taylor, Rick August and staff members Lorena Kelly and Noreen
Neu) determined that this committee will be responsible for conducting
a thorough evaluation and developing strategies for change, in time to
impact on a 2005 event. Our evaluation will be conducted over the next
few months with recommendations going to the board over the summer.
The
committee encourages public input into this evaluation, especially
from SRIA members. We will be engaging in one-on-one consultations
with key participants; developing several focus groups to gather feedback
from volunteers, performers, and the public, while continuing to encourage
our members to contact the committee directly with their comments.
We
would like your opinions regarding the Flatland Music Festival. These
may include specific comments around…
- What
does the festival offer SRIA members? Does it serve all members throughout
Saskatchewan?
- Are
there ways we could make the festival better?
- What
should change?
- What
should stay the same?
- Is
it important to you that the festival continues to be something that
SRIA does? Are there other types of programming that you would rather
see?
We require
comments from all points of view in order to present the best services
to our members. Your comments will be held in confidentiality within
the committee and will be used to determine the direction of a 2005 event.
If
you have comments regarding these questions or any other aspect of the
Flatland Music Festival, please send them to the Flatland Committee at
festival@saskrecording.ca or by mail to #114 – 2001 Cornwall Street,
Regina SK, S4P 3X9.
Noreen
Neu
Interim Executive Director
Flatland Committee Chair
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Workshops
The Saskatchewan
Recording Industry Association and Amazement Inc. are pleased to present
Independent
musicians need real world answers.
The Superstar
Formula is a one-day seminar that will allow you to develop practical
skills to further your career in music. Through this process, you will
deconstruct real world examples that include successes and failures to
get an exceptional idea of what works and what doesn’t work in building
a music career. Seminar leader Tim Tamashiro will assist participants
in developing a focused plan for success that is based on facts and intentional
progress.
The Superstar
Formula seminar by Amazement Inc. unconditionally guarantees that this
event will exceed the expectations of all participants. In the event
the seminar does not fulfill the needs of individual participants, Amazement
Inc. will continue to work with that individual for free until it does.
There is no small print.
The
seminar will be divided into four sessions, including evaluation. The goal
of the seminar will be to put together a “real plan” for artist
development. Participants will be able to understand and challenge the
components for creating success.
- Evaluate
where you currently are in your career
- Promote
yourself
- Gain
more credibility
- Determine
your audience
- Act
on what you know
- Get
more gigs and more money in less time
- Develop
relationships
- Get
help through business partners
The Superstar
Formula is the only seminar that will offer you an actual score for your
music career potential at the end of the seminar.
This
workshop will appeal to Artists and/or Managers, at new, emerging and
mid-career levels.
Regina
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Victoria Room, Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza,
2125 Victoria Ave.
Saskatoon
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Maple Room, Park Town Hotel, 924 Spadina Cres. E.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Doors open 8:30 am.
Lunch break 12 noon-1 pm. (Lunch will not be provided.)
Tim Tamashiro
has helped hundreds of artists over the past four years with career development
workshops and one-on-one coaching. He is the innovator of The Musincubator
Challenge, which has proven that a band with no music business experience
could accomplish ten goals in just 48 hours. Tim is also a successful
musician himself - selling 40,000 CDs in 6 countries, and is Canada’s
onlyrming for corporate, political and international leaders. He has performed
at The Montreal Jazz Festival, with symphony orchestras and as a feature
artist at jazz festivals throughout Canada.
As a
former marketing representative with MCA Records Canada, Tim has developed
long-term relationships deep within the Canadian and international music
industries. Twice being named as one of the Top 40 (individuals) under
40 in Calgary by Calgary Magazine, Tim is happily married and the father
of two. Tim gives back to the community by supporting The Arthritis Society.
Cost:
SRIA members, $35 at door/$30 before Feb. 21*
Non-members, $45 at door/$40 before Feb. 21*
*Registration
and payment must be received before February 21 to qualify for the advance
rate.
To register:
Call 306-347-0676 or 1-800-347-0676. Payment accepted by cheque, Visa,
MasterCard or American Express; at the door by cheque or cash.
From
the medieval days of the wandering minstrel to today’s number one
song on the charts, good songs have always had one thing in common: they
move you! This course introduces novice songwriters and lyricists to the
craft of songwriting. You will learn how to build a great song using all
the tools of the trade. Discussed will be themes, hooks, structure, melody,
harmony, verse, chorus, groove and more. You will also learn where to
find the perfect lyric to help give your song the power it deserves. Be
prepared to focus your mind and flex your creativity. If you play, bring
a guitar. A piano will be provided in class.
Instructor:
Mark Behrend. Level: All levels of experience.
Saturday, February 28, 9 am - 5 pm
University of Sask. Campus, Education Building, Room 1033
Fee: $100.00 plus materials. A list will be provided.
To Register call 306-966-5539, fax 306-966-5567.
By Mail: Registration Office, Extension Division, University of Saskatchewan,
Room 125 Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon SK, S7N 5C8.
Visit www.extension.usask.ca/go/arts
.
Including
sessional and master class levels of instruction, break out sessions and
lunch. March 27-28; $40 before March 20, or $45 after March 21. Levels:
Beginner, Junior/Intermediate, Senior/Adult. Three clinicians will be
featured. For info, contact Shelley, 306-693-6388 or scrapinsanta@yahoo.com.
The Banff
Centre, Banff, Alberta, in collaboration with The Sound Post Inc. (Toronto),
will offer 3 intensive workshops on violin and bow repair and restoration
this summer, taking place between August 9 and August 27.
Violin
and bow restoration is an ancient craft, the secrets of which are often
closely guarded within families or small groups of experts. There are
several first-class violin-making schools in the world, but very limited
time is devoted to repair and restoration. There exists, therefore, a
very real shortage of opportunities for craftspersons to learn and enhance
their restoration skills. The situation is particularly acute in Canada,
which does not have an international-calibre violin making school.
These
pioneering violin and bow repair and restoration workshops will be hosted
by The Banff Centre’s Music & Sound program and led by internationally
recognized master maker-restorers Horacio Piñeiro and William Salchow
of New York. Other faculty include Jonathan Woolston, Cambridge, England;
Quentin Playfair, Toronto, Canada; and David Tamblyn, Toronto, Canada.
The workshops are aimed at emerging to mid-career professional violin
and bow repairers.
Program
participants will bring their own instruments and bows to work on under
the supervision of the faculty. Faculty-participant ratio will be very
low; class size will be no more than twenty per seminar. The Banff piano
restoration workshops, where the seminars will be held, provide a spacious,
well-equipped facility at the heart of The Banff Centre campus.
For more
information or to register, contact The Banff Centre Registrar’s
Office, arts_info@banffcentre.ca,
403-762-6180, www.banffcentre.ca.
It is
often nearly impossible to choose which conference sessions to attend
at events such as the Western Canadian Music Conference last year in Regina,
where musicians, managers, mentors and the like gather to get the inside
scoop on how to make it in the music biz. The loyal conference attendees
sit through session after session to learn that secret trick to making
it big, only to be told time after time that there is no such trick. Departing
from other panels in its honest and outspoken approach, one conference
session stood out from the rest. It was Bonnie Fedrau’s SoStarStruck
Management panel, where participants were invited to pick the brain of
a major player in the Canadian music industry. So I was eager and curious
to take in Bonnie’s workshop when she swung through Saskatoon.
Bonnie
opened the workshop by outlining her experience in the music industry,
beginning with her work in A & R with an impressive list of labels
including Warner, EMI and Zomba/Jive. Her bio reveals that Bonnie has
been instrumental in the discovery and careers of The Waltons, Sarah Harmer
(Weeping Tile), The Flu, The Odds, Damhnait Doyle, Sky, K-OS, and Dayna
Manning. At the workshop, she outlined an equally impressive list of bands
she attempted to sign - such as Nelly Furtado - but didn’t get the
company’s support to do so. Frustrated with such situations and
ready to take on a challenge, Bonnie started her own artist development
company and music industry resource: SoStarStruck, which offers a whole
range of services, such as demo reviews and one-on-one advice.
After
Bonnie’s initial introduction, the workshop proceeded with two performances
by the band Sylvie (Regina) and Megan Lane (Saskatoon). Each artist played
a fifteen-minute set and then joined Bonnie at the front of the stage
for a frank discussion about their careers, goals, music, past successes
and failures. Bonnie began by emphasizing that the bands’ visions
of success should be their own; so she asked them questions to get a realistic
sense of what the bands want from their music careers before prescribing
a direction. Sylvie and Megan Lane and her band really responded to Bonnie’s
blunt approach and weathered opinions as she offered them the names of
labels they should pursue and advice about what to be wary of when dealing
with managers and agents. The effects of the one-on-one discussion became
tangible when Bonnie offered to put the bands in contact with key industry
people during follow-up discussions.
Bonnie’s
workshop essentially offered those performing musicians access to what
every musician wants: a foot in the door. And while she demonstrates some
truth to that familiar cliché, “it’s not what you know,
but who you know,” I wasn’t left with the feeling that that’s
all that matters. Once through that door, only the music can speak for
itself. This is why Bonnie frames her approach as embracing a “hands-on,
do it yourself attitude” - she promises that the results are determined
by what the band is willing to contribute.
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SURF
DESTINATIONS
- MusicNotes.ca
- an online forum for Canadian Musicians and audiences of Classical,
Jazz and Acoustic Music. Features open discussion forums, an opportunity
for musicians and presenters from coast to coast (and when traveling
outside Canada) to keep in touch with each other and their audiences.
Post a message, an announcement, a CD review, an opinion and concert
dates.
- The
Saskatchewan Online Events Guide database stores data about events,
as well as supplies users with lists of events happening around Saskatchewan.
The Events Guide is accessed through SaskCulture’s website, as
well as on the Tourism Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation
Association, Sask. Sport Inc. and the Saskatchewan Centennial sites.
This is a great way to get your information out to everyone, or select
groups, in the province. All event organizers are encouraged to add
their information into this database. Check out what’s happening
in arts & culture today at www.saskculture.sk.ca/events/eventsearch.asp.
Note: Saskyouth.net
and mysask.com are
separate events databases.
You can promote upcoming youth-related events on Saskyouth.net. You
could list a career fair, a youth convention, a breaking news press
conference or perhaps a youth forum - the choice is yours! Saskyouth.net
attracts hundreds of young people per day, including those living in
Saskatchewan and those thinking of moving to Saskatchewan. Saskyouth.net’s
Events Listing section is for everyone to access, so have a visit, check
it out and feel free to use it at will to maximize your communications.
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RELEASES
AND PREMIERES
-
A new CD by Afculen (Afro-Cultural Ensemble), simply entitled
“AFCULEN”, is now available in select Regina locations.
Afculen is a choir-band that sets its music on traditional African rhythms.
The CD presents a few basic examples of traditional West African rhythms,
and these rhythms provide rigid and challenging contexts for the sopranos,
altos, tenors, electric bass guitar and the piano to interact. What
you hear live is largely what you hear on this recording. Despite the
budget constraints and the challenge of coordinating a large and complex
cast, Touchwood Studios did a great job. CDs are available in Regina
at Bach & Beyond (Golden Mile Centre), Cobb Swanson Music, Zebra
Crafts and Audio Warehouse.
-
Saskatoon indie rock band Sturgis Trash finished their first
full-length album, “Able was I ere I saw Elba”, and held
a CD release party on December 3. Their previous recording was a six-song
EP entitled “Locked Away”. The band was recently featured
on “The Verge” on Saskatoon's Rock 102.
- Brandy
Moore released a Christmas CD, featuring the simplicity of Brandy’s
clear, beautiful voice and the warmth of her acoustic guitar. Copies
can be obtained through Passion’s new website (www.brandymoore.com),
via credit card.
-
A new Saskatoon jazz based pop band, Arcadya released their first
EP on January 15. Consisting of Andrew Dickson, Jordan Trask and Matt
Hedlin, you can find more on the band at www.arcadyaband.com.
- Riley
Siebert, a 14-year-old singer from Spiritwood has recently released
his debut album, “If You Had To Take His Place”. Listen
for him in the new year!
- King
Street Healers released their latest, “Signs and Wonders”
at The State on February 13.
- Lana
Quinn has a new release entitled “Ye Are The Angels”.
The music is mostly Celtic harp and song. Eight of the tracks are original,
two are traditional pieces. A CD release concert was held on January
25 at The Chapel Gallery in North Battleford. Lana will also be performing
at “On the River’s Edge”, a performing arts festival
February 10-14, part of the Battleford Community Player’s series
of dinner theatres. Watch for her new website, www.lanaquinn.com.
- Heidi
Little’s “Live In a Shu Box” is being released
February 14. You can pick up your very own copy of this talented singer/songstress’
recent live and intimate release at Bach and Beyond, A and B Sound,
and Roca Jack’s (Regina). Check out Little’s new website
www.HeidiLittle.com.
- Denise
Leanne is holding a CD Release Gathering on April 4 t The Bassment,
Saskatoon, for “Stand On The Edge”.
- CJ1280
Radio, Estevan has announced the launch of
a new program called “Our Country”. The show airs every
Sunday afternoon from 5-6 pm. The format will focus on Saskatchewan
artists, but will also include Indie Canadian artists. There will be
interviews, new music, an entertainment calendar, and more. For information,
contact Cal Gratton at 306-636-6106.
- STOLEN
- Mesa/Boogie Mark 111 Guitar Amplifier in its Axe case, Serial
Number 20269, Police File # 04-05447. This one-of-a-kind amp and a
cable/pedal bag was stolen from a car on south Albert St., Regina on
February 10. If you have seen this amp or have any information please
call 306-949-3857 or Crimestoppers 306-545-8477 (Regina).
- Saskatoon’s
dc4 have changed their name to Better Off Red.
- Junction
40 greeted Grey Cup fans at the Regina airport with their blend
of bluegrass, country and contemporary music. The three young musicians
in the group, aged 17 to 21, play traditional acoustic instruments,
including five-string banjo, guitar, double bass, mandolin, fiddle and
dobro.
- Phil
Stan of Phil’s String Works, Moose Jaw, is moving to Kamloops,
and has sold his instrument repair business to Chris Weber. As of 2004,
Chris will be operating under the name of CW Stringworks. With
30 years of woodworking and 10 years of luthier work behind him, Chris
will aim to provide the kind of quality workmanship that Phil’s
customers have come to expect. With 35 years of songwriting and 3 CDs
to his credit, Chris is no stranger to the music industry. He looks
forward to meeting all your stringed instrument needs at 17 River Street
East in Moose Jaw, 306-693-3500.
- Crofters
Revenge recently spent time at Dave’s Bar & Grill in Regina
to record part one of their debut EP.
- Announcing
the 3rd Annual Freddie Pelletier Guitar Camp: Open to guitar
enthusiasts of all ages, beginner to advanced. Week 1 is August 2 to
5, Week 2 is August 9 to 12, Week 3 is August 16 to 19, and Week 4 is
August 23 to 26. It will be held on an acreage outside of Birch Hills,
SK. For more info visit www.freddiepelletier.com, email freddiepelletier@hotmail.com
or call 306-749-2498.
-
The 17th Annual Emma Lake Fiddle Camp will be held as follows:
Week 1 is June 27 - July 1; Week 2 is July 4 to 8; Week 3 is July 10
to 14. For more, call 306-780-9494 or www.sces.ca/fiddlecamp.
-
The 2004 Regina Folk Festival Concert Series combines festival
favourites with some fresh faces to the independent music scene, creating
an off-beat and exciting season of performance. Bill Bourne with opener
Lindsay Jane on February 29; Bob Wiseman & Jim Guthrie with opener
Courteney Wing on March 4; Brava Trio with opener Easily Amused on March
11; James Keelaghan on March 18; Doug Cox & Todd Butler on April
4; and La Raquette à claquettes on May 15. Visit www.reginafolkfestival.com
or call 306-757-7684 for more info. Tickets and Series Passes are available
at Bach & Beyond, Eat Healthy Foods, Vintage Vinyl and on-line at
inregina.com.
- Denise
Gerein will be featured on CBC Gallery, along with other Flatland
Festival artists, on March 20 & 21. The show airs Saturday on Radio
One at 5 pm and Sunday on Radio Two at 12 noon.
-
Teen popsters Morgan and Joel recently saw their song “51
Cards” reach #1 at NewMusicCanada in the SugarPop genre and #4
on the national pop chart.
-
Dance circle sensations, hip-swivelling maniacs, parka-wearing Saskatchewanites
Despistado are extremely pleased to announce that the legendary
Phil Ek will be producing the band’s first full-length record.
Based in Seattle, Washington, Phil Ek has produced and engineered some
of indie rock’s most respected artists. Despistado will spend
a whirlwind 10 days at Vancouver’s The Hive Studios in mid-February
and plan to release the completed album in spring. Stuart Green of
Exclaim! Magazine said, “Despistado is one of the freshest and
liveliest sounding bands to come out of this, or any other country,
in some time.” The band has also been invited to showcase at
the prestigious SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. For more
info see www.despistadomusic.com.
-
The 15th Annual Saskatchewan Country Music Awards will take place
March 26-28 in Prince Albert. All events except awards show at the
Marlboro Inn. Awards ceremony at E.A. Rawlinson Center for the Performing
Arts. See www.scma.sk.ca for details. Information/number for tickets,
306-961-1780.
March 26: Kickoff party 8 pm to 2 pm.
March 27: Adult Showcases 1-3 pm; President’s Banquet 5-7 pm;
Awards Show 8-10:30 pm, with host Gil Grand; performances by Brad
Johner, Melanie Laine, Shifty Morgan, Doyle Ironstand and Donny
Parenteau; Post Awards Party 10:30 pm-2 am.
March 28: Gospel Brunch 8:30-11 am; AGM 11:30 am-1 pm; Youth Showcases
1-3 pm; Songwriters Cafe 3-5 pm.
The Host Hotel is the Marlboro Inn, room rate of $75. The same rate
is available at the Prince Albert Inn and the Marquis Inn. Delegate
Packages are $75 plus GST. Individual ticket prices are: Presidents
Banquet $20; Awards Show $25; Gospel Brunch $15; Showcases $5; Post
Awards Party $10; Songwriters Cafe $5.
- Brad
Johner recently toured with ‘The Huron Carole’, and
has released his third single, “Different” to country radio.
“Free”, Johner's debut solo album will soon be released
south of the border on Florida based Lou-Do Records and distributed
by industry giant Compendia Music. The three-year-deal gives Johner
a chance to till the fertile ground of American country music. The
initial single will fly in February 2004 with the CD release slated
for March. Congratulations Brad on your JUNO Nomination for Country
Recording of the Year and Canadian Independent Music Award nomination
in the Favourite Country Artist/Group category.
- Connie
Kaldor is nominated for a JUNO in the category of Children’s
Album of the Year for “A Duck in New York City”. downhere
is nominated for a JUNO in category of Contemporary Christian/Gospel
Album of the Year for “So Much for Substitutes.” Congratulations!!
- Andrea
Menard recently returned from Toronto, where she performed and was
nominated for two Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. The multi-talented
Andrea can be seen as Constable Strongeagle on APTN's new series ‘Moccasin
Flats’, Monday nights between 7:30 and 10:30pm (check your local
times) and repeats the same episode on Saturday and Sunday nights as
well.
- John
Arcand had a stellar 2003…receiving a National Aboriginal
Achievement Award in March, then the Grand Masters presented him with
a Lifetime Achievement Award in August, and in October he was honoured
with the Blue Lantern Award for Heritage, Arts and Culture. And, the
Sixth Annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest was a huge success. John is currently
teaching and busy building new fiddles. See www.johnarcand.com for
updates.
-
South East Canadian Cancer Society is having their annual Country
Music Jamboree in late June. Held at Nickle Lake Park near Weyburn,
an all-volunteer group including bands, crew, etc, create a great 2
days of country music entertainment with tons of other activities including
car burnouts, beer gardens and a car show-and-shine. They are looking
for volunteer groups to perform on stage. All professional backline,
mics, stands and PA equipment is supplied. Just bring yourself, your
band, and your own instruments (drums supplied). Call the Cancer Society
Office (Margret) at 306-842-8080 and leave your contact name, or call
Johnny Knox at 306-861-6582.
- Stephanie
Thomson was chosen as one of ten young cultural workers/entrepreneurs
in Canada to receive an all-expense paid trip to Paris, France, January
12-14, 2004, to attend the Forum on Canadian Cultural Enterprises.
Steph received the word from the Cultural Human Resources Council who
sponsored the delegation in partnership with the Centre Culturel Canadien
a Paris. Stephanie recently got back from an Ontario radio tour, where
she met with numerous music directors and conducted many interviews
with country radio. MuchMoreMusic and the CHUM adult contemporary station
in Toronto gave Stephanie support for her upcoming single/video release,
“What Do I Gotta Do?”, co-written by herself, Luke McMaster
and Chris Burke-Gaffney. Steph will be doing a cross-over release to
A/C and country markets with two different mixes of the single. You
can request the video at MuchMore. Stephanie’s upcoming album,
“Modern Day Attraction,” will be distributed by Page Music.
See www.stephaniethomson.com for more info.
- Feedback
Web Design (www.feedbackwebdesign.com) is a new design company that
focuses on affordable web sites for the music community. Founded by
Jim Ginther, director of the Teargas Recording Tree (www.teargasrecording
tree.com), this web design firm’s primary objective is to build
sites that are simple and effective rather than just being flashy.
Special arrangements can also be made in terms of pricing and/or barter.
Contact Jim at feedback@teargasrecordingtree.com.
- 5
Star Productions recording artists CurvedWorth are working
on their debut CD, targeted for a March release. The disc was mixed
by Allen Hunnie (Remy Shand, McMaster & James). The band’s
new website will be up in the new year for the launch of the disc.
The lineup is Chris Grant, Rob Martens, Trevor Hay and Jason Antoski
on drums. This band creates a unique sound by combining influences
from the sixties British invasion, the thrilling sounds of the seventies
and eighties through to today’s innovative music. New Rock
Underground has been performing new songs from their forthcoming
second CD. OffBEAT is Brad Benroth, Lloyd Dolha, Niel Knezacek,
Keirsten Rue and Nicole Shivak. They are five musicians from diverse
musical backgrounds whose main goal is to provide the most entertaining
show with the most variety of songs. Covering artists such as Fleetwood
Mac, Sheryl Crow, Harlequin and Cher, they cover everything from rock
to roots. And, Samuel the Black Shaman has a new bass player,
Jason Liske.
- Rory
Allen and his band were featured in a documentary on CBC - TV, December
23.
- Community
Consultations: Join the SaskCulture Board for a discussion in Swift
Current, March 6 from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Art Gallery of Swift Current.
Those in the Swift Current area are encouraged to attend. The session
will include a brief overview of SaskCulture and a dialogue on culture
in communities. RSVP to Sharon at 306-780-9284 or email saskculture.info@saskculture.sk.ca.
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Artist
And Studio News
- The
Art of Performance: Are you an emerging professional
musician? Have you had some experience playing live, either solo or
as a band? Would you like to improve your performing skills? Brenda
Baker (writer, actor, recording artist) is looking for musicians
who would like feedback on their stage work and helpful instruction
about how to better connect with an audience. Brenda, who has been
performing for over twenty years, will address all aspects of your presentation,
including visual, musical, and emotional elements. She is offering
her services as a performance coach for FREE for a limited period of
time and for a few select individual musicians and bands from the Saskatoon
area. (Those who expect to be travelling to Saskatoon to perform in
the near future may also wish to take advantage of this offer.) Please
apply to participate in writing, noting the following: how long you
have been a musician and/or how long you have been together as a band;
how many live gigs you have already done; the dates and locations of
upcoming appearances; what you hope to get out of the experience of
working with a performance coach. Send your letter with a press kit
(if you have one) to Songarden Productions, 404 10th St. E., Saskatoon,
SK S7N 0C9. An emailed letter with your website press kit is also acceptable.
For further information, please email Brenda at brenda@brendabaker.com.
- New
Indigenous Arts Program: The Saskatchewan Arts Board has announced
a new initiative to increase participation and access to public funding
programs for indigenous artists and cultural workers. The Traditional
Arts Grant Program is designed to enable practicing indigenous artists
working in a traditional cultural medium such as beading, birch bark
biting, dancing, storytelling, drumming, etc. to create or produce culturally
specific indigenous work. This program has been created as the first
in a series of new initiatives designed to support indigenous artists
and organizations while increasing public access to their work. The
first deadline for the program is February 27. For more information,
contact Carol Greyeyes or Evelyn Poitras, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 306-964-1165.
- Canadian
Independent Music Awards - Independent recording artists will be
honoured at the Canadian Independent Music Awards (“The Indies”)
on March 3 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON. The event,
now in its fourth year, launches Canadian Music Week (CMW) festivities.
Sponsored by Nielsen SoundScan and Playindies, the Canadian Independent
Music Awards are now comprised of 20 categories. Nominees are chosen
by committees made-up of industry professionals from all areas of the
Canadian music scene and this year fans decided on the winners by voting
online for their favourite independent recording artist at www.cmw.net.
This year’s awards ceremony will also include the presentation
of the Galaxie Rising Stars Awards of the CBC, which helps new artists
make a name for themselves in the Canadian music industry. Watch
for Brad Johner, nominated in the Favourite Country Artist/Group
category.
-
Congratulations to the following artists who have been invited to showcase
at Canadian Music Week 2004: Andrea Menard; Butterfinger;
Carrie Horachek; Despistado; and Touchtone Gurus.
-
Congratulations to Marthie Nel, recognized with an Honourable
Mention in the SongPrize.com International Song Competition out of Nashville,
TN. Visit SongPrize.com’s Website for more information.
- High
Voltage Recording is proud to welcome Saskatoon’s Wheatmonkeys
into the studio. The band will be doing a 2 song demo to be used
on the HVR website. For more info or to listen to the demo go to www.HighVoltageRecording.com.
-
Warm up your Winter - Play with PrairieImprov: Free your creative
voice; Rediscover your sense of play; be spontaneous! Create stories,
characters, scenes; enhance your mental and physical flexibility; fall
into the moment - be fully present, in the flow, in tune; see that every
offer is a gift - say yes! Open yourself to new possibilities. The
Art of Improv - Change your body and you change yourself. Your mind/head
can be in the future or in the past. Your body must be right where
it is - the present. Exercises, activities and games to keep ourselves
in the moment create and allow for spontaneity, focus and creativity.
Tuesdays, February 3 to March 30 (no class March 16); 7:15 - 9:45 pm,
The Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, Regina. $165, $145 for students,
seniors, single parents, un or underemployed. For info or to register
contact Anne McDonald at 306-546-2427, prairieimprov@hotmail.com.
- Acting
for Film - Introductory Class. Wendy Anderson is teaching her fourth
year of Acting for Film. This class will provide a great introductory
overview of the tools and techniques used by the pros in the film industry.
You will learn to open up, rediscover your instincts and put them to
work through exercises in listening and Sensing. You will study tools
and techniques for the development of Character, Emotions, Script and
Scene approaches. You will dig into the area of discipline and preparation
and then learn to let it all go with spontaneous imagination. You will
learn how to personalize your approach and make your performances live
and breathe at a deeper level. You will be auditioned and critiqued
by Brenda McCormick, a 15 year veteran casting director in the local
industry and abroad. You will learn invaluable information about “the
biz”. You will be given a view of an entire day of shooting,
what each department and employee on a film set is responsible for,
how they interact with you and, most importantly, how you interact with
them. You will learn about film terminology, hitting your mark, lighting,
lens, eye lines...and then...You will spend two days shooting assigned
scenes. The course will be held on Tuesday evenings from 4:30-6:30
pm beginning February 17 and ending April 27, with two days of shooting
slated for April 31-May 1 (no class April 12). The cost for the course
is $320 + GST. To enroll email wganderson@sasktel.net.
- North
by Northeast (NXNE) is one of Canada's biggest and most important
music festivals, with a worldwide reputation for discovering and exposing
new and emerging talent to music fans and industry professionals. The
10th anniversary event takes place June 10-12. More than 25 clubs in
downtown Toronto will showcase over 400 of the best artists from Canada,
the U.S. and around the world. The NXNE industry conference - two days
of panels, round tables, demo listening sessions, legal clinics, one-on-one
mentor sessions and much more - is the essential gathering for anyone
looking to learn more about the music business, from a rookie manager
to a grizzled rock veteran. For information visit www.nxne.com <http://www.nxne.com>.
-
Composer David L. McIntyre has completed a commissioned piece
for the 2004 Eckhardt-Grammatté National Music Competition held in Brandon
MB. Butterflies and Bobcats for piano will be performed by all competitors
between April 30 and May 2, recorded for national broadcast by the CBC,
and taken on tour by the Competition winner. Recently published music
by McIntyre includes three works for flute and piano from BLIS Music
in Brandon (Sonata No. 2, Night and Day, and Fable); two works for piano
solo from Alberta Keys in Calgary (Anniversary Suite and Toccata); and
two volumes of organ music from Roy Street Music in Regina (Preludes
& Interludes, Postludes & Processionals).
- Skavenjah’s
new CD, Light It Up is starting to chart on Canadian College Radio,
having cracked the top 30 in 4 markets, including a #4 debut on CKUW,
Winnipeg. Check out www.skavenjah.com for updates.
- Stephan
Bunka has started a new company called Right In The Mind Productions.
The primary focus of the company is a booking agency, but he will also
offer publicity, radio tracking, album production, and artist development.
Currently working with The Wheatmonkeys, touchtone gurus, Drowning
Not Waving, 100 Acre Woods. Also in coordination with Angelo
Frassetto and Kyle Kildaw to produce a full length album
for a remarkable new songwriter, Ash Jones. It is being recorded
by the multi-talented engineer Darcy Beck from Beck Studios. Anyone
with any interest in Right In The Mind Productions should email Steve
Bunka at rightinthemind@shaw.ca.
- Liberated
Noise will be recording at High Voltage Recording during the spring
break. There will be notes on how the recording is progressing on the
website, www.liberatednoise.com.
- Michelle
Boudreau was recently featured on the front page of www.canadianscene.com.
Her new site is up now at www.littleblackninja.com, created by Jay Gwilliam,
the creator of Regina Bar Stars. Also...a new album is scheduled for
release in 2004, recorded with all Canadian talent. Michelle and Kathy
Stochmal’s group Frontier Gals opened for Blackie and The
Rodeo Kings on November 25.
-
The Sask. Cultural Exchange Society seeks submissions from artists
working in arts disciplines for their workshop tour. Applicants must
be willing to travel to Sask. schools for an 8-week period starting
September 2004. Submit a resume and brief outline of a workshop in
your area of specialty that you could present in a 50-minute format
to groups from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Deadline April 2. Submit
to: SCES, Attn. Tiffany Giesbrecht (SCES Programs Officer), 2431 8th
Ave., Regina SK, S4R 5J7; for info contact tiffanyg@sasktel.net or call
306-780-9494.
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Industry
News
- Heather
Ostertag, President of the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent
on Records (FACTOR), was among those appointed by Her Excellency, the
Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, to the Order of Canada on January
28. Award-winning Saskatchewan writer Guy C. Vanderhaeghe was also
among the recipients.
-
The 2004 JUNO Awards, Canada’s Music Awards, will be broadcast
on Sunday, April 4 at 8 pm, from Rexall Place in Edmonton. This is
the third year the JUNO Awards have been broadcast on CTV. Last year,
2.2 million Canadians tuned in to the 2003 JUNO Awards from the Corel
Centre in Ottawa-Gatineau, making it the most-watched music-based awards
show in Canada. For more information on the 33rd annual JUNO Awards,
visit the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) website
at www.juno-awards.ca. CARAS has announced Winnipeg as the host city
for the 2005 JUNO Awards to be held April 1-3. This marks the first
time Winnipeg will host Canada’s largest music industry awards
show. “Aside from Winnipeg’s rich musical tradition, holding
the JUNO Awards here represents yet another step in our overall goal
to ensure that Canada’s national music awards program remains
truly national in both scope and setting,” said Ross Reynolds,
CARAS Chair. The City of Winnipeg presented a strong bid to CARAS and
was awarded the event based on a combination of solid commitments from
municipal, provincial and federal governments, excellent host facilities
and a long established reputation as a city that embraces Canadian music
and culture.
- Aboriginal
Music Association Launched: The National Aboriginal Recording Industry
Association, Inc. (NARIA), a new non-profit organization, has opened
offices in Winnipeg. Its goal will be to foster development of the
Aboriginal music recording industry and its creators/artists. The association
hopes to establish provincial affiliates. NARIA was presented and ratified
at the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA) meeting
in Vancouver, May 2002. Subsequently, at the “Expressions”
Aboriginal Arts and Culture Conference in Ottawa on June 18, 2002, a
group of Aboriginal music players agreed to develop an Aboriginal music
industry association to be known as NARIA. The foundation of NARIA
was built on the premise that the association be inclusive of all Canadian
regions, all Aboriginal heritage groups within Canada, and be reflective
of all Aboriginal recording industry participants and recording artists.
By definition, “Aboriginal” includes First Nations Status
and non-Status, Metis, Inuit. NARIA is the culmination of a decade
of industry building by Elaine Bomberry, Curtis Jonnie/Shingoose, and
Buffy Sainte-Marie. This group was also responsible for creating the
Aboriginal music category for the Juno Awards in 1993. For the past
10 years Aboriginal music has grown by leaps and bounds creating a need
for an organization like NARIA to serve as an advocate for professional
development and training, and to promote and stimulate the Aboriginal
music recording industry while providing economic opportunities for
its recording artists. For more information on NARIA contact: Curtis
Jonnie, 204-474-1383, cjon@mts.net; NARIA, 53 Clonard Ave., Winnipeg
MB, R2M 0J4.
-
A dual disc that contains both CD and DVD music videos will soon
be launched by Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. The
format will also have the support of major record labels BMG, EMI and
Universal.
-
The City of Saskatoon has embarked on a unique experiment in
self-discovery. Cultural animators-in-training spent six weeks criss-crossing
the city to record who does what, where and when in the arts and cultural
sector. In August 2003 the City’s Arts Committee suggested that
the Community Development Branch carry out a cultural inventory and
cultural mapping project for the City of Saskatoon. Their reasons were
many: the city’s Cultural Policy is due for an update, the new
Councillors need concrete information about the scope of cultural activity
in the city, and this kind of information is fundamental to planning
for cultural tourism and economic development. The Saskatchewan Arts
Board had expressed interest in cultural mapping on a regional and provincial
level and was approached as a partner. The Arts Board also has an interest
in training cultural animators, and mapping is one of the requisite
skills. The partners rapidly agreed that Saskatoon’s mapping
exercise would serve as a pilot and a course of training, with cultural
animation apprentices working under a more experienced mentor. The
Manitoba Arts Council and Common Weal, a provincial community arts organization
based in Regina, also expressed interest in participating. Team members
referred to as “c’Art-ographers” contacted arts organizations,
individual artists, and people on the street for feedback on the resources
they use in their cultural lives and activities. A public forum was
held in January to present the group’s findings and to provide
an opportunity for additional discussion and dialogue regarding the
future of the arts in Saskatoon.
-
The Radio Starmaker Fund announced its 9th round of funding approvals
on December 4. A total of $535,552 was distributed to Canadian recording
artists to assist with marketing, promotional and touring opportunities.
The Radio Starmaker Fund will also be renewing its commitments to the
Canadian Country Music Association and the Western Canadian Music Association.
According to Catharine Saxberg, Executive Director, Radio Starmaker
Fund, “Our partnerships with these associations have lent vital
assistance to artists across the country. They’ve worked so well
that we’re now committing funds to the Urban Music Association
of Canada for the first time.” These commitments are designated
for travel expenses for independent artists.
-
Every quarter, The Radio Starmaker Fund provides grants and bursaries
targeting worthy artists in support of their continued efforts to advance
their careers. The Fund has contributed in excess of $5 million to
date toward the careers of Canadian artists to increase their marketing,
promotion and international touring. The Radio Starmaker Fund is an
initiative of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, in partnership
with The Canadian Independent Record Production Association and the
Canadian Recording Industry Association. The Radio Starmaker Fund is
a private fund whose mandate is to strengthen the English-language Canadian
music industry and help advance the careers of emerging Canadian artists.
Funded entirely by private radio broadcasters, the Fund supports a variety
of marketing and promotional initiatives vital to developing the star
status of Canadian artists. Since 2001, the Fund has continued to promote
emerging artists with guidance from the Canadian independent and major
label artist community. Details regarding eligibility requirements
and funding rules are available online at www.radiostarmakerfund.com.
- State
Of The U.S. Music Industry: 2003 Figures Released.
Points of interest from Nielsen SoundScan figures, through
December 21:
- The
week ending September 14, 2003 showed a dramatic change in the trend
of 2003 album sales to date compared to 2002. Prior to the week
ending September 14th, 2003, album sales declined 34 out of 36 weeks
compared to 2002 and down 8.4% from the previous year. After the
week ending September 14, 2003 weekly album sales scored an increase
in 11 of 15 weeks compared to 2002, rebounding 2003 YTD sales to
be off only 2.2% compared to 2002;
- The
overall music business is down 0.8% units sold as compared to 2002;
- 19.2
million digital tracks have been sold since June 29, 2003;
- Cassette
albums continue its decline with sales down 40.2%;
- Single
sales have dropped only 4.5%, compared to a drop of 61.4% last year;
- Music
video sales continue to climb with sales up 75.7% over 2002 (16.4
mil vs. 9.3 mil). This increase is primarily due to the boom in
DVD sales, which have increased 102.4% over 2002 (17.2 mil. vs.
8.5 mil.).
-
Legendary record executive Clive Davis has been named chairman
and chief executive of BMG North America, where he will once again control
Arista Records, the label he founded and was forced to leave in 2000.
Davis will oversee a newly formed group that combines the operations
of BMG labels including Arista, J, RCA, and Jive headed by Barry Weiss,
the German-based BMG announced Monday. Davis, 70, will also oversee
BMG Distribution, BMG Strategic Marketing, and BMG Canada. The group
will not include BMG Classics nor RCA’s Nashville labels. Davis
was forced to leave Arista because he had reached BMG’s mandatory
retirement age. He then founded a new label, J Records, with BMG's
backing and in 2002 was named head of the RCA Music Group. J. Charles
Goldstuck, president and chief operating officer at RCA Music Group,
will become president and chief operating officer of BMG North America,
where he will report directly to Davis.
- Dominic
Roncace has been promoted to chief operating officer for Clear Channel
Entertainment’s Music Division. Roncace will now be responsible
for the overall operations and implementation of the yearly business
plan and new business development for the Music division, which includes
more than 130 live entertainment venues in North America.
-
Coinciding with the Federal Communications Commission’s second
field hearing on localism and media ownership held February 4 in San
Antonio, TX, the AFL-CIO released a Cornell University study focusing
on Clear Channel Communications, one of the country’s largest
media conglomerates. The report, “The Clear Picture on Clear
Channel,” was commissioned on behalf of a coalition of several
AFL-CIO media and entertainment unions. “This analysis brings
into sharp focus the downside impact of media concentration on workers
and their communities,” said Paul Almeida, president of the AFL-CIO
Department for Professional Employees. The Department represents some
25 national unions including 10 affiliates with nearly 500,000 members
in news, information and entertainment. “Clear Channel is the
poster child for what's wrong with media consolidation and the FCC’s
continued deregulation of this industry.” In 1996, Clear Channel
owned just 43 radio stations. Today, the company is the largest radio
owner in the country, with 1,239 radio stations dominating the industry
and 20% of all radio industry revenues. The Telecommunications Act
of 1996 paved the way for the company to acquire nearly 1,200 radio
station over a six-year period. Clear Channel also operates 44 amphitheatres,
51 theatres and various clubs and arenas throughout the U.S. and more
abroad. “Not only has Clear Channel radically altered established
methods of doing business in the industries in which it is dominant
- including radio, concert promotion, live theatre and outdoor advertising,
but it has also engaged in practices directly antithetical to broadcasters’
traditional goals of serving their local communities,” said John
Connolly, president of the American Federation of Television and Radio
Artists (AFTRA), which represents broadcasters, disc jockeys and other
on-air talent, as well as actors and recording artists. According to
the report, Clear Channel’s prime focus is providing advertising
vehicles for its customers. But, according to Linda Foley, president
of The Newspaper Guild-CWA and one of the AFL-CIO’s leading strategists
in the fight against FCC deregulation, “Clear Channel’s
relentless obsession with the bottom line has meant cutting jobs to
cut costs and if localism, community interests or quality have been
sacrificed in the process, so be it.” The report is critical
of a host of Clear Channel cost-cutting measures including voice tracking,
which allows disc jockeys to record and pre-record multiple programs
in one location and have them aired in other markets as if the programs
were live and/or locally produced. The report says this business practice
has had a “detrimental impact…on localism, diversity of
programming and possibly public safety.” Cited as an example
of the “lack of live personnel that impeded the activation of
the emergency radio response system following a local emergency,”
is a train derailment and resulting hazmat emergency that occurred in
the spring of 2003, in Minot, ND. The catastrophe caused the release
of a cloud of noxious gas but when local officials tried to alert the
community to the danger through the town’s eight radio stations,
they discovered that six of them - those owned by Clear Channel - had
no personnel on site. Hundreds of people were hospitalized. According
to Tom Carpenter, national director of News/Broadcast for AFTRA, in
its quest to implement voice-tracking nationwide, Clear Channel is openly
engaged in misleading the public in many of its venues. Announcers
are often encouraged to manufacture public appearances; disc jockeys
fabricate live calls to the station and the company routinely coaches
its employees in ‘sounding local’ by providing cheat sheets
about local people, places and events. According to the report, Clear
Channel’s dominance creates near insurmountable obstacles for
local recording artists and musicians. Because of its interests in
related industries including radio, venue ownership and concert promotion,
research and ticket sales, the company serves as a virtual gate-keeper
and controls the two gates that artists have to pass through to have
a career in this industry. According to Ray Hair, international executive
officer of the American Federation of Musicians and president of the
AFM Dallas-Ft. Worth Local, “control of concert tours and radio
play lists prevents local artists who may have a following from getting
the opportunity to be heard on the airwaves, and in fact contributes
to what many people identify as the vanilla-izing of radio around the
country, eliminating true diversity.” The study also details
at length Clear Channel’s growing web of influence in the political
arena, a troubled history of adversarial labour relations and pattern
of scofflaw behaviour that has resulted in Clear Channel being sanctioned
by federal and state agencies. (abstracted from Celebrity Access
News, Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen)
-
StatsCan Reports: Culture jobs have peaked…According to
a report form Statistics Canada, the employment boom for cultural workers
peaked in 2001 for a total of 578,000 employed. The report said employment
in the sector grew by 31 per cent from 1991 to 2002 with most of the
gain occurring before 1999. An interesting fact is that about 25 per
cent of workers in the sector were self-employed, compared with 15 per
cent of the entire workforce. As for the number of cultural workers
in Saskatchewan, SaskCulture still uses the 1990 figure of 18,000 employed.
For more statistics, visit www.statscan.ca. (Source: SaskCulture
Member E-Update)
- Indie
Pool and Amazon.ca are proud to announce a new distribution
partnership. All 6,450 independent Canadian titles distributed by Indie
Pool are now available on Amazon.ca. This agreement was initiated when
HMV.com began their partnership with Amazon.ca. Since that time, Indie
Pool has been working hard at synchronizing databases and establishing
strong EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) links with their catalogue
department. Testing is now complete and the orders are now pouring
in. If you have any questions, call 1-888-88-INDIE toll-free.
- The
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to rule that Internet service
providers (ISPs) must pay SOCAN an annual blanket royalty as compensation
for the millions of digital music files downloaded by Canadians each
year over the Internet. The royalty is intended to cover both legal
and illegal music downloads. If successful, other rights holders, such
as movie distributors and software publishers, may also demand that
ISPs pay them a similar royalty. The Canadian Association of Internet
Providers (CAIP) argues that ISPs are simply providers of facilities
over which digital communications flow, and that it is the subscriber,
not the ISP, who is responsible for actual content. The Supreme Court
will have to consider whether Canadian law applies to organizations
whose web servers are located outside Canada but which transmit data
to Canadians. The Court’s decision, therefore, will have an impact
beyond Canada. The case arose when the Copyright Board ruled a few
years ago that ISPs were exempt from paying royalties to SOCAN. SOCAN
appealed that decision to the Federal Court of Canada. The Federal
Court determined that ISPs are mere carriers of content except when
creating caches for content frequently requested by Canadian computer
users. By creating a cache, an ISP is actively deciding that specific
content will remain on its network. The ISP is, therefore, responsible
for that content. ISPs then appealed the Federal Court of Canada’s
decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
-
The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency is negotiating a new
Mechanical Licensing Agreement (MLA)rate with the major labels
represented by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).
Pending the completion of this agreement, CMRRA will issue licenses
to pay-as-you-press users on the basis of 8.5 cents per song per copy,
where the running time of the recording is five minutes or less, plus
1.7 cents per additional minute or partial minute of running time.
-
IMPALA, the European association representing independent record labels,
has met with the European Commission regarding its concerns regarding
the proposed BMG-Sony merger, centred around the anticipated
impact it would have on independent artists. The major record labels
controlled 95% of the European album charts in 2002, an increase of
15 points since the last attempt at a merger in 2000. Independent labels
therefore question the arguments put forth by Sony and BMG that they
must merge in order to survive. Independent labels argue that heavy
concentration among major record labels is the main reason for the “crisis”
that major record labels say they now face, and further concentration
will only make the situation worse. IMPALA will shortly submit its
written objections to the European Commission (EC) regarding the Sony-BMG
merger. The objections are similar to those raised in 2000 when major
record labels EMI and Warner Music proposed a merger. That proposal
was denied in 2001. The EC will decide on February 12th whether or
not it will simply approve the merger or subject the proposal to further
scrutiny. Rival labels Universal and EMI are also considering submitting
objections to the BMG – Sony merger. If approved, Sony BMG will
account for one quarter of music sales worldwide and will generate annual
revenue of approximately $8 billion U.S.
-
In a related development, major record labels EMI and Warner Music
are also involved in talks regarding a merger. However, Warner
may have another option: a group of investors that includes Edgar Bronfman,
Jr., is seeking to buy Warner Music. This option may be more attractive
to Warner than a merger, as industry analysts believe it is unlikely
that regulators on both sides of the Atlantic will approve two separate
major record label mergers that would result in the current five major
labels being reduced to three. By announcing their deal first, Sony
and BMG may gain regulator approval first. In 2002, the five major
record labels accounted for 75 percent of worldwide music sales.
- Music
Manufacturing Services Group (MMSG) and Outside Music have
entered into a partnership, with MMSG purchasing a 50% share of Outside
Music. MMSG president Lindsay Gillespie will become Executive Vice-President
of Outside Music, while Outside Music founder and President Lloyd Nishimura
will remain at his post. Outside Music is a distributor for Canadian
independent labels Teenage USA and Mint, among others. It has a full-time
staff of 18 in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Outside Music is the
exclusive Canadian distributor for a number of international labels
such as Rykodisc, Ninja Tune, Sub Pop, Six Degrees, Ubiquity and Warp.
The company is estimated to have gross annual revenues between $5 million
and $7 million. MMSG is a supplier of optical discs, cassettes and
vinyl, and offers in-house art and video duplication services. MMSG
also has 18 staff in offices located in Toronto and St. John’s,
NFLD. The partnership will give Outside Music clients full access to
MMSG’s services; Outside Music will continue as a distributor
and label but will also expand into publishing, digital distribution
and DVD production. The company’s marketing, promotion and administrative
staff have moved into MMSG’s Toronto headquarters, but Outside
will continue to operate its own warehouse. The Canadian independent
distribution sector has become very competitive in recent years, and
the alliance between Outside Music and MMSG is a reaction to the situation.
Mr. Nishimura predicts that ongoing restructuring at major record labels
will create more opportunities for independent distributors such as
Outside Music.
- Blank
Media Levy - Three separate industry groups are appealing a December
decision handed down by the Copyright Board of Canada regarding levies
on blank audio media and MP3 players. The Board ruled that consumers
will have to pay a levy of up to $25 on digital audio players that contain
hard drives. The Board also stated that the zero-rating program put
in place by the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) is, in its
view, illegal. The program exempted certain groups from paying the
levy on blank audio media. Groups fighting the ruling include computer
and electronic manufacturers (Apple, Dell, HP and Intel) who argue that
the levy is unfair to people who do not use their players to illegally
copy music; a group of retailers including Wal-Mart, Staples and Future
Shop who question the section of the Copyright Act that permitted the
levy to be created in the first place, saying the levy is in reality
a tax and, as such, a violation of the Constitution Act which states
that only a legislature can impose a tax, not some other body. The
Canadian Private Copying Collective is unhappy with the aspect of the
decision that declared illegal the zero-rating program put in place
by the CPCC to exempt certain groups, such as schools and hospitals,
from paying the levies. The decision stated that the CPCC does not
have the legal authority to operate the program. Existing levies on
blank audio media will not increase until the end of 2004.
The levies are applied at the manufacturer and importer level, and the
money is distributed to performers, composers, publishers and record
companies, intended to compensation for revenue lost to the music industry
due to consumer copying of music. Since 2000, the CPCC has collected
over $59 million from levies applied to audio cassettes, CD-Rs and mini-discs.
…The Copyright Board also stated that, under its interpretation
of Canadian copyright law, it is legal to download copyrighted music
from Internet peer-to-peer networks onto a computer hard drive for
personal use. However uploading, or distributing music, is illegal.
A lawyer for the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) disagreed
with the Copyright Board’s interpretation of the law. Both CRIA
and the Copyright Board agree that this is an issue for the courts to
decide.
- The
Arts and Cultural Management Program at Grant MacEwan College in
Edmonton, AB is now offering the opportunity to study online. You can
take courses such as: Marketing Principles in the Arts; Fundraising
and Grants; Publicity and Media Relations; Facility Management; and/or
Computer Applications. This program will help you begin a career in
the arts and/or cultural sector, or help you further your arts and management
career. For more information contact Rose Cinther, Chair, Arts and
Cultural Management Program, 780-497-4415, fax 780-497-4330 or email
burgessc@macewan.ca.
- Precision
Disc is a Victoria, BC-based CD factory that provides complete on-site
manufacturing solutions. Real production from an original glass master;
they also offer silkscreen printing, and a variety of printing and packaging
solutions. They offer low manufacturers’ pricing and a 7 to 10
working day turn around for Audio Clients. Check out www.predisc.com
for further info.
top
of page
CLASSIFIEDS
-
Are you the next Canadian Idol? Improve your chances of qualifying...one
free original song and a free singing lesson! Best of luck for April
14th Regina! Call Marthie Nel, 306-525 6009.
- Trumpet
player needed for recording and live dates – Ragtime Don &
the Ghost Town Gang - call Don at 306-949-4468 or email donmodderman@accesscomm.ca.
-
New female vocal duo, Second Glance, seeking band in Saskatoon,
including drums, bass, guitars...Looking to play local gigs with a variety
of mostly country, rock and pop, including both covers and original
songs. Seeking musicians with the same interests. Contact Rochelle/Lindsay
306-249-2136 or by email roach222@hotmail.com.
- Singing
Lessons with Brandy Moore, $20 per 60-minute lesson; folk, blues,
pop, jazz, country. Learn to make the most of your own unique voice:
learn how to use phrasing to sound more like a pro; learn how to sing
properly - the more you exercise your vocal muscles in the proper way,
the better singer you can become. And it’s fun! Email email@brandymoore.com,
Regina to book a lesson.
-
A George Strait Fan Bus to Calgary for his July 21 concert is
available from Knox Entertainment. For $295 you get return motor coach
transportation from Weyburn or Regina, a ticket to the concert, and
a hotel room. Contact Johnny Knox at 306-842-8961 or 306-861-6582.
-
Gabriel Bergman is starting a band and looking for interested musicians/background
vocalists who play traditional country and middle-of-the-road.
Please call 306-546-3230 (Regina) if you are interested.
Classifieds
are free for members and run for one month.
top
of page
Music
Downloading Goes Legit
-
by Lorena Kelly for The Session
After
four years of downhill CD sales, the recording industry is intently watching
for signs of recovery. A bevy of new legal pay-per-download services
have been launched, with over 19.2 million digital tracks sold online
in the last six months, helping to narrow losses in 2003. (Nielsen SoundScan)
And that’s with only about 30% of U.S. households using digital
music, according to a survey by Parks Associates. Following a wave of
RIAA lawsuits against individuals downloading extensive amounts of song
files, many former-illegal downloaders turned to industry-endorsed sites
to indulge their taste for music. For about a six month period the number
of illegal downloads dropped, but then rose again slightly following a
new court ruling against the RIAA’s ability to file such suits (see
article which follows).
The NPD Group, which conducts an ongoing survey called MusicLab and gathers
data through MusicWatch Digital (which detects usage directory from consumers’
computers) listed a number of reasons for the increase: there was less
media coverage during the last few months of 2003 regarding the lawsuits;
record labels tend to release new albums by popular artists at the end
of the year, thereby providing P2P networks with new material for consumers
to download; and consumers may have compared content on the growing number
of legal downloading services with content available on P2P networks.
NPD will continue to monitor the situation to determine if the increase
is a temporary or permanent trend.
Overall,
North American music sales were down 0.8% last year over 2002, while album
sales (including cassettes and other formats) were down 3.6%, says Nielsen
SoundScan.
Edgar
Bronfman Jr., the former Universal Music chief who led the purchase of
Warner Music from Time Warner Inc., said he believes digital music sales
will eventually help the industry recover - although continued difficulty
can be expected for a number of years.
Digital
distribution is still a relatively new technology, and it will take time
to develop the new business models. Early industry-licensed digital music
services launched in 2001 didn’t draw much interest from music fans
because they had too many restrictions and not enough flexibility. Apple
chief executive Steve Jobs helped to convince record companies to become
more flexible about selling individual tracks for a low fee. By 2004,
having seen the early success of iTunes, record companies were ready to
release their catalogues for digital sale. New delivery devices and subscription
services, such as cell phones and other portable players, are also speeding
the acceptance of the digital download.
Competition
has begun among the new legal download sites, with prices starting at
88 cents per song. That amount will likely go even lower in the future,
limited only by current per-song transaction fees extracted by credit
card companies.
While the standard price for a digital single on music industry-approved
download sites has settled at 99 cents, critics argue that’s still
too high to attract the numbers of consumers necessary to grow the digital
music market. Apple Computer announced on December 8th that its iTunes
Music Store has sold over 20 million songs since that service began seven
months ago, and 45 percent of the songs sold were purchased as part of
a full album. In addition, research by NPD Group reveals that during
iTunes’ first four months of operation when it was a Mac-only service,
the average iTunes customer purchased 49 digital songs. That works out
to about an album a month. By comparison, teenagers purchase a new CD
about every two months. All this suggests that consumers have accepted
99 cents as a standard purchase price for a digital single, and that the
various music download and subscription services that launched this year
have become accepted by consumers.
Music
industry observers believe record labels, artists and music publishers
will still be able to make money from lower prices on digital downloads
if authorized services offer consumers innovative and exclusive deals
not available elsewhere; for instance, giving consumers access to songs
in back catalogues. The record industry responds that offering flexibility
on price and availability will take time and can’t be accomplished
overnight. Given the already slim margins in the sector, several digital
services may be forced to shut down if a price war ensues.
Now
that consumers can go online and download just the songs they want from
an album, record labels are encouraging artists to record albums that
contain fewer but better-quality songs that record labels can promote
to consumers as good value - shorter albums at lower prices. Research
shows that consumers believe “filler songs” diminish the overall
value of an album. This can mean shorter albums at lower prices.
The situation arose due to technology. Whereas vinyl LPs limited artists
to 40 minutes of music, CDs allow artists 80 minutes of music and some
artists fill up the entire capacity. Record companies are returning to
the idea that albums should have no more than 10 songs.
While many artists are not opposed to the idea, they are concerned that
they will receive less in artist royalties due to lower album prices and
less in songwriter royalties due to fewer songs. Record labels are also
feeling pressure from retailers, who believe consumers will purchase shorter
albums at cheaper prices.
Sales by consumers over the age of 40 are on the rise. A recent Billboard
top-200 CD chart noted that 11 albums appealing to this segment appear
in the top 50 positions. A recent report by Forrester Research reveals
that only 1 in 9 older consumers typically use free-download sites. Record
labels and music retailers recognize that older consumers still like to
buy music and are using various methods to reach this growing market segment,
including the repackaging of the works of veteran artists, and the release
of “cover albums” of traditional material recorded by current
artists.
Two major Canadian retailers have lowered the price of their CDs in hopes
of encouraging sales. Future Shop announced a maximum price of $18.99,
with most albums at $16.99 or less. Even before its announcement to decrease
prices, sales of CDs at Future Shop were growing despite the ongoing decline
of CD sales in the overall Canadian market. A & B, meanwhile, reduced
prices by up to 30%, and encourage major labels to reduce the supplier
price.
Solutions
Research Group noted a decrease in the number of Canadians admitting to
downloading music and other content from P2P networks. In October 2003,
2.8 million Canadians reported that they had downloaded content from file-sharing
sites during the past week compared to 3.3 million in February 2003.
The biggest drop-off was among teenagers: 22% in October versus 39% in
February among teens aged 12 to 14, and 29% versus 57% among teens aged
15 to 19. There was no significant change among consumers 20 years and
older. However, Solutions Research does not believe the figures represent
an actual decrease in file-sharing activity. Instead, the company believes
P2P file-sharing has simply gone “underground” with most people
continuing their habits but not admitting to their behaviour for fear
of reprisal.
The
Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) plans to launch a strategy
similar to RIAA’s, having announced its intention to sue Canadians
who load digital music onto their computer hard drives for the purpose
of sharing the music via peer-to-peer networks. The lawsuits against
these “uploaders” will commence early this year. CRIA president
Brian Robertson says that the organization has been forced to take legal
action against individuals because illegal file sharing has cost the Canadian
music industry $450 million in lost CD sales since 1999. CRIA recently
invested $1 million into an educational campaign explaining the impact
of illegal file sharing on the Canadian music industry, which included
sending instant messages to individuals using the popular KaZaA file-sharing
network, but have not been impressed with continued illegal activity.
There are about 3.5 million high-speed Internet users in Canada. Peer-to-peer
file sharing is very popular in this country and Canadians are among the
heaviest users of these networks in the world. CRIA uses “web crawling”
software to track the file-sharing actions of these individuals. In the
meantime, three Canadian ISPs have indicated they will co-operate with
CRIA to identify “suspects” if presented with a court order.
Obtaining a court order, however, may prove to be a difficult process
for CRIA. Copyright law in Canada is not clear on the legality of sharing
music over the Internet. In addition, Canadians pay levies on blank audio
recording media, such as CD-Rs, and, following a recent Copyright Board
decision, on digital music players to compensate the music industry for
consumers copying music for their own use. There are no such levies in
the U.S. Observers say a court decision is needed to resolve all the issues
involved.
DEFINITIONS
OF PIRACY
“Piracy”
generally refers to the illegal duplication and distribution of sound
recordings.
There are four specific categories of music piracy:
Pirate recordings are the unauthorized duplication of only the sound of
legitimate recordings, as opposed to all the packaging, i.e. the original
art, label, title, sequencing, combination of titles etc. This includes
mixed tapes and compilation CDs featuring one or more artists.
Counterfeit recordings are unauthorized recordings of the pre-recorded
sound as well as the unauthorized duplication of original artwork, label,
trademark and packaging.
Bootleg recordings (or underground recordings) are the unauthorized recordings
of live concerts, or musical broadcasts on radio or television.
Online piracy is the unauthorized uploading of a copyrighted sound recording
and making it available to the public, or downloading a sound recording
from an Internet site, even if the recording isn’t resold. Online
piracy may now also include certain uses of “streaming” technologies
from the Internet.
- Abstracted from www.riaa.com
The
Future of Music Coalition (www.futureofmusic.org) based in Washington,
DC, is a group seeking to educate the public about artists’ rights.
The Coalition has been working for musicians’ rights, embracing
new distribution technologies, and helping independent musicians in their
struggle to reach the public without relying on the major record labels.
The
Canadian Value of Music Coalition launched Listen Up 2 in Canadian
Schools this past fall, shipping approximately 10,000 Listen
Up 2 video packages to middle and high schools across Canada. The
Listen Up! campaign was first introduced to Canadian schools in
1995 and, like the first, the updated version introduces young people
to the music industry, discusses music artists’ experiences, highlights
careers in the music business and points out the positive social and economic
contributions made by the industry. The package is designed to help students
understand the creative and professional processes involved in crafting
music and explains that the first value in a musical work belongs to the
creator. Listen Up 2 has been updated to reflect changes, especially
technological changes that have occurred since the first version was issued.
Feedback from students has been positive. The Value of Music campaign,
the organization behind the Listen Up! series, was created to increase
public awareness and educate Canadians about the realities of the music
industry, particularly challenges faced by the industry in a digital environment.
The campaign includes radio and TV public service announcements, website
www.keepmusiccoming.com, an information hotline, information placed at
the point of sale in retail stores, inserts in CDs that thank purchasers
for buying the CD, and posters aimed at young people. The Canadian Value
of Music Coalition was initiated by the Canadian divisions of the major
record labels, and is assisted by independent record labels, artists,
songwriters, music publishers, rights collectives, broadcasters and retailers.
For further information about the coalition and the Listen Up!
campaign, refer to www.keepmusiccoming.com or call 416-410-3116.
How
to sell YOUR music digitally
Some
traditional online stores (i.e. the ones that take orders and ship out
physical albums) are moving into digital delivery. For example, CD Baby
is now offering a service where you can sign up and pay a service fee
to be set up for digital downloads. They keep 9% and you get a whopping
91%. Any digital sales you are owed are added onto the cheques for your
regular physical sales. About 25% of current CD Baby members have opted
into the service. This is a great option to pursue, as many digital music
stores will not accept independent artists directly (yet). CD Baby has
deals in place with Apple iTunes, eMusic, BuyMusic, RealRhapsody, MusicNet,
MusicMatch, and Sony’s (yet-unnamed) music service.
International
Developments
Destra
Corporation Limited, Australia’s pioneering Digital Rights Management
(DRM) provider, re-launched its online music service to provide tracks
for as little as 99 cents per track. DestraMusic.com will be offering
online digital music through its online retail partners – Sanity.com.au,
HMV.com.au, JBHiFi.com.au and ChaosMusic.com.au, with just under 100,000
tracks from the major record companies. DestraMusic will increase their
music catalogue with plans to have over 500,000 tracks available for purchase
by mid-2004. The music will be in the Windows Media Player format and
will allow customers to copy the songs onto a CD three times, as well
as to a portable media player, but will not allow the tracks to be transferred
to pirate websites. The company has also created pre-paid music vouchers,
which will be available at more than 10,000 vending terminals Australia-wide.
Consumers can go to a selected outlet and pay any amount toward a music
voucher, and then receive instructions on the docket to retrieve their
online music purchase - without the need for credit cards.
Popular services such as iTunes and Napster have announced plans to launch
services in Europe. With music sales of about $11 billion, Europe is
the second-biggest music market in the world after the U.S. However,
digital download companies hoping to serve all of Europe must deal with
the multitude of complications from trying to set up operations in different
countries, each with its own structures regarding licensing contracts,
rights clearances, album release dates, marketing plans, distribution
and billing systems. There are no standard licensing fees, for instance,
although there are hopes that a single royalty agreement covering most
European music publishers will be finalized soon.
Such “red tape” is delaying the introduction of legal download
services because companies have to work out agreements on legal issues
on a country-by-country basis. Until the paperwork is resolved, digital
services can only offer a limited number of songs for download in each
country. A further challenge facing digital services is that European
or U.K. households aren’t as “connected” as North American
households.
New
multi-country blanket licensing for webcasters: A new international
agreement creates a one-stop process that allows webcasters to obtain
record producer rights for several countries from just one participating
national rights society. It is expected that thirty-three national collection
societies will sign on. Prior to this agreement, a webcaster had to obtain
a separate producer licence from each country’s collecting society
if the webcaster wished to operate in more than one country. This new
agreement will therefore save webcasters both time and effort.
The
IFPI Online Music Report 2004 has tracked the growth of legitimate online
music businesses. In Europe, some half a million people are signed up
to more than 30 different legal sites. This figure is expected to rise
sharply as record companies continue to license their catalogues for legitimate
distribution. In additional to several large online sites, independent
services are planned, such as Germany’s Phonoline, which will launch
in early 2004 with 250,000 tracks. The report also indicates that the
industry’s campaigns against illegal file-swapping have sharply
raised public awareness both in the U.S. and Europe. In a new survey
of consumers in four major European markets - Denmark, France, Germany
and UK - more than 2/3 of respondents are aware that distributing music
online without permission is illegal. After doubling to one billion files
between 2002 and the start of 2003, the number of files illegally on the
internet at any one time has fallen over the last nine months by 20% to
800 million in January 2004.
These
very high levels of awareness are put down to the massive escalation of
the industry’s internet anti-piracy efforts in 2003. The campaign
has included lawsuits against hundreds of large-scale internet users;
the despatch of millions of instant messages emailed to file-swappers’
computers; mass information campaigns in colleges and universities in
over 20 countries; and the launch of the international educational website
www.pro-music.org.
“Library”
MP3.com closes down
The largest archive of MP3 files on the net shut down - with little warning
- on December 2. The site was host to more than 1 million full-length
songs from more than 250,000 artists, the majority of which were not posted
anywhere else. What started in 1997 as a small site to promote the MP3
format quickly exploded, with up to 200 bands a day uploading their music.
Many used MP3.com to gain fame as independent artists, increasing their
fan base, generating millions of downloads and selling thousands of CDs.
Along with an online catalogue, MP3’s early developments like Winamp,
Rio and MusicMatch created a globally accepted standard.
Along the way, MP3.com faced ups and downs in the business realm and in
legal battles, but was purchased by the largest music company in the world,
Vivendi Universal. VU then sold the site to CNET Networks. It doesn’t
appear that VU purchased MP3.com to shut it down - considering VU deployed
the technology and people from MP3.com and now uses a customer tracking
system across its media properties to manage email campaigns and profile
music listeners in a scientific way. They now have the most advanced
digital publishing architecture in the world. Music goes from the recording
studio directly into a digital library, where it can be sent to the CD
pressing plant, music subscription systems, publishing libraries, and
much more - all digitally and precisely tracked. The my.mp3 subscription
system was used as the foundation of the Pressplay, which became Napster
2.0.
Unfortunately, CNET chose not to take on possession of the music and band
pages, instead planning to use MP3.com as a music information site. All
content will be deleted and all tapes, CDs and other media that had been
submitted to MP3.com will be destroyed. The online library known as Archive.org,
also called the “wayback machine,” could be used to at least
record what existed on MP3.com. Here, massive servers and storage captures
periodically take snapshots of the Internet as a means of recording history.
Future generations can then look back at the evolution of the Net, of
thought, trends, digital media and much more.
The
good news
is a recent announcement, posted on the MP3.com site by CNET: When music.download.com launches in March of this year, artists
will be able to register, create an artist, enter songs and artist data,
upload MP3 files, and visit the resulting artist page. The site will
offer simple Download.com URLs that can be used to direct users to an
artist page. The first generation of music.download.com will feature
a minimal set of features, but plans are underway to get music back online
as soon as possible. Following the launch more advanced features and
services will be added.
Amazon
has also launched a Digital Music Network where independents
can place their own MP3 songs. Check out www.amazon.com for details.
(Currently Amazon is only offering free sample MP3s, not selling MP3s
at this time.)
United
States Legal Developments
On December 19, the U.S. federal court of appeals overturned a ruling
granting the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) permission
to obtain names of suspected illegal file sharers from their internet
service providers (ISPs). This decision marked a victory for Verizon
Communications Inc., who has spearheaded the opposition.
In its initial case, the RIAA referred to a section of the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) in its argument that Verizon is required
to reveal the identify of a subscriber upon issue of a subpoena submitted
to a court clerk. Verizon argued that revealing a subscriber’s
name under such circumstances is a dangerous violation of internet subscribers’
constitutional rights. The judge allowed the particular provision of
the Act to stand, but ruled that the RIAA had applied it incorrectly,
saying that the ISP was acting only as a conduit for music files, and
did not store the files on its own network. The judge ruled that a subpoena
can only be issued if content that is used in infringing activity is stored
on the ISP’s own servers. The judge further noted that the law
requires a “takedown notice” specifying content to be removed
or access to such material that must be disabled. However, an ISP cannot
remove files or access to files that are not actually on its own servers.
The Act itself distinguishes between blocking access to infringing material
versus simply cutting off subscribers from their accounts. A takedown
notice identifying material actually residing on an ISP’s own server
can still be valid, but in future the RIAA must first make its case before
a judge if it wants an ISP to reveal a subscriber’s identity.
This latest decision makes it more difficult for the RIAA to find suspected
file sharers - but not impossible.
And RIAA was quick to illustrate that point, by launching suits against
532 computer users on January 23. The action represents the largest number
of lawsuits filed at one time since RIAA launched its controversial legal
campaign to cripple Internet music piracy, and was timed to send a clear
message that illegal users should not feel safe in their anonymity. The
defendants were identified only by their numeric internet protocol addresses,
until such time as they can be identified through further legal processes.
Referred to as the “John Doe lawsuits”, RIAA is criticized
for not seeking a more proactive, long-term solution, rather than using
fear tactics to discourage the activity. RIAA targeted individuals who
were distributing an average of more than 800 songs. After their lawyers
track the identity of each defendant, they will contact each person to
negotiate a financial settlement before amending the lawsuit to formally
name the defendant and, if necessary, transfer the case to the proper
courthouse.
Antitrust
Inquiry findings released December 24:
Following
a 2½ year investigation, the antitrust division of the U.S. Justice Department
concluded that the five major record labels operating in the U.S. did
not act in collusion when they set up their online music services Pressplay
(Universal, Sony) and MusicNet (Warner, BMG and EMI) in 2001. The inquiry
noted that since that time both Pressplay, which in 2003 was sold to Roxio
and renamed Napster 2.0, and MusicNet have relaxed the strict terms of
use that were originally imposed on users. In addition, all five major
record labels have licensed their repertoire to numerous competing digital
services and more such services are expected to launch this year. The
inquiry further noted that each major record label offers different licensing
terms to digital music resellers for use of the labels’ repertoire.
Music industry critics believe it was the investigation itself - along
with pressure from the U.S. Congress and creative businesses such as Apple’s
iTunes - that ultimately motivated the labels to license their repertoire
to competitors.
Looking for a legal way to download music? Check these out…
If
you’re going to check out one of the “new” legal download
sites, be patient. Most require you to download or update the appropriate
software. And, you may have to try a few before you find all the tracks
you’re looking for...which is a problem, considering that there’s
only a couple of sites selling to Canada, right now. That should change
real soon, we hope.
Prices
stated are in dollar value of country of origin of website. This is by
no means to be considered an all-inclusive list - merely a starting point.
Puretracks.com
(Canadian)
-
Service available to Canadians: Yes
-
Windows/Mac: Windows only.
-
Number of tracks:300,000 by Canadian and international artists.
-
Independent Labels/Major Labels:Both
Pricing:99
cents per track, some additional at $1.19 or $1.39, with most albums at
$9.99, others at $11.99 or $13.99 each
What
you can do with your purchases: Indicated for each specific track. This
may include: Burn to CD a maximum of three times (some tracks have unlimited
burning) and download to a maximum of three portable digital music players.
Unique
payment methods:Purchasers can obtain a “cash card” at retail
stores as an option to a credit card.
Special
requirements: Must use Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and Windows Media
Player 7.1 or higher.
Puretracks was developed by Toronto-based Moontaxi Media Inc. Investors
are Universal and EMI Music Canada, retailer Records on Wheels/CD Plus
and Standard Broadcasting. Moontaxi hopes to partner Puretracks with
music retailers, Internet service providers and radio stations, and is
currently in negotiations with HMV.
eMusic.com
(U.S.)
- Service
available to Canadians: Yes
- Windows/Mac:
Both
- Number
of tracks:275,000/20,000 full albums
-
Independent/Major Label artists:Both
Pricing: Subscription basis only - $9.99 per month/40 song downloads,
$14.99 per month/65 song downloads, $19.99 per month/90 song downloads.
You (currently) cannot exceed your set monthly subscription limit; no
“refunds” for unused amounts. Free 14 day or 50 MP3 trial
period.
What
you can do with your purchases: Unlimited CD burning and transfers.
Special
requirements: You’ll need to download the latest version of their
eMusic Download Manager. Site seems to work better with Internet Explorer.
eMusic
was the first digital music service to sell songs and albums for download
in the MP3 format, and the first company to launch a downloadable subscription
service in 2000.
U.S.
Services not available to Canadians (yet)...Apple iTunes (apple.com/itunes):
Windows/Mac. 500,000 tracks. Independent and major label artists.
500,000 tracks at 99 cents per. Burn songs on an unlimited number of
CDs, listen to songs on an unlimited number of iPods, play songs on up
to three computers. Unique payment methods: An “allowance”
function (where parents can automatically deposit funds into their kids’
iTunes account every month, patent pending); gift certificates.
The
quest for sales resulted in a strange marriage of Apple and Windows -
enabling the launch of the Windows-compatible Apple iTunes Music Store.
Before the alliance, Apple had sold over 13 million songs to Mac users
alone. Apple has also signed an exclusive partnership with America Online,
linking songs from the AOL Music site to the iTunes store. Features include
more than 5000 audio books from Audible.com and exclusive playlists from
more than 60 artists.
MusicMatch.com:
360,000 tracks. 99 cents per track, $9.99 for most albums. Burn CDs and
download to portable players. Requires MusicMatch Jukebox 8.2.
Napster
2.0 (www.napster.com): 500,000 tracks. Independent and major label
artists. 99 cents per track, albums $9.95 each. An optional $9.99
monthly subscription will give users access to extra features such as music
streamed to their computers, an online magazine, exclusive live recordings,
Billboard listings and interaction with other subscribers. Prepaid Napster
cards are available at a variety of outlets.
Owned
by Roxio Inc., who bought Pressplay from Universal and Sony. Samsung
will manufacture a Napster-branded portable digital music player specially
designed to work with Napster 2.0. Users must download the Napster 2.0
interface.
RealRhapsody
(Listen.com): Windows. 450,000 tracks. 79 cents per track or subscription
$9.99 per month. 14 day free trial. Requires RealOne player.
MusicNow.com:
Windows. 400,000 tracks starting at 99 cents each. Requires the
MusicNow Store and Windows Media 9 download (free on their site). A subsidiary
of Best Buy.
Liquid.com:
Windows. 300,000 tracks. Fueled by Liquid Audio.
BuyMusic.com:
400,000 tracks. Independent and major label artists. Most tracks
99 cents each. Track permissions vary by label, i.e. store on 3 different
computers, burn up to 10 CDs, unlimited transfers to portable players.
Requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, Windows Media Player 9 or higher.
Walmart
(Musicdownloads.walmart.com): Windows. Over 200,000 songs in WMA
format. Deals are being finalized with the major record labels. 88 cents
per song. Download to one computer and backup to 2 additional computers;
burn 10 CDs; unlimited transfers to portable devices. Requires Windows
Media Player 9. Songs will be provided by Liquid Digital Media, previously
known as Liquid Audio. Approximately 20% of music sales in the U.S. take
place at Wal-Mart stores.
MusicRebellion.com:
Windows. Independent and major label artists. Have initiated a demand-driven
pricing system, with some popular tracks being base-priced as low as 5
cents. Most tracks are burnable and transportable. “MusicRebellion”
option let you charge money up front using PayPal, and purchase music
using that credit. “Peppercoin” option lets you pay song
by song, but you must install an application.
Microsoft
Corp. plans to introduce its own song-downloading service this year.
Abstracted from: CelebrityAccess News Service, articles by Bob Grossweiner
and Jane Cohen on CelebrityAccess News Service; CIRPA website; “Napster,
iTunes European Debut Held Up by Red Tape”, by Bernhard Warner,
Reuters; “Online Music Industry is Focusing on Europe”, by
Victoria Shannon, The New York Times, “The NPD Group Notes Recent
Increase in Peer-to-Peer Digital Music Files Sharing”, Music Industry
News Network; “Chill Effect in Reporting Downloads”, Canadian
Music Network; “Decline in Album Sales Slows in 2003”, by
Jeff Leeds, Los Angeles Times; NARM website; “U.S. Album Sales Fall
in 2003 But End on Up Note”, Reuters; “Music-Sharing Lawsuits
Curb U.S. Piracy”, by Scott Morrison, Financial Post; “U.S.
Sees No Collusion by Record Firms”, by Joseph Menn, Los Angeles
Times; “Record Industry May Not Subpoena Online Providers”,
by John Schwartz, The New York Times; “Music Sharers to Face Lawsuits”,
by Robert Thompson, National Post; “File-Sharing Suits Come to Canada”,
by Matthew Ingram, The Globe and Mail; “Web Firms to Name Pirates”,
by Robert Thompson, National Post; “How Much is Digital Music Worth?”,
by John Borland, CNET News.com; “Consumers Expect Substantial Savings
on Digitally Distributed Albums”, Ipsos News Center website; “Aussie
First – Buy Music Online Without a Credit Card”, Music Industry
News Network; “Fewer Songs May Improve Labels’ Track Record”,
by Jeff Leeds, Los Angeles Times); “CNET to Buy Music Web Site MP3.com
from Vivendi”, by Daniel Sorid, Reuters; “mp3.com Purchased
by Cnet”, Digital Music News Daily Snapshot; “Pioneering Online
Site is Purchased from Vivendi Universal”, Hits DailyDouble; “Wal-Mart
Prepares to Launch Low-Price Online Music Store”, by Ann Zimmerman
and Nick Wingfield, Wall Street Journal; “Wal-Mart to Offer Online
Music Shop”, by Tim Arango, New York Post; “Recording Industry
Announces New One-Stop-Shop For Webcast Licensing”, Music Industry
News Network; “At Sea With MP3s, Boomers Buoy Struggling Record
Industry”, by Chris Nelson, The New York Times; “Napster Lives
Again – Sort Of”, by Peter Burrows, BusinessWeek; “New
Pay Version of Napster Service Debuts”, Associated Press; “Review:
New Napster Returns a Bit Buggy”, Associated Press; “Apple
Launches Windows Version of iTunes Service”, by Duncan Martell,
Reuters; “Watershed for Music Downloads”, by Robert Thompson,
Financial Post; “Puretracks Launches Legal Way to Download”,
by Guy Dixon and Richard Blackwell, Globe and Mail; Puretracks Press Release;
“Future Shop Lowers All of its CD Prices”, Canadian Music
Network; “A&B Sound Drops CD Prices Across the Board”;
CIRPA site - Hawkestone Communications & public affairs news release;
Music.Download.Com; www.futureofmusic.org.
top
of page
Opportunities
Send Stuff Here
Please
note: Publication in this section is not necessarily an endorsement by
SRIA. Please use your own discretion.
-
Performers wanted - the Regina Folk Festival/Ness Creek Music Festival
Showcase. The Regina Folk Festival & the Ness Creek Music Festival
want to check out musicians from Southern Saskatchewan. They’re
hosting a showcase in Regina on April 2. If you’d like to perform
at the showcase, please contact Dave Lang by email (dave@davesbarand
grill.net) before February 28.
- CCMA
Widens Showcase Access: The Canadian Country Music Association is
calling on all artists – whether established, past CCMA Showcase
performers, or new artists - to review the widened criteria for Country
Music Week Showcases in Edmonton this year. The change in application
criteria means many more Canadian performers will be eligible for this
high profile opportunity that puts artists in front of influential industry
members, media, record label reps, talent buyers, and managers. Showcase
criteria and Showcase Applications can be found online at www.ccma.org.
Deadline for applications is April 30. Also new for 2004 Showcases,
all performers must be members of the CCMA. Membership can also be
completed online. Country Music Week offers one of the few opportunities
for Canadian rising stars to showcase their talents to the industry
and the fans. Country Music Week 2004 in Edmonton will be held September
10-13 with the Canadian Country Music Awards to be held at Rexall Place
airing live on CBC and CMT in the U.S. September 13 at 8 pm, with encore
broadcasts on CMT in Canada. Canadian Country Music Association, 905-850-1144.
- Saskatchewan
Showcase of the Arts, October 28-31, Yorkton, presented by Organization
of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC): SSA is OSAC’s annual conference
that includes juried performing arts showcases, contact room, workshops,
discussion forum, networking, keynote speaker, visual arts exhibitions,
receptions and meals in a fun atmosphere. It is attended by OSAC’s
membership of community presenters, performing artists, manager/agents,
visual artists, and arts administrators from across the country. Accepting
showcase submissions until May 1. For info see www.osac.sk.ca,
or call Karen Mondor, Performing Arts Coordinator, 306-586-1220 or Karen@osac.sk.ca.
-
The Canadian Arts Presenting Association/ L’Association
canadienne des organismes Artistiques, (CAPACOA), is a federally
incorporated non-profit association serving the touring industry in
Canada. CAPACOA’s 17th annual conference will be in Edmonton
November 4-8. Showcase applications for promoting work NEW to the Canadian
Touring Market, including works in progress, must be submitted by April
23 and are online at www.capacoa.ca.
If you are a business member, the application is free. If you are not,
there is a fee of $100.00 plus GST per application. Showcases may be
anywhere from 20-55 minutes in length, and three or more artists/companies
can be presented at the same venue on the same evening, festival style.
Call 613-562-3515 to become a member or get more information!
- The
Florida Music Festival (Axis) - April 15-April 17 in Orlando, is
accepting showcase submissions from bands and DJs until February
28. Fee is $30 U.S. Application form available from www.fmf2004.com.
- “Contact
Manitoba”: October 22–23, Winnipeg. A biennial conference
that features local and national performers for young and adult audiences.
It includes showcases, contact room and networking opportunities for
artists and performing arts presenters. Contact Manitoba represents
an unparalleled opportunity to meet Manitoba presenters booking shows
for concerts series, special events or local festivals. Approximately
eighteen 15-minute showcases in music, dance, and theatre available,
meant to give the audience a snapshot of the touring show. Showcase
selection is done by a jury comprised of community presenters, artists
and agents who represent the diversity and interests in the arts touring
and presenting community of Manitoba. The jury considers artistic excellence,
audience appeal, experience in touring, and previous showcases at Contact
Manitoba. Community presenters want to see new and different acts,
therefore recent showcasing in Manitoba affects selection. Showcase
application is available from the Manitoba Arts Council website, www.artscouncil.mb.ca.
It is recommended that you speak with the Program Consultant before
submitting an application, should you have any questions or require
clarification. Miriam Baron, Program Consultant, 204-945-2237 or mbaron@artscouncil.mb.ca.
- Saskatchewan
Express is seeking songs about Saskatchewan for the Centennial,
and the 25th birthday of Sask. Express. Lyrics must be suitable for
family entertainment; please submit lead sheets, lyrics and a recording
to: Artistic Director, Saskatchewan Express, 3304 Dewdney Ave., Regina
SK, S4P 3V7. Deadline March 26. For info call 306-787-8173,
carol@saskatchewanexpress.com or www.saskatchewanexpress.com.
- Atlantis
Music Conference 2004 - Atlantis’ showcases feature more than
200 of the top unsigned musical acts from the United States and around
the world. The showcases will be held in 12 of the most popular venues
throughout Atlanta, ranging from 300-1,500 capacity. Atlanta, GA -
July 21 to July 24. Submit via www.sonicbids.com/atlantis2004; all
genres accepted, deadline March 15.
- SongPrize
Competition - $100,000 in prizes. Music industry pros will evaluate
your songs for consideration in promotional projects and prizes will
be shared among the 50+ top contenders. Deadline April 28.
Categories bands/solo artists/songwriters, pop adult contemporary, rock/alternative,
country, contemporary acoustic/folk, R&B/hip-hop/rap, Christian/gospel,
jazz, instrumental, specialty music (children’s, Christmas, novelty,
patriotic), and lyric only. $25 entry fee. Visit www.songprize.com
for the application form.
-
The 3rd Annual Indie Music Video Festival is now accepting music
video entries for the 2004 program. Cross-continent and cross-genre
punk-folk, pop-rock, roots-goth, industrial-ska, karaoke-blues, screamo,
hip-hop, avant garde et al independent artists music videos. VHS and
DVD (NTSC) submissions only. Final deadline June 30, early bird
submission rates in effect now. Check it out, www.imvf.com.
- NEMO
Music Festival, Boston, September 30-October 2 is accepting showcase
applications. 250-plus bands of all calibers and all genres can show
off their talents in one of the biggest breeding grounds for the Boston
music scene. Submission fee $30. Go to www.nemoboston.com for more
information and application forms. Submit your electronic press kit
online through Sonicbids.com. Deadline May 28.
-
(Reprint) Sun 102.3 FM Saskatchewan artist feature - They seek
material from Saskatchewan artists to promote on the show. While the
station is soft AC format, they’ll accept compatible styles (top
40 rock, soft rock, blues, etc.) with the exception of rap, speed/heavy
metal, and anything with offensive lyrics. The show will air Sunday
evenings. Forward a minimum of 2 songs on CD, bio, contact info, and
any upcoming gigs, etc. to: Craig Picton, Program Director, Sun 102.3
FM, 200-1236 5th St., Estevan SK, S4A 0Z6. For more info email cpicton@goldenwestradio.com.
-
(Reprint) Live Performance Opportunity: The Voodoo Lounge, Saskatoon
is proud to present The Thirsty Thursday. Every Thursday, bands can
come down and showcase for the Entertainment coordinator at the Voodoo
Lounge. No need of a demo or press package; drums and bass rig are
supplied. Display your talents and get booked for weekend shows. Even
if you are an established band, The Voodoo Lounge welcomes you to come
down and meet some of the bands struggling to learn more about the touring
circuit, or just to swap contacts with other bands. This showcase/jam
will happen every Thursday, so reserve your slot. Contact voodoobookings@hotmail.com.
Reservations are a must to ensure every band gets the chance to be heard.
-
(Reprint) 12th Annual Billboard Song Contest - Your chance to
be heard by some of the biggest names in the music business. Over $30,000
in prizes, including musical equipment, song placement on the 12th Contest
Winners CD, a subscription to Billboard Magazine and more. Every entry
will be judged and you will receive a breakdown of your song, including
individual critiques. Two new categories – Rap/Hip Hop and World.
Create a Sonicbids Electronic Press Kit (EPK) and submit online via
www.sonicbids.com to the Billboard Song Contest at a discount off the
mail-in submission fee. Deadline: March 20. More info available
from www.billboard.com soon.
-
(Reprint) Seeking country artists: CKSW 570/CJSN 1490 Swift Current/Shaunavon
is looking at putting together a Home Grown Country 30 minute weekly
program featuring Saskatchewan country artists. They are looking for
some of Saskatchewan’s finest country talent. Artists should
forward a high quality recording on CD (full length or singles), bio
information and website links, and contact info for possible interviews
to: Home Grown Country, Attn. Darwin Gooding, Program Director, CKSW/CJSN,
134 Central Avenue North, Swift Current SK, S9H OL1.
top
of page
Saskatchewan
Indie Releases
Notes:
Singer/songwriter Lana Quinn accompanies herself on Celtic harp on eight
of the ten songs on her new CD. The folksong tradition of her Prince
Edward Island roots echoes through all of the songs. Themes include:
the maternal nature of the sea, escaping the boredom of housework, a farewell
to dear friends, a wedding song, and two poems set to music. Other musicians
who perform on this CD are Byron Olsen, Brenda Moates, Joan Savage and
Keith Bartlett. The harp, combined with beautiful instrumentation and
Lana’s clear soprano voice, create a peaceful ambiance.
Produced By Lana Quinn
Recorded At Right Tracks Studio, Saskatoon – engineered
by Darrell Pierce, and Great Plains Productions, North Battleford –
engineered by Gord Hildebrand.
Mixed & Mastered At Great Plains Productions by Gord
Hildebrand.
Songwriter Lana Quinn
More Info: www.lanaquinn.com
Notes:
Smokekiller, aka John Antoniuk, is influenced by all styles of music from
folk to rock, rap to jazz, dance to pop, and country to blues. Comparable
artists would include Pete Yorn, Frank Black, James Taylor, Radiohead,
Ryan Adams, Travis (sorta an alternative folk/rock kinda scene)! Watch
for side b.
Produced By Efren Pereira Jr.; co-produced by smokekiller
and Joel Grundahl.
Tracked By Sean Pion, Efren Pereira Jr. and Joel Grundahl
at Audeo Solum Production Studios and Viking Music Production.
Mixed By Joel Grundahl and Efren Pereira Jr. at Viking
Music Production.
Mastered By Joel Grundahl at Viking
Music.
Songwriter J. Antoniuk
More Info: www.smokekiller.com
GOT
A NEW RELEASE? Be sure to register it in the AnR Lounge for nation-wide
exposure and easy access by radio! Visit www.mincanada.com
to get started! |
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