Very Prairie and the Saskatchewan Music Awards

The fifth annual Saskatchewan Music Awards were held on Sunday, December 11 celebrating the Saskatchewan music industry in a sold-out show held at the beautiful Darke Hall in Regina.​Throughout the night, twenty-one awards were presented, along with performances from eleven different artists, including a very special performance of the Treaty 4 Flag Song by Aaron Tootoosis and tributes to our Indigenous Music Achievement Award honourees, Brian MacDonald and John Arcand.

Please check out the 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners for a complete list of the awards and their recipients. 

Featured was a lineup of amazing live performances – by Zhe the Free, People of the Sun, Aaron Tootoosis, Kateryna Grace, Étienne Fletcher, Nikamok, Michelle and Lee Arcand, TOVA, Jesse Brown, Dump Babes, and ARIEL.

In conjunction with the Saskatchewan Music Awards, the Very Prairie Music Summit was held in Regina December 9-11. Over twenty music industry professionals – local, national, and international - were lined up to participate in one-on-one meetings, networking events, and panels ranging from practical, informative sessions for independent artists, to discussions on ‘big picture’ music industry topics.

For those who were unable to join us for the weekend, we'll send updates when the recordings of Very Prairie panels are available for viewing. 

​SaskMusic would like to thank Creative Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan, and FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) for their support of the SMAs and Very Prairie.

Did you make a JUNO Awards Submission this year?

SaskMusic will accept applications from Saskatchewan-resident artists and music industry professionals to have the costs of a CARAS voting membership plus up to two category nomination submissions for the 2023 JUNO Awards reimbursed (to a total maximum reimbursement of $225 plus tax per applicant). If you applied, check out the bursary we're offering here. Deadline December 20/22.

50% off !earshot-Distro For SaskMusic Members

SaskMusic members can access a 50% off discount code to the !earshot Digital Distribution System, now through December 31!

To access the code and how-tos, login to your SaskMusic account (www.saskmusic.org/login) and visit the Member Resources section of your Backstage area.

!earshot-Distro is an online platform allowing the Canadian music industry to upload musical recordings to be searched, reviewed, and downloaded by campus and community radio stations across Canada. It saves on the cost of mailing out CDs and the hassle of sending unsolicited emails with large attachments. You can upload your new releases and your whole back catalogue for programmers to access, including all the necessary details that they need.

The regular price of uploading into the system is $7/song or $50/Album (8-20 songs) Canadian +tax, and that is a one-time fee.

Upcoming Market & Export Development Music Grant Deadline

Creative Saskatchewan's Market & Export Development Grant has upcoming deadlines of January 11 for their major stream, and February 9 for their micro stream.

This grant provides support to individuals and businesses for market access and market development opportunities intended to improve visibility and generate sales.

More info

Women in Music Canada announce the inaugural WIM Honours!

This program is designed to celebrate and support women and gender diverse Canadian innovators and creators who have outstanding success in their field in the eligibility year (December 2021 through December 2022 for annual based categories). 

Applicants must submit interest through WIM Canada's application form by the deadline (Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET). This may be done by the prospective honouree or another Canadian colleague. The honours will be presented at a dinner March 8 (International Women's Day) to cap off our IWD programming. 

Women in Music Canada values diversity, equity and inclusion, and welcome applications from innovators and creators from diverse backgrounds.

Learn more and apply today. https://www.womeninmusic.ca/en/wimc-honours

Canada's Music Incubator Artist Entrepreneur Program
Deadline January 8, 2023

Canada's Music Incubator's Artist Entrepreneur Program is specifically designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Canada’s Music Incubator’s main focus during the program includes mentoring, networking, and collaboration.

In addition to working hands-on with the Canada’s Music Incubator’s and Coalition Music’s team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, producing, sound and songwriting experts, artists will get a chance to meet active industry professionals in music law, accounting, publishing, booking, talent buying, music supervision, radio, performing rights organizations, funding bodies, and technical production, among others. Artists will also have ongoing access to Canada’s Music Incubator and Coalition Music’s resources and expertise after the program ends.

Next Session:

Mar 7. –  Apr. 28, 2023 | Application Deadline: Jan 8, 2023

More info

Submit now to play Regina Folk Festival 
Deadline January 13, 2023

Regina Folk Festival’s artist submissions for 2023 are now open! Your submission will be considered for the RFF's year-round programming including their summer festival, concerts and community-based events. 

Regardless of the outcome of your submission, the RFF appreciates your interest in the Regina Folk Festival. Above all, they appreciate your continued creative work. 

More info

SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITY: NXNE 2023 in Toronto
Deadline January 20, 2023

5 days and nights of live music. Over 200 bands and performers. 18 of Toronto’s best clubs. Hundreds of gigs!

The festival returns to its roots, embracing its initial concept, to create a discovery music festival where emerging artists are valued and presented under optimum conditions at tightly run shows in Toronto’s best live music venues. All acts presented at an affordable price with clear showtimes to encourage audiences to club-hop and discover new artists.

NXNE remains committed to being an accessible festival with few financial barriers to perform or attend.

More info

Featured Singles/Videos: https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/p1b5aft60baybgl/

Submit Albums/News: https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/p1j5txnh11l7bht/

Have you recently released or will soon be releasing an official single, music video, or album, in any genre? Have some exciting music news to share? We want to know what you've got going on! Even if we follow your socials, we (and media outlets) don't see, or catch everything you post about. Please let us know your release date and/or other activities. Just follow the links above!

Musician Seeking Gigs?

The Saskatchewan Music Directory provides listings of freelance players available for live shows and studio recordings, and is our main referral point to those who call looking to hire musicians/singers. We want to know about you! Visit www.saskmusic.org to login to your existing account, or to join (free 'subscriber' option available) and add your listings. (Sask-based players only.)

The more information the better! Remember to include your specific instrument, styles you specialize in/techniques (ie fingerstyle, rhythm, lead), location, description of experience, and links to videos/examples if available for best results. You can create multiple listings with different descriptions if you play multiple instruments! Think about what people would want to know before reaching out to a player, and include that information in your entry.

• Colby Nargang, December 21, 2022, Rock Creek Tap & Grill
• Tilted Kilts: Pre-Christmas Kitchen Party, December 22, 2022, Happy Nun Cafe (The) (CLOSED)
• Queen City Holiday Showcase, December 23, 2022, Exchange/The Club
• Nigel Mack Big Blues Attack , December 23, 2022, Bassment (The)
• ZIZI AND FRIENDZ, December 29, 2022, Cure (The)
• BAND SWAP XV at Amigo's, December 29, 2022, Amigos
• Jen Lane & John Antoniuk, December 30, 2022, Bassment (The)
• Kelly J. Gill & The Hired Guns New Years Eve Party!, December 31, 2022, Royal Canadian Legion
• Revenge Of The 80'S, December 31, 2022, Casino Regina
• Nerve NYE 2023 W/ Felix Cartal, December 31, 2022, Coors Event Centre
• New Years Concert with Brian Paul D.G. and Friends!, December 31, 2022, Heartwood Healing Center