SaskMusic Opens 2023 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominations

SaskMusic is pleased to announce that the nomination intake for the 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards will open on September 8. The sixth annual awards will honour excellence in the Saskatchewan music industry and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members over the past year. An awards ceremony will be held December 2, 2023 at The Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon to unveil the winners, along with numerous musical performances and the honouring of our Indigenous Music Achievement Award recipient.

The awards were initiated to draw greater public recognition to the amazing and multi-faceted music being created in our province. With newly updated award categories for this year, we invite Saskatchewan recording artists and industry members working in all styles of music across the province to make their submissions now. We are very excited to celebrate and share the excellent work of our talented artists and industry personnel at this year’s SMAs.

Submissions to all Artistic and Industry categories of the SMAs are free, and will be open from September 8 until 11:59pm CST, September 25, 2023.

Visit www.saskatchewanmusicawards.com to learn more about the eligibility criteria and to submit starting September 8.

Remembering those who have passed

We are planning to include a memorial tribute to acknowledge those from the Saskatchewan music community who have passed away this year. To submit individual names for inclusion, please send their names to us along with a personal note and link to any available additional information, such as their biography.

Would you like to be a juror?

Our submission form for prospective jurors is also open! Artists and industry members who won't be submitting for nominations this year, or may have industry experience that would enable them to juror on other projects, can visit the signup form here.

First Peoples Creating Full Series Uploaded

Earlier this summer, we expanded our series of interviews with creatives on the nistam athisthiniwak osihchikīwiniwāwa (First Peoples Creating) playlist.
You can enjoy the full playlist on YouTube.

Including new talks with:

• Amanda Paul
• Aurora Wolfe
• Falynn Baptiste
• Forrest Eaglespeaker
• Melodie Gliem
• Nige B
• Northern Prairie Dancers
• Patrick Moon Bird
• Roland Corrigal
• Tristen Durocher
• and many others filmed previously!

Big thanks to all those who participated, to our host LJ Tyson; to Encore Graphics; and to The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR) for their support.

SaskMusic and artists at Canada House - AmericanaFest 2023

SaskMusic and artists The North Sound and Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys will be participating in the 2023 Canada House at AmericanaFest. We’ll be partnering with colleagues CIMA and Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, and MusicOntario to present a showcasing & business mission for Canadian companies and their artists. 

Friday, September 22 from 11:00AM-5:00PM Canada House will present showcases at InDo (632 Fogg St), preceded by a networking reception 11:00-11:30AM. The event is open to AmericanaFest conference delegates and the general public.

11:00AM: Networking Reception
11:30AM: Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane
12:10PM: Basset
12:50PM: The North Sound
1:30PM: Field Guide
2:10PM: Colleen Brown
2:50PM: JJ Shiplett
3:30PM: Cat Clyde
4:10PM: Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys

Canadian companies representing the showcasing artists will also get the opportunity to participate in a business-to-business session in partnership with Sounds Australia, British Underground and AMERICANAFEST. (Canadian companies who will be in Nashville in September and who are interested in taking part in the business events can contact Jenia Schukov for more information.)

READ MORE. 

SaskMusic and artists at Canada House - Reeperbahn Festival 2023

SaskMusic is pleased to be part of Canada House, returning to Hamburg & Berlin, Germany this September for the 2023 edition of the Reeperbahn Festival & Conference and presented by CIMA in partnership with SaskMusic, Aakuluk Music, Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, M for Montreal, Music BC, MusicOntario/Ontario Creates, Music New Brunswick, Music Nova Scotia, Music PEI, and Quebec Creates/SODEC. The Saskatchewan artist delegation will feature Dump Babes, Marissa Burwell, and Peace Flag Ensemble.

The official showcase event Canada House will take place Thursday, September 21-Friday, September 22 all day from 11.00 though 1.00 at Uwe (formerly Kukuun) and will feature 28 Canadian artists. SaskMusic is sponsoring the showcase participation of the three Sask artists.

READ MORE.

Sask Represented at the CCMAs

Numerous Saskatchewan artists will be performing around Country Music Week 2023 activities in Hamilton ON, and attending the event to network with music industry representatives and support fellow artists.  

Saskatchewan CCMA Nominees

Nominees for this year's Canadian Country Music Awards were announced previously. Big congrats to Sask nominees! 

Female Artist of the Year: Tenille Arts

Group or Duo of the Year: Hunter Brothers

Recording Studio of the Year: Bart McKay Productions (Saskatoon SK)

Innovative Campaign of the Year: “What Colour You Drive” Content and Fan Contest, Hunter Brothers 

READ MORE. 

Upcoming Funding Deadlines for Creative Saskatchewan

Deadlines are fast approaching for the following Creative Sask grants:

• Sound Recording Grant - Sept. 27, 4pm CST
• Tour Support Grant - Sept. 27, 4pm CST
• Market & Export Development - Sept. 13, 4pm CST (Micro Stream); Sept. 27, 4pm CST (Major Stream)
• Business Capacity Grant - Sept. 27, 4pm CST
• Research Grant - Sept. 27, 4pm CST

For more information on the grants and how to apply, visit the Creative Saskatchewan website. 

How To Produce Your Own Music - Free Webinar by NWC 

Join renowned music producer Rob Wells in this exciting webinar as he shares his expert insights and practical tips on how to produce your own music, empowering you to unleash your creative potential and craft professional-quality tracks from the comfort of your own studio. Gain invaluable knowledge from a seasoned industry veteran and take your music production skills to new heights in this engaging and informative session.

CAPACOA Call for Artist Pitch Sessions - APPLY HERE

CAPACOA is inviting Canadian artists and their representatives to submit applications to be part of the artist Pitch Sessions at the 2023 CAPACOA Conference! They encourage artists from all disciplines to apply. Your work will be offered to delegates from Canada and around the globe in 5-7 minute presentations (in person with tech supplied to support visuals).

The deadline to submit has been extended to Friday, September 8, 2023.

Fundraiser for Eliza Doyle

We don't typically share fundraisers in our messaging, but this is an exceptional circumstance. Artist and community leader Eliza Doyle recently experienced a devastating loss due to fire. You can learn more and donate if you wish at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fire-relief-for-eliza-doyle

SXSW APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2024

Showcasing at SXSW (March 11-16/2024) means performing in one of Austin’s famous live music venues for 30,000 industry reps, 3,000 media members, and thousands of fans and fellow musicians from all over the world.

Applications are open now. Showcasing artists gain unparalleled access to an audience of industry professionals, international media, and new fans.

Final Deadline: October 27, 2023

Music Showcase applications are open to:

• All music genres
• Artists from around the world
• Signed and unsigned artists

Important details:

• One official SXSW showcase performance is guaranteed per invited act.
• Showcase slots run an average of 40 minutes (some exceptions may apply).
• Showcases will take place between March 13-18, 2023.
• SXSW does not provide artist backline or cover travel and accommodation expenses.

Saskatchewan artists who are Canadian residents who receive official showcases are eligible to apply for showcase support through Creative Saskatchewan and FACTOR Canada (and potentially other funders). If you receive a showcase invite, please contact SaskMusic so we can offer assistance with making the most of your showcase.

SXSW will review your application, and you will be notified of your invitation status on or before December 19, 2023. More Details/Submit at: https://www.sxsw.com/apply/showcase-applications/

Winterruption 2024 Submission Open - Deadline September 29, 2023

Interested in playing in the 2024 BIG/Winterruption Festivals? Fill out the form below to apply today. All candidates will be reviewed in October.

https://form.jotform.com/231876599881276

Banff Musicians in Residency Winter 2024

This program provides space and focused time for musicians of all genres to concentrate on artistic development while working on projects that can be either individually or group/ensemble-based. You may be working in your established genre(s), or exploring a new one.

Along with the freedom to structure your time around the needs of your project, you will receive artistic inspiration and career advice from well-established faculty. You will have access to a range of artistic influences across the 3 weeks with the opportunity for interaction and collaboration to produce outstanding, creative results. 

Application Deadline September 13, 2023
Program Dates January 08-26, 2024. Participants must attend all three weeks of the residency. 

Learn More

SOCAN The Her Music Awards Applications 

The Her Music Awards are designed to celebrate and support female-identified Canadian mid-career music creators who are on the verge of taking their creative careers to the next level. Applicants must submit an application through SOCAN Foundation’s application portal by the deadline of October 15, 2023.

Learn more at: https://www.socanfoundation.ca/awards/

Award Recipient(s) will be selected to receive a grant prize of up to CAD$5,000 each.

Sign Up Today to Perform at The Great Escape 2024

Calling all artists. Artist registration for The Great Escape 2024 in partnership with Sentric Music is now open. Whether you are a band, a singer-songwriter, a rapper, DJ, collective or duo, it doesn't matter, they want to hear from you.

You can find out more by visiting their website. 

Showcase Opportunity: East Coast Music Awards Showcase 2024

Deadline to Apply: October 3rd, 2023

The East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference (ECMA) is heading back to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for the 36th annual celebration of the East Coast’s best artists and music, from Wednesday, May 1 to Sunday, May 5. 2024

The 2024 event is accepting submissions for the following showcase stages: Individual Genre Stages, Rising Star Stage, and two Export Program Stages, including the Canadian Music. East Coast Style. Export Buyers Showcase and Two for the Show Showcase. Submissions close on October 3rd and Successful showcasing artists will be announced in January 2024. 

All submissions must be completed within this time.

APPLY HERE!

BLACK EXPOSED Artist Spotlight on CKWR Radio

Artists! You can submit your music to appear on the "BLACK EXPOSED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT" airing on 98.5 CKWR FM, hosted by music industry veterans Sandra (Tyler) Henein (Music Industry Executive) and Carlos Morgan (JUNO Award-winning R&B singer) featuring programming dedicated solely for Black Canadians.

Black Exposed celebrates the accomplishments of the Black community in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region and across Canada, with a focus on Black mentorship through interviews with Black Music & artists, athletes, scholars, influencers and more.

Each show features a Canadian Black artist spotlight; signed and indie, profiling today’s relevant Black music, with industry advice from famous Canadians highlighting their struggles, accomplishments and overcoming adversity. Airing Tuesdays 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM and later via streaming services including

• Podbean
• Spotify

Submitted songs must be from Black Artists/Musicians (indie or signed) 

Submit 2 clean tracks to Blackexposed@bell.net

CKWR-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting a community radio format at 98.5 FM in Kitchener ON.

SK Arts Seeks Director of Administration 

SK Arts is seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented individual to fill the term position of Director of Administration.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Administration has primary responsibility for the human and physical resources of SK Arts. The individual in this position will have responsibility for:

• oversight of human resource management and policies;
• long-term and day-to-day management of the agency’s capital assets, technologies, and supplies; and
• supervision of the agency’s administrative team.

Additionally, as a member of SK Arts’ management team, the Director of Administration will provide advice and support on decisions that enable the fulfilment of the agency’s mandate.
Employment Type: Term: November 1, 2023, continuing through March 31, 2024

Learn more HERE.