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Province announces 2016 Ontario Music Fund recipients

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Yesterday afternoon at the Rivoli, the Hon. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the 2016 Ontario Music Fund (OMF) grant recipients, with 151 recipients receiving $14 million in grants in the third year of the program. The fund, which is administered by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), supports music entrepreneurs, record labels, managers, agents, industry trade associations, and training institutions across Ontario.

Per the release, the OMF, which was made permanent in the 2015 Ontario budget, has now supported 244 applications from 220 companies in its first three years, resulting in 1,274 full-time equivalent positions for Ontario’s music industry. More than 1.6 million people have attended events supported by the fund in its first two years, which featured performances by more than 1900 Ontario artists.

“Ontario is home to the largest music industry in Canada and one of the most diverse anywhere in the world,” said Wynne in the release. “Through the Ontario Music Fund, our government is supporting a dynamic and important cultural sector, helping to create good jobs here in Ontario while exporting our sound to the world.”

“By investing in the music industry through the Ontario Music Fund, our government has ensured that Ontario continues to be the best place in Canada for recording and performing music,” added the Hon. Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “I’m proud that through this newly permanent fund, our government will continue to create opportunities that showcase our talented artists and producers, and attract visitors from around the world.”

Success stories highlighted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport include A Tribe Called Red, the Guelph Jazz Festival, Dine Alone Records, CP Music Group, and Phem Phat Entertainment Group. The release also notes that artists supported by the OMF have sold almost four million recordings domestically and five million internationally.

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2016 Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards nominees revealed

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Congratulations to the 2016 Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards (MBIA) nominees, which were revealed earlier today by Canadian Music Week (CMW). The awards gala, hosted by TV personality Jessi Cruickshank, will take place during CMW on Thursday May 5, 2016, at the Sheraton Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Toronto, ON. The MBIA’s recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the Canadian music industry in the past year.

Several award recipients have already been revealed for the industry celebration, including Nelly Furtado for the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award, and J. Robert Wood for Allan Waters Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award.

The gala will also celebrate the Canadian Music Industry Hall Of Fame inductions of legendary singer/songwriter Andy Kim, Quebec music industry veterans André Ménard and Alain Simard, and Newcap Radio President and CEO Rob Steele.

Additionally, on Saturday, May 7, Canadian Music Week will present the first annual Live Music Industry Awards, in partnership with the International Festival Network (IFN) and trade organization Music Canada Live. The awards will honour outstanding individuals and achievements in the Canadian live music business sector, and nominees are expected to be revealed shortly.

The full list of 2015 Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards recipients can be viewed here.

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Vinyl sales soar as industry prepares for Record Store Day 2016

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For nearly a decade, the third Saturday in April has become an unofficial holiday for vinyl collectors and music enthusiasts across the globe.

On Saturday, April 16, 2016, eager crate diggers will once again set their alarms early in anticipation of Record Store Day, a music community celebration which aims to gather artists, customers, and staff to celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities. Each year, limited edition vinyl and CD titles are made available exclusively for the event. with many of the stores also running special sales throughout the day.

In Canada, an appetite for high-quality sound, artwork and a tangible product has lead to soaring vinyl sales. In 2015, vinyl posted its tenth consecutive year of sales growth, and experienced its biggest overall vinyl sales total in the SoundScan era, with a sales increase of 30% over 2014.

According to IFPI’s 2016 Global Music Report, Canada ranks #5 in top global vinyl sales, pushing 1.3 million units in 2015. Despite the sales surge, vinyl remains a niche portion of the physical market, which contributed 35% to Canada’s recorded music revenue in 2015 largely driven by CD sales. In 2015, digital revenue surged to 52% of Canada’s market share due to the rise in streaming service subscriptions. However, for labels and artists, the revenue generated from the sale of vinyl remains far greater than the revenue generated from free, ad-supported streaming services, due to what is known as the “value gap.”

While vinyl’s resurgence is excellent news for labels and artists, the few remaining North American pressing plants are struggling to keep up with the demand as aging equipment can lead to unforeseen delays for new releases. In 2015, Canada Boy Vinyl in Calgary, AB, opened its doors and is currently listed as the only vinyl pressing plant in Canada.

In Toronto, ON, a new startup aims to fix the issue of plant delays and their backlog of orders. Viryl Technologies, who will join Alan Cross on a panel for a free Record Store Day Music-Technology Meet Up, has developed their prototype “The Warmtone”, which uses digital technology to press up to three records per minute, an increase from the industry standard 35 seconds per unit.

Regardless of production delays, over 150 stores across Canada will participate in Record Store Day, stocked with thousands of new and vintage titles ready to be spun. The full list of participating Canadian record stores can be found at Record Store Day Canada’s website.

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Canada Outpaces Global Music Revenue Growth in 2015 but Outlook Remains Cautious

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The global music community celebrates a return to revenue positive in 2015 with a 3.2% growth of industry revenues to US$ 15 billion, while Canada more than doubles this upswing with an 8.3% increase, helping to make up for a double digit loss in 2014.

Driven by a strong release schedule and explosive growth in premium subscription services, largely the result of new entrants in the Canadian market, 2015 finished as an exceptional year for the Canadian music industry. In fact, three of the top ten global recording artists in 2015 were Canadian: Justin Bieber at number four, Drake at number nine and The Weeknd rounding out the top ten.

Despite these positive results however, it is too early to confidently declare a reversal in trends, given that losses in 2012 (-2.9%), 2013 (-5.4%) and 2014 (-11.0%) followed immediately after the positive 2011 figures (+3.1%), which marked the first revenue growth in this century in Canada.

Complete global figures and analysis were released today in IFPI’s Global Music Report 2016.

Highlights of Canada’s 2015 Music Revenues:

  • Digital revenues surge to 52% of total revenues (US$173.5 million), somewhat higher than the global share of 45%
  • Premium streaming revenues explode in Canada, with a 151% increase (US$29.4m in 2015 v. US$11.85m in 2014), overtaking ad-supported streaming revenue, which only grew 32% (US$19.49m in 2015 v. US$14.76m in 2014)
  • Physical revenues in Canada make up 35% of the market (US$ 118.9million), slightly lower than the global share of 39%
  • Performance rights revenues are 11% in Canada compared to 14% globally
  • Synchronization rights are 2% compared to 2% globally

In Canada, as in other countries around the world, a record volume of music is being consumed, yet artists and producers are not enjoying fair compensation, primarily because upload services like YouTube are not paying normal music licensing rates due to the misapplication of a legislative framework called “safe harbours”. This has created what is known as the “value gap”. Furthermore, the “value gap” has resulted in a distorted market, where premium services are forced to compete unfairly with other services that use copyrighted content to build their businesses, but do not pay fair rates.

“In Canada, where premium streaming has had such a significant positive effect on our market in 2015, the “value gap”, where ad-supported services benefit from lower-than-normal licensing rates, causes immense concerns,” says Graham Henderson, President & CEO of Music Canada. “We hope that legislators will work with the music community to address this market distortion and reduce the gap so that rights holders are compensated fairly for their work.”

Complete market information for Canada and all other national markets will be released on Thursday, April 14, 2016 by IFPI.

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Music Canada Proud to Support 45th Annual JUNO Awards

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Music Canada is proud to return as the sponsor of the Album of the Year Award at the 45th Annual JUNO Awards.

“Music Canada is proud to work alongside record labels who invest in great Canadian talent by helping them create an album, develop as artists, and build a passionate fan base. This kind of support gives Canadian artists what it takes to not only break into the international market – but as we saw in 2015 – rule it,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada.

“A strong music industry positions us well on the global stage, builds our brand, and draws the world to our borders through music tourism. A vibrant music sector contributes economically, socially and culturally to local communities and the country at large. There is an incredible depth and diversity for music in Canada – it’s one of our greatest exports.”

This year’s nominees for Album of the Year are:

  • Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
  • Jean Leloup – A Paradis City
  • Justin Bieber – Purpose
  • Shawn Mendes – Handwritten
  • The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness

The Album of the Year Award will be presented at The 2016 JUNO Awards Broadcast on CTV at The Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Sunday, April 3.

 

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Universal Music Canada donates EMI Music Canada archive to University of Calgary

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Tom Hickerson, vice-provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) at the University of Calgary

Tom Hickerson, vice-provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) at the University of Calgary

As the city prepares for this weekend’s JUNO Awards festivities, the University of Calgary revealed today that Universal Music Canada (UMC) has donated EMI Music Canada’s complete archives to the university’s Libraries and Cultural Resources, which were acquired by the label in 2012 when Universal Music Group purchased EMI Music.

The University of Calgary has also partnered with the National Music Centre, which played a leading role in bringing the EMI archive to Calgary by connecting UMC with the university. The partnership will allow for collaboration on opportunities for the public to celebrate music in Canada through educational programming and exhibitions that highlight the archive.

“Plans for an educational component around music and the ambitions for this archive are tremendously exciting,” said Jeffrey Remedios, President and CEO of UMC, who spoke at Thursday’s announcement along with Deane Cameron, former President and CEO of EMI Music Canada, and celebrated Canadian artist Tom Cochrane. “EMI Music Canada became the source of the music many Canadians grew up listening to. It’s such a rich and treasured history and it’s terrific that generations to come will have the opportunity to explore that.”

In addition to the gift of the EMI Music Canada Archive, Universal Music Canada will provide substantial funding over several years to support the preservation and management of the collection.

“We are eager to work with Universal Music Canada and the University of Calgary to explore programming and exhibition opportunities that bring the wealth of this collection to Canadians,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO for the National Music Centre. “From our burgeoning music scene, the opening of Studio Bell this summer and this incredible archive, it is safe to say that Calgary is becoming a serious music city.”

Spanning from 1949 to 2012, the EMI Music Canada Archive collection consists of 5,500 boxes containing more than 18,000 video recordings, 21,000 audio recordings and more than two million documents and photographs. Over 2,500 Canadian and international artists are represented in the archive, which includes master recordings, publicity photos, demo tapes, album cover art, creative outlines for music videos, marketing plans, awards, drafts of song lyrics and correspondence between artists, producers, engineers and EMI Music Canada executives.

Established in 1949, EMI Music Canada included Capitol Records Canada and was the recording company for a range of Canadian artists, including Anne Murray, Tom Cochrane, Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback, Glass Tiger, Kim Mitchell, Helix and the Rankin Family. The company was also the Canadian distributor for major international acts such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, Heart, Smashing Pumpkins, Garth Brooks, Pink Floyd, Queen and Iron Maiden.

Visit the University of Calgary’s website for more information on the archive acquisition and view the video below for a sample of what the collection has to offer.

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Canada’s Walk of Fame announces 2016 Emerging Artist Mentorship Program

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Canada’s Walk of Fame has announced that their Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC, has returned for a fourth year. The program invites aspiring Canadian musicians, aged 15-35, to submit a video or audio performance for a chance to win a Grand Prize consisting of industry mentorship opportunities, private studio recording time, and a $25,000 cash prize.

Six additional winners will be chose for finalist prizes, including cash prizes, mentorship opportunities, and a performance opportunity at the Canada’s Walk of Fame event.CWOF Program

“This program has proven that, by bringing together our music industry connections and offering aspiring Canadian musicians opportunities for mentorship, exposure and funding, we can make a considerable difference to their careers and further influence our cultural landscape for generations to come,” said Melanie Hurley, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame, in a release. “We are proud that this program continues to help musicians flourish.”

Applications for the program are open now. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2016, at 11:59 PM ET.

To enter, or to view full contest details, visit www.canadaswalkoffame.com/programs/emerging-artist-music-mentorship-program.

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Chris Taylor named President of Entertainment One Music

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Entertainment One (eOne) has announced the appointment of Last Gang Records founder and music industry attorney Chris Taylor to the role of President, Entertainment One Music. Taylor will bring his independent recording, publishing and artist management company Last Gang to eOne, whose roster includes record label clients Death From Above 1979, Chromeo and Ryan Hemsworth, and management clients Lights and Arkells. Last Gang will continue to operate under Taylor as a label of eOne.

In his new role, Taylor will oversee music operations globally and will lead strategic growth initiatives across music licensing, publishing, label and distribution. Taylor brings over 25 years of music industry experience to eOne through his work with Last Gang and representing recording artists like Drake, Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne with his legal practice.

“I’ve known Chris for many years and I am delighted that he has come on board to steer our music business into the future,” said Darren Throop, President & Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment One, in a release. “In addition to being a musician and songwriter himself, Chris’ business-acumen, strategic management expertise and far-reaching relationships will support the diversification of eOne Music. There has been a seismic shift in the music industry over the last decade and it is important that we continue to find innovative ways to build and bolster the business. With Chris and the Last Gang family of artists, we are well-positioned to do just that.”

Taylor, whose label is credited for launching the careers of Metric, Crystal Castles, Death From Above 1979, and MSTKRFT, will lead teams in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.

“This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s leading entertainment companies, and combine my team and clients with a strong world-class brand that has global reach and proximity to world-class television and film producers,” said Taylor in a release. “I’m looking forward to working with Darren and the whole eOne team as we welcome new artists, broaden the opportunities for our current roster and reinforce eOne as the leading indie.”

 

 

 

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Quoted: BC Music Fund Announcement

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Last month, at an event at the historic Warehouse Studios in Vancouver, Premier Christy Clark announced a $15 million grant towards the creation of a BC Music Fund, which will be administered by Creative BC. The event also included remarks from Music Canada President and CEO Graham Henderson, Jon Garson, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, Diamond-certified artist Michael Bublé, and Scott Johnson, Chair of Music BC. A selection of quotes and video from the event are available below:

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“Music, as it turns out, doesn’t just drive our culture, but our economy. We now understand that thriving music scenes attract and retain young talented workers and the businesses that employ them. Music, in effect, can be the glue that holds our communities together.” – Graham Henderson, President & CEO, Music Canada

 

“No matter who you are, no matter how young, how old, no matter how esoteric your art may be, we want you to have a chance to succeed in British Columbia. And we want you to know that our province supports and is passionate about what you are doing in the way that you are changing the place that we live.” - Premier Christy Clark

“No matter who you are, no matter how young, how old, no matter how esoteric your art may be, we want you to have a chance to succeed in British Columbia. And we want you to know that our province supports and is passionate about what you are doing in the way that you are changing the place that we live.” – Premier Christy Clark

 

“Thanks to you Premier, people who want to pursue a music career here will be able to do so and not have to leave home, which is pretty incredible. I mean, for a long time, people have had to go to Ontario if they want to be able to afford to make the record…Truly, it’s never been tougher to develop a career as an artist. The 15 million dollars that Premier Clark has committed to this industry, is going to help that BC does everything it takes to make a thriving and strong music scene.” - Micheal Bublé

“Thanks to you Premier, people who want to pursue a music career here will be able to do so and not have to leave home, which is pretty incredible. I mean, for a long time, people have had to go to Ontario if they want to be able to afford to make the record…Truly, it’s never been tougher to develop a career as an artist. The 15 million dollars that Premier Clark has committed to this industry, is going to help that BC does everything it takes to make a thriving and strong music scene.” – Micheal Bublé

 

“All children need the opportunity to express themselves through music as part of their education, and know that this is a viable career path for them.” - Jon Garson, President & CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce

“All children need the opportunity to express themselves through music as part of their education, and know that this is a viable career path for them.” – Jon Garson, President & CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce

 

“I’ve often thought, this is the Nashville of the North…it’s time we stand up and represent ourselves as such.” - Scott Johnson, President, Music BC

“I’ve often thought, this is the Nashville of the North…it’s time we stand up and represent ourselves as such.” – Scott Johnson, President, Music BC

 

Mother Mother performs.

Mother Mother performs.

 

 

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OMDC announces key dates for Ontario Music Fund 2016-17

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The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) has announced the key dates for the Ontario Music Fund’s 2016-17 period.

Timelines and deadlines for the four streams of the Ontario Music Fund (OMF) are as follows. The OMDC noted that the key dates for each stream vary, and all dates may be subject to change.

OMF Music Company Development Stream

  • Guidelines and Application Launch: Early March 2016
  • Deadline: May 17, 2016 (by 5 p.m.)
  • Activity Period: August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

 

OMF Music Futures Stream
NEW Important 2016-17 Program Update
Note: Two separate deadlines for specific types of applicants:

For eligible Domestic Artist-Entrepreneurs, Music Managers, Music Publishers and Record Labels:

  • Guidelines and Application Launch: Early March 2016
  • Deadline: May 18, 2016 (by 5 p.m.)
  • Activity Period: August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

For eligible Domestic Booking Agents and Music Promoters/Presenters:

  • Guidelines Launch: Early March 2016
  • Application Launch: Early June 2016
  • Deadline: October 4, 2016 (by 5 p.m.)
  • Activity Period: June 1, 2016 – December 31, 2017

 

OMF Music Industry Development Stream

  • Guidelines and Application Launch: Late March 2016
  • Rolling Deadline: Application evaluations occur throughout the year, from launch through to October 28, 2016
  • Activity Period: June 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications in advance of the program deadline date.

 

OMF Live Music Stream
NEW Important 2016-17 Program Update
Note: Application deadline has moved to Fall 2016

  • Guidelines and Application Launch: early June 2016
  • Deadline: October 4, 2016 (by 5 p.m.)
  • Activity Period: June 1, 2016 – December 31, 2017

 

The OMDC also announced that information and webinar sessions on the OMF will be held between April to September 2016. Details and registration will be posted on the OMDC website in the near future.

For further information on the Ontario Music Fund, visit the OMDC’s website at http://www.omdc.on.ca/music/the_ontario_music_fund.htm.

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