Below is a statement jointly issued this afternoon by Toronto Mayor John Tory and Councillor Josh Colle on the City’s commitment to live music venues following recent venue closure announcements.
MEGAPHONO 2017 kicks off in Ottawa
Ottawa’s MEGAPHONO Music Showcase Festival & Conference is officially underway, welcoming music industry professionals from the US, Canada and abroad for a celebration of Ottawa-Gatineau and Eastern Ontario’s burgeoning music scene. 60 local and regional artists will be performing in over 20 venues across Ottawa-Gatineau, with a daytime conference on music industry-related topics scheduled at CITIZEN (207 Gilmour Street).
On Wednesday morning, the festival kicked off with a Mayor’s Breakfast at Ottawa City Hall. CARAS and JUNO Awards president Allan Reid spoke at the event about the economic impact the upcoming JUNO Awards will have during the Canada 150 celebrations, and cited the importance of our Music Cities research in efforts to grow Ottawa’s music economy. Prior to Reid’s address, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson gave a nod to MEGAPHONO for their help in solidifying Ottawa’s music scene.
"We're going to take over this city." @TheJUNOAwards' Allan Reid builds awards buzz at @JimWatsonOttawa's breakfast. pic.twitter.com/DmE9MK5CKb
— Jeff Leiper (@JLeiper) February 1, 2017
Allan Reid @TheJUNOAwards talks about the impact that music has on a city: economic, social, cultural @ottawacity pic.twitter.com/1eKy4UpMML
— OMIC/CIMO (@OttawaMIC) February 1, 2017
Mayor Jim Watson gives great shout out to @megaphono at @ottawachamber breakfast #MusicCities pic.twitter.com/XzwZPuXBq1
— Music Canada (@Music_Canada) February 1, 2017
Congratulations to @megaphono officially launching at @ottawacity at @JimWatsonOttawa breakfast with Allan Reid @TheJUNOAwards #ottmusic pic.twitter.com/zBCKjoK3O0
— OMIC/CIMO (@OttawaMIC) February 1, 2017
The MEGAPHONO Conference will feature panel discussions on music funding, recording, collaborations, promotion, and managing. Along with a packed schedule of evening shows, there will also be free daytime showcases at Bar Robo, Pressed Cafe, Elmdale Tavern, and The Record Centre. Passes can be picked up throughout the duration of the festival at CITZEN.
East Coast Music Awards reveals 2017 nominees and performers
Nominees were revealed yesterday for the 2017 East Coast Music Awards, which returns to Saint John, NB for the first time in 15 years on April 27, 2017.
Multi-Platinum hip hop artist Classified leads the nominees this year with nine nominations, followed by Platinum singer/songwriter Ria Mae with seven nominations. Both artists will perform at the awards show, along with David Myles, Paper Lions, Reeny Smith, Lisa LeBlanc, Jason Benoit, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Caroline Savoie, REPARTEE, Tomato/Tomato, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Còig, the Motorleague, and Adam Baldwin.
From April 26-30, the ECMAs will showcase hundreds of East Coast artists across multiple stages, including ECMA Big Ticket headliner Matt Anderson on April 29. Artists will also have the chance to connect with industry professionals from across the world at the 16th ECMA Industry Conference and Export Buyers Program.
2017 will also see the return of the SOCAN Song House, a two-day interactive songwriting workshop led by Ralph Murphy (renowned songwriter, producer, and author of Murphy’s Law of Songwriting). Applications for the workshop are now open, closing on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 5:00PM AST.
With over 13,000 people expected to take in the events, the ECMAs are expecting to have an approximate $3.1 million economic impact on the Saint John region.
Regular and VIP passes are available now. including wristbands for 2017 ECMA stages at bars and clubs, and evening stages at Saint John Trade & Convention Centre. Voting is also now open to the public for the Fans’ Choice Entertainer and Video Of The Year awards, sponsored by The Telegraph Journal. Fans can vote once a day for each award before the deadline on March 15, 2017 at 5PM AST.
Cole Swindell surprised with plaque in Hamilton for Gold singles
American country music artist Cole Swindell was in Hamilton last Wednesday to kick off his opening slot on Dierks Bentley’s 2017 North American tour. Prior to his set at the FirstOntario Centre, Swindell was surprised with a Gold plaque by Warner Music Canada commemorating the certifications of his tracks “Middle Of A Memory,” and “You Should Be Here.”
Swindell thanked his fans in a video posted to Warner Music Canada’s Twitter account. In the clip, Swindell praises his Canadian team behind him, and says he hopes to return to Canada soon as a headliner.
Swindell has received a total of five Gold Canadian certifications to date, and a Platinum certification for “Chilin’ It.” These certifications are his first under the new Single Award guidelines, which combine on-demand streams and digital sales.
Beginning February 1 in Winnipeg, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, and Jon Pardi will commence the Canadian leg of their tour, wrapping up February 9 in Vancouver.
Lukas Graham presented with Gold/Platinum award plaques in Toronto
Lukas Graham recieving their Gold/Platinum awards in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Warner Music Canada)
Grammy-nominated Danish group Lukas Graham were in Toronto Wednesday amidst their North American tour for a highly anticipated show at REBEL (formerly Sound Academy). As the band pointed out during their performance, the show was the second largest in North America during this tour.
"Second largest show in North America!" – @LukasGraham pic.twitter.com/UVdttjUAql
— Warner Music Canada (@WarnerCanada) January 26, 2017
Prior to taking the stage, the group, fronted by lead songwriter Lukas Graham Forchhammer, were presented with a 6X Platinum plaque by Warner Music Canada for their breakout hit “7 Years.” The group was also presented with a Gold plaque for “Mama Said.” Both tracks can be found on Lukas Graham’s self-titled 2015 sophomore album.
The video for “Mama Said” can be viewed below.
Buffy Sainte-Marie announced as 2017 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award recipient
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced iconic singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, social activist, educator, philanthropist and visual artist Buffy Sainte-Marie as the recipient of the 2017 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, presented by Bell Media. The award, which began in 2006 with recipient Bruce Cockburn, recognizes an outstanding Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide.
“It’s our privilege to present the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie with the 2017 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award,” said Randy Lennox, President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media. “Her dedication to improving the lives of Indigenous people is truly humbling. We look forward to celebrating this iconic artist and her inspiring philanthropic work at this year’s JUNO Awards.”
Born on the Piapot Plains Cree First Nation Reserve in the Qu’Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, Sainte-Marie is celebrated for her thought provoking lyrics and her passion for supporting Aboriginal people. In 1964, she became well known for her anti-war peace anthem “Universal Soldier,” and was one of the first people to merge pop and Aboriginal music with her 1976 hit “Starwalker.” Sainte-Marie’s 2015 album Power in the Blood won the 2016 JUNO Awards for Aboriginal Album of the Year sponsored by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, as well as the Polaris Music Prize.
“I’ve had some great partners in mobilizing my ideas in art, education and technology, especially the W.K. Kellogg Foundation who taught me that there’s a difference between an administrator and a visionary. Both are important but visionaries are seldom pushy in that business way that administrators learn; and visionaries don’t think in corporate pecking order terms so often get squashed out in normal business systems,” said Sainte-Marie. “I’ve been lucky enough to work in both worlds, and although my timing has sometimes been off and gotten my big mouth into trouble, other times, with the help of other people, I’ve been effective beyond my expectations. So I thank all my colleagues in and out of the music business for helping put my songs to work.”
This year’s award will be presented at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards presented by SOCAN on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
National Music Centre reveals programming for Bell Let’s Talk Day at Studio Bell
On January 25, 2017, Canadian musicians, including noted ambassadors Serena Ryder and Stefie Shock, will join millions of Canadians across the country in recognizing the 7th annual national Bell Let’s Talk Day, which aims to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. For every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geofilter, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives in Canada.
In Calgary, AB, the National Music Centre will host a full day of programming focusing on mental health and music at Studio Bell. Singer-songwriter Séan McCann, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, will play an evening concert following the day of free programming, which includes a mental health exhibition featuring regional community partners, and a lunchtime music therapy presentation with celebrated music therapist Jennifer Buchanan.
“The power of music to explore, treat and combat stigma around mental health is undeniable, and the National Music Centre is proud to partner with Bell Let’s Talk and a host of community partners to become part of this important national discussion,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO for NMC. “We’re also delighted to host Séan McCann as an artist in residence and look forward to him sharing some of his inspiring stories and music with us on January 25.”
At 7:00 pm, McCann, a founding member of Newfoundland’s multi-platinum selling group Great Big Sea, will perform a 90-minute concert featuring the stories behind his songs, a look into his recent artist residency, and incredible music. “I believe that music is strong medicine and that a song can save your life,” said Séan, who left the band in 2013 to deal with both alcohol addiction and coming to terms with the sexual abuse he suffered as a young man. Since then, Séan has been using his words and music to bring healing into his life and the lives of others.
“Bell Let’s Talk is proud to partner with the National Music Centre and Séan McCann to celebrate Bell Let’s Talk Day in Calgary,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “Featuring the therapeutic and healing powers of music for those living with mental illness is a wonderful way to participate in the conversation about mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day.”
While tickets to McCann’s performance are sold out, you can still pop by on January 25 from 10 am to 5 pm for more mental health programming, courtesy of Bell.
Programming Schedule for Bell Let’s Talk Day at Studio Bell
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Open to the public and community booths in Canada Music Square
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Session with leading music therapist Jennifer Buchanan
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm NMC President’s Tour highlighting the healing and restorative power of music
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Kimball Theatre presentation “Why does Music make us feel emotions?”
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm NMC and Bell Let’s Talk present Séan McCann (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Music Monday to celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary with new anthem in support of music education
On Monday, May 1, 2017, the Coalition for Music Education will celebrate Music Monday with a cross-country sing-along to raise awareness for music education. The annual event celebrates the unifying power of music as thousands of Canadians join in singing and performing the Music Monday anthem at their schools and other community centres.
This year, inspired by Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Music Monday sing-along will be led by a live-streamed showcase from the nation’s capital. In recognition of the sesquicentennial year, the 2017 Music Monday anthem will celebrate Canada’s musical heritage in its lyrics and instrumentation. The anthem, titled Sing It Together, focuses on the power of voices, and “asks us to sing for joy, for truth, for healing, and for freedom,” explains the event press release. The recording features Inuit throat singing, Métis fiddling, Indigenous drumming, and children’s choirs in celebration of Canadian musical heritages.
Sing It Together was co-written by JUNO Award winners Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas, and was recorded at Canterbury Music in Toronto, with additional layers recorded at Ottawa’s Audio Valley Recording Studio, and Hamilton’s St. James Anglican Church.
“Music is the landscape of Canada,” said Marc Jordan. “We hope it will be a song that illuminates the mosaic of music and cultures that thrive in every corner of the country.”
To join the Canada-wide chorus of students and community groups in singing and performing the song on Music Monday, visit the Get Involved section of the Music Monday website. Arrangements, audio-visual learning tools, and lyrics in several languages will be made available on the website ahead of the event.
Nominations are open for the 2nd annual Live Music Industry Awards
Music Canada Live and Canadian Music Week (CMW) have announced the second annual Live Music Industry Awards, presented by El Mocambo, will be taking place Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 4-6pm at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The Awards will be held during CMW 2017 and will recognize and celebrate the best of the live music business sector.
Nominations are now open until January 27, 2017. Live Music Industry Awards are presented in the following categories:
Festival
- Family Program of the Year
- Small Festival of the Year (6,000 and under)
- Medium Festival of the Year (6,001 – 15,000)
- Major Festival of the Year (15,001+)
- Not-For-Profit Festival of the Year
- Green Operations Festival of the Year
Venues
- Best Teamwork in an Arena
- Best Teamwork in a Soft Seat Theatre / Performing Arts Centre
- Best Teamwork in a Major Club (1,000+ Capacity)
- Best Teamwork in a Medium Club (300 to 999 Capacity)
- Best Teamwork in a Small Club (less than 300 Capacity)
General Live Music Awards
- Agent of the Year (Canada)
- Agent of the Year (International)
- Manager of the Year
- Road Warrior of the Year (Tour Manager)
- Production Manager of the Year (Festival/Concert)
- Concert/Club Talent Buyer of the Year
- Festival Buyer of the Year
- A/V Production Company of the Year
- Brand/Music Program of the Year
- Sponsorship Activation of the Year
- New Touring Artist of the Year
- Legends of Live
Music Cities
- Music City of the Year Canadian
“Last year the first-ever LMIA’s proved beyond a doubt that we have much to celebrate, by acknowledging lives’ incredible contributions to the industry. This year, we continue to shine a spotlight on this passionate and dedicated community – one that works tirelessly to put artists and fans together. This effort is at the heart of what Music Canada Live is about, and we are thrilled to co-present the second annual LMIA’s in 2017 with CMW on behalf of our members and Canada’s live music industry,” said Erin Benjamin, Executive Director of Music Canada Live.
In addition to the Live Music Industry Awards, Canada’s live sector will be in greater focus during CMW 2017 with an expanded, 2-day Live Music Summit, running from April 19-20.
Visit the Live Music Industry Awards website for more information, including criteria and previous winners, or to submit nominations for 2017’s awards.
Creative BC and Province announce four new BC Music Fund programs
In two separate announcements this month, Creative BC has detailed the allocation of $8.21 million from the BC Music Fund, which will support four new programs, as well as a funding boost for Music BC.
On December 1, Ministers Shirley Bond and Peter Fassbender, along with Creative BC CEO Prem Gill, announced $4.41 million in funding allocations, $1.41 million of which will support the expansion of Music BC’s activities in the areas of export & professional development, and touring & expanded showcase opportunities.
“As the voice of British Columbia’s music industry, we continue to provide funding to support the growth and sustainability of the province’s music community — artists, music professionals, and other creators,” said Music BC’s Executive Director, Alex Grigg in a press release. “This additional $1.41 million will allow us to provide greater support for our industry partners and expand our own network to reach more of the province’s artists and industry professionals. We applaud and thank the support from Creative BC and the Province for this opportunity and partnership.”
A further $3 million has been allocated to the Sound Recording Program. This program follows the Sound Recording Pilot Program, which distributed $500,000 for sound recording projects in its first stage. Following industry feedback from the pilot program, the expanded criteria for the Sound Recording Program allows for increased access for unincorporated studios and artists. More information on the Sound Recording Program, including eligibility guidelines and the application process, is available on Creative BC’s website.
On December 15, Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia held an announcement at 604 Records on the allocation of $3.8 million more from the BC Music Fund. The announcement featured a performance by celebrated BC songwriter Frazey Ford.
The $3.8 million will support three brand new funding programs:
The Live Music program will receive $2.5 million in dedicated support, available to BC-based festivals, venues, live music presenters and event producers. The program is intended to increase the number of live music performances within the province.
$1 million has been earmarked for Industry Initiatives, which according to Creative BC’s release will “support industry events and export activities, including industry conferences, trade missions, and collaborative export marketing, to further grow and showcase BC’s music industry.”
The Research program devotes $300,000 to projects that inform the growth, evolution and innovation of BC’s music sector.
“British Columbia’s music sector has seen immense growth and success, thanks to the contributions of our many talented artists,” said Shirley Bond, BC’s Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour. “The funding announced today (December 15) from the BC Music Fund will serve to further support artists and live music related businesses including festivals, venues, and event producers, ensuring a strong sector for years to come.”
Below is the full video of the December 15 announcement.
Music Canada