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4th Edition Of “It’s Your Shot” Songwriting & Artist Development Competition Kicking Off Sept. 1

On September 1st, Slaight Music and Warner Music Canada will kickoff It’s Your Shot 4 Canadian songwriting and artist development competition. The contest, which is open to all musical genres, encourages artists to submit a song and/or video to www.itsyourshot.ca for a chance to win a Grand Prize valued at $50,000.

Each year, Slaight Music – a company focused on discovering, developing, inspiring and supporting Canadian recording artists – partners with one of Canada’s major record labels to support this initiative.  The winning artist this year will receive distribution, radio promotion, publicity, and marketing support via Warner Music Canada, along with a professional photo session, a professionally written biography, the development of an artist website, social network pages and an opportunity to perform at a high-profile musical event in 2015.

Derrick Ross, President of Slaight Music comments, “Every year the It’s Your Shot competition highlights the fact that Canada produces many of the most creative and talented musicians in the world.  Winning this competition is a giant step towards a successful musical career for any emerging artist and we can’t wait to hear what the entrants to It’s Your Shot 4 bring this year!”

Past winners of the competition include: Liz Coyles (2011) who had a Top 20 hit with her debut single “Butterflies”; Hamilton’s Thought Beneath Film (2012), currently writing their sophomore album; and 20 year-old Jill Godin (2013), from Saint John, NB, who is currently in the studio adding the finishing touches to  her debut single and EP  that are due for release via Universal Music Canada in early 2015.  “Most other music contests offer money, but with It’s Your Shot, the money goes toward real artist development and comes with a team dedicated to launching a career”, Jill says.

The contest will run from September 1st to October 31st with the winning submission announced on December 15th.

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Canada’s Copyright Board Tariff 8 Decision Devalues Music as a Profession, Suggests Music is Worth 900% More in the U.S.

On May 16, 2014, the Copyright Board of Canada issued its decision setting rates for Re:Sound’s Tariff 8 – Non-Interactive & Semi-Interactive Webcasts, 2009-2012.

The Tariff 8 decision is a serious insult to Canada’s musicians because it sets the world’s worst royalty rates for non-interactive (e.g. CBC Music) and semi-interactive (i.e. Songza and Pandora) music streaming.

As noted previously, the new rates certified by the Board amount to about 10% of what digital services companies have been paying in Canada and less than 10% of what those same services pay in the United States.

In The Rambler by Graham Henderson: Tariff 8 decision establishes “10% of Nothing Rates”, Music Canada President Graham Henderson poses the rhetorical question:  “Do Canadian plumbers get paid wages equivalent to 10% of American plumbers? Teachers? Auto workers? Farmers? Who? What profession receives compensation in Canada for their labour that is equal to 10% of the wages paid across the border?”

The answer, obviously, is nobody.

In fact, on closer examination, the answer is that in each of those professions, Canadians – on average – happen to earn MORE than their U.S. counterparts.

Plumbers
Median Annual Salary according to payscale.com
Canada = $57,950
U.S. = $48,632

Professors
Median Annual Salary for a “Professor, Postsecondary/Higher Education” according to payscale.com
Canada = $91,550
U.S. = $83,801

Auto Workers
Median Annual Salary of “Assembly Line Worker, Automotive” according to payscale.com
Canada = $50,565
U.S. = $32,150

Farmers
Median Annual Salary according to payscale.com
Canada = $42,000
U.S. = $32,030

Despite the absurdity of a Canadian earning less than 10% of what his or her counterpart south of the border earns for the same job, the Copyright Board of Canada has decided that professional musicians should get paid 90% less for certain types of music streaming.  Some people may argue that Tariff 8 isn’t an artist’s only source of income.  But the reality is that for these types of services (CBC Music, Stingray, Songza, etc.), Tariff 8 royalties are the only guaranteed source of income for a performer.  Artists deserve to be fairly compensated for their music.  The Tariff 8 decision sends a message that music is not valued as a profession here, and this message is completely inconsistent with Canadian values.  The Canadian government – who did not create this problem – should step in and take the necessary steps to fix Tariff 8 so Canada is not offside with royalty rates in the United States and around the world.

Send a copy of I Stand for Music’s Open Letter to Industry Minister James Moore to show your support for Canada’s music community.

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Kongos Presented With Double Platinum Plaques For Hit Single “Come With Me Now”

kongosdoubleplatFollowing their opening set for Kings Of Leon on Tuesday in Toronto, Sony Music Canada surprised South African alternative-rock group Kongos with Double Platinum award plaques for their breakthrough track “Come With Me Now”. The song, which has gained steady airplay on multiple radio formats across the country, comes off their 2014 album Lunatic. “Come With Me Now” lands at #13 this week after 26 weeks on the Canadian Top Digital Tracks chart.

Watch the video for “Come With Me Now” below.

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Global News Halifax: Tariff 8 cuts affect East Coast musicians

Earlier this week, East Coast Music Association Executive Director Andy McLean and artist and producer Daniel Ledwell spoke with Global Morning News Halifax about the Copyright Board of Canada’s Tariff 8 decision. The rates set by the Copyright Board are approximately 10% of the rates negotiated by Re:Sound in its direct agreements with digital services, and less than 10% of the comparable U.S. rates.

“We’re trying to get the Copyright Board to re-evaluate the decision that they made in the light of the fact that people are standing here saying, ‘this is ridiculous,'” said McLean. “It sends a really wrong message, it’s the worst possible rate in the world. There’s no other country that devalues it’s musicians like Canada does. And we have the greatest musicians in the world here.”

The full segment is now available on the Global News website, and is embedded below.

A growing coalition of artists, labels, industry associations, and music fans are speaking out against the Copyright Board decision; to learn more and to add your voice, Like and Share the I Stand For Music Facebook Page, or tweet using the hashtag #IStand4Music.

For more information on the Tariff 8 decision, see our Backgrounder.

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Music Canada’s Graham Henderson discusses Tariff 8 on Newstalk1010’s In The Studio

Last month, Music Canada President Graham Henderson joined Bob Reid and Blair Packham on Newstalk1010’s In The Studio to discuss the Copyright Board of Canada’s recent decision on Tariff 8. The rates set by the Copyright Board are approximately 10% of the rates negotiated by Re:Sound in its direct agreements with digital services, and less than 10% of the comparable U.S. rates.

“This is a problem that actually can be fixed by the Government of Canada,” said Henderson. “Because it’s Government of Canada who sets the rules by which something like the Copyright Board decides how rates will or won’t be set. And it would be very helpful, we think, if the Government of Canada could step in, take recognizance of the ludicrousness of this decision, and maybe help us try and fix it.”

The full segment is now available on Soundcloud, and is embedded below:

A growing coalition of artists, labels, industry associations, and music fans are speaking out against the Copyright Board decision; to learn more and to add your voice, Like and Share the I Stand For Music Facebook Page, or tweet using the hashtag #IStand4Music.

For more information on the Tariff 8 decision, see our Backgrounder.

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Ontario Place Revitalization Plans Include Expansion of Live Music Options

Today, Michael Coteau, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, announced the government’s plan to revitalize Ontario Place into a vibrant waterfront destination.

As per the release, the revitalized Ontario Place will offer public access to a spectacular part of Toronto and a mix of outdoor and indoor features, including the “expansion of live music options that will include continuing performances at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, as well as exploring options to bring live music acts to the site year-round.”

“Our government is committed to ensuring the future of Ontario Place continues to be a place for people of all ages to enjoy in every season,” said Minister Coteau. “Ontarians have said they want year-round public access, a continuation of the rich legacy of live music and a desire for an innovative destination that unites land and water — we listened and we are moving forward. Our bold new vision for Ontario Place revitalization will deliver on expectations and ensure the public interest is protected.”

Music Canada had advocated for making music a part of the Ontario Place revitalization, and promoted the idea of putting an outdoor green space for live music at the location during the consultation process.

In July 2012, the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Ontario Place Revitalization released a report containing 18 recommendations on how to transform Ontario Place, stating “music should continue to be a defining element of the site and its attractions.”

The report recommends: “Ontario Place should have a venue – like the original Forum – for a range of cultural activities, from concerts and theatre, to performances, festivals and community events. The new venue should be designed to operate year-round.” The report also recommends Ontario Place look at a range of entertainment and cultural activities to add vibrancy to the community and to offset operating costs.

As the Canadian Press reports, construction on the first phase of the revitalization, a new park and waterfront trail, will begin in the next few months, and is expected to open in 2016.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport’s Ontario Place Revitalization page.

Photo11

Handout photo via Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

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Bruno Mars Presented With Custom 3D Canadian Gold/Platinum Award Plaque

brunomarsgoldplat

Prior to his headlining concert at Toronto, ON’s Air Canada Centre, Warner Music Canada recording artist Bruno Mars was presented with a unique 3D Canadian certifications plaque for the titles listed below. Yes, blue and red glasses are required for the full pop-out effect – how cool is that?

The titles featured on the award plaque are:

ALBUMS

Doo-Wops & Hooligans – 3X Platinum

Unorthodox Jukebox – 3X Platinum

TRACKS

Grenade – 6X Platinum

Just The Way You Are – 6X Platinum

The Lazy Song – 4X Platinum

Marry You – 3X Platinum

It Will Rain – 3X Platinum

Locked Out Of Heaven – 5X Platinum

When I Was Your Man – 4X Platinum

Treasure – 2X Platinum

Gorilla – Gold

Young Girls – Gold

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Nico & Vinz Presented With Platinum Awards For Summer Hit “Am I Wrong”

nicovinzawardDuring a press tour in Toronto this week, Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz were presented with their official Canadian award plaques commemorating the Platinum certification of their breakthrough track “Am I Wrong” (Warner Music Canada). After becoming one of the most Shazamed artists worldwide, the duo kicked off a North American summer tour opening for multi-Platinum recording artist Bruno Mars. Nico & Vinz also recently performed the summer 2014 hit on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Watch the video for “Am I Wrong” below and click here to download the track.

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Avenged Sevenfold Receive First Platinum Awards For ‘Hail To The King’

a7xplatDuring their Toronto stop Friday on the Mayhem Festival Tour, Orange Country, CA’s Avenged Sevenfold received their Platinum award plaques for their 2013 album Hail To The King (Warner Music Canada). The band were especially grateful for the awards as Canada is the first country to have the album certified Platinum. A7X‘s 2010 album Nightmare had also previously gone Platinum in Canada, while 2005’s City of Evil and 2003’s Waking The Fallen had both gone Gold.

Below is the video for the album’s title track, which has also recently been certified as a Gold Digital Download.

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Sony Music Canada Make Pop Star Dreams Come True For 13-Year-Old London Girl

Earlier this month, Sony Music Canada presented a 13-year-old girl from London, ON with a special Platinum award plaque at the launch party for her recording of Avril Lavigne’s song “Keep Holding On”. Autumn’s dream to be a pop star came true thanks to Make-A-Wish Canada and Sony Canada. Autumn, who was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder, signed on as a Sony artist to record her cover and get the full pop star treatment.  “Her jaw was dropped for most of the party,” said Make-A-Wish grand coordinator Misha Medeiros. “She was so appreciative, and so grateful for everyone being there.”

Autumn’s special moment was documented for her very own music video for the song. Watch the video below and read more about the amazing event over at Metro.

 

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