Students from Timmins High and Vocational School’ s music business course got a first-hand look at how hard work in the music industry pays off.
During a visit to Coalition Music in Toronto, the students were given an exclusive mentoring session by Canadian singer-songwriter Scott Helman, who was rehearsing for his upcoming tour in support of his soon-to-be-released debut full-length album, Hotel D’Ville.
Following a Q&A and full band performance, Coalition and Warner Music Canada surprised Helman with the first Platinum plaque of his career for his single “Bungalow.”
Canadian pop-punk heavyweights Simple Plan took over Toronto’s Air Canada Centre Tuesday night in support of their 2016 album Taking One For The Team. Prior to their set, staff from Warner Music Canada and Coalition Music presented the group with Gold Single plaques for the album’s lead single “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed.”
“I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed,” which features a verse by rapper Nelly, is the group’s first track to be certified since 2014, when “Summer Paradise” was certified Triple Platinum.
Later this week, Simple Plan will embark on a North American tour commemorating the 15th anniversary of the album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls, which was certified Double Platinum in 2005. The Montreal-based group plays their hometown tonight at the Bell Centre before embarking on the tour.
The video for “I Don’t Want To Go To Bed” can be viewed below.
Following a successful inaugural year, the JUNO Awards and Slaight Music have announced the return of the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class leading up to the 2017 JUNO Awards in Ottawa, ON. The unique artist development program aims to provide three Canadian artists or groups with essential tools, opportunities, and connections to amplify their careers.
The top three artists will be selected by the Super Jury consisting of JUNO Award winners Kardinal Offishall, Max Kerman of Arkells, Lights, and producer Gavin Brown, as well as A&R representative Ali Slaight of Slaight Music, and President/CEO of CARAS and MusiCounts, Allan Reid.
“Looking back on the early years of the band, I was pretty frazzled about 98% of the time. If I can offer some advice to a young artist to get that number down to 95%, then this is a job worth doing,” said 2016/17 Super Jury member Max Kerman. “The Master Class provides very practical utilities for artists hoping to get their foot in the door. I’m happy to be involved again this year.”
The three finalists will receive an all-inclusive trip to Toronto for an intensive mentorship week with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music, culminating with a music industry showcase night. The finalists will also receive an all-inclusive trip to the 2017 JUNOS in Ottawa, ON, showcase opportunities during JUNOfest, a mini-doc on JUNOTV.ca, studio time at Slaight Music Recording Studios, and a $10,000 MuchFACT Online Music Video Award.
Submissions for 2017 are open and will close on June 30, 2016 at 5:00 PM ET. The top 10 finalists, selected by representatives from major and independent music labels, publishers, agents, managers and media partners, will be announced August 3 at www.junomasterclass.ca. The three winners will be revealed on September 13.
“We are excited to continue our support of the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program,” said Gary Slaight, CEO/President Slaight Communications, in a press release. “Slaight Music is dedicated to initiatives that provide unique opportunities for Canadian music artists to succeed. Last year’s winners were a great example of the rising talent we have in Canada and we look forward to carrying on my father Allan’s passion for Canadian talent.”
2016 winners Fortunate Ones, Derrival, and Slow Leaves discussed their experiences since completing the program and attending The 2016 JUNO Awards in Calgary, AB, in the following video:
Today, the Hon. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the 2014-15 Ontario Music Fund recipients, with 123 recipients receiving more than $14 million in grants in the second 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.
Premier Wynne made the announcement at Coalition Music in Scarborough, where she highlighted the music sector’s value to the Ontario economy and stated “music makes the earth move for Ontario.” The press release notes that the recorded music industry generates more than $429 million in revenue in Ontario annually, and that support from the first year of the Ontario Music Fund helped create or retain 2,000 jobs and produced $24 million in additional revenue for music-related businesses in Ontario.
“By establishing Ontario as one of the leading destinations in North America to record and perform, we are supporting the music companies, artists and cultural institutions that bring our sound to the world, boosting a vibrant and important industry, and helping to create good jobs,” said Premier Wynne in the release.
The Hon. Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and The Hon. Brad Duguid, Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, also spoke at the event, which featured music performances by The Good Lovelies and Myles Castello.
“By investing in the music sector through initiatives like the Ontario Music Fund, our government has ensured that Ontario remains Canada’s top jurisdiction for making, producing and performing music, said Minister Coteau. “I’m proud that Ontario continues to be one of the most diverse music sectors in the world and a place where artists can grow and thrive right here at home.”
“The Ontario Music Fund has positively changed the landscape for music, and signals that the Government of Ontario agrees that music is a good investment for this province; in fact, that it is one of our competitive advantages,” said Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “We commend the Government of Ontario for creating the conditions that encourage the private sector to invest in music in order to create jobs and stimulate growth.”
Over the weekend, alt-dance duo Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) were presented with their first official Canadian Gold award plaques in front of a hometown crowd at Toronto’s Echo Beach. The plaques commemorate their single “This Is The Best” selling over 40,000 digital downloads in Canada since it’s 2013 release. The headlining performance was part of rock station 102.1 The Edge’s Edgefest Summer Concert Series and fans shared their festival experience using the appropriately named hashtag #ThisIsTheFest.
To show appreciation for their loyalty to the band over the years, USS and Coalition Music also presented 102.1 The Edge staff and on-air personalities with their own Gold plaques.
Music Canada