Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) have revealed the 11 artists selected for the 2024 AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) program, which is being hosted at CKUA Radio in Edmonton this year. The program kicks off today and will conclude with the AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase, a free live concert featuring performances by all participating artists, taking place at Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite on December 5.
The 11 artists include Vancouver hip-hop/R&B duo Ato-Mik; R&B/soul artist Bella Cat from Nelson, BC; country singer-songwriter BERLYN hailing from Eckville, AB; Calgary soul/funk act CELIN; folk singer-songwriter CocoLarosa from Surrey, BC; Saskatoon synth-pop artist and producer Jordan Perry; country singer Martina Dawn from Devon, AB; Edmonton country-pop artist Robyn Ashley; Edmonton neo-soul singer Ru; country-rock singer-songwriter Travis Dolter from Bittern Lake, AB; and Vancouver art-pop act Wallgrin.
“AE West has become a pivotal stepping stone for many Western Canadian artists on their way to success,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, NMC’s Director of Programs. “We are especially excited to be hosting the program in Edmonton this year, which will provide an even broader opportunity for local and regional talent to access the program’s resources and mentorship.”
“At Canada’s Music Incubator, we are incredibly proud of the ongoing impact AE West has on the careers of emerging Western and Northern Canadian artists,” said Gianna Antonacci, Programs Manager, CMI. “The 2024 cohort is an exciting, diverse group, and we can’t wait to see them take the stage at the AE West Artist Showcase and beyond.”
AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) is a month-long creative entrepreneurship program designed to empower emerging artists by providing them with the practical skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in the music industry. The eighth edition of the AE West program takes place from November 4 to December 5, 2024 at CKUA Radio in Edmonton.
AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, and NMC. The majority of costs for the program are offset thanks to the generous support of TD Ready Commitment, Stingray Radio, and the Government of Canada.
The free AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens at Yardbird Suite on December 5. The evening will feature all 11 artists, each performing two songs. Learn more at yardbirdsuite.com.
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program (since 2012), AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting, and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists also have ongoing access to CMI mentors and industry resources post-program.
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,700+ emerging music entrepreneurs, across all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. To date, CMI has provided 12,500+ hours of programs and mentorship. CMI Live works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities. Some 2,000+ shows have been programmed, paying $3 million directly to artists. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
