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Manitoba Music, Music Nova Scotia, Canada’s Music Incubator And The National Music Centre Team Up For Music Export Summits

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The music industry is a global business. More so than ever before, music companies and artists have to develop their professional skills to navigate export markets in order to succeed. Canada’s music industry now has a new training initiative – PASSPORT: Music Export Summit – to assist export-ready Canadian artists and music entrepreneurs, develop export markets, and increase international trade.

Produced by Manitoba Music in partnership with Music Nova Scotia, Canada’s Music Incubator, and the National Music Centre, PASSPORT will deliver intensive training sessions to prepare export-ready Canadian artists and music entrepreneurs with business skills and product development to help bring Canadian music to the world. The project is funded by FACTOR with support from the Government of Canada.

The diverse group of over 25 PASSPORT participants are export-ready artists and artist managers from across the country working in just about every genre, all preparing for significant market development and export activities. The participants were selected from over 190 submissions based on their export marketing preparations, including participation in events like SXSW and Folk Alliance International in the U.S., The Great Escape in the UK, Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, and beyond. PASSPORT offers an opportunity not only to learn from experienced professionals with extensive knowledge and success in preparing artists for international export, and also from their peers.

PASSPORT will run parallel Music Export Summits in Winnipeg and Halifax in February and March providing participants with market information and skills development on topics including export strategies and marketing global releases. The Winnipeg Summit will also include streams for Indigenous artists and managers, and Francophone artists and managers. In April, selected participants will take part in a follow-up masterclass event in Calgary that will further develop their export plans, support the creation of media assets for use in international marketing, and provide a showcase opportunity for international delegates. Passeport, the parallel program for Francophone artists and managers, is funded by Musicaction.

“Creativity, talent, passion, and drive are all key factors in building a sustainable career in the music industry,” says Sean McManus, Manitoba Music’s executive director. “Alongside that is a need to pilot the increasingly complex waters of international music releases, touring, and marketing. PASSPORT aims to help some of Canada’s hardest working music entrepreneurs develop the export business skills and acquire the international market knowledge to help build a stronger Canadian industry.”

NFL Players Read Mean Tweets About Themselves on Jimmy Kimmel Live

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NFL players, while beloved by many, are also on the receiving end of a lot of unpleasantness. So in honor of the Super Bowl, Jimmy Kimmel asked players to read some of the hard knocks they took on social media this season in their third NFL Edition of #MeanTweets featuring Rashad Jennings, Gerald McCoy, Travis Kelce, Terry Bradshaw, TY Hilton, Peyton Manning, Fletcher Cox, Ryan Tannehill, Jarvis Landry, Earl Thomas, Amari Cooper, Jason Pierre Paul, Emmanuel Sanders, Danny Amendola, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Crabtree & Aqib Talib.

The Pointer Sisters’ ‘You Gotta Believe’ In Animated Video Starring An Animated Moses…Yes, THAT Moses

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In this episode of Seder-Masochism, Director Nina Paley cleverly uses the classic Pointer Sisters song “You Gotta Believe“ and an animated Moses questioning decisions being made by the newly installed Patriarchy.

Watch Alan Doyle, Jim Cuddy, Sarah McLachlan & more rally for Spirit of the West’s John Mann

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Sing in the shower? Most everyone does it.

Now… Record a track in the men’s room with nearly 50 of Canada’s most celebrated musicians? That is definitely one for the history books.

And history they made as Alan Doyle, Jim Cuddy, Sarah McLachlan, Ed Robertson, Colin James, Barney Bentall and many more of Canada’s top musicians came together to cover Spirit of the West’s “Home for a Rest” in honour and support of frontman John Mann and his battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Performing and recording as part of a benefit in John’s honour at the Commodore Ballroom in November 2017, the resulting video and song sit at the helm of a GoFundMe campaign to assist the 55-year-old singer in his extensive care for the devastating degenerative disease. 100% of the proceeds from the sales and streaming of the new release will go to the John Mann Trust Fund. And that includes their distributor, IDLA and myself handling the publicity.

“This song is a testament to the love that lives in the community of the Canadian Music Business,” shares Alan Doyle, who spearheaded the recording. “I encourage everyone to enjoy and share this song that was made by so many people offering a hand to a friend who needs it.

“This is for John.”

Doyle and audio engineer Peter Green created a makeshift sound studio in the Commodore’s second-floor men’s washroom, shuttling musicians — which also included Spirit Kids, Barney & Dustin Bentall, Colin James, Craig Northey, Shari Ulrich, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Daniel Lapp, Cory Tetford, Shehab Illyas and Kris MacFarlane — in to record.

“We did drape it nicely,” Doyle told CBC. “We found a bunch of black drapes to put over the urinals and the like. We had Sarah McLachlan coming in there. I couldn’t ask Sarah to go to just any old men’s can to sing a song.

“We got it in the can in the can.”

Having raised more than $33,000 so far, the response has been a heartfelt, impassioned tribute to the Canadian musical icon.

“SOTW makes me smile and dance,” shared one GoFundMe contributor, Reta Moerike. “Thank you for the joy of this video. Wishing John, his family and friends peace.”

“There aren’t enough words to say thank you, John and SOTW, for sharing your gifts with us and for being living examples of integrity, kindness and love in the face of this disease,” added Deborah Seabrook with her contribution. “My world, and the world, are better places because you and your music are in them.”

Industry peers beyond musicians are lending their support as well.

“My very first gig as a lighting designer was Spirit of the West at the Empress six years ago,” shares Kyle Gilmar. “Thanks for letting the new guy have a shot.”

The special recording of “Home For A Rest” was performed by: Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, Alan Doyle, Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, Spirit Kids Barney and Dustin Bentall, Colin James, Craig Northey and The Odds, Shari Ulrich, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Daniel Lapp, Spirit of the West with Cory Tetford, Shehab Illyas and Kris MacFarlane. Thanks to Shehab Illyas for compiling the footage to create the video to accompany the song, and to the kind folks below for sharing what they captured at the show: Christine Lovely, Darlene Dobson, Shaun Ledding, Lynda Elstad , and Terry David Mulligan.

Donate or share to support the care of John Mann here.

Photo Gallery: Jason Mraz at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls

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All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com

Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz

Fourth Chosen Artist and Song Revealed During CTV’s THE LAUNCH

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Viewers are standing at attention alongside Ancaster, Ont.-born, Toronto-based alt rock artist POESY, who was chosen from among the episode’s featured artists on tonight’s episode of CTV’s THE LAUNCH to record the new original single “Soldier of Love.” The series’ fourth single was released to radio stations across the country immediately following tonight’s broadcast, and is also now available to buy and stream everywhere, including iHeartRadio, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.

With her soaring, powerful vocals – equal parts haunting and hypnotic, POESY captivated mentors on this week’s episode, including Grammy® Award-winning, multi-platinum solo artist and recording star FergieCanada’s own Stephan Moccio (the Grammy® and Oscar-nominated music mastermind behind massive inescapable hits like the quintuple-platinum “Wrecking Ball”), and record mogul Scott Borchetta, who ultimately chose to launch POESY’s music career with her gripping version of “Soldier of Love.”

Last week, THE LAUNCH charted its third consecutive #1 single at iTunes Canada with Episode 3’s chosen artist The Static Shift‘s “Wide Awake”. This follows on the success of the series’ chosen artists and songs to date – Logan Staats “The Lucky Ones”, Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine‘s “Ain’t Easy”, both hitting #1 on iTunes Canada.

“After this unforgettable opportunity and my incredible experience on THE LAUNCH, I realized that this is exactly where I need to be,” said POESY. “I am excited to share my unconventional sound with the world, and I can’t wait to see where ‘Soldier of Love’ takes me. It was an honour to be mentored by industry legends like Fergie, Stephan Moccio, and Scott Borchetta.”

“POESY is exactly the type of artist we were hoping to find through THE LAUNCH…a raw and extraordinary talent on the edge of the mainstream with an identity and edge all her own,” said Scott Borchetta. “We have unleashed the lion known as POESY to Canada and the world.”

Additionally, original songs featured on THE LAUNCH have now surpassed 1.5 million streams internationally, with the songs launched to date collectively gaining traction in Canada, the U.S., and beyond North America – reaching listeners and fans in Germany, the U.K., MexicoBrazilAustraliaPhilippines, and more.

“This streaming milestone validates the crux of the program’s mission: to launch new artists and new music to the world – and the world is listening,” said Randy Lennox, President, Bell Media.

Streaming now on various platforms including CTV.ca, CTV GO, and CraveTV™, THE LAUNCH: DIRECTOR’S CUT features extended auditions of Ezra Jordan, Faiza, and the newly launched POESY, as well as Jaryd Stanley and Sariyah Hines, who are featured exclusively in the On Demand version of the episode. The special edition also features comprehensive mentor reactions, feedback, and never-before-seen moments from THE LAUNCH that take the viewer deeper into the once in a lifetime opportunity for each of the artists.

Following a moving audition process before the celebrity mentors, aspiring artists POESY and Ezra Jordan emerged as the two breakthrough artists chosen to perform and make the original song “Soldier of Love” their own.

After a nerve-wracking 48 hours in studio rehearsals, recordings, and working closely with the episode’s celebrity mentors, the final artists took the stage in front of a live studio audience to perform their unique interpretations of “Soldier of Love”.

Both aspiring artists dazzled the mentors with their spectacular and unique performances, but following intense deliberations, POESY was ultimately chosen for the opportunity of a lifetime – to have her alt-rock version of the song “Soldier of Love” launched across Canada and to the world via THE LAUNCH’s expansive slate of top music partners.

Following tonight’s song launch, Bell Media is poised to throw the full weight of its marketing, promotional, and publicity support behind POESY’s “Soldier of Love” across its national footprint of broadcast and digital entertainment properties.

“Soldier of Love” is written by Stephan Moccio and Lindy RobbinsStephan Moccio is producer. Label: Big Machine Canada and Universal Music Canada. Executive Producers are Scott Borchetta and Randy Lennox.

After writing her first song at age nine, POESY is now fully immersed in the alternative indie world of music. Her name is derived from an archaic word for poetry, and is a callback to her time as an English and Creative Writing major at Western University. POESY finds inspiration in literature, 1970s rock, thrift stores, and bus rides to create the narratives present in her song writing. POESY’s infatuation with all types of art is behind the short story she wrote to accompany each track on her debut EP, “The Spotless Mind”. Her influences include Freddie MercuryKaty PerryFlorence WelchKurt Cobain, and Stevie Nicks. To learn more about POESY, visit CTV.ca/TheLaunch.

Bell Let’s Talk Day 2018 set all new records with more than 138 million messages

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Bell Let’s Talk Day 2018 set all new records with more than 138 million messages of support from people throughout Canada and around the world.

“All of these great organizations recognize that mental health affects us all and we thank them for lending their names and platforms to the cause,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “Together with millions of Canadians, we’re all fighting the stigma, changing attitudes and letting those who struggle with mental illness know they’re not alone.”

The list of organizations involved in promoting mental health and the Bell Let’s Talk campaign continues to grow each year, including community groups, students and faculty at Canadian universities and colleges, sports teams, business associations, corporations, unions, government, law enforcement, and other partners. Platforms include TV, radio, newspaper, out-of-home, digital and cinema advertising, rink boards at major sports arenas, and live and online events throughout the country promoting mental health.

Bell Let’s Talk promotes mental health based on 4 action pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace leadership. Bell Let’s Talk was launched in September 2010 as a 5-year program with a $50 million initial donation from Bell and a commitment to grow its funding based on the engagement of Canadians in the cause on Bell Let’s Talk Day

In 2015, Bell announced it would extend the Bell Let’s Talk initiative a further 5 years and commit to at least $100 million in funding for Canadian mental health.

Canadian speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen becomes the first athlete sponsored with cryptocurrency

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Canadian speed skater and double world record holder Ted-Jan Bloemen has teamed up with ONG Social and CEEK VR in a unique sponsorship. The terms of the agreement include cryptocurrency compensation, which Bloemen will use to achieve his speed skating goals.

In return, Bloemen will share his journey to success on the ONG Social network and will be featured in a 360 Virtual Reality Experience on CEEK VR.

The cryptocurrency sponsorship will allow Bloemen to take advantage of exciting opportunities for trade. No longer constrained by a fixed sponsorship amount, Bloemen can earn cryptocurrency rewards to help finance his podium goals.

Bloemen will be competing for Canada next month at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in the 5,000 metre, 10,000 metre, and Team Pursuit events in PyeongChang, Korea.

A dual Canadian-Dutch citizen, the Netherlands-born Bloemen’s father was born in New Brunswick. Ted-Jan Bloemen moved to Calgary in 2014 to compete for Canada.

Short Cuts: The Best Songs Heard On February 1, 2018 From The Indie World

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Lost Talk
Chrome Alone
Forming in late 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, this is the kind of band you’d have to pry from the stage for having too much fun up there. The group’s sound has matured, they know what they want, and look out.

Heart Society
Rocket
You want commitment, verve and guts? After completing a successful crowdfunding campaign, Alicia Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and husband Benjamin took a huge leap of faith: they sold most of their possessions and bought a 32-foot travel trailer to tour North America and reach more hearts with their message. Something tells me Rocket as a title means more than what is being sung. It’s also their method to the top if they keep this up.

Nanu Alidina
When I’m Gone (feat. EverythingOShauN)
Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, all the right boxes are checked here: Drake, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, but they’re just signposts, rather than stops. He’s going to have plenty of opportunities to get heard, and one of the most promising releases I’ve heard in urban this year.

The Visions
Lookin’ for Ya
They namecheck Prince, Talking Heads, and J Dilla as influences, so right there, their record collection is going to be solid. But it’s their creative blossoming that sparkles. It’s deep, dark and ambitious.

Gio
Ididthisforyou
A rapper and singer from Worcester, Massachusetts, he sounds a bit like Jagger at around 3am after a night out with Keith, while screwing around with the drum machine, which is a good thing. Attitude is impressive.

Casey Burns
Calling CheeChee
Casey Burns is an artist that believes music has the power to change lives and this is a slight but welcome move in the right direction for him. Straightahead rap beats and much respect for the rhythms.

Here To Stay
ViVA Trio
ViVA Trio’s dazzling debut, Nothing Else Matters, expertly converges classical and contemporary, blazing a vibrant new crossover trail previously tread by acts like Il Divo and 2CELLOS, albeit more glamorously.

Nectarines
Lies
Hailing from Long Beach, Nectarines make music that is slightly Goth, with a vibe that feels a bit like The Pixies on codeine, and fleshed out with some nifty guitar work Cold War Kids fans will notice their committed modern pop-rock. Ignore them at your own risk.

DUETS AND STUFF
Serve Somebody
From Sweden, they’ll remind you right off with the steadiness of Peter Bjorn and John, and Feist, but quickly goes into their own lane with passion and poetry. Great stuff, can’t wait to hear more.

Loocties
New Beginning
If Eurovision ever took them, they’d reach pretty far in the competition. Non-stop energy of Euro, trance with young, aware, and fun vocals from start to finish.

Prism Prize Announces 20 Best Canadian Music Videos Of The Year

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The Prism Prize today announces the Top 20 best Canadian music videos of the year, as voted by a jury of more than 120 Canadian music, film and media arts professionals. After viewing hundreds of music videos, jurors selected the Prism Prize Top 20 based on originality, style, creativity, innovation and effective execution. One of these videos will be awarded the $15,000 Grand Prize at a screening and awards presentation on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The Prism Prize Top Ten will be announced on March 27, 2018.

Watch all 20 videos below.

A Tribe Called Red, feat. Black Bear – Indian City (director: Combo Bravo)

Alice Glass – Without Love (director: Floria Sigismondi)

Alvvays – Dreams Tonight (director: Matt Johnson) 

Belle Game – Spirit (director: Kheaven Lewandowski)

BEYRIES – Son (director: Philippe Grenier)

Charlotte Day Wilson – Work (director: Fantavious Fritz)

Clairmont The Second – The Ave In You (director: Clairmont The Second)

Cri – Rush (director: Didier Charette)

Daniel Caesar – Freudian, A Visual (director: Keaven Yazdani and Sean Brown)

Feist – Century (director: Scott Cudmore)

Flying Hórses – Tölt (director: Alexandre Richard)

Grimes feat. Janelle Monáe – Venus Fly (director: Grimes)

Harrison – Right Hook (director: Eva Michon)

Homeshake – Every Single Thing (director: Wen hao Chang) 

Husser – Can’t Blame Em (director: Emilie Lavoie) 

Jessie Reyez – Gatekeeper (director: Peter Huang)

Leonard Cohen – Leaving The Table (director: Christopher Mills)

PUP – Old Wounds (director: Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux)

The Weeknd – Secrets (director: Pedro Martin-Carelo)

Young Rival – Elevator (director: John Smith)

“We are very proud to point the spotlight on this eclectic group of artists. They are some of the most talented Canadians working in music and visual art today” said Prism Prize Founder Louis Calabro.

Organizers also announced Slaight Music would return as Lead Sponsor for the 2018 awards, continuing a partnership that began when the Prize launched in 2012.

“Slaight Music has allowed the Prism Prize to grow into a top international music prize, and in turn, has provided more opportunities to the Canadian music community at home and abroad,” said Calabro.

Along with the $15,000 to the best Canadian music video of the year, Prism Prize will continue to present several special awards. In the coming weeks, the Special Achievement Award (sponsored by Slaight Music) – for artistic achievements and exceptional world-wide contribution to music video art – will be announced.

Last year, Toronto collective KID. STUDIO, who have worked with artists such as Big Sean and The Weeknd, were announced as the recipient of the Lipsett Award for innovative and unique approaches to music video art. With this award, Prism Prize is proud to continue the flourishing partnership with Bell Media, who return as sponsor of the Lipsett Award as well as presenting the Top 10 screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox on May 13th, 2018.

Finally, the Hi-Fidelity Award (sponsored by FACTOR) – an award given to a recording artist who has used video art to represent their work in a consistently creative and innovative way – will also be revealed leading up to the May 13 event.

Prism Prize is proud to host a comprehensive resource for music fans to watch the best Canadian music videos all in one place. Videos and news from Canada’s music video community are available throughout the year at www.prismprize.com.