Need some help procrastinating? Dust of your French to English dictionary and swagger over to www.blogotheque.net and fall into the "Take Away Show" section; click on "Concerts A Emporter". Featured here are over one hundred impromptu acoustic music videos filmed by French indie filmmaker Vincent Moon. Artists who have lent their talent and time to the project include: Arcade Fire, R.E.M, The Shins, Man Man, Vic Chesnutt, Final Fantasy, Caribou, and many, many more.
The annual Toronto Independent Music Awards aka TIMA was held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on Friday, July 23rd. Daniela Oliva(pictured) who is presently studying entertainment law in California, founded the awards in 2004 at the young age of 17. Her purpose was to showcase deserving independent artists, providing them with an opportunity to take their careers to the next level.The interesting thing about these awards is that they are judged strictly on the strength of the music, rather than the artist’s business chops or connections in the industry. The awards are widely spread out ranging from Blues and Rap all the way to Urban, Country and Folk. If you are an independent artist and want to be a part of TIMA, be sure to check out: www.torontoima.com.
Vivian Clement is a Toronto-based musician and freelance writer. Visit her site www.femalemusicianonline.com for content by and for female music makers. Photo by Wendy M. Rombough
If you're not yet familiar with our friends over at The Big Schmooze, hit the link and go check em' out. The Big Schmooze! and Music Industry Tour is produced by a group called MusicBiz Seminars. Their mandate is to assist and educate independent artists, helping them gain insight and practical knowledge about the music industry through learning, networking, and showcasing events. MusicBiz Seminars' President, Ellen Drake, is extremely knowledgeable about the industry and has already built quite the reputation for herself and her projects. Anyhow, if you're able to attend any of these events, take advantage.
I've already let one cat out of the bag, so might as well whet your appetites a bit more... We have our annual Home Recording feature dropping in the September/October 2010 issue of Canadian Musician, and we've rounded up a KILLER list of Canadian engineers, producers, songwriters, and artists to give us their takes on Home Recording and how to use it to your advantage. This year, we'll have a focus on the pre-production process - what it entails, its importance, and more. I already told you we have Gavin Brown's input, but also spoke with GGGarth Richardson, Tawgs Salter, and a few others, so it should be quite insightful and informative. Be sure to grab your copy in September...
I had the chance to speak with Canadian producer extraordinaire Gavin Brown on Friday. After we'd taken care of business, we started shooting the breeze about mutual friends and so on. That weekend, I was actually going to Nova Scotia's Annapolis valley for a cottage weekend with, among other fine folks, Paul Lamb. Paul, along with Cory Tetford, used to front an east coast rock band called Crush. They were nominated for a Juno and took home 7 ECMAs over the years. Anyhow, Paul and his new band Wreckhouse delivered a killer performance on Sunday night at Middleton, NS' Heart Of The Valley festival, making me go back and check out some old Crush tunes. Great rock band with some pretty big hits. What's more? The cottage where we stayed is where Paul and Great Big Sea's Sean McCann wrote the song "Good People" from the latest GBS record. Small world...
So the night before last, I had the opportunity to drive up to the north side of PEI to meet with one of the Island music scene's most beloved group of sons. Having toured across Canada and the US with a wide-ranging variety of acts, from Cake to the Spill Canvas and even hopping onto a few Vans Warped Tour dates, these guys know the ins and outs of being a Canadian touring band. Anyhow, the band was jamming out some new tunes in Colin (guitar)'s garage in Grand Tracadie, and I had the pleasure of bearing witness to the creation of a Paper Lions tune. Is it good? Really good. Anyhow, the band will be filming a video for the first single from their upcoming Trophies EP, and when that's done, Canadian Musician will have an exclusive video interview with the boys about the business. For now, check out www.paperlions.com.
...we salute you in our July/August 2010 issue of Canadian Musician. Check out our annual bass feature for interviews with folks like Melissa Auf der Maur (pictured, and I think she's wearing clothes behind there, so worry not!), Ric Fierabracci, Roberto Occhipinti, Brian from A Wilhelm Scream, and a few others. We're discussing all-things thick-string, with a focus on laying down the rhythmic foundation in the studio. Grab a copy where other fine print titles are sold!
Looks like Bravo! (quickly becoming one of my favourite television stations) is airing Jonathan Demme's live concert DVD/documentary Neil Young: Heart Of Gold tonight at 8 pm EST. I'll be watching, and if you're fan, you should too. Hell, even if you're not a fan, you should probably still check it out.
Our July/August issue of Canadian Musician is about to drop, with plenty of goodies for a wide variety of musicians and music fans. We've got a cover story on the magnificent Johnny Reid, who's profile seems to be growing exponentially each day...
We also have a feature on the resurgence of vinyl with input from Dine Alone Records' Joel Carriere, MMS' Lindsay Gillespie, The Flatliners, Hannah Georgas, and Sam Bradley. We also have an IT overview from CM's favourite computer guru, Eric Price.
Look for it in your mailbox or on your local newsstand.
CM extends best wishes to Montreal's Maxime Morin, aka DJ Champion, for his upcoming battle with lymphoma blood cancer. Hopefully he's back to commanding dance floors across the nation in no time...
The 2010 Polaris Music Prize short list of 10 albums is being announced today at 1:30 EST, live from Toronto's Drake Hotel. You can listen live on CBC Radio 3 (Sirius 86) or follow live on Twitter @PolarisPrize. I had Shad, Greg MacPherson, Tegan & Sara, The Slew, and Hannah Georgas on my ballot, so let's pull for them even though there's really not a bad album in the bunch.
Also, be sure to check out http://polarismusicprize.ca for regular bits of news, including installments of "Better Know A Jury Member." Always a good time.
Cheers to fellow Polaris juror Ben Kaplan and the National Post for putting this together. I love it, particularly D-Sisive's verse. Love the insight on the Canadian hip hop scene from the guys that have been grinding it out for years.
Thousands of music fans hit the streets of downtown St. Catharines this past Sunday to take in the 15th annual SCENE Music Festisval. SCENE has been a stepping stone of success for the likes of Alexisonfire, Bedouin Soundclash, Billy Talent, Cancer Bats, USS, illScarlett, and Jason Collett among others.
This year’s line-up was packed as over 160 bands played 17 venues throughout the one-day music fest. Highlights included performances by Shad, Lights, Arkells, Down With Webster, and a whole slew of up and coming Canadian acts. Stay tuned to the CM Blog as we will be posting content taken from the day’s happenings including an interview with Shad, Arkells, and more.
As NXNE expands, the festival is getting stronger – a bigger draw for locals and a bigger ticket for artists. This year’s incarnation featured the introduction of a new component, NXNE Interactive. As a response to the increasing importance of digital media and social networking in music and art, NXNEi is a welcome addition to the festival – a broad spectrum of panels and workshops with a wide focus covering the gamut from both the current to the future state of the web, of work, of creation…
If sheer level of interest is any indication, then NXNEi was a resounding success, selling out handily in advance. Given the subject matter, there was oddly no Wi-Fi to be had at the conference. But, from my understanding, that’s not for lack of trying on the part of the NXNEi and something they’ll likely sort out for next year.
Subscribe TODAY!
Need some help procrastinating? Dust of your French to English dictionary and swagger over to 
The annual Toronto Independent Music Awards aka TIMA was held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on Friday, July 23rd. Daniela Oliva
If you're not yet familiar with our friends over at 
I've already let one cat out of the bag, so might as well whet your appetites a bit more... We have our annual Home Recording feature dropping in the September/October 2010 issue of Canadian Musician, and we've rounded up a KILLER list of Canadian engineers, producers, songwriters, and artists to give us their takes on Home Recording and how to use it to your advantage. This year, we'll have a focus on the pre-production process - what it entails, its importance, and more. I already told you we have Gavin Brown's input, but also spoke with GGGarth Richardson, Tawgs Salter, and a few others, so it should be quite insightful and informative. Be sure to grab your copy in September...
I had the chance to speak with Canadian producer extraordinaire Gavin Brown on Friday. After we'd taken care of business, we started shooting the breeze about mutual friends and so on. That weekend, I was actually going to Nova Scotia's Annapolis valley for a cottage weekend with, among other fine folks, Paul Lamb. Paul, along with Cory Tetford, used to front an east coast rock band called Crush. They were nominated for a Juno and took home 7 ECMAs over the years. Anyhow, Paul and his new band Wreckhouse delivered a killer performance on Sunday night at Middleton, NS' Heart Of The Valley festival, making me go back and check out some old Crush tunes. Great rock band with some pretty big hits. What's more? The cottage where we stayed is where Paul and Great Big Sea's Sean McCann wrote the song "Good People" from the latest GBS record. Small world...
...we salute you in our July/August 2010 issue of Canadian Musician. Check out our annual bass feature for interviews with folks like Melissa Auf der Maur (pictured, and I think she's wearing clothes behind there, so worry not!), Ric Fierabracci, Roberto Occhipinti, Brian from A Wilhelm Scream, and a few others. We're discussing all-things thick-string, with a focus on laying down the rhythmic foundation in the studio. Grab a copy where other fine print titles are sold!
Looks like Bravo! (quickly becoming one of my favourite television stations) is airing Jonathan Demme's live concert DVD/documentary Neil Young: Heart Of Gold tonight at 8 pm EST. I'll be watching, and if you're fan, you should too. Hell, even if you're not a fan, you should probably still check it out. 
Our July/August issue of Canadian Musician is about to drop, with plenty of goodies for a wide variety of musicians and music fans. We've got a cover story on the magnificent Johnny Reid, who's profile seems to be growing exponentially each day...
The 2010 Polaris Music Prize short list of 10 albums is being announced today at 1:30 EST, live from Toronto's Drake Hotel. You can listen live on CBC Radio 3 (Sirius 86) or follow live on Twitter 
album in the bunch.
Music Festisval. SCENE has been a stepping stone of success for the likes of Alexisonfire, Bedouin Soundclash, Billy Talent, Cancer Bats, USS, illScarlett, and Jason Collett among others.
As NXNE expands, the festival is getting stronger – a bigger draw for locals and a bigger ticket for artists. This year’s incarnation featured the introduction of a new component, NXNE Interactive. As a response to the increasing importance of digital media and social networking in music and art, NXNEi is a welcome addition to the festival – a broad spectrum of panels and workshops with a wide focus covering the gamut from both the current to the future state of the web, of work, of creation…
