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Congratulations to the artist ESMA, who won Canadian Musician‘s Canadian Music Week Sweepstakes giveaway. She’ll receive two delegates passes to the CMW Music Conference, two tickets to the Indie Awards, and two full-access wristbands to the CMW Music Festival.

We hope that at CMW, ESMA will learn the tools and make the connections to take her career to the next level. ESMA’s music is described as “a combination of genres with the use of exotic instruments that make up who ESMA is as a singer, songwriter, dancer and artist. Her sound is not offered by any other female artist in music today, making listeners take notice in a time where music is sounding increasingly generic.”

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The folks over Medium.com have put together an interesting history of the DJ mixer. As they say, “two turntables and a microphone” is one of the most common phrases in DJ culture (and also made famous to the general public via Beck’s awesome song “Where It’s At“), but it’s the DJ mixer that brings it all together. Check out the article entitled “A Brief History of the DJ Mizer” by Joshua Glazer. 

“Two turntables and a microphone,” might be the most famous saying in DJ culture, but what about the mixer? The mixer is the literal and metaphorical nexus, where sounds from a trio of devices come together to create a sonic alchemy that has moved dancefloors for more than three decades. And as those decades have passed, so too have multiple waves of technological innovation that saw the DJ mixer evolve from the bastard Frankenstein of live band mixers — MacGyvered together by early electronic enthusiasts — to a multi-billion dollar consumer electronics colossus of computer controllers competing for mass-market dominance and audiophile approval.

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Audio Blood‘s Sari Delmar & Sacha Miller were on the ground in Austin as Canadian Musician‘s SXSW 2015 correspondents. Looking back at the fest, Sari shares her thoughts on the Winners and Losers of the 2015 edition of the world’s largest new music festival.

SXSW is a beast of a festival, but that’s why it’s the best time! The music industry is out in full swing, great bands take over every venue, and sponsors bring out the big guns. Everyone is trying to cut through the clutter. While some do it oh so well, others fall hard – and publicly. But hey! You know what they say… There’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Here are some of the winners and losers from our time in Austin!

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The Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC, is back for its third. Artists can now submit a video or audio performance to Canada’s Walk of Fame for a chance to win the 2015 Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program. The winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of music and industry experts, and announced Fall 2015.

GRAND PRIZE:
• A cash prize of $25,000 CDN
• Twenty-Five (25) hours of private studio with a producer, periodically mentored by established Canadian music talent
• CWOF introductions to a minimum of two (2) music industry executives, which may include agents, managers, recording contract executives, and/or entertainment lawyers.
• A public performance at a CWOF event
• Music Industry Career Development Mentorship Session with Q & A facilitated by Universal Music Canada
• Album cover artwork design by Eric McBain, Creative Director

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The Halifax Pop Explosion is reminding artists that it is still accepting submissions until May 8, 2015. This year’s edition of HPX runs from Oct. 20-24 in Halifax, NS.

If you are a musician, band or comedian who wants to be a part of HPX 2015, you can now apply to showcase.  The submission fee is $25.

For more information, go to www.halifaxpopexplosion.com.

 

 

The International Music Software Trade Association (IMSTA) has announced the 2015 IMSTA FESTA Songwriting Contest, conducted and hosted by Broadjam.  This contest is an annual affair meant to provide aspiring and established songwriters the opportunity to have their creative pieces heard by industry professionals. You can write songs in any genre and with or without lyrics. There are separate songwriting contests for each IMSTA FESTA event in New York, L.A., Chicago & Toronto.

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Canadian Musician is giving away a Canadian Music Week package worth $1,500! Now in its 33rd year, Canadian Music Week is recognized as one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on the business of music. CMW brings together Sound Recording, New Media and Broadcast for one spectacular week of events, combining informative, intensive conferences, a cutting edge trade exhibition, award shows, film festival, comedy festival, and Canada’s biggest New Music Festival.

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Casino Nova Scotia has announced that it will select an Artist in Residence for the second year in a row.  The $20,000 program will provide a local emerging musician or group with financial and professional support through Casino Nova Scotia and partners Music Nova Scotia as well as opportunities to develop their career through performance opportunities.

Applicants can apply online through the Music Nova Scotia website from April 13-30, 2015. The evaluation process will include a review of online applications and demos, interview with selected applicants, and will conclude with a live performance of the finalists at Casino Nova Scotia’s Schooner Showroom on Friday, June 12. This program will provide the selected musician/group with $20,000 in funding to assist with developing their career through recording, marketing, and live performance opportunities.  Music Nova Scotia is administering the program and will provide career path support and exciting industry showcase opportunities such as Nova Scotia Music Week and Canadian Music Week.

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Harbourfront Centre is set to launch its GTA-wide search for cutting-edge, independent artists with the SoundClash Music Awards. As of April 1, musicians across the GTA are invited to apply for the chance to be heard on Harbourfront Centre’s stage, take home a share of the $10,000 in cash and prizes, and be crowned SoundClash champion. Submissions close on May 10.

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