Tuesday, August 17. 2010
 So are we all familiar with this program? It's a show on MuchMusic that finds unsigned bands spending a week with "The Guru," Greig Nori (former Treble Charger frontman and current industry heavyweight behind bands like Sum 41, etc.) and then performing for a panel of four judges from the Canadian industry (all of whom have contributed or been featured in CM at some point). Anyhow, the band gets a made-for-TV whirlwind tour of the industry, perform a song for the judges, and are then told whether they should break up (disBAND) or if they "have what it takes" to become "platinum-selling MuchMusic artists."
The show is responsible for Stereos' quick rise to fame, and this season, gave Street Pharmacy a push, found Abandon All Ships signed to Underground Operations/Rise Records, San Sebastia working with The Agency Group and Last Gang Management, and now These Kids Wear Crowns have signed a worldwide deal with Capitol/EMI Canada.
My question: is this show doing right by the Canadian music industry and music fans?
Friday, August 13. 2010
 Just a reminder that the 15th Annual Honey Jam Artist Showcase will be taking place in Toronto, Sunday, August 15 at the MOD Club. Doors open at 7p.m for this multicultural, multi-genre, all-female showcase. Advance tickets can be picked-up at Play De Record at 357 Yonge Street for $20 or they can be purchased at the door for $25.
For more information including the artist line-up, visit www.honeyjam.com.
Thursday, August 12. 2010
 Arcade Fire are lighting it up.
Last weekend the Montreal indie-rockers latest offering, The Suburbs, debuted at the number one position on the British album charts. This week saw the band knock-off Eminem’s album Recovery from the top slot on Canadian and American charts.
Chart-topping Canucks are nothing new. We have known for a long time that our musical talent pool runs deep and wide.
Per capita, the Great White North has produced some of the greatest musicians of all-time. We claim Oscar Peterson, Neil Young, Alanis Morissette, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Rush, Paul Anka, Céline Dion, BTO, The Guess Who, Leonard Cohen, Shania Twain, and myriad of others as our own. Not to mention the recent south-of-the-border successes of Nickelback, Michael Bublé, the Bieber Fever pandemic, and Drake. If you’re still in doubt, just take a listen to any album on the Polaris Music Prize Long and Short lists.
What is it about Canada that allows us to consistently develop, nurture, and generate such amazing artists and musicians? Is it the cold weather? Maple syrup fuelled creativity? An openness and diversity, both culturally and geographically, that allows our artists to explore new realms of inspiration?
Whatever it is, it seems to be working.
Monday, August 9. 2010
 The world of record deals is changing.
During the heydays, a label would sign a band, make a record and then collect revenue based on a percentage of the record sales. The band or artists would then be free to generate income from alternate revenue streams including: touring, merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements ect…
Within the past five years, there has been a trend towards Multiple Rights Deals within the music industry. This shift within the industry can be traced to the proliferation of Internet piracy and the devaluing of the record as a profitable asset.
Although not at all a new concept (the origins of these sorts of deals can be traced back to the 60’s), these contracts, also known as 360 Deals, are becoming the standard.
Essentially, a 360 Deal sees the label partake in all aspects of a band or artist’s income. In return, the label has invested interest in seeing that band or artist succeed in all aspects of their career and will, ideally, do their best to refine the brand of the band, take that brand to market, and promote the hell out of it.
Critics argue that 360 Deals are just another example of how record labels are taking more of a cut from struggling artists and this is a reflection of their inability to address the pressures and changes currently affecting the popular mode of music delivery.
Proponents of the deals see 360 agreements as being mutually benefiting for both label and artist and as these types of deals mature and evolve, record contracts will become more transparent and relationship between label and artists will become better and deeper.
The reality of the matter is, if you want to sign a record deal nowadays, the inclusion of a 360 component is pretty much mandatory.
What do you think?
Will 360 Deals benefit or hurt the industry? What is the alternative?
Be sure to grab the next issue of Canadian Musician Magazine, dropping early September, to learn more about the 360 Deal. We tapped Steven Kane, President of Warner Music Canada, Shaun Frank, lead singer of The Envy, and entertainment lawyer Miro Oballa to offer their professional and thoughtful insight into the matter.
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