Photo by francoconnexion.com

A Practical Guide to developing shows in Western Canada

Story by Marie-Michèle Bouchard | Monday July 13th, 2020

Franconnexion.info and La musique francophone de l’Ouest canadien have published a practical guide for developing and booking shows in the provinces and territories of Western Canada. The guide offers anecdotes, experiences, tips, contacts, and resources to help people in the cultural sector navigate this vast territory.

Subjects covered to help readers market a show or tour include:

  • A portrait of Western Canada
  • Media coverage and promoting your shows in Western Canada
  • Planning and administration
  • The market for Francophone shows
  • The Anglophone market
  • A Checklist for how to prepare a tour of Western Canada

You can download the guide (in French only) here.

Photo by courtesy/courtoisie. Wintersleep.

Wintersleep wins four honours at 2020 East Coast Music Awards, including Song of the Year

Story by Howard Druckman | Monday July 13th, 2020

Wintersleep was the big winner at the 2020 East Coast Music Awards, taking home four honours, including Song of the Year for “Beneficiary.” Former Hey Rosetta! leader Tim Baker earned three, and The East Pointers garnered two, including Songwriter of the Year. Dave Sampson and Florian Hoefner also earned two trophies apiece.

Performers on the pre-recorded, two-hour, televised broadcast of the gala show on Saturday, July 11, included Matt Mays, Damhnait  Doyle, Tim Baker, Neon Dreams, Shanneyganock, Rose Cousins, and Wintersleep. The re-scheduled show followed the cancellation of the 32nd  annual edition of event – originally scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 03 – due to COVID-19. Nine awards were given away on the show, while the rest were announced the day before, on Friday, June 10, via the East Coast Music Association’s social media channels.

As part of the show, six-time East Coast Music Award (ECMA) winner and legendary songwriter Ron Hynes, of Newfoundland, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, five years after his death. His nephew, Joel Hynes, accepted the award on his behalf, and also performed with Glenn Simmons, Shaye, Colleen Power, and Lennie Gallant in a tribute, with a backing band that included former Wonderful Grand Band member Sandy Morris.

For a complete list of ECMA 2020 winners, click here and scroll down.

“We Met on a Monday” Video: Sage Harris’s “Best Kept Secret”

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday July 9th, 2020

In response to the self-isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, SOCAN took its Song Camp Mondays online in mid-April. These Virtual Song Camp Monday sessions – each one a full-day co-writing session connecting three SOCAN members at a time – has brought together participants from around the world via online meeting platforms, from the comfort of their own homes and/or home studios. To report on the phenomenon, we’re launching a new video interview series, “We Met on a Monday,” telling the stories of those SOCAN-facilitated collaborations.

First in the series are Sage Harris (the artist), Benita (the co-writer), and Jay Century (the producer), who worked together in a Virtual Song Camp Monday session to co-write “Best Kept Secret,” a song to be featured on Sage’s upcoming album, slated for release in August or September of 2020.

If you’re a SOCAN member interested in participating in a Virtual Song Camp Monday, please submit your application via the online form, here.