Photo by SOCAN. Left to right/De gauche à droite :Cameron Kennedy (SOCAN); Andrew Jamal (Anthem), Sal Fazzari (Anthem), Jason Klein (Anthem), Tanya Van Luven (SOCAN), Paul Fautley (Anthem), Adrian Battiston (Anthem), Paul Stillo (SOCAN), Keira Wade (Anthem).

SOCAN honours Anthem Music Publishing with No. 1 Song Award

Story by Hpward Druckman | Monday July 31st, 2023

SOCAN has presented Anthem Music Publishing with a No. 1 Song Award in recognition of The Weeknd’s recording of “Die for You” scaling the peak of the Billboard Pop Airplay Chart on Feb. 11, 2023.

“Die for You” is co-published by Kobalt Music Publishing Canada, and is co-written by SOCAN members The Weeknd and Doc McKinney, as well as Prince 85 and Dylan Wiggins (both BMI), Henry “Cirkut” Walter and Billy Walsh (both ASCAP), and Cashmere Cat (N/A).

SOCAN’s Cameron Kennedy, Director, Creative, and Tanya Van Luven, Director, Publisher Relations presented the award plaque to Anthem Entertainment Group CEO Jason Klein and CFO Sal Fazzari on  July 27, 2023, at the company’s Canadian head office, not far from the CN Tower in downtown Toronto.

SOCAN congratulates Anthem, and all of the co-writers and co-publishers of “Die for You,” on this great achievement!

Photo by Tristan Nugent

In Concert Photo Gallery: Alexisonfire, PUP, METZ

Story by SOCAN | Thursday August 10th, 2023

Alexisonfire, PUP, and METZ played a loud-rock, triple-threat show at The Budweiser Stage in Toronto on June 16, 2023. Check out our photos of their performances, below.

Photo by SOCAN

Liam Russell joins SOCAN as Creative Executive, Los Angeles and Nashville

Story by SOCAN | Wednesday July 26th, 2023

Effective July 24, 2023, singer-songwriter/producer, musician, and music industry professional Liam Russell joins SOCAN as Creative Executive, Los Angeles and Nashville.

Russell is an experienced music creator with a lifelong dedication to his craft. He spent his childhood immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of folk festivals, observing his father (Canadian singer-songwriter Brent Titcomb) perform. He achieved an impressive early milestone by signing with Sony Music Canada at the age of 15, and his commitment to his artistry has remained constant ever since.

Throughout his career, Russell has collaborated with highly respected artists, working with Grammy-winning producers Bill Bottrell and Jay Joyce, sharing the stage with Joni Mitchell, touring as a sideman for Olivia Newton-John, and serving as a tour manager for Tony Joe White. His songs have charted in the Canadian Top 10 and Top 20, earning him a Canadian Radio Music Awards nomination, and a place on the John Lennon songwriting contest shortlist. In 2014, he participated in the Canadian Film Centre’s composer residency for film and TV, further diversifying his skill set.

In addition to producing his own albums (released on Nettwerk Music and Hidden Pony), Russell has also produced LPs for artists such as Zoe Sky Jordan and her brother, Ezra Jordan. While in Nashville, he also organized and promoted tribute shows, featuring acts like Jessie Baylin, Leigh Nash, and Andrew Combs.

With over two decades of experience in Toronto, Nashville, and now Los Angeles, Russell has honed his expertise in almost every aspect of the music industry. He’s eager to shift gears, and leverage his knowledge to empower his fellow Canadian songwriters, helping them unlock their full potential. As he embraces his new role at SOCAN, Russell’s passion and excitement for music remains at the forefront.