SOCAN members now have FREE access to Sessionwire remote recording!

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday June 25th, 2020

In response to the self-isolation imposed on musicians by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian company Sessionwire – one of SOCAN’s API (application programming interface) partners – is allowing SOCAN members to use their remote recording software, free, for the rest of 2020.

Designed specifically for professional producers and musicians that need to work together online, Sessionwire solves the problem of connecting and recording music with other artists, whether they work across town or overseas. The new platform already has thousands of members, including session musicians, beat-makers, music teachers, producers, mixers, recording artists, and songwriters – all adapting to the new reality of making music with others directly from their home, office, or studio.

Among its users so far are Chin Injeti, Randy Bachman, Chris Baseford (Nickelback, Shinedown, Rob Zombie), and Kevin Killen (Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, eight-time Grammy Winner). After the pandemic has gone, Sessionwire will remain an excellent creative tool for extending reach, saving time, and cutting costs for music-makers everywhere.

To try it for free, today, just click here.

SOCAN Foundation launches $500,000 relief fund for SOCAN members

Story by The SOCAN Foundation/La Fondation SOCAN | Friday June 26th, 2020

The  SOCAN Foundation has announced the launch of the SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund for SOCAN members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While SOCAN members are self-isolating, the SOCAN Foundation offers this program to provide some financial support to music creators and publishers to get through these unprecedented times,” said Victor Davies, President of the SOCAN Foundation.

This new fund is open to all SOCAN members who have earned more than $500 in royalties in the four most recent SOCAN distributions.

The Board of Directors has allocated a total of $500,000, which will be available for distribution from the SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund, in up to 2,000 grants of $250 each.

Applications will be accepted from June 30, 2020 until Aug. 15, 2020. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early; once the funds are exhausted, the application portal will be closed.

SOCAN Members can learn more about the program, and access it, by visiting www.socanfoundation.ca.

Photo by courtesy/courtoisie. Ron Hynes.

ECMA announces re-scheduled broadcast of 2020 East Coast Music Awards

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday June 23rd, 2020

Six-time East Coast Music Award (ECMA) winner and legendary songwriter Ron Hynes will be posthumously inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, in a special ceremony during the 2020 ECMAs gala – which has now been re-scheduled to take place as a pre-recorded, two-hour broadcast, on Saturday, July 11, starting at 9:00 p.m. AT / 9:30 p.m. NT on CBC TV in Atlantic Canada, and on CBC Gem across the country. With support from the SOCAN Foundation and peermusic, the tribute to Hynes will bring together longtime members of his backing band, and colleague artists including Shaye, Joel Hynes, and Lennie Gallant.

The 2020 ECMAs are hosted by Mary Walsh, and feature uniquely captured performances by Tim Baker, Rose Cousins, Wintersleep, Damnhait Doyle, Matt Mays, Neon Dreams, Motherhood, Eastern Owl, Zamani, Jacobus, and Shanneyganock. The re-scheduling follows the cancellation of the 32nd annual edition of event – originally scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 03 – due to COVID-19.

“We were devastated to cancel our week of events in St. John’s this Spring in the wake of the pandemic, including our much anticipated Awards Show at Mile One Stadium,” said Andy McLean, CEO of the ECMA. “However, we knew from that moment we wanted to find a unique way to celebrate our local talent and the well-deserving winners of this year’s East Coast Music Awards. Over the past several weeks, our team has worked hard to tape incredible performances and put together a wonderful show so that – across the Atlantic provinces and now across the whole country – we can come together to champion the vibrancy and resiliency of the East Coast music community, and tip our hats to the beautiful city of St. John’s.”

Nine East Coast Music Awards will be given away over the course of the broadcast. The remaining award winners will be announced the day before, on Friday, June 10, via ECMA’s social media channels. For a full list of ECMA 2020 nominees, click here.