Photo by SOCAN

SOCAN mourns the death of member Karim Ouellet

Story by Eric Parazelli | Tuesday January 18th, 2022

SOCAN is mourning the death of its singer-songwriter member Karim Ouellet. The 37-year-old artist was found dead in Québec City on Monday night, Jan. 17, 2022. The cause of his death remains unknown at the time of writing.

Originally from Dakar, Senegal, and adopted by a Québec City couple, Ouellet made a name for himself in the mid-2000s, thanks to multiple collaborations with artists from the Limoilou district of the city –  including Claude Bégin, with whom he forged creative ties that led him to success. His album Fox (2012) won several awards, including five ADISQ nominations, the Prix Félix-Leclerc (2013), the JUNO for Francophone Album of the Year (2014) and no less than four Popular Music Awards at the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 SOCAN Galas in Montréal. The European stars M and Stromae also spotted his talent, and offered him opening slots on their respective tours.

We had also collected his comments, as well as those of his collaborator Claude Bégin and his publisher Rafael Perez, following his victory for the song Rien ne sert de courir at the 2015 Gala:

Always on the lookout for opportunities to advance his distinctive urban pop stylings, Ouellet had participated in the 2018 edition of the Kenekt Québec song camp, and has been featured in our Words & Music online magazine several times:

It’s always a tragedy to see a music creator pass away, but it’s all the more tragic when a gifted singer-songwriter, in the prime of his life, and in whom so much hope was placed, passes away so suddenly. SOCAN extends its deepest condolences to his family, including his sister and SOCAN member Sarahmée, his loved ones, and all those who knew him.

Photo by courtesy of / courtoisie de Front Row Insurance. Left to right/De gauche à droite : Diane Konecny, Robb Ghag

Want to know how to protect your musical instruments?

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday January 18th, 2022

How can you protect yourself against your band’s gear being stolen out of the van? Or against your basement home studio being flooded? Or your guitar being damaged in transit?

To find out, register now for Musical Instrument Insurance 101, a Front Row Insurance webinar, where you can learn everything you need to know about protecting your gear against damage and loss. The online event is happening on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET.

Expert insurance brokers Diane Konecny and Robb Ghag will explain all you need to know, and answer questions at the end, including:

  • how to protect your gear in various contexts, both at home and on the road;
  • how to effectively compare insurance policies; and
  • how to make a claim.

Register now to keep your instruments safe and sound!

Notice of intent to withdraw proposed tariffs by CMRRA-SODRAC Inc. (CSI)

Story by Howard Druckman | Friday January 14th, 2022

Please be advised that CSI intends to make, in or after the week of February 14, 2022, an application under section 69 of the Copyright Act to withdraw the following proposed tariffs:

Statement of Royalties to Be Collected by CMRRA-SODRAC Inc. for the Reproduction of Musical Works, In Canada, by Online Music Services for the Years 2014 to 2018.

This constitutes a public notice under s.69.1 of the Copyright Act.

The proposed tariffs can be found on the Copyright Board website at the following link:
https://cb-cda.gc.ca/en/cases-tariffs/filed-tariff-proposals/cmrrasodrac-inc-csi-cmrrasodrac-cmrrasocan