Photo by Ryan Bolton. Left to right/De gauche à droite : Melissa Cameron-Passley, Kathryn Hamilton

SOCAN’s A&R Team adapting for the future

Story by Amal Yassir | Wednesday September 8th, 2021

The SOCAN Artist & Repertoire (A&R) team continues to improve for our members, adapting to meet the challenges of the fast-moving music industry, the further expansion of SOCAN’s business into reproduction rights, and the further mitigation of the pandemic’s impact.

A&R has revised its department structure, clearly defining the two areas where members can be best supported by A&R. The team is now co-led by Kathryn Hamilton, Manager, A&R Programming & Partnerships, and Melissa Cameron-Passley, Manager, A&R, and will focus on developing connections and opportunities, assisting members as they navigate their creative journey.

As Manager, A&R Programming & Partnerships, Hamilton plans, develops, and oversees national and regional programs, events, education, and community-building initiatives, as well as Membership-specific sponsorships and partnerships, to better serve our songwriter, composer, and publisher members and clients.

As Manager, A&R, Cameron-Passley develops and oversees SOCAN’s member and client strategies for our performing and reproduction rights businesses, including developing and maintaining both creative and business relationships, with emerging and established music creators, publishers and key music industry influencers.

Both Cameron-Passley and Hamilton will continue reporting to Vanessa Thomas, Vice President, Member & Industry Relations.

We plan to build our strength in specific musical genres and business processes as well, by recruiting other team members for their specific knowledge and expertise. These new additions will complement the existing A&R team, which – in addition to Cameron-Passley and Hamilton – includes Michael Asante, A&R Representative, Rap & R&B, in Toronto; Sara Dendane, A&R Executive, in Montréal; Racquel Villagante, A&R Executive, in Toronto; Houtan Hodania, A&R Representative, in Vancouver; and Stephanie Falco, Québec Events Manager, in Montréal.

Since its inception in 2014, the A&R team has made great headway, as its elevated presence and direct involvement with members’ careers has allowed them to achieve greater success, and grown their domestic and international revenues.

A&R’s strategic vision is evolving, and will continue improving to align with the ever-changing music business, and our members’ needs.

Stay tuned for more news about our A&R department.

Photo by Marie-Michèle Bouchard. Left to right/De gauche à droite : Sara Dendane, SOCAN A&R Executive / responsable A&R SOCAN; Calamine; Laurent Saulnier, Vice-President of Programming / Vice-président à la programmation, Francos de Montréal)

Calamine wins 2021 Prix Félix-Leclerc

Story by Eric Parazelli | Monday September 13th, 2021

Calamine, Prix Felix Leclerc 2021Nothing, it seems, will rob queer, feminist rapper Calamine of the momentum generated by the release of her first solo album Boulette Proof in 2020 – especially with the addition of yet another honour to her already long list of distinctions, including the  Révélation Rap Radio-Canada 2021, and being a finalist at Francouvertes.

This time, she’s won the 2021 Prix Félix-Leclerc which was officially awarded to her on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, immediately after her show during the Francos de Montréal.

Calamine thus becomes the latest in a long list of young singer-songwriters who’ve benefited from the perks that come with this prize, awarded simultaneously to a Québécois and a French (from France) artist – Élia being this year’s winner of the cross-Atlantic counterpart.

SOCAN has once again partnered with the Prix Félix-Leclerc by awarding Calamine a $2,500 cash prize, presented to her in person by SOCAN A&R executive Sara Dendane. The cash prize is one of the many benefits attached to this award; the singer-songwriter also gets another $2,500 cash prize from Groupe Editorial Musinfo, an invitation to perform at the Francofolies de La Rochelle, as well as a $25,000 cash prize from Cogeco Média.

The winner of the Prix Félix-Leclerc is chosen by a jury of journalists and industry representatives selected by the FrancoFolies de Montréal. Calamine was a finalist, alongside peers and SOCAN members Clay and Friends, Laurence-Anne, Lumière, Raccoon, Robert Robert, Thierry Larose, and Vendou.

Congratulations, Calamine!

Photo by Marie-Michele Bouchard

Shreez surprised with 2021 SOCAN Gala Award at special presentation during FME Festival

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday September 7th, 2021

Nearly 100 SOCAN Awards in 23 categories will be presented to Québec’s most successful songwriters, composers, and music publishers for their tremendous accomplishments in 2020, as part of the celebration of winners at the 32nd SOCAN Gala, set to be held online on Oct. 5, 2021.

To kick off the awards, SOCAN travelled to the Festival de musique émergente (FME) in Abitibi Témiscamingue to present a surprise first trophy to Shreez in the Hip-Hop/Rap Music category, during his performance, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

“It is the greatest pleasure to be the recipient of this SOCAN award. I and my team are proud and grateful to see that all of the work we have done in this campaign is paying off,” said Shreez.

For SOCAN Chief Membership Officer Jean-Christian Céré, the presentation of the SOCAN Award to Shreez at FME was the perfect first presentation. “Shreez had an outstanding year in 2020, even through the pandemic,” said Céré. “And the FME is a proud SOCAN-licensed business, always understanding the importance of fair compensation for, and promotion of, music creators and publishers. This surprise award ceremony launches our annual celebration honouring the incredible talent and creativity of Québec’s songwriters, composers, and music publishers, who’ve managed to amaze us despite the hurdles they’ve faced. October 5th will be a day to shine a thousand lights on them.”

The SOCAN Gala for Francophone music creators and publishers is being held online for the second year, beginning on Oct. 5, 2021, during which a host of award winners, video interviews, thank-you videos, trophy unboxings, and a musical performance will be presented throughout the week via a dedicated SOCAN 2021 Gala website, and on SOCAN’s social networks @socanmusique.

Montréal’s SOCAN Awards Gala is the Francophone equivalent of the annual SOCAN Awards show in Toronto which celebrates the Anglophone songwriters, composers, and music publishers.