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FYI

Music News Digest, Nov. 2, 2018

Nova Scotia Music Week is now underway (pictured is Awards nominee David Myles), Martin Atkins guests at Indie Week, and Paradigm's roster expands. Others in the news include Manitoba Music, Buckman Coe, Amplify BC, Music Canada Live, Carly Rae Jepsen, Janice Mitchell, Wooden Horsemen, and Winterfolk. Videos added for your enjoyment.

Music News Digest, Nov. 2, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW) launched yesterday in Truro and runs through Sunday. A strong lineup at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 tonight (Friday) features Makayla Lynn, Dave Sampson and George Canyon, while the Marigold Cultural Centre hosts Quiet Parade, Leanne Hoffman, and Erin Costelo. Other notable artists performing over the next two nights include Jodi Guthro, Port Cities, Reeny Smith, Alert The Medic, Gabrielle Papillon, Quake Matthews, and Gabriel Minnikin. A full performance sked here


Proceedings wrap on Sunday with the Music Novia Scotia Awards celebration and closing party. Artists with multiple awards noms include Hillsburn, Mo Kenney, David Myles, Reeny Smith, and Christina Martin.

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– Manitoba Music and Manitoba Country Music Association join forces for the Manitoba Country Music Meeting on Nov. 10 at Manitoba Music's office. The info session features THiS Music's Anna Weisband, RGK Entertainment's Amber Bell, Sakamoto Agency's Carla Hackman, MDM Recordings Inc.'s Mike Denney, artist David James, and songwriter Emma-Lee. Info and registration here

– Martin Atkins (Nine Inch Nails, Public Image Ltd.) is returning as a special guest at indie101 at Toronto's Indie Week, with two presentations, both on Nov. 7. First up, at Revival, is How to Make an Extra $100k in the Next Year, featuring tips and strategies to boost your career as an indie artist. Then comes Memories: My Time In and Out of Public Image Ltd, a sure to be an entertaining session at Viz@Viz.

– Paradigm Talent Agency has announced a couple of prominent additions to its client roster. Dear Rouge has signed with Paradigm's Rob Zifarelli for exclusive North American representation, while The Dirty Nil signed with Zifarelli and Adam Countryman, also for exclusive North American representation.

– For the third year, Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue in Toronto will kick off the holiday season with a special event unveiling their festive windows, at the stores' shared entrance on Queen Street, on Sunday (Nov. 4). This features performances from Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen and Toronto social media sensation Johnny Orlando. The unveiling begins at 4.45 pm.

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– The deadline for applications to Amplify BC's Live Music program is Nov. 14.  Festivals, venues and live music presenters are eligible to apply. 

– Vancouver roots musician Buckman Coe releases a full-length album (his sixth), Gathering Storm, on Feb.  22, and the title track and first single is now out. It has a strong social message and Coe notes in a press release that "this song was inspired by my work with the Tiny House Warriors. It celebrates the gathering community of Indigenous and non-Indigenous land and water protectors here at home and around the world." 

– Music Canada Live’s next free members-only webinar will take place on Nov. 27 and will feature a discussion with Gallagher Insurance/Risk Management/Consulting.  More details TBA.

– Toronto jazz publicist and scribe Lesley Mitchell-Clarke is launching her TDot Cabaret series at Jazz Bistro on Sunday (Nov. 4). First up is Janice Mitchell, an acclaimed jazz/blues vocalist with her show, On the Road With Ray Charles. Mitchell toured with Charles for many years as a Raylette before her own impressive international career.  

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– Fancy busking at Vancouver's SkyTrain stations? The regional transportation authority has set a Nov. 13 deadline for online applications. Send a 30-second clip playing your instrument of choice to busker@translink.ca. Those chosen must pay a $75 fee and attend an annual general busker meeting on Dec. 17. Source: Georgia Straight

– From folk origins five years ago, Vancouver's Wooden Horsemen have evolved into a brassy, electric 7-piece blues-rock outfit. 2016 EP Sentient charted on CBC Radio, and a full-length effort, Past Lives, comes out today, and is launched on Saturday (Nov. 3) with a hometown show at The Wise Hall.

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– A fundraiser for Toronto's annual Winterfolk blues and roots fest takes place at the Freetimes Cafe on Sunday. Presented by Winterfolk and the Nashville Bound Songwriter Series, it is hosted by Glen Hornblast. Artists include Lynda Kraar, Black Suit Devil, D’Arcy Wickham, Brian Gladstone (w/ Beverly Kreller), Tony Quarrington (w/ Zoey Adams), Alana & Leigh Cline, Abigail Lapell, and Dom Louis. Tix just $10 at the door.

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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