It’s Valentine’s Day and the CBC’s Jennifer Van Evra has thoughtfully compiled this Maple music collection to get us thinking about romantic interludes and loves past and present.
Ralph
Fronted by Toronto-based live manager Hollis Brunt, the starting roster includes CEC, Kimmortal, Ralph, Quarterback Baby and Vivek Shraya, with a focus on expanding live opportunities for queer Canadian artists.
Misfit Music Inc. has launched a new live music division to put queer artists at the forefront.
Misfit Live Management is led by Toronto-based live performance manager Hollis Brunt, and the company’s new sector will focus on inclusive artist development and expanding live opportunities for rising 2SLGBTQIA+ artists in Canada.
The starting roster spans artists across the country, including: Vancouver Filipina hip-hop artist Kimmortal, Toronto pop it-girl Ralph, Edmonton-born, Toronto-based writer and artist Vivek Shraya, Winnipeg R&B/neo-soul act CEC and hyperpop star Quarterback Baby of Kelowna/Los Angeles.
After spending over a decade in the world of film, TV and theatre, Brunt has spent the last year honing in on their music industry skillset, but has always championed queer artists through their work.
“Before I came out as a teenager, I could feel that there was a lack of representation in the spotlight,” they say, noting that they have “felt a strong pull to support and uplift queer voices.”
Brunt continues: “Despite some strides towards queer acceptance, homophobia and transphobia still run deep. We need to collectively and actively highlight these voices, now more than ever. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of creating space, visibility, and support for my community.”
The launch of Misfit Live Management naturally fits into the company’s ethos of boosting underrepresented homegrown voices and fostering inclusive spaces in Canada’s live music scene.
While the live management division is in the early stages, Brunt and the Misfit Live team say they're striving to dive deeper into various aspects of live management, including advancing remote tour management and export development.
Taking the launch to the next level, Misfit Live will be hosting a debut showcase in partnership with NXNE on June 10 at Toronto’s Burdock Music HallAfter a few days of teasing which the four acts would be perfoming, the lineup has been announced. Of the live management division’s current roster, four of its five artists will be taking the stage that night: CEC, Quarterback Baby, Ralph and Vivek Shraya.
