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Music Industry Leaders Offer Hot Topics Workshops For Musicians, April 10-12 In Toronto

Mar 20, 2015

I’ll be the Workshop for Musicians on April 11th – hope you can make it!

The workshops are the initiative of the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists. In the March 2015 issue of The WholeNote, editor David Perlman wrote, “Ann Summers Dossena, driving force behind IRCPA, has been preaching in the arts wilderness for as long as I can remember about the unmet needs of artists on the edge of performing careers who have nowhere to turn for support, resources and expertise when they are in the process of making the transi¬tion from a sheltered academic environment to the realities of life as working musicians.” Summers Dossena says, “We are pleased to welcome JAZZ.FM91, The Canadian Music Centre, Paintbox Bistro and all the other partners in the Hot Topics workshops, to expand our mission in assisting the wider music community.”

The March and April programs of the IRCPA are made possible, in part, by contributions from and/or the participation of the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, The Daniels Corporation, WholeNote Media Inc., the Canadian Music Centre, Canadian Opera Company, JAZZ.FM91, Mirvish Productions, Paganelli’s Risotteria, Paintbox Bistro, SOCAN Foundation and private donations.

Depending on funding, the IRCPA also provides year-round services to artists on request, including round-table discussions, research, feedback auditions, mentoring sessions and consultations. Founded and led by award-winning artist manager Ann Summers Dossena, the IRCPA aims to “turn potential into accomplishment”. Charitable donations to these programs can be made through Canada Helps by clicking on the website www.ircpa.net.

Adam Levine To Produce NBC Songwriting Competition Show

Mar 20, 2015

From Billboard:

NBC’s next big music show could come from those who’ve helped make The Voice a hit.

The latter’s executive producer Audrey Morrissey and coach Adam Levine are teaming with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Dave Stewart on a pilot called Songland. As its title suggests, the project is predicated on the simple premise that the songwriter is king in the music business.

While artists make money on songs that they record, songwriters have multiple avenues and points at which they can generate hefty revenue from their works. If ultimately ordered to series, Songland will pull back the curtain on the song marketplace and the power brokers within it. The project is expected to feature everyday people with compelling stories who get the opportunity to pitch original compositions to the music industry’s biggest producers and artists all hunting for the next global smash.

Songland is being produced by Live Animals in association with Dave Stewart Entertainment and Levine’s 222 Productions. The three-time Grammy winner will be an executive producer on the project alongside Morrissey, Stewart, Live Animals’ Ivan Dudynsky and Levine’s manager-turned-producing partner Jordan Feldstein.

The infamous Troggs Tapes

Mar 19, 2015

An in-studio tape of Reg Presley’s running commentary on a recording session, filled with in-fighting and swearing (known as “The Troggs Tapes”), was widely circulated in the music underground, and was included in the Archaeology box set, as well as the compilation album, The Rhino Brothers Present the World’s Worst Records. The in-group infighting is believed to be the inspiration for a scene in the comedy film, This is Spinal Tap, where the band members are arguing. Some of this dialogue was sampled by the California punk band The Dwarves on their recording of a cover version of the Troggs song “Strange Movies”.

These Are Some of The Most Beautiful Album Covers Found – And Here’s What You Can Learn From Them

Mar 19, 2015

From Canva:

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, and the same rule should probably apply for music.

We all know that we should probably pay more attention to what’s inside the box rather than outside, but it’s just a matter of fact that a beautiful exterior design can make the interior just that little bit better.

01. Colour Me Cohesive

This sleek album cover was actually designed by the musician himself, Tycho, also known as Scott Hansen. The design is built on a strong colour scheme, showcased in sharp geometric shapes, and each colour has been made to correspond to a track. Creating a strong palette that can be used cohesively with the content can make for a pretty effective design.

02. Explore Die Cutting

Die cutting is used to create cut-out areas in your design, and when used correctly it can create a unique depth to your design. Check out the geometric die cutting done in this album sleeve from David Marsh, that allows for the two-tone cover to peek through, adding a sophisticated extra layer to the design.

03. Why Not Pop-Up?

Who said pop-up pictures were just for childrens’ books? This example fromTyler Stout pairs fully illustrated cover art with a pop-up picture of the artists, just quirky enough to capture the comedic tone and genre of the music.

04. Use The Whole Canvas

When it comes to album cover design, it is easy to consider the design from the standpoint of each panel being separate. But another option is to embrace the entire length of the case, just as Kamil Borowski has done in the example. Instead of limiting your artwork to just the front panel, consider extending it to expand over the width of the case, and perhaps even across the disc, just as has been done in this example, to create a larger image.

05. Get Creative With Packaging

Why is it that round albums have to come in perfectly square boxes? Being a bit creative with the shape of your packaging can really help highlight your design and give it a unique physical presence on the CD rack. Check out this angular album cover packaging by inCentea, that goes against almost everything you thought you knew about album cases.

06. Get Interactive

Consider how your audience will interact with your design, and how this interaction can be enhanced upon. Bonus points if this interactive element ties directly into the album title, as this heat-sensitive cover designed by Modo ties into the title “The Second Law”, referencing the second law of thermodynamics.

Check out lots more here.

Kevin Drew gets it right. Again.

Mar 19, 2015

As a founder of the indie collective Broken Social Scene, Kevin Drew nails it when talking about his new solo album, Darlings:

“I’m not doing this to see what my value is, though everyone’s questioning my value. I did this to make this music. You’re never alone when you have an amazing record that you love, and that’s why I’m here now, paying my band and trying to get tours. I’m very much hoping it works. But I think the courage lies in whoever wants to listen.”

Star Wars Cups (1977) – Majik Market Commercial

Mar 19, 2015

Filmed on October 18, 1977, this ad for the first series of Star Wars plastic cups from a convenience store chain called Majik Market is among the earliest promotional tie-ins to be televised following Star Wars’ release in May.

Walter the golden retriever is VERY confused by his toy

Mar 18, 2015

Walter the golden retriever answers the age-old question – are dogs really impressed with the squeaky sound coming from their toy? Kinda. Trouble is, Walter is a bit confused as to where it’s coming from.

That Time The Beatles Performed Shakespeare, 1964

Mar 18, 2015

In April of 1964, just a month after their famous debut on the Ed Sullivan show, The Beatles followed it up with a sketch from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights Dream as part of a one-hour Beatles television special. Britain, at the time, was celebrating the poet’s 400th birthday. One of the strangest performances the group ever made, that’s for sure.

The 2015 Nimbus Mix Contest Offers $100k in Scholarships to be Awarded

Mar 18, 2015

Do you aspire to a career in the modern music industry? Whether you are in high school or already graduated the 2015 Nimbus Mix Contest is for you!

Nimbus Studios in Vancouver are excited to announce the 2015 Nimbus Mix Contest will feature two simultaneous competitions: one for high school students (13-19) and one for adults (high school graduate or 19+) with up to $100,000 in scholarship prizes to be awarded!

Here’s the 2015 prize breakdown:

In High School?
1st Prize: $25,000
2nd Prize: $10,000
3rd Prize: $5,000
People’s Choice: $10,000

Already Graduated or Over 19?
1st Prize: $25,000
2nd Prize: $10,000
3rd Prize: $5,000
People’s Choice: $10,000

Stems will be available to download on April 1st. You will have one month to mix your track. Submissions will close on May 1st and the winners will be announced June 1st. 2015.

The Nimbus Mix Contest is an annual competition where aspiring Canadian musicians, producers and engineers have the opportunity to mix (or remix) a song for the chance to win a $25,000 scholarship to Nimbus.

“This contest is a real opportunity for a new generation of engineers and producers,” said legendary producer, and Nimbus co-founder, Bob Ezrin. “This is a chance for talented students to work on tracks from artists they hear on the radio, and to see what it takes to create a mix that stands up to industry standards.”

Listen to the 2014 Nimbus Mix Contest Winner

In 2014, they gave away $50,000 worth of scholarships to Nimbus to some very talented Canadian high school students. This year they are giving away even more!

If you have a passion for music and think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Nimbus Mix Contest winner, register for the 2015 Nimbus Mix Contest below! We will send you updates when more details become available.

Full Mix Contest 2015 rules are available here.

Remember Waldo the Wizard? The Forgotten Lucky Charms Cereal Mascot?

Mar 18, 2015

The famous Lucky the Leprechaun wasn’t always the public face of Lucky Charms cereal. In 1975, General Mills experimented with a different mascot: Waldo the Wizard. He was a cheerful, absent-minded wizard who liked children. Like me, I guess. There’s no reason why General Mills briefly tried another mascot, but once they say the postive feedback from test audiences, it was set.

Test audiences responded favorably to Waldo–they even liked him better than Lucky. Monte Olmstead writes for the General Mills blog:

“Waldo’s endearing quality was his forgetfulness linked with wordplay. Kids like to see human qualities in characters,” says Alan Snedeker, who created Waldo while working for New York ad agency Dancer Fitzgerald Sample from 1964 to 1985.

While Lucky’s catchphrase was, “They’re magically delicious,” Waldo called Lucky Charms “ibbledebibbledelicious.”

And in every commercial, Waldo lost his box of Lucky Charms and had to find it.

In market tests in New England, Waldo and another one of his creations beat Lucky hands down. Lucky was vulnerable. “My work beat Lucky twice in tests,” Snedeker says.

In 1975, the two Lucky Charms cereal mascots coexisted – Waldo in New England and Lucky in the rest of the U.S. In some of the television spots, Snedeker says he made Lucky “more friendly,” which may have led to Waldo’s demise.

“In making Lucky nicer, I probably killed Waldo,” he admits.

After less than a year, Lucky returned. Goodbye, Waldo.