Sidebar:
Folk Music Canada is a member-driven organization that supports and promotes the Canadian folk music community, and is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance, diversity and cultural value of all types of folk music in Canada. Previously known as Folk Alliance Canada, the organization remains closely affiliated with Folk Alliance International.
Recently I attended 27th Annual Folk Music Ontario conference. It was a really fun and interesting time as usual. Good workshops, great music and lots of people to meet... It was really awesome to be there. Surrounded by singer/songwriters, musicians working their career plans, festivals and concert series groups planning their futures, promoters, agents, managers, publicists, radio show hosts, as well as other industry professionals and hundreds and hundreds of fellow folk music enthusiasts. The point of being there is really to talk to other delegates, share stories, advice, contacts and other information. And to play lots of music, and listen to lots of music. There is so much to listen to there! And, to learn from. Its So Much Fun. Those that attend, clearly understand the importance of Folk Music in Ontario and Canada, and all, just simply, obviously, love music.
Were you at the session called “Folk Music Canada: Build Your Music Team?” I was, with about 48 other people, including moderator Tamara Kater, and panelists William (Biff) Kennedy, Treasa Levasseur, and Michelle Szeto. The discussion at this Folk Music Canada toolbox session was geared to musicians as self-employed independent business people. We talked about how (and when) to build a team to help take your career to the next level. How to find the kind of key players that believe in what you do, and that you need to help you make the most of the opportunities ahead of you. Manager, agent, publicist, radio promoter, distributor, label, publisher, road manager… How and where do you start? In one case, we heard how it was just being at the right jam, during the right party at The Folk Alliance Conference. The conversation also covered how do you know if things are working? Or, what to do if they aren’t?! Tamara Kater is the Executive Director of Folk Music Canada, and holds an important role on the Board of Directors for Folk Music Ontario. She is also the daughter of an instrument builder and community activist and passionate music enthusiast. She has acted as agent, manager and festival director as well! One of her comments as moderator that really struck a chord, was that the role of publicist is often underrated. Biff Kennedy provides radio promotion and marketing campaigns, and is essentially hired to be an advocate. He said that people tell him no all day long, whether it be venues or radio stations and he has learned to consider No to mean Not Now. He also encouraged musicians to be able to show their stats, perhaps on an excel spreadsheet, including tour history i.e. venue, # of ppl, # of cd sales etc. Michelle Szeto is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Paquin Entertainment Group. She has been pivotal in the development/expansion of tour marketing management services within the company. She suggested that indie artists get their “own wagon in motion,” before seeking to build their teams. She stressed the importance of songwriting, stage craft, performances and word of mouth. It was also apparent she prefers to works with artists that understand the investment in their careers she is making. Treasa Levasseur was a founding member of the grassroots music sensation Corin Raymond and the Sundowners and has released four solo projects since her debut album, with a Juno and multiple Maple Blues nominations. It was interesting to hear one artist/fellow artist’s tour manager’s experience, doing all the driving and acting as merch girl to support the sales of 250 albums over 5 years. She made the analogy of a musician’s relationship to a publicist is like dating, a relationship with an agent is a long-term committed relationship and management is like a marriage.
As I left the workshop, I was disappointed to note that my friend Aimee brought her knitting to her volunteer shift to the FMO Board of Directors booth, and not a borrowed-from-me ukulele! And so, I just passed her by to attend The SOCAN Reception and Keynote Address, for Sarah Harmer’s talk. I sat nearby and said hello to her, and soon after, she dropped her water canteen on my foot, just before doing her speech. Swoon! Suffice to say I was thrilled to learn more about her involvement as an activist in the environmental movement in Canada, and to hear her rave about a mutual friend’s band, The Minotaurs, right from the podium..
Some highlights for me from the Friday night Official Showcases were Tony McManus, Samantha Martin & the Haggard, and Harlan Pepper.
Then, from 11pm-3am I roved the Private Showcase “Music Floors,” this year the South Tower 2nd/3rd Floors. During the Conference, private showcases go on in every hotel room, for two hotel floors, with a change of acts every half hour. It’s amazing!!! Highlights from my Friday night volunteer shift included taking in room 208, “Come into the Parlour” which was a fully decorated room, with cookies and a tea service, old fashioned lamps and lots of brocade, not to mention sets by Sam Turton, Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis. I remember being enthralled as well by Linda McCrae’s mostly banjo set in “The Acoustic Mine Shaft” room 305. Also performing on guitar, accordion and porchboard, Linda combines old-time sounds with universal themes of heartbreak and redemption. I also really liked seeing another set from Fish and Bird, who’s album I picked up in previous years and still really, really dig.
This photo was taken by FMO Board Member Shawna Capsi, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 10:30am – 12:00pm of the session called: A Fine Balance: Music, Career & Family
How can you balance being on the road for weeks, even months at a time knowing there’s a whole other crowd of little faces waiting for you at home? This panel will talk about how to achieve balance between career and family – how can you make both work when it seems like they so often contradict each other?
The chairs were rearranged in a circle for this slightly sleeping morning session. Conversation flowed from tips like setting new financial benchmarks worth leaving the house for, and thinking creatively about related events supporting other gigs - such as teaching workshops, house concerts, weddings, and maximizing the value of shows, such as with a smaller room, filling it twice with two performances. Participants were empathetic about common criticism of such lifestyle choices - “no one ever says that to long-distance truckers!” There was also much discussion about the benefits to this kind of work, especially working a job you love vs. living a life you hate and the impact of that on the whole family.
Nicole Rochfort who established Aim (Artists in Motion), an independent booking agency in 2010 and is known as an instructor at the Harris Institute made several interesting points, as did each of the panelists:
Craig Cardiff is a father and troubadour who builds landscapes of lush sound with digital loops edged in beautiful folky melodies in both heartbreaking and humourous lyrics.
Graydon James is a musician at work on a new album, a novel, a play and some funding applications, while he is also a dad currently tackling potty training. Laura Spink is in a band with her husband, and also performs as a duo with him, and has toured across the country as a vocalist/percussionist and mother of a 21/2 year old. Exclaim dubbed the sextet’s first EP unpretentious brilliance, and they showcase in the both the Official and Private showcase rooms.
The Mon-EH! Music Funding in Canada session covered that being a musician, band, artist or even a manager in Canada is tough but thankfully Canada has some of the best music funding available in the world. The panel provided some insight on some of the top programs this province and country has to offer and provided some hints and advice on how to put together a solid application to help you secure some Mon-EH for yourself.
This discussion was heady with words like viability, commercialization, budgets and the fact that artists, grant applications aside, should understand the bookkeeping. Artists need cash flow projections? Apparently there are OAC templates to make it easier. What is an OMBC tax credit? What is the Ontario Music Fund? There were things that I didn’t fully learn. But I did hear that, as an artist, you want to show that profit will be made, it seemed that is the root interest of funders. There was also a useful reminder to READ all contracts, and to build a back up plan rather than being dependent on funders. Acting as volunteer Factor juror or a paid OAC juror can be great ways to see first hand what consittutes a successful application.
Moderator: Shawna Caspi
Panelists:
Brent Bain, is Manager of Client Services at FACTOR, and has played an active role in the music scene as manager, agent, promoter, publicist and consultant.
Aengus Finnan, works at the Ontario Arts Council, and has served as Board President for OCFF, creator of the Art Beat outreach project and Founding/Executive Director of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival.
Festival/Organizational Funding, Club Studio 1
In this session, David Barnard of The Canadian Heritage Foundation and Aengus Finnan from the Ontario Arts Council, lead an interactive session asking questions like: “What is the life natural cycle of a festival?” “Are there expectations that a festival or venue must continue indefinitely?” “How can organizations wind down, change scale or direction in a meaningful and responsible manner?” “How can funders, foundations, and other sector resources best support a more natural life cycle in the
presenting ecology?”
Jonathan Bunce, a founder of the 10 yr/500 show series at Ted’s Wrecking Yard and the Wavelength Festival with other initiatives including a zine and artscape interdisciplinary festival or is it a retreat on Toronto Island? shared from his experience.
Pam Carter spoke to how Mariposa started as a result of a “make your town a destination” campaign, that has moved towns several times. Mariposa also offers year round programming, with a sing/songwriter and relevant and youth programming top of mind. Their festival goers buy tickets before the line up is even announced.
Magoo mentioned that Blue Skies sells 900 camping passes, and always has day passes available at the gate during the festival. Did you know they have a fiddle orchestra in the community, and in the schools program? (I have personally experienced the awesome opportunity to participate in the uke orchestra, during the summer - but that’s another story). They also run adult summer music camps. He explained to attendees their successful Hat Succession Committee as well.
It was also mentioned that Home County Music & Art Festival had a different (folk) name before a recent change, and that their programming has evolved as well. Interestingly, it seems the older audience members are more open minded than the young people!
3:30pm – 5:00pm Festival Strategic Planning and Sustainability, Club Studio 1
Strong organizations ensure healthy festivals. Strategic planning and sustainability are not just business buzzwords. These are essential planning tools, without which achieving sustainability can be very difficult. Funders and partners are encouraging organizations to ask the difficult questions and deal with those realities that are preventing them from long-term sustainability. This panel will help festivals to better understand the role of strategic planning and how it can lead to a long and healthy life.
Moderator: Scott Merrifield
Panelists: Dan Greenwood, Chris Lusty
I recognized a store customer in the Youth Showcase, and was delighted to see Ben Turcotte who was hired by Summerfolk last season and released his first album in June 2013.
I was disappointed to miss How to Not Go Crazy on the Internet / Image-Based Marketing
Does your Facebook status still say “Happy New Year 2011!”? Do you really need to be Instagramming your road food? Do you need to post gig shots every single night? Do you need a Tumblr page AND a Facebook page AND a band website AND an Instagram account, etc.? This panel will help guide you through what you should and should not be doing online and how to best manage yourself on the Web.
Moderator: Dave Cool, Director of Artist Relations for Bandzoogle(a website and marketing platform for musicians). Through blogging, social media and travelling to conferences, he keeps an open dialogue with indie artists about the challenges of their career, and strategies to overcome them.
Panelists: Cindy Doire, Amanda Rheaume, Rob Wozny
In our hotel room I loved how Aimee’s guitar rings!
Then I finally got to hang around with Aimee, while she was acting as Room Monitor, Official S/C,
Britannia Room.
Holy Lemon Bucket Orkestra!!
Have you he
ard the Blkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-super-band from Toronto? They spread raucous joy inspiring the only photo I remembered to take all weekend!
I am also always really glad for a chance to take in Dave Clark’s Woodshed Orchestra, and did so. Yippee! Also a treat to catch a late nite (immortal) set from Tannis Slimmon. Other highlights of the private showcases for me included Rhianna Rae Saj, and Sweet Alibi.
Have you heard of HOTCHA!? A high energy hillbilly swing duo blends old-time Western, bluegrass, early swing and country gospel, for a grainy, sepia-toned, high energy music. In the hotel room directly below my hotel room, jammed until 5am Friday nite. Saturday night, I stayed in their actual jam room and enjoyed the music. I even brought a uke down and eventually my friend borrowed a guitar and eventually we even sang West Virgina together.
SUNDAY Morning was all about the Silent Auction – Payment and Pick-up
Bring your credit card or chequebook when you come to see if your bid was the winning one! All items must be picked up and taken by their winning bidders. The 33 items you could bid on varied from CD packages from a Production Company and Publicity Firm to the professional services of Bandzoogle to Festival passes to Conference Registrations to the two Epiphone guitars contributed by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. One was a John Lennon J-160E Acoustic and the other was a DR500 Masterbuilt Acoustic Electric - both with hardshell cases.
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I want to check out the weekly folk/roots radio show with Bayshore Broadcasting. I also want to find out more about the Kingsville Festival Aug 8-10.
Folk Music Ontario is in the process of trying to bring in more private funding through sponsorships, especially multi-year sponsorships. The 28th Annual FMO Conference, taking place October 16-19, 2014 at the Westin Bristol Place, Toronto. I will hope to meet you there!
http://www.rootsmusic.ca/27th-annual-folk-music-ontario-conference/
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