This brought a smile to my face when I read this. I think the best part was the industry rep [CRIA’s president] calling the report one sided, obviously wasn’t their side, ah shucks.

Oh, and his comment on indie labels is great too. Read the post below from last week, and then go read the story linked in the post. Opening of the Billboard story:

The government and recorded music business have fallen out in Canada ahead of crucial new copyright reform legislation, after a Ministry of Canadian Heritage report claimed the industry’s own failures led to the current sales slump.

Love it.

Taken directly and in full from Michael Geist’s blog:

Last month I posted about a recently released report commissioned by Canadian Heritage on the future of the Canadian music industry. I noted that the report provides a realistic assessment of the challenges facing the industry, emphasizing the need to embrace the Internet and new technologies without laying the blame on copyright law. I suppose somewhat predictably, the report has apparently left CRIA fuming. Billboard runs a story in which CRIA President Graham Henderson describes the report as “one-sided” and expresses dismay that copyright is not a focal point of the report. Further, Henderson claims that it is “erroneous” to suggest that independent labels have prospered in Canada.

Of course, the government and the indie labels don’t see it that way. Pierre Lalonde, director of sound recording policy for Canadian Heritage, maintains that indie labels have not been as hard hit by infringement concerns, while a spokesperson for the Canadian Independent Record Production Association, the group that represents indie labels is positive about the report.

Jonny Stevens will release his self titled debut album at Tribeca tonight. The show starts at 9pm with a set from Stevens and his band The Racket followed by guests Folds of Policy and then another longer set from Stevens. Refreshments have been provided by Propeller Breweries so come early and sample some great beer, great music and Jonny Stevens new CD.

I do like Propeller’s Honey Wheat Ale! (more…)

This is, well, just check out their first release:

Go to their myspace for a listen first if need be [tight, rocking, - Win One For The Gorch = my current fav].

VKNGS are part of the noyes crew and you can order a copy of their album from http://www.noyesrecords.com/ for only $10.00

http://www.vkngs.com/
http://www.myspace.com/vkngs

So Their majesties have been living large in Toronto staying at the Drake’s artist residence until this week. They still have one more show at the Drake next Thursday on the 29th, followed by a show at the Blacksheep Inn the following night [thanks to Matthew at i (heart) music] before returning to Halifax. (more…)

CMW Recap: Day Two
By Chuck Teed

Today was my big day at the conference component of CMW, so I tried to make
the most of it by hitting as many panels as possible. I started off on the
wrong foot by running into a presentation called Canada Does Promotions
Right, a presentation of the top ten promotions that happened in Canada in
the last year. Apparently I missed the fine print, because it was part of a
radio promotions summit, and from what I can tell, radio promotions had
nothing to do with music whatsoever (In fact, the MC said something to the
effect that music just gets in the way of good radio promotions. Let’s hope
he was joking.). Anyway, there was nothing else going on at this point of
the day, and they had free drinks and pizza, so it wasn’t a total wash.

Next up, a conflict: I wanted to go to Making Money in the Digital Age, as
well as the Indie Promoter Panel. After careful deliberation, I decided to
hit both, with the Promoter Panel being my first priority. Entitled Rise of
the Little Guy, the Promoter Panel featured people from booking agencies and
promotions companies talking about their craft. Or, more accurately, arguing
about their craft. The only consensus I could get from the back and forth
was that a lot of up and coming bands are forgoing the corporate approach
and looking for venues and promoters they can build actual relationships
with. Good news for the little guys.

I snuck out of the room mid-conflict and headed over to Making Money in the
Digital Age. I didn’t catch a lot of the information – I showed up quite
late due to the scheduling conflict – but the folks on the panel all seemed
to agree that companies like CD Baby and IODA (and 1000 others that I didn’t
catch the name of) were the best ways to access digital sale sites such as
iTunes, Emusic, Napster, etc. There wasn’t a lot of talk about how to
maximize sales on these sites, but I am sure that was covered in other
panels.

The International Manager’s Panel was up next, and it went through the
basics of what to expect from a manager from people who spent years in the
industry. A lot of the material was rudimentary stuff, with a focus on the
changing role of a manager in today’s industry. The highlight was Paul
Harvey’s comment that a manager’s main role is to get fired as a way to
appease tensions between a label and an artist. Funny stuff.

My last workshop of the day was The Tour Survival Kit, which was another
basic conversation about the ins and outs of making tours pay for
themselves. While I can’t say I learned too much, I will give kudos to the
panel for giving the audience – which consisted mainly of independent
artists – exactly what they were looking for, instead of talking over the
heads of the audience members. Nova Scotia even got kudos for a being a
supportive province for arts and culture. Way to go, Nova Scotia.

Unfortunately, this was where the conference ended for me. Saturday looked
full of promise (Chuck D keynote, anyone?), but I had to get ready for the
Music Nova Scotia Stage at the Rivoli. Luckily, I saw plenty of bands over
the course of the weekend, so I’ll recap my favorites shortly.

I started this for last Monday. Stopped when I was thinking I should do something local instead. Stopped again when i realized I bitch about the RIAA and majors consistently and yet, this album is connected to EMI. Fuck - I hate when that happens. BUT - I have really been enjoying this album. So I am calling out my own hypocritical nature on this one and continuing to enjoy the Aliens. (more…)

I’m starting to ask myself why the fuck I even care so much about the RIAA, major labels, their music/acts etc.

As targets, they’re just toooooo easy to rip up/attack.
It’s on 90 other million blogs.
But like my girlfriend’s attraction to gossip blogs I can’t seem to help myself.

More local, more indie, more news worth knowing, more me [!!!], more info independent bands and artists can use. My new mantra. We’ll say that kicks in in, oh, April sometime if not sooner.

Domino Records (Arctic Monkeys) vs RCA Records (Kings Of Leon)

Like everybody else with a pulse and the capacity to smile, I’m down with Avril Lavigne’s new single, Girlfriend, which stands sturdily, albeit not stunningly, in the lineage of Mickey-esque cheerleader-shout songs.

First off, I think I smile a lot, maybe not always, but a couple times a day at least. By virtue of my writing this, I am confident in still having a pulse. I am however DEFINITELY not down with anything Avril. This comes across to me as pure opportunistic crap.

Carl Wilson’s biggest problem with Avril’s new song/video:

But am I the only one who was taken aback by the video, in which it turns out that the reason Avril doesn’t like the guy’s girlfriend is that she’s kind of nerdy?

Basically I think I’ll side with Jack from the comments on this one:

I can’t believe no one has said anything about this whole post being beneath Zoilus. Avril Lavigne? Are you kidding me? I feel a little dumber just for having found out about her shocking new posturing.

Posted by Jack Sprat on March 13, 2007 11:44 PM

Also form the comments:

Is it possible that everybody has failed to mention the fact that Avril looks to be turning into Britney?

True too - and that’s not a good thing for anyone that wants to make a career out of their music. I guess we can just expect a clothing line anytime now.

See Halifax loses another venue | Band loses so much more for further details/the why.

A trust account has been set up for them, if you feel like donating. The info is as follows:

TD Canada Trust - Bedford
Transit# 05373 004 Account#6301604

Anything you can manage would be greatly appreciated.

In proper indie tradition, Horses will be releasing their debut release this evening and then breaking up. Perhaps. Maybe Lachie will continue Horses in the big suck to which he is moving, but Glenn Barrington is once again without a band. Apparently this happens to Glenn quite frequently, band gets momentum, things happen, band calls it quits. Also in the band: Mark Gillis is Horses’ bass player.

Says Lachie:

This may be your last chance to say all those things you always wanted to say to me, but haven’t because of social conventions and general politeness. Your last chance to tell me where to go, you never know when I’ll be back around. Don’t waste the opportunity.

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