We are pleased to present a plethora of progressive music industry education programming at the Halifax Pop Explosion host hotel, the Lord Nelson.
From the introductory music boot camp presented by Exclaim! Magazine’s Music School columnist Allison Outhit, to high falutin’ talks about the history of HPX and the future of live music in Halifax, with everything in between, the conference has something for everyone!
Registration is ONLY $25.00 taxes included (+ fees) [FREE for all pass holders - so go, learn a little something this week].
All of you that are interested in “how does the music industry work?” should attend Allison Outhits boot camp on Saturday! It is a solid gold one stop shop to learn the basics! - Waye Mason, HPX Executive Director
Carl Wilson from the Globe and Mail A&E section is coming to be a panelist on Saturday on the 3:00 panel!
Schedule:
FRIDAY, October 19
1pm Meet the Halifax Music Media Vanguard Room 1
Meet the entertainment reporters upon whose word your career lives or dies, at least in Halifax. Sue Carter Flinn (The Coast), Dean Lisk (Daily News), Paul Brothers (Going Coastal), Stephen Cooke (Chronicle Herald), and other local reporters will talk about reporting from their perspective.
2pm Developing Music in Nova Scotia Vanguard Room 1
Nova Scotia has several amazing programs around funding development and export of music. Meet the folks who help fund much of the development in Nova Scotia. Gordon Lapp (Executive Director, Music Nova Scotia), Mickey Quase (Music Program Officer, Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage), and Jonny Stevens (Member Services, Music Nova Scotia) will be on hand to discuss programs and take questions.
3pm Live Music In Halifax: What is the real story? Vanguard Room 1
The news is full of talk about Halifax falling behind Moncton in terms of big live shows; meanwhile, local yearly events continue to face financial challenges. What is the real story, and what can be done to make Halifax a true entertainment mecca? Ben Pearlman (ATG Concerts Toronto), Waye Mason (Halifax Pop Explosion), Steve Brazil (Bruised Productions), and other guests discuss the real challenges and opportunities that face Halifax.
SATURDAY, Oct 20
1–2pm Design Matters Britannia Room
Often misunderstood and usually one of the last things many musicians think about, design and artwork are essential to the success of any musical project. From festivals to books to CD art, we can recall questionable decisions and genuine strokes of genius in music graphic design. Join Kent Fackenthall (Graphic Designer for Goose Lane Editions), Marnie Gillis (HPX Art Director and The Coast’s Production Manager), and others in a discussion of how to get the most out of design.
1–2pm Boot Camp 1: The ABCs of the Business Vanguard Room 1
This hour is a practical, myth-busting overview of the music business covering transactions from creator to consumer. We’ll explore the basic glossary of the business, including songs and masters, recording, manufacturing, distribution, management, and booking, and touch on the major issues as they relate to independent musicians. This hour is for newcomers to the music business, but it also sets up the next hour. Presented by Exclaim! Magazine’s Music School, featuring Exclaim! columnist Allison Outhit.
1–2pm All About SOCAN: Protecting Your Rights Vanguard Room 2
The Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (or SOCAN) is the only nationwide performance rights organization in Canada. What does that mean? Money for you, if you write songs! Find out how! Tim Hardy, from SOCAN’s Member Services/Licensing Department, tells us all about it.
2–3pm Boot Camp 2: Understanding Rights & Royalties Vanguard Room 1
In this hour, we discuss creator’s rights, including copyright, by following the value chain in the life of a song though composition to recording, publishing, synchronization licensing, etc. We’ll see how rights turn into royalties and discuss how they are collected and by whom. Presented by Exclaim! Magazine’s Music School, featuring Exclaim! columnist Allison Outhit.
2–3pm Touring 101 Vanguard Room 1
Your band wants to hit the road, but a million and one things seem to be keeping you from doing so. What are you doing wrong? What are you doing right? Who will tell you? These guys will! Meet the agents, techs and road managers: Craig Mercer from the Jimmy Swift Band and Below Me Music, Ben Pearlman from ATG Concerts Toronto, Carl Gosine of Cargo Productions, Pat Dooley of Tourtech East, and Adam Countryman from The Agency Group Toronto tell it like it is.
3–5pm 15 Years of Halifax Pop Explosion Britannia Room
The Halifax Pop Explosion is 15 years old this year. Things have changed, but what is better, what is worse? How has the local, national, and world music scene developed since a couple of under-resourced crazy bastards decided Halifax needed a world-class music fest back in ’93? Waye Mason (HPX Executive Director) welcomes festival founder Peter Rowan, (NEW) the Globe and Mail’s Carl Wilson, author and journalist Bob Mersereau, and local artist manager and long-time music journalist Mike Campbell to reflect on the ups and downs of 15 years of history.
3–4pm Boot Camp 3: What to Say No To—Contracts 101 Vanguard Room 1
This hour explores the fundamentals of contracts and includes an introduction to recording and licensing agreements, management and booking agency agreements, publishing, master and synchronization licensing agreements, and a glossary of contract terms. Presented by Exclaim! Magazine’s Music School, featuring Exclaim! columnist Allison Outhit.
4–5pm Meet the Halifax Music Directors Vanguard Room 2
To end the weekend as it began, we have assembled another collection of powerful decision makers, the radio programmers. Why do some songs make it to air, and some languish unheard? How are decisions made? The local tunes are great, but what about the recording quality? Representatives from CKDU, CBC, Radio 3, XM Channel 52 the Verge, Q104, and Z103.5 FM join us to speak the truth.
4–5pm Boot Camp 4: Forget About Everything I Just Said—Digital Distribution and How It’s Changing the World Vanguard Room 1
In this hour, we’ll talk about how digital distribution and the “long tail” media market have changed the way everyone in the music business does business. We’ll talk about how the traditional roles of music business players (from musicians to distributors) have changed and explore what that means for the future. We’ll also cover some practical ways independent musicians can take advantage of a world in flux. Presented by Exclaim! Magazine’s Music School, featuring Exclaim! columnist Allison Outhit.
Chris has about 20 of his photos on display now at the Lord Nelson in their mezzanine directly above the front desk [if you’re going to pick up your pass you can’t avoid them - so take a few minutes and have a look].
If you’re looking for a photographer for your band, you will be hard pressed to find better. Chris is the kind of guy that will not allow sub-par work to represent himself, he has high standards and when you’re paying someone to do work for you that’s the kind of person you want to be paying. He also really, really likes music. And his pictures are pretty awesome, as you will see for yourself.
The following is an article from today’s Daily News I’ve copied in full as I’m not sure how long their content stays on the their site [Original Link]
Photo exhibit aims to capture musicians’ essence
Photographer, CD designer takes cues from albums
DEAN LISK
When Chris Smith photographs an artist or group, he wants to capture more than just their faces - he wants to capture the spirit of their music.
“Ultimately, it’s about truly capturing the band,” he said. “I sit down and listen to the album over and over - probably more than the band ever will - until something clicks with me.”
An award-winning photographer and designer, Smith - he spells his name CHR!S SM!TH - has been behind the promotional artwork, CD design and performance shots of some of Atlantic Canada’s - and North America’s - most well-known musicians.
A selection of his work, including images of Joel Plaskett, The Novaks and Matt Mays, is on display at the Lord Nelson as part of the Halifax Pop Explosion.
“Sometimes it’s a lyric that clicks with me, and I get an image in my head, and I know what I want to do,” Smith said. “I really try to craft something specific to each band. I don’t make up ideas randomly.”
When it came time to work with ECMA nominee Ross Neilsen, the Newfoundland-born photographer pulled on the title of the musician’s new CD, Early Grave.
“We didn’t want it to be overly morbid,” said Smith, 33. “The album is about the death of loved ones, breakups and there is a New Orleans theme to the music.”
The CD front features a voodoo doll - representing revenge - while the back cover includes an image of Neilsen lying on a morticians table in the same position as the doll.
“It’s a storybook in a way. One side is the beginning and the other is the bad ending,” Smith said. “The art is about the stuff that can lead a young man to an early grave.”
Other images in the show include smooth R&B artist Jamie Sparks being shaved by a woman, and alt-country The Divorcees looking ready to hang the pop-country genre.
Live shots are also included in the show’s images - half of which were part of an exhibit Smith had at the ViewPoint Gallery during last year’s Pop Explosion. They include a Joel Plaskett concert, where the lighting cast a huge shadow over the Dartmouth singer on the stage; and a slightly blurry shot of Motley Crue’s Nikky Sixx, taken when the band played the Halifax Metro Centre.
“Shooting live is about getting that image where everything comes together,” Smith said. “I don’t control the light, so when there is no stage light, I can’t capture it. It’s like listening to something on mute.”
dlisk@hfxnews.ca
I don’t know if there was any concern regarding starting the festival on a Tuesday night but if there was it was needless. I made it to both the Seahorse and Attic for a bit last night and both had great crowds present [and there was also the sold out Tegan and Sara show at St. Matthew’s Church - not the Cohn as I wrote yesterday].
I managed to catch Be Bad’s complete set at the Seahorse before heading to the Attic for Husband and Knife. A change in times for the line-up saw the Superfantastics and Blue Heeler switching up, with the night ending with the Bicycles.
So I wanted to see the Superfantastics, see how the tour had sharpened up their chops, but because the time change and something coming up that resulted in my leaving during the Blue Heeler set, I missed them [and the Bicycles].
Herohill has a complete recap of the Pigeon Row showcase last night. They note that the touring has definitely improved the band. Fuckery on missing their set.
Blue Heeler - had a great crowd response, lots of attentive fans, but all I thought of the set was Neil Young/Crazy Horse - without the crazy. They have a great stage banter, good dynamics between the two in the band. Ms. Doiron was happy she was at Pop Montr…er…the Halifax Pop Explosion. And the crowd seemed happy to have her/them.
Husband and Knife + Be Bad reviews tomorrow as well as a recap of where ever I end up tonight - the options?
TONIGHT
Brother Ali, Half Life Records showcase [more hip hop], a dance party at Tribeca with Japan’s A/V and the also from japan Moist Towelettes….A/V may not actually be from Japan…..
The Besnard Lakes with Laura Peek and i see rowboats at the Marquee and:
READ THIS TOO
Herohill’s review of Share’s new album
I am not ready.
At all.
Sold out months ago Tegan and Sara are the biggest show tonight taking place at the Rebbecca Cohn. I won’t be there. Shannon Webb Campbell hopes to be, but she already spoke with the ladies so you can read all about that courtesy of the Coast. I’ll ask Shannon if she caught the show tomorrow and she can tell us how it was.
There’s only two [thankfully] other shows tonight, a showcase sponsored by Pigeon Row - local PR company run by Matt Charlton of That’s Fucking Dynamite - and lots of other stuff like the label Delorean Records + bands and so on]
That show is taking place at the Attic, starts at 11:15 with Husband and Knife of Divorce Records.
Which is funny considering the other showcase tonight is the Divorce Records showcase at the Seahorse.
My plan: Hit the Seahorse, catch Be Bad at 10:30, then head to the Attic and camp out there for the rest of the night.
Herohill will also be in town for the festival and have been posting a series of artists profiles for the past while leading up to the festival.
Including Tegan And Sara
Don’t forget about the Pop In Sessions taking place as well….
Tomorrow’s Highlights & Predictions:
Forward Music Group showcase
Brother Ali @ the Attic [1:20am]
The Besnard lakes with Laura Peek and the Winning Hearts + i see rowboats.
Divorce Records Line Up:
AIDS Wolf
Old Time Relijun
Be Bad
Vennt
Torso
Pigeon Row Line Up:
The Bicycles
Blue Heeler
The Superfantastics
Husband and Knife
The following is taken from local message boards. C’Mon are presently on an east coast tour and hit Halifax Saturday night. Here’s hoping they have a better experience than they had in Fredericton
Last night Super Destroyer played with The Motor League and C’Mon at Vixens and to say it was a gong show of epic proportions would be an understatement.
As usual the bar refused to allow any of their equipment to be used (they save that for the six fuckin’ inbreds that do karaoke there every night) nor did they give the band drink tickets. This is nothing new for that shithole but last night they reached an all-time low. Here’s the lowdown from 3 different individuals that were there:
Johnny (guitar player for Super Destroyer):
It was a noise complaint that most likely came from the apartment building across the street. The cop that showed up was a fucking asshole on top of that. When the cop was asked how many fines they issued during the harvest jazz and blues festival he responded with “None, but maybe if you had better music in here….”. Cocksucker.
The bands that have played there in the past know that the bar does absolutely nothing for the bands. Anyone that has gone to a show there knows that they try to shortchange the customers on every drink. I saw them try to charge someone $17 dollars for a beer last night by giving change for a 5 when the customer paid with a 20. I heard more than a few people complain about the bar trying to shortchange them so they’re either trying to rip off the customers or they’re too fuckin’ stupid to make change.
The night ended with the bar owner refusing to pay out money that they agreed to earlier and then telling everyone to “get the fuck out” of her bar while she called them every name in the book. She is totally unprofessional, rude and showed absolutely zero appreciation to the band that filled her shitty bar on a Wednesday night.
Brian (who co-promoted the show with Remy):
As vixens will not let anyone use gear or provide any gear they have agreements with some promoters to give a set amount of dollars to pay for sound and sound guys etc. Well the cops showed up and wanted the show to be turned down. Its rock N roll in a business district of fredericton. These issues are the bars problem from my point of view not the bands or the promoters. If they have these issues they should not book shows. They got a fine and refused to live up to there end of the bargin. I asked the bar to have the fine to the bands. When i didnt come back in 5 mins they started freaking at me to give them back the ticket. I told them i would give it back to them after i delt with all the money and explained why they were ripping us off. I tried to talk to the bar owner outside about how they were in a business district and that the fine was not our problem but to no success i came up empty handed.
So Remi had to keep the money to pay for the sound costs etc….so the bands made a hell of a lot less money than they should have. For those of you who know me, you know how i would react to this and I did loose it.
I cant speak for anyone besides myself, but i will never step foot in vixens again.
Ian (Guitarist for C’Mon):
it’s ian from c’mon. do not play this place. it’s gonna be nothing but a nightmare. last night was one of the worst nights in my 25 years of playing. they wouldn’t give us a single drink, they tried to charge for water and were also pulling the fake change trick, both our sound man and drummer got short-changed when buying booze and the bartender played stupid when they asked for the real change. these people should not be trusted. they are mean and only care about themselves. fuck vixen’s.
Here’s what the bands made that night:
Super Destroyer: zilch
The Motor League: zilch…and they drove from Moncton
C’Mon: $140(far less than their guarentee.)
I’m not one to shoot myself in the foot over a venue (after all I was a staunch supporter of Bugaboos) but this is well over the fuckin’ line. Any band that is lookin’ to play Fredericton I would strongly encourage you to go through one of the promoters and NOT Vixens cos they’re just gonna fuck ya.
In the meantime listen to album opener: 
