Ambitious, creative folks looking to get into the music biz should sign up for this course so I can pick your brains on breaks during class, steal all your good ideas, make you famous by doing so and then other people will hire you! Instant music business career!
In only slightly more serious terms though – I will be at the Hub during the nights this course is held and would love to talk to folks about their ideas on music/business.
I have a bunch of changes coming at the Rock Garden, new music/changes with the label and two related new music businesses in start up now. I am always looking for feedback and I have made so so so many mistakes I can guarantee saving you time/money if you are going to do anything I can speak to.
If anyone is considering this course and starting their own business I will talk your ear off to the point you may hate me. Could also help set you up at the Hub post course and on your way working for yourself [Hub members include graphic designers, programmers, my lawyer (he quit his firm to start his own practice there!) - so it is close to being a one stop shop for any services you'd need to get up and running]. I was pretty excited when Waye suggested this, and think anyone taking the course would get their money’s worth from Waye alone – but thought I would add my excitement at the potential for having the course at the Hub
/end ramble
__________________________________________________________________________________________ From Waye Mason:
I am really happy to be able to take the wraps off of this after working on it for awhile. This is the actual intro credit course from the music business program. In time, we plan on offering everything part time, but this is the pilot class. Best part, it takes place every Thursday at the Hub in downtown Halifax!
Please feel free to PM me or post questions here. Registration is limited to 25 students. It is an actual class, with assignments, tests, reading, learning, and a total dose of awesome.
BART1000 – Intro to the Music Industry
Description:
Through a combination of lectures, research, group projects and industry speakers, this course will introduce participants to the current landscape of the Canadian music industry. It will convey a broad understanding of various non-music functions that exist within the industry, and how they interact with the artist and each other. Participants will be introduced to the core activity areas of the music industry, including the business of publishing, recording, live performance, artist development and management. They will gain a basic knowledge of the mandate and scope of the organizations that support the music industry with a focus on how those organizations relate to revenue generation and collection.
Details:
Topics cover will include grant writing (focusing on the Nova Scotia Emerging Music program), introduction to the business of songwriting & publishing, live performance and touring, recording, artist development and marketing.
This is a full credit course toward the completion of the NSCC Music Business Certificate.
The course information will also be listed at http://www.coned.nscc.ca
Location:
Every Thursday, April 23 through until June 25, 6:30 to 9:30
The Hub Halifax, 1673 Barrington Street, 2nd Floor
Registration:
Registration is open to any high school graduate. Registration is NOW OPEN call NSCC Admissions at 491-4911 or drop in to any campus. Price is $260 + purchase of a textbook.
Dedicated to folks in Ontario and other areas being hit by – snow-mageddon in Toronto. According to this CBC article the term was actually used in one of the official warning bulletins
“A weather bulletin from Environment Canada warned that much of southern Ontario will be hit Friday and Sunday by significant snowstorms. The storms appear ominous enough that officials compiling the bulletin actually wrote, “Could this be snow-mageddon?“”
ABOUT
SappyFest is a little independent music festival produced by Sappy Records in Partnership with the Ok.Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival, Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre. This will be our fourth year. The festival takes place July 31 – August 2, 2009, in Sackville, New Brunswick, the centre of our universe.
MUSICAL APPLICATIONS – DEADLINE JANUARY 31 ~ 2009
Yes it is true, we are accepting submissions now for the 2009 edition of SappyFest. Simply send us a link to a myspace page or some such equivalent online thing, along with a note of interest.
Please send to: info (at) sappyrecords.com with something relavant in the subject line.
NON MUSICAL APPLICATIONS – DEADLINE JANUARY 31 ~ 2009
As we all know, a lot of ‘indie rock’ is a tremendous bore. To compensate, the programming committee at SappyFest have made a habit of bringing in a variety of non musical acts, spoken word, trapeze, films, contemporary dance etc. If you think you may be suited for this kind of activity, please send us some info, images, and a short written proposal. Jugglers and face painters need not apply.
Please send to: info (at) sappyrecords.com with something relavant in the subject line.
WEBDESIGN INTERNSHIP SAVIOR [ED. Note - wish I had though of this request first!!]
Dear God,
We’re so bad at this web stuff, please send us a creative individual who wants to build us a simple new site, for experience, for love, for very little or no money. Its 2009 almost. Help us.
I usually try and keep this blog music focused but i can make a grasp at tying this to music.
I am part of a group opening a space called “the hub halifax”. In its simplest, it is shared office space. At its most ambitious it will literally be a hub for change within Halifax. A launch pad and connector for folks wanting to start new businesses, projects or bring about social change.
Having run a jam space for the past 3 years, I have had the opportunity to meet literally thousands of musicians, managers and so many others connected to music. And while the Rock Garden has served as a suitable place to do business, it can also be chatic, loud [no kidding huh!] and down right busy.
All making a looming deadline that much harder to meet.
But even with all the people around, when you remove the music component there are fewer folks around that might want to talk business, the latest technology or other such matters of interest to someone running a business.
Enter my desire for something like “the hub”. A place to work with like minded people, and work in a place with fewer distractions! I hope “the hub” literally becomes a hub for meeting the equivalent of the people I have meet in the music industry via the Rock Garden. If so it will certainly be a success for all involved. The space will also have meeting rooms and other amenities to help you do what you need to in “doing”.
The space is set to open on February1st 2009.
But we have a few things before then to deal with….
This Saturday = open hub | 2-4pm
Join us for an open hub at 1673 Barrington St. (2nd flloor) on Saturday December 6 from 2-4pm. Its a chance: to get a “tour” of the hub in its raw unformed state; to hear a bit more about unique offering of co-working/meeting/social space and stories from hubs around the world to share your ideas about what you need in a hub; and connect with people in Halifax who are also interested in co-working.
We’ll be giving out door prizes of hub day passes and there will be a raffle for ONE MONTH FREE hub in-between membership (50 hours) and ONE FREE YEAR-LONG hub connection membership (30 hours/month).
Memberships
Disclaimer: A lot of the following should be taken with a grain of salt. But not the part where I want you to make me look good and “win”.
So we are also seeking members now. As being the only partner from the arts, I feel I have to make sure anyone I bring in is far “cooler” than the members my partners sign up [they all come from non-profit and consulting backgrounds!! C’mon I can't lose to them can I! Boring!!]. However, I think I am already losing this battle! So please help me.
I have made a friendly wager with the others that I can find 5 folks that they will all unanimously want to be part of “the hub”. Because you yet to be found 5 will be so exciting, and on the ball and just doing stuff that we’ll pick up on the energy and that will fuel us and the whole place just becomes an amazing ball of energy. Sorry, positive energy.
To become an unlimited member there is actually a selection committee [to prevent overloading the membership with any one group/profession/etc., and to ensure a general good mix of folks from different backgrounds, professions and to ensure we’re getting positive folks, dark clouds and psychic vampires need not apply!!].
So even I cannot promise you will be selected, especially if you are the ninth graphic designer to apply, so apply soon. Solely for my own pride as a result of me opening my mouth!
But if I can find 5 up-starters, people doing things, looking to make things happen – well I think we will all make something big happen in the new year!
The cost for an Unlimited membership is $416+tax/month [there are a few ways to get a bit of a discount though....]. And while the use of the space is unlimited, the number of these memberships we have is not.
Any questions/comments, use the comments below or email me at rob.macarthur@the-hub.net
Know you want in? Here’s the online application. Undecided/considering it, here are some benefits [PDF file] of membership with us. Very excited to see who I will be working around in the New Year and what we can accomplish in 2009!
What’s Exciting About Songbird
Songbird is a forward-thinking media jukebox. It’s all about using information and media freely available on the internet to transform a typical media player into a music-lover’s utopia. – Lifehacker
And from the Songbird Blog (where you can also read about the new features if you have used earlier versions):
We set out to build an open, customizable music player. Today, we’re launching with dozens of integrated services, hundreds of add-ons, and a growing developer community. We’ll be the first to admit that there’s plenty left to do. And, while we’re not ready for everyone, 160k users a month are expressing their vote for an alternative music player.
If you think like us, you’ve got huge aspirations and you’re out to change the world. You gotta start somewhere, this is our 1.0.
The Argyle Fine Art Gallery has been THE place to see music related or inspired art shows [the most recent being Chr!s Sm!th and collaborator's REPIXX]. Now owner Adriana Afford wants to bring you art you can hear:
SIGHT ON SOUND: A New Music Series Beginning this Thursday, November 20th, 8pm
Featuring the music of Kev Corbett, Klarka Weinwurm, Dusty Keeler and Ruth Minnikin
(HALIFAX)- What better way to start off a music series than in a circle…a circle of singer songwriters that is! Argyle Fine Art is pleased to announce it’s music series SIGHT ON SOUND beginning with musicians Kev Corbett, Ruth Minnikin, Dusty Keeler and Klarka Weinwurm on Thursday, November 20th, 8pm. This event is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $10 and will also be available at the door for $12. So pull up a chair and listen to the music in this unique listening venue.
This is just the beginning of a long line of concerts we look forward to bringing you! Stay tuned and keep checking our website at www.argylefa.tk for new musicians and dates. In December, we are happy to present the music of Don Brownrigg –date to be announced soon!!!
A special thank you goes out to emerging artist Kim Vallis who created the beautiful poster especially for this specific concert (see attached). Limited edition posters will be for sale at the show, as well as CD’s by the various artists. If you are a visual artist and are interested in creating a poster for our upcoming shows, do not hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
WHILE YOU ARE LISTENING TO LIVE MUSIC MAKE SURE TO TAKE IN THE VISUAL ART INSPIRED BY MUSIC AND PHOTOGRAPHY with REPIXX: REPIXX features the work of 15 visual artists who have created original works of art inspired by award winning photographer Chr!s Sm!th’s of Canadian and international musicians. Each visual artist was supplied with a photo and the simple mandate to “create”! Come see the results as these fantastic new pieces are displayed alongside the photos that inspired them. SEE THE SHOW ONLINE ANYTIME at www.argylefa.tk Some of your favourite musicians are featured in photos, PAINT, CLAY, TEXTILE AND WOOD!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, IMAGES or INTERVIEW opportunities contact:
Adriana Afford at 902-425-9456/ gallery@argylefa.com
1869 Upper Water Street Historic Properties
Visit online anytime: www.argylefa.tk
Listen to CKDU this Wednesday (tomorrow evening) at 5pm
Hear all about a music series beginning this Thursday at Argyle Fine Art on a radio show by Jennifer Casey on CKDU tomorrow [Wednesday the 18th] evening…tune into 88.1 OR go to their website and hear it streaming!
Here’s my wishes/tribute a la Nina Simone for Obama & his grandma’s memory. Cannot imagine the roller coaster he is on right now. Dear Americans please do not mess this one up. http://blip.fm/~n4w8
I have been working on making some solid goals for myself in work and life. The best means of doing so I have come across thus far is to plan waaaaaaaay out, and work your way backwards. Set some goals or decide where you want to go, look at where you are now and then develop a plan to connect those dots.
One common suggestion on goal planning and living a good life is to go right to the end and imagine what your funeral would be like. Who do you want there? What do people say about you when you are gone? How will you be remembered [or I guess for planning purposes, how do you want people to remember you]?
So I haven’t done any of that. Because when I started thinking about my funeral and though of all the other funerals I have been to I realized funerals suck. But I quite enjoy life. Beats the alternative I feel. So as far as I got on the whole what will my funeral be like is that it will be a party, a celebration of life, and there will be music. And it should be preferably played loud.
This is some of the music.
Nina Simone – Ain`t Got No, I Got Life (Groovefinder Remix) – MP3 Save Me – was a contender as well from Ms. Simone but it will not upload for some reason, but you should find it and play it when I die anyways.
Nina Simone makes me happy.
The Pink Mountaintops – Single Life – MP3
I love the music of Stephen McBean. This will also cover the bases for all the fuzzed out rock I love. (Maybe some of my CanCon quota too).
The title is also very apt. I was looking for New Drug Queens for the fuzzed out bliss of that song when I found this first. I know for sure we have THIS life to do something with. Maybe we have another or a second chance elsewhere. But if we do not… this song is a driving rocker to power you through whatever you know you SHOULD be doing.
The Pagans – No Way, Not Now – MP3
Denial song number 1: The inclusion of this song should be obvious for two reasons: whether you know it or not, it is great, an unknown classic. But more importantly to the theme, I hope the title is one of the last thoughts running through my scattered little brain.
Minor Threat – I Don’t Wanna Hear It – MP3
Plain and simple, more denial. You will probably have to deal with it too as I find ways to work my soul into your heart. Play these 4 (Single Life to I Got a Right) songs particularly loud.
Iggy & the Stooges – I Got a Right – MP3
To live fuckers! I think I will exercise that presently all the same.
Iggy also gets honorable mention for his solo Lust for Life album. The title track, Passenger (MP3) and Some Weird Sin all deserve being part of my going away party.
Supergrass – Moving – MP3
By this point we will assume I have accepted that I am moving on. Supergrass is a band I discovered late in their career via their best of release celebrating ten years of making music. But if you discover something good does it matter when you find it?
Patti Smith – Who Do You Love (Live on Letterman) – MP3
Right now, Joi G. Hopefully when this playlist is needed it shall be the same. (I will not regret, ever, proclaiming my love for this person even should she leave me tomorrow. She has helped me more than she will ever know and will hopefully always be a close friend). Mind you I would prefer to maintain the current additional benefits.
The Clash – Janie Jones – MP3
I love the Clash. But even more I love this 2 minute song. If I had heard it while in high school I may have said the hell with university. Can not listen to this song and not think of Joi either.
Any Jimi Hendrix Album would do…
So I definitely needed to add a Hendrix track. My guitar god.
Angel would be appropriate but that song is mine and Joi’s – and too mellow – so maybe I will add a mellow play list as well for the day after my funeral when yer still sad but hung over that I am dead.
Bold as Love is beautiful. But again a lil chill. Little Miss Lover maybe. Fire would be a definite contender outside Fire may send the wrong message with my death. Jimi Hendrix – Hey Baby New Rising Sun (MP3) gets it. Just because.
Otis Shuggie – Strawberry Letter 23 – MP3
I just love the sound of this song – the swirling guitars by the end seem like they just may take you away to…where ever.
Walking on the Sunshine x2!
I don’t know what happens after I die for certain – pretty sure nobody does – but maybe this is something I can do in the afterlife!! The original or Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s (still one of my fav band names for no reason in particular) cover will do. Listener’s choice. My demand is that it simply be loud (surprised?).
Original: Katrina & the Waves – Walking on the Sunshine – MP3
Cover (definitely more upbeat): Me First & the Gimme Gimmes – Walking on the Sunshine MP3
There is soooooo much music missing form this shortlist I think it will need to be at least a 3 or 4 part series at least. So many genres not accounted for. So to briefly address that I am going to fire in one last track as a tip of the hat to hip hop. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – They Reminisce Over You – MP3 While I still listen to that album and this track in particular all these years later, TROY sent me on a decade long search for that opening riff…which thanks to the internet I was eventually able to download and hear. And love.
The Beginning of the End – When She made me Promise
Future Funeral music playlists should probably address some mellow times, a dance party and at least one more mixed bag of tunes (no Led Zep, opps).
Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams When my end comes I hope I can handle it as well as Randy Pausch is able to address his pending death in this talk. And for any guys reading this that may not watch the video, there is one of the best pieces of advice on dating you will ever hear and I have been thinking about it alot and my studies since have shown it is a 100% true: If you want to impress a girl, or keep your current girlfriend or wife happy – do something. Anything. Buy her something, take out the trash, visit her family with her, make the bed, pick up after yourself. ACTIONS. VERBS. Those things work. Talk not so much (I do suggest talking to your significant other though). And in turn it is not bad advice for any other relationship either. Or anything else for that matter. Talk of ideas is one thing, execution (action) is another.
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit www.cmu.edu/randyslecture.
Short Read: From The 4-Hour Work Week – The 4-Hour Workweek If you read this and do not get it I do not know what to say….life is shorter than we think and it expires with no warning, we have no say over it and there is nothing we can do about it. Ask yourself “Why?” more often and make sure you are doing things for the right reasons.
An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctor’s orders. Unable to sleep after an urgent phone call from the office the first morning, he walked out to the pier to clear his head. A small boat with just one fisherman had docked, and inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.
“How long did it take you to catch them?” the American asked.
“Only a little while,” the Mexican replied in surprisingly good English.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American then asked.
“I have enough to support my family and give a few to friends,” the Mexican said as he unloaded them into a basket.
“But… What do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican looked up and smiled. “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Julia, and stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American consultant scoffed, “I am business consultant and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.
“You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American consultant replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then, senor?” asked the fisherman.
The consultant laughed, and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public. You’ll become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions, senor?” replied the Mexican. “Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
