Up-and-coming country songstress Ali Fontaine picked up a Native American Music Award (NAMA) over the weekend. Fontaine, who was also up for Songwriter of the Year and Best Female Artist, won for Best Country Recording for her self-titled album. A double winner at the APCMAs in 2011, she has six nominations already for her first recording.
We're making some changes to manitobamusic.com and aboriginalmusic.ca on Tuesday, April 30. While that's happening, you may see some functions that appear broken or just kinda weird. Stay tuned!
Manitoba Music is now accepting applications for the 2014 edition of Aboriginal Music Performers (AMP) Camp. Hosted by Manitoba Music and the Canada Council for the Arts, the week-long residency gives emerging and mid-career Aboriginal recording artists an opportunity to develop their business skills and artistic abilities. Running February 9-14, 2014 at Falcon Trails Resort, AMP Camp will invite 20 Canadian artists from the pool of applicants to participate.
Manitoba Music is coordinating an afternoon and evening of live performances on multiple stages including the main Scotiabank Stage at The Forks on Canada Day – Monday, July 1, 2013. One of Manitoba’s most popular summer destinations, The Forks attracts thousands of visitors on Canada Day. This year’s event will celebrate and promote Manitoba artists with multi-genre concerts featuring solo artists, bands, and DJs, on stages around The Forks. This event is free and open to the public. The deadling for submissions is Thursday, March 14.
Manitoba Music’s Aboriginal Music Program will release a new promotional music sampler in August 2013. This multi-genre collection will represent new Manitoba releases by export-ready artists of Aboriginal ancestry, and will be targeted to music industry professionals and media in all areas of popular music. The compilation will be distributed digitally and as a CD to industry professionals and journalists including at music industry conferences and in support of Manitoba Aboriginal Artist export trade missions. Submission deadline is 4pm, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Click "read more" for complete details.
Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program recently conducted an informal survey to identify some Aboriginal recording artist preferences and priorities. The survey was very simple and it included six quick questions, with three specific to the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA).
The results will be used by Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program to inform decisions about projects that serve Aboriginal artists across Canada. The results will also be shared with the Manito Ahbee Festival, which produces the APCMA.
Aboriginal recording artists from Manitoba continue to rack up the accolades, landing two nominations for the 2013 JUNO Awards. The nominees for the 42nd annual awards were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) in Toronto early on February 19, streamed live on CTV’s website. This year's nominees include Don Amero and Burnt Project 1.
Three Aboriginal recording acts from Manitoba have landed six nominations for this year's Native American Music Awards (NAMA). After being postponed due to Superstorm Sandy, the 14th annual awards gala is scheduled for May 10 at the Seneca Niagara Events Centre in Niagara Falls, New York.
Legendary country rock outfit C-Weed, which includes Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards Lifetime Achievement winner Errol Ranville, is up for Best Country Recording for its release, Forever. The band recently landed a nod for Best Group or Duo at the APCMAs.
Indian City has added two more to its already-impressive list of accolades. The rock supergroup, which features Eagle & Hawk's Vince Fontaine and singer/songwriter Don Amero among others, has picked up more than a dozen nominations and four awards, including wins at the Western Canadian Music Awards, Indian Summer Music Awards, and APCMAs.
Up-and-coming country songstress Ali Fontaine picked up three nods for her self-titled debut recording, including Best Country Recording, Songwriter of the Year, and Best Female Artist. Fontaine, a double winner at the APCMAs in 2011, has six nominations already for her first recording.
Manitoba Music is partnering with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) to produce a Manitoba Aboriginal artists showcase at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas on March 13, 2013. The showcase will be a part of the conference's VIP Reception (invite only), which will play host to tribal leaders, representatives from Native American casinos, and business leaders from across the USA.
Don Amero, Desiree Dorion, and Tracy Bone will be participating in the showcase. Manitoba Music will also have a trade show booth at the conference and each of the artists will have the opportunity to market their services to delegates on March 12, 13, and 14.
Manitoba Music’s Alan Greyeyes was one of three winners at the annual Future Leaders of Manitoba Awards, which were handed out on January 24 in Winnipeg. Greyeyes received the arts award at the gala, which recognizes exceptional young Manitobans for their dedication to the social and economic growth of Manitoba.
Three of Canada’s top Aboriginal recording artists are headed to New York City to showcase for industry at global performing arts marketplace and conference, APAP|NYC 2013. The showcase, dubbed Native America North, features roots, folk, and pop interpretations of Anishinabe, Mohawk, Inuit, and Métis culture at the National Museum of the American Indian on January 12. The project is made possible by a partnership between Manitoba Music through its Aboriginal Music Program and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Jesse Green will be the Aboriginal Music Program's (AMP) Mentor in Residence for the month of February. Starting on Monday, February 4, he will be available for songwriting help, performance tips, and career advice by email, over the phone, and in person
FACTOR has been working in consultation with the Canadian Independent Music Association, the Music Managers’ Forum, all of the provincial and territorial Music Industry Associations and other industry professionals, to try to create a new FACTOR - one that responds better to your needs and those of the market, and that can process your applications in a transparent, better organized and more efficient fashion.
Three of Canada’s best Aboriginal artists will perform a music showcase that’s free to the public during the APAP 2013 conference in New York City, featuring roots, folk, and pop interpretations of Anishinabe, Mohawk, Inuit, and Métis culture. The project is presented by Manitoba Music and the Canada Council for the Arts and takes place at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Don Amero is currently on the road with his "Amero Little Christmas" Prairie tour with Red Moon Road. The tour started on December 7, 2012 and includes stops in Brandon, Boissivane, Virden, Dauphin, Neepawa, Winnipeg, Kenora, and Saint Pierre.
Manitoba Music is presenting a showcase of Manitoba Aboriginal artists at the 2013 Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, which runs March 11 – 14. The showcase will take place during the National Centre for American Indian Enterprise Development's (NCAIED) VIP reception for tribal leaders, corporate sponsors, and other invited guests and conference delegates. This showcase is an opportunity for two Aboriginal artists or bands from Manitoba to perform for some of the most influential people in the Native American community. Final decision on performers rests with NCAIED. The submission deadline is 4pm, Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Manitoba artists picked up five awards at the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) in Winnipeg, including three at the nationally-televised gala at the MTS Centre on November 2. Winners included Don Amero, Indian City, BODM, and Tracy Bone.
Music fans now have another way to find music from their favourite Aboriginal recording artists. HMV's music outlet at Portage Place Mall will now be home to an 'Aboriginal Music Rack', Cweedband.com Ltd. and HMV Music announced at a press conference on October 31.
Aboriginal artists from across the continent are descending on Winnipeg for the first week of November. The Manito Ahbee Festival, Aboriginal Music Week (AMW), and Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards (APCMA) boast an impressive lineup of concerts, workshops, and activities October 31 through November 4.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's fourth annual Indigenous Festival includes three concerts with traditional vocalists, traditional dancers, and a number of notable musicians. The three day festival begins on October 10.
Wednesday's concert is free and it features traditional singer Cory Campbell, hoop dancer Melvin Starr, and The Fiddlewicks. It's set for 11:15am at the Forks Market Stage.
The concert on Thursday night will be held at the Garrick Theatre and it's also free. Cree vocalist Rhonda Head, traditional flute player Jason Chamakese, Bernadette Geras, Amir Amiri, and Richard Moodyare set to perform
Indian City and Daniel ROA earned hardware at the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) this year. The announcement was made at an awards gala in the Casino Regina on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
Indian City continued its banner year, winning Aboriginal Recording of the Year for its debut release, Supernation. The album has already landed a dozen nominations, including six Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (which will be handed out November 1-2 in Winnipeg), and won two Indian Summer Music Awards earlier this month. The band also performed during the gala.
Jerry Sereda, Indian City, Daniel ROA, Don Amero, Federal Lights, Renée Lamoureax (Keith and Renée) and Marie-Josée Dandeneau (Oh My Darling) will be showcasing at the BreakOut West festival in Regina this month. The showcases will provide each act with a chance to connect with music festival bookers, agents, manager, labels, publicists, and other industry professionals attending the conference and Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA).
The BreakOut West festival runs Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29 at McNally’s Tavern, Pure Ultra Lounge, The Exchange, The Club, The Gaslight Saloon, Artesian on 13th, Slow Food Pub, Creative City Centre, Crave, O'Hanlan's Pub, and The Artful Dodger in downtown Regina.
Desiree Dorion will be the Aboriginal Music Program's (AMP) Mentor in Residence for the month of November. Starting on Monday, November 5 she will be available for songwriting and vocal consultations by email and in person (Dauphin region only).
Aboriginal songwriters and musicians of all ages and experience, residing in Manitoba, are encouraged to submit consultation requests and email Desiree for advice and feedback. Alan Greyeyes will be taking messages for Desiree over the phone and email questions can be sent to her at the ampmentor@manitobamusic.com address.
Two Manitoba acts landed honours at the Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) in Milkwaukee, Wisconsin over the weekend. Indian City and Don Amero each picked up awards for songs off their latest releases at a gala event on September 8, 2012.
The 2012 NCI Jam contestants were announced by NCI FM on Wednesday, September 5. A total of 17 amateur singers from Aboriginal communities across Manitoba will compete for a number of cash prizes and air time on the Native radio network.
The talent show is set for Saturday, September 22 at the Pantages Playhouse in downtown Winnipeg. Sagkeeng's Finest, Tracy Bone, Indian City, David St. Germain, Darren Lavallee, Scott Cornelius, Melissa St. Goddard, Gary Lepine, and comedian Paul Rabliauskas will be onhand to entertain the audience during the show and Curtis "Shingoose" Jonnie will be inducted into the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame.
Five Aboriginal artists and industry entities were among the latest group approved for funding from the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR). The Manito Ahbee Festival, Rising Sun Productions, the Centre for Aboriginal Media, Holly McNarland, and MDM Recordings submitted successful applications for a combined investment of $72,069 in their projects and businesses.
Federal Lights, Ila Barker, Mikel Rondeau, Vince Fontaine, MDM Recordings, Joey Stylez, Digging Roots, Chantal Kreviazuk, The Johnnys, and Aboriginal Experiences, Arts and Culture received approvals from FACTOR earlier this year (details here).
Manitoba Music is gearing up for exciting fall season of professional development workshops for the music industry. Hosted in the Manitoba Music Resource Centre, MusicWorks presents experienced music industry veterans, hot new trend setters, and tastemakers speaking on the most important topics for today’s artists and music industry entrepreneurs.
This season, MusicWorks will focus on timely topics like effective live performance, publicity and release planning, producing viral videos, DIY touring, co-writing, merchandising, and more.
The series brings to Manitoba some of the most influential music professionals from across Canada and beyond, including: publicity mavens Tonni Maruyama of Anti-/Epitaph Records (Tom Waits, The Weakerthans) and Joanne Setterington of Indoor Recess (Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Metric); Nylon’s Micah Barnes; Bandzoogle’s artist relations rep Dave Cool; the team behind acclaimed recording act Library Voices’ success – Nevado Records’ Nick Bernal, Freshly Pressed PR’s Julie Booth, and The Agency Group’s Eli Klein; and more.
MusicWorks will also draw on the considerable expertise of Manitoba-based pros like Pocketgigs’ Chris Gaudry, Comeback Kid’s Jeremy Hiebert; and songwriter/producer Chris Burke-Gaffney.
Manitoba artists netted 27 nominations for the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) this year. Manitoba has strong representation in the country and songwriter categories, with three nominees in each hailing from the keystone province. Eight other categories have two nominations for artists from Manitoba, while an additional five categories play host to one Manitoba entry. The winners will be revealed at two award shows in downtown Winnipeg on November 1 and 2, 2012.
Four Manitoba acts are packing up their guitars and their cowboy boots and heading to Saskatoon to showcase at this year’s PotashCorp Country Music Week. Presented by Manitoba Music, with the Manitoba Counry Music Association, at Amigos Cantina on September 7, the Manitoba Showcase will feature performances by some of the province’s best emerging country talent, including: JUNO Award-nominated singer/songwriter Del Barber; upbeat duo Keith & Renée; crooner Jerry Sereda; and country/pop newcomer Kyla Cederwall.
Four Manitoba acts have landed nine nominations for the 2012 Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA). Indian City, Ali Fontaine, Don Amero, and David St. Germain each picked up nods for songs off their latest releases. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 8, 2012.