Enjoy!  From the lens of Duncan McKie, President of CIMA.

from their show at the Art Museum in Reykjavik for Iceland Airwaves. Thanks Galina Oussatcheva for shooting these, and Rich Smith for shooting the earlier ones.. More to come picture wise + CMJ begins!!!

I’m sitting here listening to ‘Waving Flag’ by K’Naan, nursing a long and impressive night here at Iceland Airwaves. The city was just beginning to rumble at 5AM when I turned in, as Reykjavik becomes the premier party city on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s insane how alive this city becomes. It’s somewhat scary.

So Friday began the Canadian contingent work at Iceland Airwaves. Brasstronaut started playing a high school near Kringlaan, the biggest shopping centre in Iceland, while Culture Reject played a down-tempo set at the International Youth Hostel, on Vesturgata. In addition, Brasstronaut played their official off-venue gig, at 6PM at Skifan. Skifan is the HMV of Iceland, and over 150 people were there to celebrate the occasion, including Gasoline Magazine, White Whale Records and the Ontario Government. Plus, Montreal experimentalist Tim Hecker played at Idno, as part of the Bedroom Community Records showcase.

For the main events, the Canadians have to wait till later today, where all three play their headlining shows. This meant we all got to enjoy other countries work hard. Bands taken in included Dikta again, Aela (meaning puke in local slang), US’ Golden Filter, Denmark’s When Saints Go Machine, Vinnie Who and Sweden’s The Tiny. Lots of pictures were taken, so expect a picture only post later today or tomorrow. Here’s some videos of what we saw. Today is the big day for Canada. Cancer Bats headline at Sodoma, Brasstronaut at the Art Museum and Culture Reject at Grand Rokk. It’ll be a very, very late night.

Video Time.

Well, CMJ starts next week, and we have over 50 bands participating. Here’s a list of the amazing Canadian Blast showcase, on OCT 22 at Arlene’s Grocery.

Hi.

First off, I’ve updated the listings page.  Please visit it.  Oh, and if you are a Canadian band with UK/EU dates I don’t have up there, please visit the contact page and email me.

Oh, We’ve started a new initiative called ‘Canadian Blast Presents’.  This means that I will be amalgamating a lot of Canadian gigs happening at festivals in Europe under one banner, in an effort to better present our talent.  The first four are below.

ICELAND AIRWAVES – Oct 14-18

- Culture Reject, Cancer Bats, Brasstronaut

MANCHESTER IN THE CITY – Oct 18-20

- Culture Reject, CLUES, Young Rival, Immaculate Machine

DUBAI SOUNDCITY – Nov 5-7

- Kae Sun, Dan Mangan

(this will be followed by a ‘Musicweek Unearthed’ showcase Nov 9th at Puregroove in London)

TIME FESTIVAL PARIS – Nov 20,21

- Dan Mangan, Hey Rosetta!

More info about that, let me know.  Until then, here’s a video I really like of Dan Mangan, who deserves congradulations for winning the XM Verge Award.  Mazel Tov also goes out to Fucked Up, this years Polaris Prize winners!

FUCKED UP

DAN MANGAN

Another sunny day in Toronto.  The weather could not have been better for 2009′s Canadian Music Cafe at the Hard Rock Cafe, as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.  On day three, the music continued unabated, with five more Canadian acts from across the country showcasing in front of international music supervisors.  To start came Newfoundland’s The Mountain and the Trees, followed by the one and only Hawksley Workman, Halifax’s Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, Stars’ lead singer Amy Millan and finally crazed Calgarians USS (Ubiquity Sound System).  It was all represented here, from mashed up electro-dance to dark and haunting country, lo-fi folk twang and extrovert pop.

Highlights included Amy Millan’s take on Death Cab for Cutie’s ‘I Will Follow You Into The Dark’, The Mountain and the Trees guitar bowing, USS’ headstand DJ eccentricity, Hawksley’s ‘Jealous of Your Cigarette’ and Ruby Jean’s electro-house party, complete with the best facial hair of the event.  Once again, resident photographer and CIRPA/CIMA president Duncan McKie snapped up the visual goodies.  See below.

USS

The Mountains and the Trees

Hawksley Workman

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees

Amy Millan

Once again a bright and sunny day welcomed five up-and-coming Canadian acts at the Canadian Music Cafe at the Toronto International Film Festival.  And today, CBC Radio 3 is broadcasting live online.  That’s good news.

The line-up today was an eclectic sampling of the best this country has to offer.  Beginning with Montreal based singer-songwriter Jason Bajada, working through hip-hop luminary Saukrates, country legend Terri Clark, rockers Arkells and folk pioneers The Duhks, supervisors from all over the world were treated to talent far too big to be contained within the Hard Rock Cafe.

Highlights included Terri Clark’s ingenious foot tapping bass drum, Arkells clap-fueled sing-a-long to their ode to work ‘The Boss Is Coming’, Saukrates massive seven-piece hip-hop machine, Jason Bajada’s mature simplicity and The Duhks bouyant fiddle melodies.

Rarely do five bands fronting completely different genres get together to celebrate music, plain and simple.  Another terrific day at 2009′s Canadian Music Cafe.  Once again, the shots to prove the words are below.

Update…

Yesterday, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Toronto, 2009′s Canadian Music Cafe began.  To start, Vancouver songwriter Stef Lang wielded through a solo set of angst ballads that belied her age of 20.  Already on her 4th solo album, she showcased songs destined for teen drama movie screens worldwide.  Next was Bollywood-infused popsters Spiral Beach.  Already a hit in Canada, theirs was a frenetic energy throughout, filled with boisterous pop.

And this was only two of the five bands on offer.  Calypso influenced chanteuse Emma Lee followed, hers a set of warm, languid balladry complete with upright bass and flamenco-fueled guitar.  Following this was Montreal’s Paper Bag signed Winter Gloves.  Armed with synthesizers a plenty, the quartet blasted through electro-dance fit for the masses.  It was loud, fast, energetic, and absolutely divine.  Concluding was Victoria, BC’s Jets Overhead, ending the afternoon with brooding melodic rock, filled with the ghosts of past Canadiana.

Five completely different styles of music, dozens of music supervisors and spring rolls.  This was a terrific afternoon.  Pictures below.  As usual, we thank our host Craig Norris of CBC Radio 3 and our sponsors – CIRPA, CRIA, SOCAN, the government of Canada and media partners the OMDC.

Spiral Beach

Emma Lee

Winter Gloves

Stef Lang

Jets Overhead

CIRPA becomes CIMA

Name change reflects the new music business model

Toronto, August 6th, 2009 – After over 3 decades of conducting business as CIRPA, the membership of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) today officially approved a change of name to the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA).

“This reflects the reality of the music business today,” said Bernie Finkelstein, CIRPA Chairman, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who contributed to the organization and its goals over the past 30 plus years. Certainly without the efforts of those individuals the independent music community in Canada would not have made the progress it has in Canada, not to mention the worldwide admiration earned for what has been accomplished in Canada.”

As the CIRPA membership has changed the way they conduct business, adopting diverse models to commercialize music, so too has CIRPA changed its services to support them.  The current emphasis on developing business and trade opportunities both within Canada and abroad is a leading theme of the new organization.

“We will continue to develop services that assist our members to build their businesses in whatever way we can,” added Duncan McKie, President and CEO, “…but we will still be aware of our roots and continue to represent the interests of companies who make and distribute sound recordings.  We have witnessed the beginning of the digital age and the development of a viable commercial model for Canadian music recordings is our paramount concern.”

The corporate changeover will take about a month, at which time the AGM in late September will approve it and any new by-laws which will reflect a broader mandate for CIMA.

Had a good day at MusExpo Today.  Lots of information to come.  In addition, took over the TWITTER at @CanadianBlast.  Go follow me, as I’ll have useful info in every tweet.  Not really.