Canadian Musician articles from January 2003

Canadian Musician archives from January 2003

Unwarranted cruelty?(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... Dear CM, This is concerning a response that was made to one of your readers in your September/October issue in the Feedback section ('Canada's Hip-Hop Hot Spot'). To make it easy on you I'll refresh your memory on the subject. The reader...

Percussion article delivers!(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... Dear CM, Thank you so much for the Percussion 2002 edition of CM. Pat Steward, Johnny Fay and Andrew Scott have been favourites of mine for a long time. I have even had the pleasure of meeting Johnny a few times and the honour of having...

Get play on major radio.(Indie Insider)(music industry)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... Being an indie musician and getting your music spun at a major radio station can appear to be nearly as difficult as getting it in the hands of a major label's A & R guy. That said, many major stations have programming in the form of an indie...

Best Online Indie Artist Easily Amused.(Changes)(Canadian-Music.com award)(www.easilyamused.ca)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Winnipeg folk/pop duo Easily Amused has recently been named Canada's Best Online Indie Artist, in a contest hosted by the Web site Canadian-Music.com. The annual event sees 25 bands go head-to-head over a six-week period, in which they...

Urbanflowcase shows how it is done.
January 1, 2003... A group of more than 200 from Toronto's urban music scene convened at Ryerson University this past November in an effort to share ideas and gain insights into getting commercial radio airplay and writing the next hit song. [ILLUSTRATION...

Events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2003... International Association for Jazz Education Conference Toronto, ON January 8-11, 2003 (785) 776-8744, FAX (785) 776-6190 info@iaje.org, www.iaje.org MIDEM: 37th Annual Music Market Cannes, France January 19-23,...

Be e-successful with e-newsletters-Part 1.(Music Online)
January 1, 2003... One of the most valuable forms of online marketing and one of the best ways to keep in contact with your fans and Web site visitors is with e-newsletters (electronic newsletters). E-newsletters allow you to promote your music or band to your...

Yamaha Silent Brass ST5.(Road Test)(www.yamaha.ca)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2003... I first reviewed Yamaha's Silent Brass practice system several years ago, when it made its debut as a revolutionary product. Since then, Yamaha has expanded the 'silent' practice concept to many different instruments. While it does not...

Tascam Pocketstudio 5.(Road Test)(www.tascam.com)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2003... I've always been a fan of Tascam products. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to review the new Pocketstudio 5. I asked my friend and writing partner Brent Barkman to come over and check it out with me. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Superscope PSD 300 CD Recording System.(www.contactdistribution.com)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2003... Intended primarily as a learning/teaching aid, the PSD 300 CD Recording System is a two-deck CD player/2-track recorder with a number of functions that allow the user to manipulate playback and recording in ways that far exceed your average CD...

Guitar tech duties.(Guitar)(Andre Arsenault currently with the Mathew Good band)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... This issue, we're taking readers behind-the-scenes to see who keeps the show running night after night. Andre Arsenault, better-known as Andre Guitar, has agreed to share advice on the job of guitar tech. He's currently teching for Matthew...

Linear sprint warm-ups.(Keyboards)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... This article is designed to help the right hand play octaves in descending (and later ascending) perfect 4ths. The left hand also plays octaves on beats 1 and 3 of each measure. Keep the wrists from becoming tense as you play. ...

Day in the life of a bass tech.(Bass)(Steeve Hennessy currently with the Mathew Good band)(www.rymes.com)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... As part of a behind-the-scenes look at a Matthew Good concert, we talk to Steeve Hennessy, who handles bass, keyboard and drum backline/tech duties from night to night. Check out this issue's Guitar column for the man who works the other side...

In praise of Will Kennedy.(Percussion)("Greenhouse" by Yellowjackets)(Column)
January 1, 2003... For the past month, perhaps even more, there's been only one CD in my van. (Yes, my van, I'm a family man and the car has gone the way of the Dodo.) That CD is Greenhouse, released in 1991 by the Yellowjackets. When I first put it in it was...

Reed 'em and weep.(Woodwinds)(www.alexdean.com)(Column)
January 1, 2003... I had a student over the other day that is in the process of changing from one mouthpiece to another. During the discussion we got onto the topic of reeds and how people prepare them. This is something that changes depending on what seems to...

Song form.(Brass)(www.chasesanborn.com)
January 1, 2003... The chords and melody of a song define its form. The song form is the outline of the tune, and helps you identify the various sections. This lets you see beyond individual notes and chords, and understand the way the song is constructed. ...

Duuuuuude! (or building a digital studio on a budget).(Digital Music)(Column)
January 1, 2003... Well, having received a plethora of e-mails regarding my last column, the most boring but informative techie article I ever wrote ("Quibbles and Bits" CM Sept/Oct 2002), I have discovered that there are some Canadian musicians who will read...

Vocal narcissism--me, myself and i ... and MY VOICE!(Vocals)
January 1, 2003... Music is often called the world's greatest communication tool. An effective piece of music crosses national boundaries and a good song transgresses any language barriers. That said, a common problem that I have found to afflict many aspiring...

Headstones.(Hugh Dillon)(includes related article "GearList")(Interview)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2003... Hugh Dillon may be older, a little wiser, recognized as an actor as well as a singer, perhaps even a poet or a member of the "Canadian Rock Establishment", but he appears slightly bemused when someone wants to talk to him about being a...

Tegan and Sara.("If It Was You")(Interview)
January 1, 2003... Beginning their careers at 17 after being entered into Calgary's "Garage Warz" battle of the bands without their knowledge, Vancouver-based singer/songwriters, Tegan and Sara, have gained a reputation as media favourites. Brutally candid on...

Brass instruments: advice from the pros.(Canadian Musician)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... For this issue's feature on brass players, I gathered together some of Canada's finest and busiest musicians. I queried them about where they play, how they practice, who inspires them, what gigs stand out, and what they've learned over the...

Music education: keep your creativity alive--find what works best for you.(Canadian Musician)
January 1, 2003... Everybody hits dry times. Even the most talented pros have to dig deep to find inspiration. Eventually, most musicians find they 'go stale'. A time comes when all their riffs sound too similar, uninspired or lacking that exciting creative edge...

Never stop writing: part I.(Writing)(rock musician Lisa Loeb)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... How do you start to write a song? Do you start with lyrics, a chord progression, a melody? Really, it changes each time. It's usually some small idea, whether it's a musical phrase, a lyrical phrase, a lyrical phrase that has a melody...

Stepping into the role of producer.(Recording)(www.adriennepierce.com)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... This issue, Sean Ashby responded to some questions about a recent album he produced with Vancouver-based artist Adrienne Pierce, her debut album Small Fires. Sean is mainly known as a guitarist for his band Jack Tripper, but also for artists...

Before the lights go out.(Live Sound)(www.mixbooks.com and www.musicbooksplus.com)(Excerpt)
January 1, 2003... If your Front of House area right before showtime resembles Cape Canaveral (i.e. extremely organized) just prior to a shuttle launch then you're going to feel like I'm preaching to the choir in this article. If you're the kind that kicks...

Publishing agreements -- part I.(Business)(music industry)
January 1, 2003... The views and opinions expressed in this article are not meant to substitute for legal advice which should be sought in each particular instance. Introduction This two-part article seeks to educate the reader on the basic terms and...

Gibson Dobro.(Hot Gear)(Gibson's Original Acoustic Instruments, www.yorkville.com)(Hound Dog Dobro)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Gibson's Original Acoustic Instruments division has recently announced the release of the Hound Dog Dobro, an economical Dobro available in both round-neck and square-neck versions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The instrument features a...

Nuendo 2.0.(Hot Gear)(Steinberg North America, www.ca.steinberg.net)(Nuendo 2.0 Media Production System software)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Steinberg North America has released the latest version of Nuendo 2.0 Media Production System, designed to meet the needs of professionals in all areas of audio production, including: composition, film, broadcast, music, post-production,...

Edirol USB MIDI Keyboard Controllers.(Edirol Corporation North America)(www.edirol.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Edirol Corporation North America has recently released two new USB MIDI Keyboard Controllers--the PCR-50 (49-key) and PCR-30 (32-key). The new models are Edirol's most powerful controller keyboards to-date, and feature programmable real-time...

DigiTech X Series effect pedals.(Hot Gear)(Erikson Music)(www.eriksonmusic.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... DigiTech has recently released a new line of single-effect pedals, entitled the X Series. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The series is made up of three distortion boxes that feature multi-distortion technology, a...

Graph Tech FerraGlide.(Hot Gear)(Graph Tech Guitar Labs/Wes-Can Music Supplies Ltd.)(www.wescanmusic.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Graph Tech Guitar Labs, a manufacturer of guitar nuts and saddles, has announced the release of the latest incarnation of their String Saver guitar saddle--the FerraGlide. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new saddles use polymer technology...

SWR Workingman's 2 X 10C.(Hot Gear)(combo bass amp)(www.power-music.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... SWR Sound Corporation has recently released the Workingman's 2 X 10C combo bass amp offering 260 watts at 8 ohms (internal configuration) and 400 watts at 4 ohms (with an extension cab). The amp features custom SWR 2 X 10/tweeter speaker...

Puresound Blasters snare wires.(Hot Gear)(Puresound Percussion)(www.puresoundpercussion.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Puresound Percussion has announced the release of their Blasters snare wires, developed by the company for high volume, high intensity playing. The snare wires feature specially formulated, premium-grade steel-alloy wires on angled,...

New K & M stands.(Hot Gear)(for speakers and keyboards)(SF Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... K & M has recently released two new stands for providing support solutions for speakers and keyboards. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 21494 Speaker Stand features a 5-leg construction of U-profile tubing,...

Digital Vinyl CD-R.(Hot Gear)(Verbatim Corporation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Verbatim has recently taken the traditional CD-R and given it a "new" look. The new group of CD-Rs feature a standard burnable side, and a unique vinyl-esque side replicating a 45-rpm design. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 80-minute/700 MB...

Beethoven Lives Upstairs.(Hot Gear)(The Children's Group)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Children's Group has released the award winning film, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, on DVD with a number of special features including behind-the-scenes interviews, Beethoven's Ninth Music Video, a Classic Kids Music Gallery with more than 50...

Roland MC-909 Sampling Groovebox.(Hot Gear)(Roland Canada Music Ltd.)(www.roland.ca)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Roland has recently released the MC-909 Sampling Groovebox, featuring expandable synthesis, powerful audio sampling and processing, professional DSP effects, MIDI and audio sequencing and realtime performance control. [ILLUSTRATION...

M-Audio Studiophile BX8 reference monitors.(Hot Gear)(www.m-audio.ca)(M-Audio Canada)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... M-Audio has recently released the new Studiophile BX8 reference monitors, the latest in the company's popular Studiophile series. The monitors are designed to be a cost-effective monitor that delivers 130 W of bi-amped near-field technology....

Meisel student violins.(Hot Gear)(Meisel Music Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Meisel Stringed Instruments has recently upgraded two violin models in their line of hand-carved instruments. Featuring Perlon strings. French Aubert bridges and ebony chin rests, the violins are suitable for professionals, but priced for...

Yamaha RGX series.(Hot Gears)(electric guitars)(Yamaha Canada Music, www.yamaha.ca)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2003... Yamaha has recently announced the release of the RGX620Z and RGX820Z electric guitars featuring contemporary body designs, progressive curves and "hot" finishes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RGX620Z is made up of an Alder body, cut to...

The Dirtmitts.(ShowCase)(www.sonicunyon.com)(Sound Recording Review)
January 1, 2003... Who: The Dirtmitts Where: Vancouver. BC What: Melodic Alternative Contact: Sonic Unyon Recording Company, (905) 777-1223, www.sonicunyon.com Five years ago, Natasha Thirsk and Jennifer Deon decided to "Start taking their...

Ember Swift.(ShowCase)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
January 1, 2003... Who: Ember Swift Where: Toronto. ON What: Progressive Folk-Funk Contact: Few'll lgnite Sound, (416) 533-9863, www.emberswift.com Stiltwalking is Ember Swift's seventh and latest release on her own label Few'll lgnite Sound....

Grindig.(ShowCase)(www.shorelinerecordsinc.com)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
January 1, 2003... Who: Grindig Where: Toronto. ON What: Adrenaline rock with global influence Contact: Shoreline Records Inc., www.shorelinerecordsinc.com Have you ever gone to see a great live show, run out to buy the album and ended up...