Canadian Musician articles from July 2007

Canadian Musician archives from July 2007

Vicious Game?(Feed Back)(April Wine's album 'The Whole World's Goin' Crazy')(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... As a faithful Juno watcher, I have come to realize that April Wine has yet to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, which was established in 1978 by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) to honour individuals...

Hardly Global.(Feed Back)
July 1, 2007... The Global Songwriting Competition Launched article is misinformed. It states clearly in the rules of this contest that you must be a resident of the United States to enter.

Submit electronic press kits to Showcase!(Feed Back)
July 1, 2007... I have a production contract with a company that I did my two records with. Am I still eligible for the Sonicbids opportunity? Thank you, DeFrancesco - Montreal, QC Ed. As long as you're not signed to a major label, please...

Something for everyone ...(Feed Back)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... I've been buying your magazine since the very first issue (Burton Cummings on the cover), and I've always found it very useful. I'm a songwriter mostly writing country music, and I'm not a performer. I continue to recommend the magazine to...

Initiative for seniors.(Feed Back)
July 1, 2007... I am trying to put together a grant/sponsorship package to raise funds to enrich the lives of seniors through live music. These funds would be used to pay professional musicians their normal fees to play to seniors in nursing homes, hospitals,...

Music associations part II; Why should you be a part of one?(IndieInsider)
July 1, 2007... IF you picked up the May/June issue of CM, I hope you benefited from the information on the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). In this issue, we'll take a look at two more...

The colour's coming back makes waves among career victims.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... The non-profit Zigman Creative Projects Foundation has released an album that gives back to those living with cancer, entitled The Colour's Coming Back. The aim of the project is to support cancer-related charities and hospitals through...

Winner announced for SABIAN Dream Spot contest.
July 1, 2007... SABIAN has announced the winner of its SABIAN Dream Spot contest, who will perform 10 dates on the Vans Warped Tour, and enjoy the grand prize package. The winner is Bombay Doors of Toronto. Bombay Doors will play on the Kevin Says stage...

MusiCan invites Canadian schools to apply for $10,000 MI Grants.
July 1, 2007... MusiCan, the music education program of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), is inviting public, elementary, secondary, and separate schools across Canada to apply for the 2007/2008 Band Aid Grants. Band Aid Grants...

Musicrypt & White Eagle Music Promotions launch DMDS.
July 1, 2007... Musicrypt Inc. and White Eagle Music Promotions have partnered to offer independent labels digital delivery to radio stations, retailers, and music publications and magazines in Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe via DMDS. White Eagle...

2006 ISC winners announced.(Changes)(International Songwriting Competition)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The global songwriting event, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), has announced its 2006 winners. Out of almost 15,000 entries, Canadian songwriters have made a huge impact this year with five first place winners, one second place,...

Dennis Chambers clinics.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... Baltimore drummer, Dennis Chambers, is presenting some drum clinics in various Long & McQuade (L&M) locations, presented by Pearl Drums, Zildjian, Evans, and Shure. Chambers has worked with many artists, such as John McLaughlin. The P-Funk...

Win a shopping spree at L&M with finger Eleven.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... In support of its new album: Them Vs You Vs Me, featuring the single "Paralyzer," a contest has been set up for fans to win a $500 shopping spree at Long & McQuade (L&M) with one of the guitarists of Finger Eleven. The band will be going on...

Crafter & Underdog give away guitar.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... Nine-year-old John Folkersen of Saskatoon won a Crafter SA-ARW guitar from Underdog Music and Crafter Guitars. He won this during a week-long event hosted by Underdog Music at the Saskatoon club, Bud's On Broadway.

3rd annual TIMAs announced.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... The Toronto Independent Music Awards (TIMAs) have been set to take place on October 4, at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. There will be a main prize for all 2007 TIMA winners and a unique prize per category. TIMA has joined with SASS...

CM showcase submissions available online.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... Canadian Musician has recently teamed up with Sonicbids to allow unsigned artists who need exposure to apply for our Showcase section via Electronic Press Kits (EPKs). For a mere $5, artists can apply for Showcase the modern way, allowing for a...

Toronto's Sam the record man closes.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... Jason and Bobby Sniderman, sons of Sam Sniderman and current owners of Sam the Record Man on Yonge Street in Toronto, announced that the store has closed its doors for business. The sons came to this conclusion after reflecting on the vagaries...

School Rocks Canada sweeps the Nation.
July 1, 2007... What started out as a fun way to raise school spirit, increase musical awareness, and help keep kids in school, is becoming a favourite bonus in many schools. Enter School Rocks Canada (SRC). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It's exciting to...

Distribution Fusion III handles EMI's French repertoire.(Changes)
July 1, 2007... Montreal-based Distribution Fusion III Inc., has been appointed to handle the promotion, marketing, and distribution for EMI's entire French-speaking repertoire. "EMI France has long been one of the most prestigious producers of French...

KoSA 12 comes up fast.(Changes)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The KoSA International Percussion Workshop and Festival will once again be held at the campus of Johnson State College (JSC), in the mountains of northern Vermont. This week-long rhythm experience will run from Aug. 6-12. [ILLUSTRATION...

Events.(Calendar)
July 1, 2007... * Guitar Workshop Plus Toronto, ON July 15-20, 2007 905-897-8397, FAX 905-785-2831 info@guitarworkshopplus.com, www.guitarworkshopplus.com * 2007 College Music Society (CMS) International Conference Bangkok, Thailand...

Sabian AAX & HHX X-Celerator hi hats, AAX O-Zone crash & splash, AAX & HHX Xplosion crashes.(RoadTest)
July 1, 2007... SABIAN is going gangbusters, having added more sizes and sounds to the X-Celerator hi hat line, the O-Zone crashes, and the popular Xplosion series crashes. SABIAN now offers 13" and 15" X-Celerators in addition to the 14" hats in its AAX line...

Elixir anti-rust guitar strings with NANOWEB coating; Don't be an acid casualty.(RoadTest)
July 1, 2007... I've been plagued by the heartbreak of dead strings since I began playing guitar. My finger sweat contains some sort of caustic acid that eats away at the metal and kills that new-sounding tone that I love to hear. In the '60s, when I first...

Native Instruments Elektrik Piano 1.5.(Road Test)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2007... The temptation for some designers, when they're trying to recreate a vintage keyboard, is to improve upon the original. Occasionally, that means they run the risk of missing out on the very thing that made the real deal so enchanting in the...

How to audition effectively.(GUITAR)
July 1, 2007... Auditioning effectively is one of the most important skills you can develop as a professional musician. If you want to join a band or tour as a sideman, chances are you are going to have to audition for a gig sooner or later. Just like with any...

Where are the keys?: a primer on making your keyboards cut through the mix part II.(KEYBOARDS)
July 1, 2007... Tips For Tweaks Listen to your patches, and make judgements about their frequency content. Unless it's a synth bass patch, does that sound need to have all that bottom end? If not, use a highpass filter. Remember, bass not only takes up...

Taking the upright plunge.(BASS)
July 1, 2007... By "taking the upright plunge" I don't mean diving feet-first into water. I'm referring to making the switch from electric bass to acoustic upright (double bass, upright bass, acoustic bass, bass violin, doghouse, or whatever you like to call...

Grooves in 7/8.(PERCUSSION)(Column)
July 1, 2007... Greetings fellow drummers! In this column I would like to explore the world of 7/8 time grooves. Many popular rock bands like Rush, Dream Theater, Tool, and Led Zeppelin have used 7/8 in their songs. Most drummers starting out are intimidated...

Musical grids for improvisers part II.(WOODWINDS)
July 1, 2007... A Couple of Illustrations Think back to the worst improvised solos you have ever heard and, by reference to the Relaxation/Tension grid (from March/April CM), consider why they struck you as being so bad. You will likely find that the...

High air speed = high notes.(BRASS)
July 1, 2007... Last time, I mentioned the use of your tongue to build up pressure and release an explosion of air, which improves the stability, consistency, and energy of a note. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Instant air speed using this technique also...

Electronic drums 101.(DIGITAL MUSIC)(Ben Volway)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben Volway (Drum Manager of Mother's Music Calgary, www.mothersmusiccalgary.com) to get a practical perspective on electronic and MIDI drums. PL: Are electronic drums that different from acoustic...

How to make your songs sing.(VOCALS)
July 1, 2007... Songs are simply stories put to music. When we learn a new song it is important to learn it technically, note for note, and how to navigate it properly. But, it is equally necessary to think about the story within the song. Doing so will...

Deryck Whibley produces underclass hero, band's fourth full-length studio album.(SUM 4)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Sum 41's new album, Underclass Hero, was produced at various studios by frontman Deryck. Whibley and engineered by Doug McKean. It's the first time that the singer has taken the reigns as producer of a full studio album for his own band, which...

Dala: singer-songitting duo.
July 1, 2007... With the release this summer of its third CD, Who Do You Think You Are, on the heels of a successful cross-Canada tour opening for Tom Cochrane. Dala continues to draw fans devoted to its unique brand of emotionally resonant, highly accessible...

Breaking an artist; Page & manager Darren Pereira.
July 1, 2007... A decade ago, any artist or band trying to make a name for themselves would have been doing so with the intention of "getting signed" to a major label, and the steps taken to achieve that goal were simple - albeit hard work. The typical model...

Software Sensations 2007 is a compilation of four interviews with music software marketing specialists about the latest music programs their companies have to offer. Please enjoy the following interviews about a small selection of programs on the market today for music production.(Software Sensations 2007)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who are you and what position do you have within the company? My name is Lyle Crilly: I am an Account Executive for a company called Music Marketing. Music Marketing has been the North American distributor for...

Digidesign Pro Tools.(SOFTWARE Sensations 2007)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Who are you and what position do you have within the company? My name is Allan Gauld, and I have been a Product Specialist with Digidesign for four years. I attend and present at most of the annual trade shows, and I am responsible for...

Cakewalk.(SOFTWARE Sensations 2007)(Carl Jacobson)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Who are you and what position do you have within the company? My name is Carl Jacobson and I am the Marketing Director for Cakewalk. I've been with the company for over 10 years now, and I love my job because I get to help people create...

Band-In-A-Box.(SOFTWARE Sensations 2007)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Who are you and what position do you have within the company? My name is Sandra Dukarm, and I'm the Marketing Manager at PG Music Inc. Up until about a month ago, I worked at a couple of local radio stations as a creative writer and...

Bass 2007: as in every aspect of art, once a decision is made about playing an instrument or the calling has been found, as the saying goes, the journey begins. On this path, one researches and respects the predecessors of the art, studies the various styles, ideas, and adds one's own experiences in the mix to formulate a unique voice.(Stanley Clarke, Michael Manring, Alain Caron, and Victor Wooten)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... The following bass players have each become the ones to check out and respect in their roles in the bass world: the pioneer band leader/liberator of the electric bass Stanley Clarke (labelled a legend by the tender age of 25), the master of...

Too many ideas.(WRITING)
July 1, 2007... Following the days of Junkhouse, I wrote Birthday Boy on the road. As a result, I went after this theme of trying to write an entire album with one chord. So, I tried writing songs with one chord and I was pretty successful, mainly because the...

The bottom end.(RECORDING)(bass line)
July 1, 2007... The bass line in a track is one of the things that make a listener move and groove with the music. The way it swings with the kick and holds down the bottom end, both rhythmically and harmonically, forms the foundation that the track is built...

Digital consoles.(LIVESOUND)
July 1, 2007... So you can't avoid it. The question's been asked: "How are you on digital consoles?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unless you are insulated by a clientele that allows you to carry your own analog console and processing everywhere you go,...

Surviving during the waiting game.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2007... Well, we all know that the music business revolves around the famous cliche "hurry up and wait." This phrase has been in effect for many years and it will stand strong, so accept it and don't try to change it - roll with it, and in the...

MakeMusic SmartMusic 10.0 & SmartMusic impact.(HotGear)
July 1, 2007... MakeMusic Inc., has released an update to its music learning software: SmartMusic 10.0. The company also released SmartMusic Impact, a web-based student grading and records management system. SmartMusic 10.0 and Impact improve the teaching...

PG Music OmniPAK hard drive.(HotGear)
July 1, 2007... * PG Music Inc. has released a new 80 GB external hard drive: the OmniPAK for Windows. OmniPAK includes 50 GB of professional software and 25 popular music software titles such as: Band-In-A-Box MegaPAK, PowerTracks Pro Audio PowerPAK...

Planet Waves Dual-Action Capo.(HotGear)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * As ordinary capos tend to pull strings to the side, or exert direct pressure unevenly, throwing the guitar out of tune, Planet Waves teamed up with Ned Steinberger to design a new capo: the Dual-Action Capo. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Warwick Thumb Bolt-On Flamin' Blonde LTD 2007.(HotGear)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * Warwick has added to its LTD series through its Warwick Custom Shop: the Thumb Bolt-On Flamin' Blonde LTD 2007 bass. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Flamin' Blonde is made of rare woods from South America, including lacewood and yellow...

VOX 50th anniversary Heritage Collection.(HotGear)(VOX Amplification)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * VOX Amplification has released a new Heritage Collection of hand wired amps to commemorate its 50th anniversary: the AC15HITV and the limited edition AC15HITVL. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These two new guitar amps pay tribute to the...

Sennheiser MKH 8000 series.(HotGear)(Sennheiser Canada)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Sennheiser has released a new small RF condenser microphone series that emphasizes the warm content of a voice or instrument and has a wide frequency response: the MKH 8000. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are three models in the MKH 8000...

Yamaha VA7SG viola.(HotGear)
July 1, 2007... * Yamaha Canada Music has released a new viola that is ideal for serious music students, hobbyists, and as a second instrument for professional musicians: the VA7SG viola. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The VA7SG comes in four different sizes:...

Godin A6 Ultra Semi-Acoustic.(HotGear)(Godin Guitars)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * Canadian-based Godin Guitars has released a new edition to its A-series guitars: the A6 Ultra Semi-Acoustic. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The A6 Ultra combines the plugged-in acoustic sound with the feel of an electric neck. Its chambered...

Levy's Embroidered Straps.(HotGear)
July 1, 2007... * Levy's Leathers has released a new guitar strap line: the Embroidered Straps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are eight original designs in the Embroidered Strap line. Each model comes on 2" polypropylene webbing, with leather ends and...

Selmer Paris Flamingo Series saxophone.(HotGear)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * Selmer Paris has released the third edition of its Bird Series of professional saxophones. Following the Kookaburra bird model of Australia and the Hummingbird model of North America, the Flamingo is based on the African bird. ...

Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes.(HotGear)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * Ernie Ball has released a new collection of instrument cleaning and care applications that eliminate the need for manual buffing: Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The three cleaning and care products include Ernie Ball...

Vestax PMC-280Pro DJ mixer.(HotGear)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... * Vestax has released a new DJ mixer with four channels and 16 effects with adjustable parameters: the PMC-280Pro. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The PMC-280Pro offers professional DSP effects unit onboard with 24-bit 96 kHz sampling rate for...

Zuku.(Showcase)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Who: Zuku Where: Toronto What: they won't stop calling for you, Zuku Contact: 416-506-0097, zukuband@gmail.com, www.myspace.com/zukuband [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Zuku's seven-song EP, Here With You, is mainly a balance of...

Pacifika.(Showcase)(Sound recording review)
July 1, 2007... Who: Pacifika Where: Vancouver What: pacifying Contact: www.pacifikaonline.com Proof that music has no language barrier, Vancouver-based Pacifika creates gorgeous Latin-pop, sung almost entirely en espanol, on its second...

The Perms.(Showcase)
July 1, 2007... Who: The Perms Where: Winnipeg What: nothing's permanent Contact: Bill Blair 204-782-6982, theperms@theperms.com, www.theperms.com, www.myspace.com/theperms [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Barroom rockers The Perms are working on...