Canadian Musician articles from November 2003

Canadian Musician archives from November 2003

Take Nickelback off your pages already.(feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Dear CM, I was horrified to find Nickelback on the cover of your most recent issue, and my fears were magnified after reading the sad excuse for droll that the band and mixer/engineer doled out in the interview. The reviewer's lack of...

Article issues.(feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Dear CM, After reading the September/October edition of Canadian Musician, I have to comment on two of the articles and their writers. First, I have to question the degree in which Rich Priske takes his column seriously. Priske offers...

No Canadian sites.(feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Dear CM, Why does Canadian Musician have so much US material in it? We have very few magazines in Canada as it is. I enjoy the Web sites listed, but there are mostly US sites listed. This doesn't help musicians in Canada. Think...

Avoiding lawsuits.(feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Dear CM, Hey there! Been reading you cover to cover and diggin' it. Your ads are really excellent and well suited. I love your stuff (concert announcements, classifieds too). No problem, just a question perhaps. I read somewhere late...

Providing feedback: it's how you say it.(Indie Insider)
November 1, 2003... Sit back, relax, clear your mind and I will tell you a little fictitious tale about the "ideal" rock band. This band, let's call them The Ass Kickers, are nothing short of extraordinary. The vocalist has tonnes of personality and attitude, the...

How to win friends and influence people in the music business.(Indie Insider)
November 1, 2003... People who say "It's better to give than to receive" are flat out lying. It's always better to be on the receiving end of any transaction (unless you're receiving insults or incoming fire). Keep that sentiment in mind as you build relationships...

Canadian Songwriters get Hall of Fame.(changes)
November 1, 2003... The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) established itself on September 24, 2003 at Toronto's Hard Rock Cafe in honour of some of Canada's most successful songwriters of all time. Its purpose is loud and clear: to raise awareness of...

Canadian artists racking-up sales.(Nickelback having a good month)
November 1, 2003... In the categories of sound recording and music video/DVD sales, September has been an extremely successful month for Canadian artists, especially for Vancouver-based rock band Nickelback. Nickelback's latest album The Long Road (EMI Music...

Radio DirectX delivers music.(changes)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Music Media Network, an international radio promotion company, has recently developed a unique service that is redefining the way music is promoted to radio and the media. RadioDirectX has been designed to provide musicians a clean and...

EMI Music Canada breaks ground.(to use Musicrypt's software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Musicrypt Inc. is happy to announce that EMI Music Canada will be the first revenue generating client for its groundbreaking Digital Media Distribution System (DMDS). DMDS enables user-friendly and secure distribution of media via the Internet....

2004 Industry Hall of Famers announced.(Ronnie Hawkins, Moses Znaimer and Jim West)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Legendary Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, recording industry innovator Jim West and seminal music broadcaster Moses Znaimer will be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame at the Canadian Music Industry Awards on Thursday, March 4, 2004...

First six cemented on folk walk.(Folk Music Walk of Fame)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... A year ago it was announced that Canada's folk musicians would be recognized with the Folk Music Walk of Fame on the recently revitalized Bank St. in Ottawa, ON. With work now complete, the country was polled and from over 50 nominations, the...

Events.(music conferences, seminars in Canada)(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... Montreal Drum Fest 2003 Montreal, PQ November 7-9, 2003 (450) 928-1726, FAX (450) 670-8683 angelillo@videotron.ca, www.montrealdrumfest.com CINARS 2003 Montreal, PQ November 19-21, 2003 (514) 842-5866, FAX...

Freeware & Shareware software downloads.(music on line)
November 1, 2003... As we all know, the Internet is constantly growing and contains new information and resources each day. Knowing this, it does make it harder to find what you are searching for, especially for the free stuff! This is where the list below comes...

Line 6 Variax.(evaluation of amplifier)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2003... The Variax is one of the newest products from Line 6, the folks who brought us everyone's favourite kidney shaped amp modeller, the Pod. Each amp type is analyzed and reduced to a series of algorithms that your guitar signal passes through,...

Tascam CD-GT1.(evaluation of guitar training tool)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2003... At first glance the CD-GT1 looks a little like a kid's CD player. In essence, it is. This is a little learning tool for beginner guitar players. Twenty years ago I would have loved to have this toy by my bedside. It is basically an instrument...

What to use for Canadian blues: an interview with Colin James.(guitar)(Interview)
November 1, 2003... With the release of [the American-spelled!] Traveler, his ninth album, Colin James once again has secured a Canadian face to contemporary blues music. The Saskatchewan native is back travelling the continent with Strat in hand, giving the next...

An extended proficiency workout.(keyboard playing)
November 1, 2003... The following workout contains some new twists to some of the exercises you've ready done, plus some new challenges. Keeping in mind all the suggestions given throughout the first workout will give you a nice head start with these new...

Right hand technique for the electric bass.(bass)
November 1, 2003... A flexible appendage, the hand. In playing the electric bass, the Right Hand becomes the prime mover for the strings, and in so doing has responsibility for the initial timbres activated in the string. Deciding upon RH technique will depend...

Icing on the Groove.(percussion instrument methods of playing)
November 1, 2003... Greetings fellow drummers, in this issue's article I want to talk about ways of adding colour to your groove or as I refer to it as "Icing On The Groove." Let me share this idea: Many times I find we get boxed into playing a groove that is...

My 2 cents on mouthpieces.(woodwinds)
November 1, 2003... "My name is Alex and I'm a mouthpiece abuser. I have four or five mouth-pieces that I've been playing continually back and forth and I'm thinking of buying more. I understand I have a problem but I think it's under control. I know I'll be okay...

Efficiency vs. brute force.(brass musical instrument playing)
November 1, 2003... "No one will ever pay to hear us strain and struggle." --Vince Penzarella There are two ways to accomplish a task: the hard way, and the easy way. The brass player is like an athlete: the best player is not necessarily the strongest....

Digital live recording.(digital music)
November 1, 2003... Though normally contented, in late September, to relegate myself to a winter of hibernating in the studio, I recently came across a string of live recording sessions. While often considered the mighty digital warrior of a small domain on...

Psychology of vocal performance--pavlovian conditioning.(vocals)
November 1, 2003... When I speak at music conferences, I often make the statement that vocal coaching is not really about working on the voice, it is about working on the mind. I like to think that one reason that I have been successful over the years is that...

Sloan: over the last 12 years, they have assimilated sweet '70s radio pop, glammed up Kiss-style rockers and occasionally punk rock and angular psychedelia, and consistently released some of the most interesting and diverse albums in Canada.(Chris Murphy and Patrick Pentland of Sloan)
November 1, 2003... FOR those of us who still remember returning to school after a long hot summer, as well as those who are actually doing it, early September is an exciting time of new experiences and nervous expectations. It's late afternoon on the patio of a...

David Usher: achieving lifetime album sales of over 1.2 million is certainly nothing to sneeze at. David Usher has accomplished this with the band that first brought him to the attention of the music industry, Moist, and now as a solo artist who released his third solo album in September, titled Hallucinations.(interview)
November 1, 2003... Usher has followed up his Juno Award-winning, platinum-selling album Morning Orbit with a lush collection of songs that show his growth as a songwriter whose ability to change could be one of his greatest assets. Never one to stick to a...

This aint no 'bleepin' pong! the fine art of music in video games.(video game industry's top composers talk music )
November 1, 2003... I still remember the Christmas I was given my first Atari 2600--the incredible technology that brought those quarter-sucking machines from the mall into the comfort of my basement. In the years since I could have solved half the world's...

Percussion: advice that will improve your playing.(interview with Steve Jocz from Sum 41)
November 1, 2003... With each year that passes I am constantly flabbergasted at how much the percussion industry continues to grow. More gear! More drum companies! More players! More insight to the craft! It's information overload for some and still not enough for...

Not secret.(methods of songwriting)
November 1, 2003... I wrote an article for Canadian Musician a few months back that I submitted without a title, leaving the job it to CM's editorial staff (this impressive group is known to contributing writers as 'Jeff'). Said oracular and august journalistic...

Embracing technology part II.(music recording)
November 1, 2003... CM continues Craig's advice on using technology to improve your recordings... What is going to distinguish you from the other millions of people with the same recording gear? It's much harder to use your virtuosity to distinguish...

You gain some, you lose some.(getting the best live sound)
November 1, 2003... It's very easy when using compression on vocals to think that you're getting some free gain along the way. "If I compress this vocal a little more and then turn up the gain, I'll have a louder vocal... right? Without those pesky too quiet and...

Preparing for music conferences.(business)
November 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 Musicians have a variety of music conferences to choose from every year....

Vox Valvetronix amps.(new products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Two new combos join the line of critically acclaimed VOX Valvetronix modelling amplifiers, the AD60VTX (60-watt) and AD120VTX (120-watt). With their addition, the Valvetronix line now contains a full array of amps in different configurations...

Johnson Summit Series.(new guitar)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Johnson has recently unveiled their Summit Series of acoustic guitars, a line of instruments that are crafted from carefully selected woods culled from specific Engelmann spruce, Honduran mahogany and Indian rosewood. The guitars are...

AKAI Professional MPC1000.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... AKAI Professional recently announced the release of the MPC1000 Music Production Centre, the latest addition of the legendary AKAI Professional MPC product fine. The MPC1000 adds a new dimension and new possibilities for current and...

Zildjian Titanium sheet bronze cymbals.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Avedis Zildjian Company has announced the introduction of the revolutionary new ZTX Titanium sheet bronze cymbal range. ZXT Titanium offers the first ever silver coloured titanium coating on Sheet Bronze cymbals with a new technologically...

Epiphone Bob Marley guitar.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Bob Marley Commemorative Les Paul Special from Epiphone captures the essence of the pioneer reggae artist and his music. The new limited edition guitar features an image of Marley's face on the body of the guitar, plus fingerboard inlays in...

malletKAT MIDI Controller.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Alternate Mode's MIDI Mallet Percussion Controller offers an improved feel with newly designed playing pads increased dynamics with software control and amazing new performance features. The new malletKAT alternately turns itself into a control...

New Hal Leonard titles.(How to be a Hit Songwriter)(Navigating the Music Industry)(The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician)(Book Review)(Brief Review)
November 1, 2003... Three new titles from Hal Leonard have recently been released and in combination or separate, they all offer in-depth insight into How To Be a Hit Songwriter, Navigating The Music Industry and The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional...

Toneworks ampworks processors.(new products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... ToneWorks recently deputed its latest personal modelling signal processors, Ampworks (for guitarists) and Ampworks Bass. Both feature models of the world's most sought after amps, cabinets, and effects, all handled through a knob-based...

BOSS ultra-compact 8-Track.(new digital recording portable equipment)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... BOSS recently released the BR-864 8-Track Digital Studio. With eight primary recording tracks, 64 virtual tracks, COSM effects and USB, the BR-864 offers a powerful, easy and portable 8-track recording solution for guitarists and songwriters....

Electro-Voice gladiator speakers.(new speakers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... EV (Electro-Voice) has introduced the 15-inch two-way full-range Gladiator G115 loudspeaker and the 18-inch Gladiator G118 subwoofer. Designed to reproduce modern dance music, the Gladiator is the perfect system for the DJ--with extended LF...

Jupiter Di Medici Flute.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Jupiter has released a new series in the Di Medici Flute line-up. The 1111 flutes feature Brittania silver head-joints combined with solid silver bodies and foot-joints give you a handmade flute with a rich and warm sound. Britannia silver...

Yamaha Rydeen drum kit.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Yamaha recently introduced its newest line of drums--the Rydeen Series. Designed for musicians in the critical teenage demographic, the Rydeen (Japanese for "God of Thunder") offers professional sound, construction and playability. Each kit...

Fender S-1 Switch.(hot gear)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is proud to introduce the latest innovation in guitar technology, the S-1 Switch. Mounted directly onto the volume control pot on all Fender American Series Stratocaster guitars with humbucking pickups,...

DJing in a Band DVD.(hot gear)(Video Recording Review)
November 1, 2003... Warner Bros. Publications has recently released DJing in a Band, a DVD that features DJ KNS teaching aspiring DJs how to successfully perform as a DJ with a band. The 42-minute DVD shows viewers such techniques as scratching with vocals,...

Seymour Duncan Twang Banger.(new product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Seymour Duncan is pleased to introduce the APST-1 Twang Banger,a generous blend of the gutsy Telecaster and the chimey Stratocaster in one. The Twanger Banger is a pickup designed to administer a big-time twang injection into your Strat. It...

Carrie Horachek.(Out the Car Window)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2003... Who: Carrie Horachek Where: Saskatoon, SK What: Percussive acoustic pop with style Contact: Greenduplex Productions, (306) 374-6062, derek@greenduplex.com, www.carriehorachek.com Like a collection of snapshots taken from some...

James Secord.(review of his music before a CD has been made)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Who:James Secord Where: Grimsby, ON What: Experimental melodic pop (containing C chords) Contact: barn@jamessecord.com, www.jamessecord.com No CD, no press kit, no fancy bio. He barely has a band and is still working out the...

Amer Diab.(Year of the Apology)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2003... Who: Amer Diab Where: Toronto, ON What: Unguarded, guitar-driven adult alternative Contact: (416) 588-2561, amerdiab@sympatico.ca, www.amerdiab.ca The admittedly contradictory album, The Year Of The Apology, was Toronto-based...