Author: Admin

It’s hard to believe it’s April already, the month of March went by so quickly. I’m all for hibernating in the winter but I’m also looking forward to warmer temperatures (eventually…).

For the past four weeks, I had the greatest pleasure of working for the Canadian Cancer Society on a project that helps people who are affected by cancer find local resources in their community. It’s called the Community Services Locator, and anyone in Canada can visit the website to search for resources in their area, like wigs, prothesis, support groups, healthy lifestyle supports, and more.

My goal was to add 200 new services in Atlantic Canada. With national listings for YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Children’s Wish Foundation, The Compassionate Friends of Canada; and regional listings for Pharmasave, Rodd Hotels & Resorts, and Loblaws Dietitians, a total of 359 new services were added to the Community Services Locator. I need to give a special shout-out to Adele MacLean of PRx Consulting who brought me this project, helped me with research, and mentored me along the way. Needless to say, at the end of March, I was in desperate need of groceries and clean laundry, but I was thrilled with the results of our work.

If you or someone you know is affected by cancer and is in need of support, services or resources, please share this link: http://csl.cancer.ca

And, if you or someone you know provides a service for people affected by cancer, you can add the service directly to the Community Services Locator here: http://csl.cancer.ca/Add

Being the festival manager for Halifax Jazz Festival in 2018 was an absolute thrill. Not only did I learn a lot about what it takes to make an event of that size happen, I had the pleasure of watching dozens of talented jazz musicians perform on the Waterfront Stage every afternoon and night.

The feelings I had seeing them play reminded me of when I first started working in the music industry. Live music was so new to me. At shows my senses would be filled with wonder and excitement, not knowing what was coming next. I hadn’t experienced that “new” feeling in a long time. I’m grateful for these jazz musicians for renewing my sense of purpose and fuelling my energy each day, and for showing me that it’s never too late to begin listening to jazz music.

Tom Easley is easily one of our most cherished jazz musicians in Canada. His tall stature and warm smile imbue a sense of calm and steadiness, making his quick wit even more funny. For those of you who are new to jazz (like I am), Tom’s new album The Starting Point vs. The Steep Decline with his band The EQ is an excellent place to start. It’s available now on your favourite streaming sites like Spotify, and to purchase online.

And, if you sign up for Tom’s newsletter, you’ll be the first to know where to get your tickets or festival pass to see The EQ perform live. I can promise you won’t be disappointed – no matter how much or how little you know about jazz. 😉

While working in the music and arts community in the East Coast, you get to meet a lot of interesting people who are full of ideas for things they want to make and do. I meet with many different types of artists and industry professionals to talk about my services, and I have found people hire me for many different reasons. If you find yourself among these people, you might like to hire me too!

Developing artists
We all know that music business has changed dramatically over the last decade, but the old practice still very much remains that artists need to wait to be chosen by a record label or artist manager to take their career to the next level. Developing artists hire me because I provide many of the same services that a label or manager does – from creating big-picture plans for new music releases, to organizing small details for grant applications – but without the wait.

Pick me, pick me!

Export-ready artists and industry professionals
These people have a growing music business that constantly demands their attention. They feel confident in their ability to do all the things, however, for both financial reasons and better time management, it makes sense for them to hire me so they can focus on what they do best.

Totally.

Exporting artists and industry professionals
For artists and industry professionals who are doing business internationally, it doesn’t always mean they have every piece in place behind the scenes. They may work with an agent, but not a manager; a manager, but not a label. Whether it’s advancing their tour in Europe or writing a marketing plan for their next business venture, they need an experienced professional to manage it, to better manage all they have going on.

Where to next?

Teams
Management teams, record labels, festivals, and other arts organizations hire me on contract to fulfill different roles, provide support for specific initiatives, or for one-off projects. My mission, as always, is to collaborate with creative people to make a big impact in our creative industries, and doing that as a team makes it pretty special.

Crushing it.

Art-ventures
The dreamers, the wanderers, the go-go-goers, the I-just-want-to-have-fun-ners. Art-venture seekers come in all shapes and sizes: Sometimes I get a phone call from someone with an idea or maybe just an email with a link. It’s about a TV show, a film, or an exhibition. It could be about a mentorship, a music video, or a camp for young people to go to and write songs. These clients of mine are a constant source of surprise and inspiration. And if you’re reading this post, you probably find yourself among these people too.

Go for it!

Last year in January, I wrote a short post about how excited I was that a few of my clients – Reeny Smith, T. Thomason, and Ben Caplan – were releasing new music in 2018. I knew they had some killer tunes and I was looking forward to seeing how their careers would change because of them.

Reeny Smith, she’s a triple-threat, with singing, songwriting, and instrumental skills for days. She released her first full-length album called WWIII Strength Courage Love on June 14, 2018 and created quite a buzz among fans and industry alike. Reeny already received one Music Nova Scotia Award and three nominations for her efforts, including SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for her snappy first single, “Good Girl Swag”.

T. Thomason’s start to 2019 is one for the books. He’s just announced he’s going to be on CTV’s The Launch, which airs beginning January 30. If I had to pick just one, my favourite new song T. released in 2018 is “Loser”. Click to stream, and get ready to dance.

Ben Caplan hit it out of the park in 2018. His album and theatre show, Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story, is a smashing success. I’ll let the image below give you a small idea of what that looks like:

Like I said, simply smashing.

What will 2019 bring? I hope for even more success for these artists and all the singers, songwriters, and musicians who are making new music this year. I can’t wait to hear it!

Wishing everyone a happy holidays!

Eee! I’ve been waiting to share this story for many months now. It’s a story about a man named Adam Lordon and he’s the Mayor of Miramichi. He’s also a talented TV producer, having worked at MTV Canada, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and The Marilyn Denis Show. Adam faced a great loss early-on in his career when his mother Nancy died of cancer. His community of friends and family in Miramichi were there to support him, and he’s giving back to his community today in ways he never would have imagined.

Adam Lordon with his Mom, Nancy Lordon, on the Marilyn Denis Show.

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Adam for Saint Mary’s University alumni magazine, Maroon and White, back in March. After getting to know him, from his small-town beginnings to Saint Mary’s and beyond, I was left feeling humbled and inspired. At only 32-years-old, Adam is an amazing role model and leader, and I hope when you read his story that you will feel inspired too.

Growing up in Nova Scotia, my mother listened to East Coast musicians like Rita MacNeil and Ann Murray (“Hippo In My Bathtub” was a bedtime favourite), and most of all, The Rankin Family. Remembering her talk about her love for the band, their endless talent and grace, made a big impression on me.

Knowing this now, you can believe my fangirl excitement when I saw an email from Heather Rankin in my inbox. Let’s just say, it’s a major career highlight for me and something my family will talk about for decades to come.

Heather is preparing for her “Picture Perfect Christmas” tour in support for her beautiful Christmas album, Imagine. The tour is taking place from Nov. 29 – Dec. 19 with 12 dates in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Audiences will get to hear traditional holiday favourites and new songs too, performed by three supremely talented musicians: Kim Dunn on piano, Jamie Robinson on acoustic and electric guitar, and Ron Hynes on stand-up bass.

If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate this holiday, visit Heather’s website to buy tickets for a show near you, and her album Imagine to get into the spirit of the season.

(Christmas is only two months away!)

While recovering from the awesomeness of Halifax Jazz Festival, the month of August was filled with fun and relaxation. I spent time with friends in Hubbards, we went to the beach and drank mid-afternoon mojitos while soaking in the sun.

Which is why when September hit, I felt like I’d stepped into another world. Quite literally, as we just moved into our new home.

We knew this day was coming – the anticipation had been building for two years! – and finally, we lugged the last of our belongings in on the eve of September 7. As I look around, there’s so much to do, but I’m happy we’re finally here.

Now, where’s my mojito…

July is my favourite month. Not just because my birthday is in July (an obvious bias) but because it beckons the halfway point of the year. You see, in January we’re full of intention and determination, busy setting resolutions for things to achieve. In July the heat and the sun tug at our shorts and we’re tempted more toward nature and the ocean, spending time with friends at BBQs and on boats.

We forgot about this in January: the dog days of summer. This is why, for me, July is the best time to set new intentions to do more of what we love in the year ahead.

One of the biggest highlights for me in 2018 has been working as a consultant with fine art photographer Connie Publicover. Her water drop photography reveals the stunning beauty in a drop of water and her prints have been featured in a multitude of mediums internationally, earning her numerous awards and accolades.

Photo by Connie Publicover

Connie’s artwork is very much like July to me. Her photos capture a moment in time that we can stop and examine for its beauty and its realness. We can choose to look at the precious life form of one drop of water and see more of what we love.

To see more fine art photography by Connie Publicover, visit her website.

When I was a teacher at NSCC, the big focus for curriculum was on learning outcomes and in-class activities that lead students to demonstrate their knowledge. What’s great about NSCC, and many post-secondary institutions, is the integration of field experience into their education programs by way of work terms or internships.

In April and May, I had the opportunity to participate in my first work term as an industry partner with a soon-to-be graduate Abigail Gallant from NSCC’s Music Business program.

Abigail and I hit it off right away – we both talk a lot, love music, and have a penchant for figuring things out. I had a long list of things to do and swiftly started handing things off.

While some tasks were easier than others, we communicated often and came to the table more prepared each week. Not only did Abigail learn some real-life skills for the workplace and make valuable connections, I unexpectedly discovered many new things about myself and things I can do now for the future to help my business grow.

I encourage all small business owners to explore the opportunities available from your local colleges and universities to participate in a work term or internship. You might just learn more than you think!