Features

HEATHER OSTERTAG AND ASSOCIATES – ‘THE SOLUTION TEAM’

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 23:01

Heather Ostertag is a name that the Music Industry knows well. Ostertag is best known for holding the seat of president of FACTOR, but also sits on the Board of the CCMA, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, founder and Chair of the Panty Schmooze and proudly wears the prestigious Order of Canada. Heather Ostertag is an individual that is considered to be an inspiring values based leader. She is also a passionate supporter and developer of Canadian culture, with a reputation that has demonstrated strong strategic and operational management execution skills – a dedicated people developer. Achievement, creativity, results driven, tenacity, resilience, empathetic problem solver and persuader are some adjectives used to describe this indefatigable individual who is driven to succeed and excel at any undertaking she involves herself in.

With her 30 plus years working in the arts, she has developed relationships with companies and individuals that all have unique and distinct skills. These positions have put her name firmly ensconced in the Canadian Music Industry and would lead her to her next incarnation of an already successful and illustrious career.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Heather Ostertag and getting to know more about the person behind the engine.

Shelley Siegel – A Canadian Success Story Not To Be Forgotten

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/11/2011 - 15:41

by Sandy Graham

It was 1975, and I was Music Director of the radio station in Montreal known as CJFM – FM 96, owned and operated by Standard Broadcasting at the time. We were # 2. CHOM-FM our big competition was # 1.

It was a different era; first off I was a female in the Music Director chair; and thanks to Rosalie Tremblay at CKLW in Windsor showing that a woman could be in radio, it was a chance I was given to show the ‘big boys’ a girl could do the job.

In the ‘day of the dinosaurs’, we had what was called ‘Record Day’, usually on a Wednesday, when all the promo record guys would line up outside my office, and wait for their chance to pitch their new product. It was what would be considered an archaic way to do things nowadays, but I sometimes wonder if the current email, WAV, MP3 tracking system really works; back then the promo person got to stand there as you put the new tune on a turntable, and they got the chance to dance around and get you excited about their latest passion. It was also an opportunity to receive a WHOLE album, and maybe find another gem on there that wasn’t the single release. Cover art was just as important as the product, not to mention liner notes that told of who played, produced and backed the product.

Canadian Blast at MIDEM Saidah Baba Talibah Style!

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/11/2011 - 15:19

by Natasha Slinko

Saidah - Happy & Fortunate

Baba - Born on Thursday

Talibah – Seeker After Knowledge

A unique and beautiful name for a strong, beautiful and talented artist. Saidah Baba Talibah is the real deal and she totally rocked the house at Morrisons Irish Pub for the Canadian Blast show this January during the MIDEM 2011 Conference in Cannes, France. Saidah has an energy about her that just pulls you in, makes you smile and then grin ear to ear, and then makes you want to just get up and dance. She has a powerhouse of a voice that just doesn’t stop and a stage presence that connects with you in the most powerful of ways. Backup by musicians Alex McMaster - cello, Donna Grantis - guitar, Rob Teeham - Sousaphone, Roger Travassos - drums and Hill Kourkoutis - keys it was an incredible sound.

Cashbox Canada is pleased to feature a new series by Keith Bradford – Studio Trix

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/11/2011 - 15:11

The Demo Studio

The Stool

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 12:51

by Keith Bradford

You should always open your show with an up-tempo song with a lot of movement on stage.

Always do at least 3 songs back to back at the beginning of the concert before you start talking.

By now you are ready to talk and catch your breath and the audience wants to hear what you have to say also. Your song selection depends on the age group of your audience as well as other factors. Case in point while playing for an all male prison show you wouldn’t want to sing love songs.

One thing is certain that a good patriotic song always goes over well these days.

Somewhere in your show bring a stool out on stage and bring it close to the front of the stage. This is where you sing the most heart wrenching song in your list. Before you sing the song you should go into a short monologue about the song. Because you are closer to the audience than you have been the whole show and because you are sitting just like they are there is a natural bond happening between you and them. You are suddenly at their level and not standing over them.

At end of song get rid of the stool and resume high energy level.

If you are lucky enough to have a hit or some hits keep them toward the end of the show.

Never open your show with the most popular song you have because where do you go now.

You just gave them what they came to hear and you got no where to go.

The music business YA GOTTA LUV IT

2011 Juno Nominees Announced As the Big Show Returns to Toronto After A Decade On The Road.

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 12:45

Story: Sandy Graham

With the requisite pomp and circumstance, it was announced that Broken Social Scene, Hedley, Down With Webster and Johnny Reid will all be performing on the Drake-hosted 40^th Juno Award show in the city on March 27.

Shania Twain is confirmed to be on hand for induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and Neil Young has confirmed that he will be here to accept his Humanitarian Award. CARAS president/CEO Melanie Berry described this year’s event as “pretty exciting and pretty star-studded” following the announcement of nominees at a well-attended media scrum at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel yesterday.

Separately, FACTOR issued a statement announcing that 60 FACTOR supported artists received a stunning 69 nominations, including Caribou, Chilly Gonzales, Crystal Castles and Holy Fuck. The funding organization has had a long history supporting artists nominated for Juno and Country music awards but rarely gets acknowledged when artists take the stage to offer thanks to mums, cats, hairdressers et al.

Who Makes The Money?

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/28/2011 - 14:07

Story: Keith Bradford

Recently I was quite impressed with the appearance of the tellers in a very popular bank I visited. Each bank employee was in a very nice outfit and all of the women appeared to have a recent manicure. It seemed to be the perfect job for anyone that don't mind working inside. Later that week I found out that the janitorial service employees of that bank make more money per hour than the tellers.

Don't get me wrong; ``those guys and gals looked mighty spiffy in their 3 piece suits and dresses but it disturbed me to find out they don't make as much money as the janitor. That prompted me to do some further investigation on the money split in the Music Business. It was interesting to find out the road manager for an artist as an example, makes more than the artist in some cases.

By the time the artist pays all the expenses involved with a tour there is very little left. This is not the case with huge major stars. I am talking about acts with only one or two hits under their belt.

The star or the one out front getting all of the attention is not always the moneymaker. Sometimes it is quite difficult to determine who makes the money.

The Music Business, Ya Gotta Luv It.

Catl-Prodding the Blues

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/28/2011 - 13:50

Story: Lenny Stoute

Photos: Alyssa Katherine Faoro

The term’ original' gets hurled around a lot and in most cases, it's totally undeserved. Then there's Catl, who went so far back into the roots of the blues they've come out the other side with something quite different.

How many bands can you name who mine the roots traditions of the Twenties, that point in American history when Afro-centric Delta blues was meeting up with Euro-centric Appalachian folk music to create this mutant wild child named country blues that would one day go all rock'n'roll on us? And who else is so elastic in their approach that one member showed up for some random guest shots and was asked to stay the night, every night.

Jamie 'catl' Fleming is the band's guiding light and beneath the laid-back stage persona is a man with a righteous plan. That it was sparked in a used records store sounds perfect for a band steeped in tradition.

"I was always in Rotate This, and I asked Pierre (Hallett) for a good springboard to country-blues-type stuff. He suggested Mississippi Fred McDowell, who just blew my mind. I just got right into that sound, Fred and guys like Furry Lewis, the kind of sound their recordings had, the way they played.

Toronto jazz-pop innovators The Jessica Stuart Few launch debut video ‘Kid Dream!

Submitted by cashbox on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 13:32

Fit to groove through the bounds of all parameters, Jessica Stuart embodies the essence of pop and jazz, creating a dynamic sound, merging outstanding creativity with traditional roots. With two national tours behind her and a lifetime of musical inspiration, Jessica’s unique cultural experiences and the coast-to-coast positive response she generates marks her influence as a Canadian artist with a sound of her own.

Raised in Vancouver by musical parents, Jessica spent time exploring a number of the world’s continents, most significantly living in Nagano, Japan. It was there that she took interest in and learned to play the ‘koto’ (A traditional Japanese harp-like instrument with thirteen strings), which is featured in a number of the compositions on her newly released album.

With innovative and catchy songs, The Jessica Stuart Few consists of Jessica (vocals, guitar, koto), Dan Fortin (bass) and Nico Dann (drums), bringing their signature blend to life with a creative, alluring and soulful sound. Together since 2007, they channel the modern sounds of Stereolab with allusions to the energy of Joni Mitchell, creating an array of enchanting melodies that become their own.

THE ABC’s

Submitted by cashbox on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 13:31

Story: Keith Bradford

Mention ABC and the first thing you think about is the American Broadcasting Company. I suppose some may think of the first 3 letters of the alphabet. When I attended the CMA Music Fest last year in Nashville, TN I heard several comments from the fans while leaving the main show.

The one I heard the most was, "That was ANYTHING BUT COUNTRY." It is hard to believe that millions of Country Music fans have this same sentiment about today's Country Music. The general consensus is that the sound of Country Music as they knew it is gone. It has been replaced with a slicker production and in most cases a much more progressive beat than what they grew to know as Country Music.

The industry calls it progress. The record sales continue to plummet. The fans are listening to their CD and or cassette collection and not listening to the radio. Could it have something to do with the fact that today's Country Music is ALL BUT COUNTRY?

The Music Business, Ya Gotta Luv It.