SPREAD THE WORD! TELL THE LIBERALS TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE TO THE CANADA MUSIC FUND (CMF)!
We need your help to raise the voice of the music community and get this government’s attention. You can do that in seconds byusing CIMA’s action page to email Liberal MP’s and Canada’s Ministers of Heritage and Finance. Call on them to be Music Champions and remind them to keep their promise to increase the budget of the Canada Music Fund. Additionally, PLEASE tell your networks about the #canadamusicfund and use these images to share on social media!
That’s huge, because the Canada Music Fund (CMF) is a key part of what funds FACTOR’s ground-breaking investments in Canadian artists and music companies – including songwriters and music publishers. Last year alone FACTOR invested $21 million in the music sector. 6,500 artists have had support through FACTOR in the last five years.
But FACTOR’s budget can’t keep up with the growing demands for its programming. The other part of FACTOR’s annual budget comes from contributions from private radio broadcasters and those contributions are falling fast. For example, in 2020, FACTOR received $16 million in radio contributions. In 2025 those contributions could be as low as $2 million. This is why the CMF increase is so crucial. But look, that $50 million would only ensure that existing programming continues and is insufficient to create new live programming, especially for the live sector. That’s why music associations across the country have called for an increase to $60 million.
So if the government does not make good even on their $50 million promise to our sector, FACTOR’s budget could be cut in half over the next couple of years. If that happens companies will close, jobs will be lost, artists won’t get the investments they need to record or tour which will harm an already precarious local live music scene.
We need your help to raise the voice of the music community and get this government’s attention. By filling in the fields below you can email your local Liberal MP if you have one, and Canada’s Ministers of Heritage and Finance. Call on them to be Music Champions and keep their promise to increase the budget of the Canada Music Fund.
Music BC is excited to be once again, partnering with CIMA in support of Canada House at UK Americana Music Week.
This event is a four-day conference, awards show and music festival in Hackney, London. The event features live Americana music from the United States, Austria, Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom and more. Canadian acts from across the country will get the chance to perform in front of Americana buyers and industry in the UK.
Music BC is proud to be supporting Jesse Roper at this event, performing on January 24th, 2024, 9:20 PM at MOTH Club, alongside 5 other exceptional Canadian acts.
Thank you to Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, FACTOR and the Government of Canada for helping to make this initiative possible.
Are you ready for another night of music discovery, featuring some of the best emerging talent that BC has to offer? We sure know that we are! Save the date, Let’s Hear It is taking over multiple venues around Mount Pleasant on Saturday, March 2nd.
Our first wave of artist announcements will be hitting your feeds NEXT WEEK. Follow along on Instagram for all of the exciting updates as they come, and stay tuned for your chance to be the first to grab your wristband.
As always, Music BC Members get a discount on Let’s Hear It Wristbands! Not sure how to become a member? Visit our website for more information.
Thank you to Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia to helping make this event possible.
Photo Credit: Lindsey Blane, IAMTHELIVING at Let’s Hear It 2023, The Fox Cabaret
LET’S HEAR IT 2023 RECAP
APPLY TO SHOWCASE AT JUNOFEST
JUNOfest Presented by CBC Music submissions are still open until January 31st!
For two jam-packed nights, JUNOfest Presented by CBC Music will showcase artists of all genres, from across the country. Featuring over 50 artists across the city, performing for fans, media and the music industry, JUNOfest Presented by CBC Music will light up Halifax, Nova Scotia starting March 22, 2024.
Are you interested in performing at JUNOfest Presented by CBC Music? Applications are open to solo artists and/or full bands.
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024 at 5 PM EST
NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS WEBINAR Join CIMA and Soproq as they offer a comprehensive understanding of the royalties you receive. This session will cover neighbouring rights, delving into its history in Canada, tariffs, and the workings of royalties. They’ll even venture beyond borders to examine neighbouring rights internationally. If you aspire to a comprehensive understanding of the royalties you receive, sign up now for free. Webinar Date: January 26th, 2024 LEARN MORE
APPLY TO PERFORM AT KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY The Khatsahlano Street Party is serving up some sparkle on July 6th, 2024! Musicians from all genres are welcome to apply to play at Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival. The festival is also currently accepting applications for volunteers, vendors, and more. Application Deadline: February 29th, 2024 APPLY HERE
MONSTERCAT IS HIRING Monstercat is looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Music Marketer to join its project management team. This role oversees the marketing lifecycle for a roster of music releases – from marketing planning, creative ideation, and budget allocation, to execution, monitoring, and reporting.The ideal candidate is a self-starter and creative thinker, a fan of electronic music, and can demonstrate previous success as a project manager. LEARN MORE
CAPILANO UNIVERSITY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS Interested in working in the music industry? The Arts and Entertainment Management programs at Capilano University provide students with the skills, hands-on experience, and connections necessary to gain employment in the industry, start their own businesses, and/or manage their own artistic careers. Applications are open now!
The Black Music Coalition’s Continued Push For Change Is Awe-Inspiring Char Grant, Komali Scott-Jones, Afryea Henry-Frontaine and Sheryl Nwosu’s collective mission is simple yet profound: to erase racial inequality in the music industry and usher in equity and equality for Black artists, executives, and communities. – READ MORE
Announcing Amazon Music Canada’s Breakthrough Artists To Watch 2024 Throughout the year, these six musicians will include support from Amazon Music Canada, including year-long promotion, exclusive music, playlist placement, editorial, and tailored developmental support for each artist’s career ambitions. – READ MORE
Global music streams grew by 33.7% to 7.1tn in 2023 The 7.1tn streams were across audio and video services, with that total up 33.7% year-on-year. Of that total, 4.1tn were on-demand audio song streams, up 22.3%. – READ MORE
WTF Are “Merch Cuts,” and Why Are Musicians So Pissed? “Merch cuts” are a largely accepted practice within the music industry, and have been a thorn in my side for as long as I’ve been touring. Profit margins have narrowed intensely in recent years, and if you’re an indie music fan, you may have noticed that touring musicians have been protesting merch cuts much more publicly. – READ MORE
How Many Tracks Will Be Eliminated by Spotify’s 1,000-Play Minimum? Now We Have a Number While it has long been common knowledge that the pivot will effectively axe the on-platform recording revenue of many works, we now have a number – or at least an estimate – regarding the extent of the impact. –READ MORE
The 100 Percenters Launch Two Initiatives to Combat Sexual Abuse in Music Industry “This initiative stands poised to revolutionize the music industry by fostering safer workplaces through education, awareness, and tangible action. We’re extending an earnest call to music professionals, creatives, companies, organizations, and recording studios to pledge their commitment toward a safer and more respectful industry.” – READ MORE
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Shamir Virgo is a Vancouver-based independent artist, songwriter and musician. He makes Pop R&B inspired music, his influences including the likes of Pink $wests, Daniel Caecar, Leon Thomas and Music Soulchild. He has worked with many Vancouver locals and aspires to create connections with other artist and musicians who strive to upkeep musical integrity. Shamir wants his music to reach people who can relate and wants to share his music with all who are willing to listen.
Reach out to info@musicbc.org if you would like to include an upcoming application or funding deadline.
ROLLING DEADLINES
FACTOR:Live Performance, Industry Events, Collective Initiatives – Showcase Production for Artists from Official Language Minority, Collective Initiatives – Showcase Production for Export-Ready Artists, Comprehensive Artist, Comprehensive Music Company, Business Travel, Marketing & Promo for Non-FACTOR Funded Sound Recordings, Songwriter Development, Sponsorship, Video
SOCAN:Travel Assistance, Professional Development Assistance, SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund
Canada Council:Travel, Residencies, Professional Development for Artists, Research and Creation, Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.
