A few events and resources for up-and-coming musicians

Last updated: March 3

Webinar:
The Secrets to Hit Songwriting
Thursday, March 24 | 2 PM EST

As an artist, you can have the greatest social media personality, the most well-connected manager, and the most creative release strategy in the business, but if you don’t have the songs to back it up, it’s all for naught.

In this free webinar from Canadian Musician and NWC, we’re talking all about songwriting (and making a career as a songwriter) with two guys who have loads of experience and credits in this area; Tebey and Andre Kaden Black. With these two hit songwriters, we’ll chat about tips and the lessons they’ve learned about writing great melodies and hooks, lyrics, finding inspiration, writing for yourself versus for others, writing solo versus co-writing, and a lot more. Of course, there will be the opportunity to ask them your own questions.

Free | Register here

Dirtybird Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Applications Open

Dirtybird Records has partnered with Point Blank Music School to launch its second annual scholarship program, designed to support and give back to the next generation of aspiring BIPOC producers. The innovative west-coast record label designed the six-month, equal-opportunity program to support diversity in dance music, giving those with limited resources a chance to gain mentorship and production skills from some of the brightest in the business.

The scholarship will allow the recipient to partake in Point Blank’s renowned 6-month online music production diploma program and learn how to write and produce music professionally. Dirtybird will supplement Point Blank’s curriculum with specialized mentorship in career branding, development, and marketing. Dirtybird will also provide a gear grant for any equipment necessary to participate in the curriculum.

Dirtybird has previously partnered with the renowned Beat Lab Academy in Los Angeles to offer a similar scholarship. The 2021 recipient, Sampson. has already found success releasing on his favorite label, Kyle Watson’s label, Box of Cats.

Apply here

Call for performers:
NXNE is excepting artist applications, Toronto

North by Northeast (NXNE) is a discovery music Festival focusing on promoting emerging musicians, supporting Toronto’s amazing live music venues, and connecting audiences with new acts they need to hear. The festival will present showcase gigs at Toronto’s best live music venues from June 14 – 19, 2022.

The Festival is again soliciting emerging artists from across Canada and around the world with an emphasis on promoting Canadian talent. As part of their commitment to inclusion and diversity, NXNE is eliminating all charges to apply to play and all artists will be paid to perform. We don’t think financial barriers should keep good music from being heard.

Free to apply here

Call for performers:
Canadian Music Week is excepting artist applications, Toronto

Each year Canadian Music Week attracts hundreds of artists and industry professionals from around the world who gather in Toronto for five days of live music, networking, and learning. Here’s your chance to join in too! Spend three action-packed days attending panels, participating in one-on-one meetings, and much more. All this before heading out for the evening to showcase in front of new adoring fans, fellow musicians, and most important, industry leaders and dealmakers.

$111.87 CAD | Apply here 

Live event:
Bull City Summit, Durham City, North Carolina
March 23-26

First-annual Bull City Summit will host leading and breakthrough creatives, musicians, technologists, scientists, researchers, artisans, and entrepreneurs alike as the worlds of Music, Art, Science and Technology converge. Some of the event topics include Investing in Music Royalties, The Return to Live Music, The Power of Music & The Art of Healing, and various topics on mental health and wellness.

Additionally, BCS has announced its 2022 Arts Grant Program, in partnership with Durham Arts Council and Love, Tito’s, an organization that supports community-oriented nonprofits that champion social justice, racial equality, and focus on mentorship, arts, and culture, and the food and beverage industry. Love, Tito’s has committed funds to the BCS Arts Grant program, to be administered by Durham Arts Council through multiple micro-grants, which seeks to work with independent artists inspired through a viewpoint that supports social justice. Artists can apply online at the BCS website. Applications will be juried by Durham Arts Council with local art organizations nominating category award winners.

More info | Tickets start at $20 per event

Past event summary:
The future of innovations in music and its industry

Technology and music are bound together by creativity. In a world that’s more digital than ever, what does the future of music innovation look like? We tapped into the minds of visionaries during a special edition of ADE in Conversation this ADE, broadcast live from Felix Meritis with both a physical and virtual audience present – making it quite an experiment of our own.

Review event summary here

CM Podcast:
Andre Kaden Black On Songwriting & Building a Modern Career in Music

A wide-ranging conversation about the music industry and building a music career with producer/songwriter/musician Andre Kaden Black. In this wide-ranging conversation, Andre talks about what he learned as a songwriter during his years in Nashville, and compares that style of songwriting with his work as a pop topline writer. Andre and Mike also discuss artist development, creativity and work ethic, royalties and rights, and more.

Listen here