NXNE CONFERENCE COMPLIMENTS OF SIX SHOOTER

This year, Caitlin Veitch, Emily Smart, Shauna de Cartier, Helen Britton, and Jack Jamieson of Six Shooter as well as Starfish Entertainment's Susan de Cartier joined forces with Gillian Zulauf and Andy MacLean of NXNE to program the Festival Conference... that's right, all the panels, celebrity interviews and workshops. We put on our thinking Stetsons and buckled down to bring panelists and moderators together from across genres, provinces, media and international borders. There is a lot to be excited about, from a stellar list of Town Hall speakers to the first ever NXNE Music Meeting. Scroll below for deets.



THE NXNE TOWN HALL

This year's Town Hall is held at Second City (56 Blue Jays Way) on Thursday, June 18 at 2 pm.

On the one hand, we have sweeping technological changes, a shrinking industry, and an economic downturn; on the other, we have unprecedented opportunity to market our music and our artists on an international scale. We have assembled company heads from all aspects of the industry to discuss how the challenges and opportunities we face are changing the way we do business today and beyond. Guests include:

Denise Donlon, Executive Director, CBC Radio
Jodie Ferneyhough, Managing Director, Universal Music Publishing Canada
Bernie Finkelstein, President, Finkelstein Management; Chairman, CIRPA; Founder, True North Records
Paul Haagenson, President, Canada, West, Live Nation Canada
Mark Jowett, Vice President/Co-Founder, Nettwerk Music Group
Steve Kane, President, Warner Music Canada
Kevin Leflar, President, officialCOMMUNITY
Heather Ostertag, President/CEO, FACTOR
Jack Ross, Senior Vice President, The Agency Group
Chris Sisam, General Manager, Corus Radio Toronto
Chris Taylor, Founder, Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa
Moderator: Jake Gold, CEO/President, The Management Trust




PANELS

Music + Brands. Find out how brands are using music to cross-promote their products and services. What's in it for the brands? What's in it for the bands? Exclaim Magazine's Ian Danzig leads a discussion with reps from Fred Perry, Saatchi & Saatchi/Toyota, Jagermeister, and Red Bull.

The NXNE Music Meeting. Come find out how music decisions are made by some of the most important gatekeepers at radio, television, film and advertising. They [and you] will listen to 10 songs selected from the NXNE Top 60 Tip Sheet and score them for potential on their stations, shows, films or commercials. Host Sean Coakley [Songlines, USA] will moderate and a roving mic will prowl the floor for your input.

From the Margin to the Mainstream. Sometimes our heroes come from the most unlikely places. This is a panel of unique artists and entrepreneurs who will show you how diversity is your competitive advantage and that you CAN take your niche to the mainstream. Polaris Prize founder Steve Jordan interviews the brains and muscle behind Panache Booking, the FUCK YEAH Fest, and Chunklet Magazine.

SOCAN - Breaking the UK with Born Ruffians: A case study of an independent Canadian band and how they have found success across the pond. The UK market can be a tough one to crack. Assembling a tour, getting press and selling a bit of music/merchandise across the pond may seem impossible. BUT - With a little help from a few friends here and abroad you can do it! At this SOCAN event, a panel of experts from the Born Ruffians camp will talk of their experience, both good and bad, in the UK. Learn how to plan and book a UK tour, get your band in the UK press, and how to sell your music and merchandise in the very lucrative and music mad UK market.

New Opportunities In Radio + TV. New indie-friendly radio and TV stations are popping up around the country. Come here to find out how to get broadcast airplay. CBC Radio 3's Grant Lawrence leads an engaging discussion between Alan Cross of ExploreMusic.com and The Ongoing History of New Music, Raja Khanna of BiteTV/AUX, Steve Parker of the CRTC, Andreanne Sasseville of SIRIUS Satellite Radio CANADA, and Kai Black of CBC Radio 2.

Post Touring Income. At some point, most musicians tire of the road. How can you keep the income flowing when the tour bus wheels stop turning? Find out how to break into writing/performing for commercials, TV, film, games, and more. Songwriter Greg Johnston leads a creative pack of panelists including Lizzie Marcy of TBWA/Chiat/Day, Marco Defelice of Silent Joe, and songwriter/artists Jason Plumb and Ian Lefeuvre.

Beyond MuchMusic. Our artists and industry pros will discuss ideas on how and where to market videos beyond MuchMusic and YouTube. And if youÕve seen too many guitar solos played in a high wind, too many alt-country bands strumming on a train station platform, and too many dance scenes filmed in an alleyway-we also give creative alternatives to the classic music video. Musebox founder Nadine Gelineau talks to Shad K, Tabassum Siddiqui, and Aaron Brophy.




WORKSHOPS [THE ESSENTIAL GOODS]

Media Training. Lights, camera, action! Your new publicist just got you a bunch of interviews w/newspapers, radio, and TV. Learn from real-life examples what to talk about, wear and how to portray yourself/band in the best possible light. This workshop is led by Joanne Setterington and her band of industry experts, including Tonni Maryuma, Josh Ostroff, Sarah Liss, Benjamin Boles, Robert Ostfield, and Johnny Hockin.

Getting The Gig. What to send, how to pitch, and how to behave once you've got the green light. East coast promoter Heather Gibson draws the ins and outs of getting and promoting shows from industry veterans Jeff Cohen, Ralph James, Bernard Kearney, and Julien Paquin.

How to Slay an Audience. This workshop will be hosted by artists who share their experience and answer questions about how to sculpt a show and capture an audience's attention. We want to explore the factors that go into performance decisions like what kind of show, venue or audience it is. Talk about banter! How much is too much? Or too little? How do you direct the audience to your merch without sounding like a carnival barker? The most important - How do you leave an great impression... after all a dull show is definitely worse than a bad one. This workshop is led by Canadian icon Moe Berg.

Record Label DIY. You've made a record and you have no idea what you need to do next to take it to market. We'll show you how by answering: how do you register your songs with SOCAN? What does the AVLA actually do? What are neighbouring rights royalties and how do I get them? How do I get the rights to put a cover song on my album? How do I get digital distribution? Can I go direct to iTunes? What are IRSC codes? Do I need to incorporate my company? How do I get a barcode? You've Changed Records' Jessie Stein consults a panel of experts from ACTRA, SOCAN, AVLA, CMRRA, IODA, and Little Miss Know-It-All.

FACTOR. Nuts and bolts of grant writing. Our friends from FACTOR will be on hand to show you how to build a budget + how to write a marketing plan. This is a hands-on workshop which will go through a recording grant and a touring/showcase grant. This workshop is hosted by FACTOR GM Carolyn Richardson.

Show Me The Money. FACTOR aside, where else can I get my hands on some grant money? Moderator Catharine Bird will walk you through how to access funds from SOCAN, the OAC, Manitoba Film & Music, the Canada Council, and Videofact.

PROMO 101. Learn about writing a good band bio, press releases and press kits, what should be contained in each, and how to use them. We will take you through the do's and donÕts about how to put together a killer package. Hosted by industry vets Richard Flohil and Joanne Setterington.

Free Legal Advice. Come armed with the questions you've always wanted to ask but didn't have the dough to pay for the answers, whether it's what to watch out for in a 360 deal or how to make the most of the synch contract you've been offered for an indie film. Peermusic's Neville Quinlan puts lawyers Stacey Mitsopulos, Glenn Litwak, Gary Adelman, and Michael Cirelli through their paces.

Publishing Basics. Some say this is where the money is, some warn you never to give up your publishing no matter what. And what is a synchronization right, anyway? And should I be sharing my songwriting royalties with my band members? Get a grip on the publishing basics once and for all. Allison Outhit of Outside Music and Exclaim Magazine calls on a panel of experts including reps from Peermusic, EMI Music Publishing, SOCAN, and the CMRRA.

Online Marketing. Today's top blogs and cool sites change faster than ever. Get the latest info on all the top sites and how to make the most of them. Moderator Chris Budd picks the brains of Chris McKee, David Garrison, and iheartmusic.com's Matthew Pollesel.




RIVOLI SESSIONS

Like great live music can bring a crowd to life, so too can great music minds bring life to a panel. NXNE shakes up (& stirs) the conference experience by taking the discussion out of the boardroom and back into the bar.

Music Makes It Reunion. Participants from the highly successful Music Makes It in December 2008 get together to discuss recent developments in the industry and establish new partnerships for Õ09. This event is Invite Only.

Music Supervisor Throwdown. See and hear how the brains of music supervisors work: why do some favour strings for a fight scene when another chooses hard rock? Four, well versed international supervisors will dissect their own choices and defend their tastes in this interactive panel. Moderated by Bob Hunka, the panelists include a number of LA hotshots such as Andrea von Foerster, John Bissell, Josh Marcy, and Laura Webb.

Managers Panel. These managers are getting their bands on the road, into the studio and on your radar. Make no mistake this is not a job for the faint of heart but as the rules of the industry continue to change, the manager is the single most important partner in an artistÕs career. Come and talk with these experts to find out how they are building their bands and their businesses. Moderator Susan de Cartier has assembled a diverse panel of working managers including Melissa Greiner, Ryhna Thompson, Andres Mendoza and Judith Coombe.




INTERVIEWS

Danny Fields interview with Warren Kinsella. Toronto author, musician and commentator Warren Kinsella sits down for an illuminating chat with Danny Fields, who brought the MC5 and The Stooges to Elektra Records, and was co-manager of The Ramones in their early career. Fields and Kinsella will delve into the changing world of artist development. The Ramones, Iggy and The Stooges, the MC5 all had time to develop and grow through a live scene at a time when songs were tried and tested over and over in front of a live audience before being committed to vinyl. No instant downloads. Fans got their information through magazines like Creem and Crawdaddy, and waiting for the next issue was sweet anticipation. In this age of instantaneous media, what are the new advantages for and drawbacks against an artist's career.

Fab 5 Freddy Interviews GZA [Wu-Tang Clan]. Arguably hip-hop's most important group, Wu-Tang Clan founded one of the most recognized posses and brought the New York rap scene to worldwide attention. Explore their rise to fame with founding member GZA as he sits down with American Hip hop historian and former graffiti artist Fab 5 Freddy.


See you at the Hyatt Regency, at Lee's Palace, and in our Back Lot.

With love,
Six Shooter posse

Six Shooter Records
98038, 970 Queen St. E
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M4M 1J0


Life is too short to listen to shitty music.