Business

Rockin’ the suburbs with Los Lobos

New venues help bring Grammy winners — and many others — to Southern Ontarians’ backyards. Just don’t get them started about Donald Trump. Nick Krewen Music, Tues., Jan 31, 2017 Suburbanites: now you don’t necessarily have to go to Toronto to see the big shows — more than ever, they’re coming to you. This week, for example, four-time Grammy winners Los Lobos perform at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on…


Billy Talent Soar to New Heights

Story by Nick Krewen | September 1, 2016 For SOCAN Words and Music.   Billy Talent was ready. The album had been written, the songs had been rehearsed and the veteran hard rock Toronto quartet – 23 years and four original studio albums deep into their career – was preparing to hit the studio to record what was to become long player No. 5, Afraid of Heights. Then tragedy stuck….


How Spotify Spotlights Canadian Artists

Story by Nick Krewen | July 5, 2016 FOR SOCAN Words And Music.   Canadian artists and SOCAN members like Dear Rouge and Coeur de Pirate have an unexpected and relatively new champion when it comes to promoting their wares, both at home and internationally: Spotify Canada. The global streaming service, which opened shop in this country in November 2014 after years of anticipation, has been doing its utmost to…


Entrepreneurs: MapleMusic Strikes A New Beat With Cadence

Story by Nick Krewen | March 30, 2016 For SOCAN Words and Music.   After 15 years and a business that in 2012 enjoyed $20 million in revenues, multi-faceted MapleMusic has entered a new phase of evolution. At a lavish bash held at Toronto’s Velvet Underground on March 1, 2016, MapleMusic was re-christened the Cadence Music Group and a promising future was set in motion. “It’s a re-focus,” says Iain…


UNISON Benevolent Fund Springs Into Action

Story by Nick Krewen | November 5, 2015 For SOCAN Words and Music.   To quote Unison Benevolent Fund co-founder Jodie Ferneyhough, “It was something that had to happen.” Although the idea has been operational for seven years, it’s only since May 2015 that the Unison Benevolent Fund – a non-profit, registered charity that provides counseling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community – has been able to incorporate…