S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

As the Canadian music industry gathers April 2 for the 2006 Juno Awards in Internet -driven marketing, particularly it the absence of mainstream retail Halifax, Nova Scotia, the roster of nominees contains no shortage of international and radio support. superstars. They include Diana Krall, Michael Bublé and Nickelback. "We have a new generation of Canadian labels and artists with a do -it -all But beyond the Junos, music executives to the north are seeing signifi- work ethic," says Randy Lennox, president /CEO of Universal Music Canada. cant international interest in numerous rising acts: the Arcade Fire, Bro- "Given the size of the country, everybody has to be a jack -of -all- trades." ken Social Scene, Death From Above 1979, Feist, Stars, the Dears, Alex - The combination of Internet savvy and [increased international experience isonfire, Metric, the New Pornographers, Bedouin Soundclash and Hot Hot has enabled Canadian -based labels to more quickly export or license their Heat, among others. catalogs abroad. In short, when t comes to new acts, Canada is hot. Also, Canadian embassies and trade missions abroad are now providing sig- "Arguably, Carada leads the world with indie rock, but this is also an in- nificant support for showcasing artists and helping to make business connec- credibly fertile time for Canadian music in general," says Michael McCarty, tions, particularly in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan. president of EMI Music Publishing Canada. As a result, several Toronto -based independent labels have emerged with Jack Ross, booking agent with the Agency Group in Toronto, agrees. "My phone solid global industry standing: Arts & Crafts (Broken Social Scene, Feist and is ringing off the hook from Australian and Japanese promoters for Canadian Jason Collett), Last Gang (Metric and Death From Above 1979), bands," he says. "I m also hearing from promoters in South Africa and Asia I have MapleRecordings (Kathleen Edwards, Pilate, the Dears and Joel Plaskett) and never heard from before." Paperbag (Magneta Lane, Uncut and Deadly Snakes). Make no mistake: Global markets also continue to em- Meanwhile, the Canadian arms of the multinationals-Uni- brace such estatlished Canadian acts as Shania Twain, versal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI - What: The annual Juno. Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Buck 65 and Danko Jones, have all recently reshaped their own A &R to ensure they con- Awards are presented by. this year's Juno nominees and others. the Canadian Academy of tinue to play a pivotal role in developing new Canadian acts. Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace, Simple Plan, Finger Reco -ding Arts and Sciences; This includes building their own rosters with such alt- styled and Default also are newcomers as K -oS (EMI) the Trews (Sony BMG); Billy Talent, Eleven, Three Days Grace, Silverstein Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia popular in the United States, as are singer /songwriters Bruce Buck 65 and Torni Swick (Warner); and Mobile, Hedley and When: Apri 2 Cockburn, Sarah McLachlan, Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer, Hawksley Workman (Universal), while boosting the develop- Fred Eaglesmith and country singer Terri Clark. ho: Nominees include ment of independent labelis through licensing and distributon British DJ /historian Bob Harris spotlighted Canada's vi- Diana Kr Ell, Barenaked agreements or co- ventures. Ladies, Blue Rodeo and brant music scene in a two -part series for BBC Radio 2 in As these independent labels are grappling with the com- Nickalbacl-. Nominees for plexities and obstacles of operating at an international level, October titled "Tine Maple Music Revolution." songwriter of the year, spon- intercompany strJc- "What struck me most after being in Toronto was the sored by Canadian r ghts as- the majors are using their resources and sense of community," Harris says. "The scene is much less sociation S. OCAN, include tures to support them. competitive than in the U.K. Because [domestic] sales Neil Young. Ron Sexsmith "If we can help further the indie community in Canada by ei- are fairly low, Canadian musicians know they are not going Joel Pasket. , the Arcade Fir ther funding or calling around," Universal Music Canada senior into music to have limos and swimming pools." and Kathleen Edwards. VP of A &R Allan Reid says, "it's good for all of us." Canada's music industry has returned to a more grass- Web: junoe-wards.ca roots level. Bands build an audience from touring and from B Y L A R R Y L E B L A N C

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN STAUFFER APRIL 1, 2006 www.billboard.biz 27

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