The “Big Little” Music Conference with Heart

PRESENTED BY

SEP 22–25, 2013 CHARLOTTETOWN / PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CONFERENCE GUIDE SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Schedules 2

Performance Schedule

SUN, SEP 22 (NIGHT) 8:10 PM – 8:30 PM Tim Chaisson HARMONY HOUSE 8:35 PM – 9:00 PM Dan Walsh

9:15 PM – 9:45 PM Meaghan Blanchard

9:45 PM – 10:00 PM Meaghan Blanchard & Dan Walsh MON, SEP 23 (DAY) 2:05 PM – 2:25 PM Teresa Doyle MARC’S STUDIO 2:35 PM – 2:55 PM Nudie

3:10 PM – 3:30 PM Richard Wood / Gordon Belsher

3:40 PM – 4:00 PM Catherine MacLellan MON, SEP 23 (NIGHT) 8:10 PM – 8:30 PM Colour Code THE MACK 8:45 PM – 9:05 PM The Meds

9:20 PM – 9:40 PM English Words

9:55 PM – 10:15 PM North Lakes

10:30 PM – 10:50 PM Racoon Bandit TUE, SEP 24 (DAY) 2:20 PM – 2:40 PM Drea TRAILSIDE CAFÉ 2:50 PM – 3:10 PM Jordan Cameron

3:20 PM – 3:40 PM Ten Strings And A Goat Skin

3:50 PM – 4:10 PM Ashley Condon TUE, SEP 24 (NIGHT) 8:10 PM – 8:30 PM Max Keenlyside THE MACK 8:45 PM – 9:05 PM Dennis Ellsworth

9:20 PM – 9:40 PM Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys

9:55 PM – 10:15 PM Coyote

10:30 PM – 10:50 PM Death Valley Driver SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 3

KURT BAGNELL CANMORE FOLK FESTIVAL (canmorefolkfestival.com)

Since October 2012, Kurt has been the director of the Canmore Festival, responsible for programming and overall operations. Prior to joining the festival, Kurt spent 30 years at the Banff Centre as the manager of presentations where he curated a performing arts series that included music, dance, theatre, multicultural and family presenta- tions, as well as producing numerous special events and outdoor per- formances. In addition, Kurt was responsible for all aspects of marketing, production, facility management, and artist and patron services for these events.

Over the years, Kurt has worked with various artists in the areas of career development and touring as well as assisting numerous community arts organizations, festivals and arts services organizations in performance, touring, planning and operations related issues.

JOEL BASKIN THE FELDMAN AGENCY (feldman-agency.com/our-agents/joel-baskin)

Since founding The Pilot Agency in 2006, Joel Baskin has developed a reputation as an honest and relentlessly proactive advocate for his art- ists. His primary concern—both then and since joining SL Feldman and Associates in February 2011—is providing clients with personal attention and the tools to help them reach their goals by continuously adapting his services to meet their evolving needs.

Some of the artists Joel represents include: The Beaches, Autumns Cannon, Tim Hicks, Kira Isabella, Tim Chaisson, Leah Daniels, Platinum Blonde, and Courage My Love.

PHILIP BATTIATO THE AGENCY GROUP (theagencygroup.com/employee/phil-battiato/)

Philip has spent the last five years in The Agency Group’s New York of- fice. Originally assisting in booking hard rock and metal acts, he’s since focused on building a roster mostly comprised of indie, alternative, and punk bands.

MIKE CAMPBELL THE CARLETON (thecarleton.ca)

Mike worked for MuchMusic for 18 years as host of Mike & Mike’s Excel- lent X Canada Adventures, MuchEast and Going Coastal. He’s lived in Halifax for 20 years. Since leaving MuchMusic in 2002 he has continued to remain close to the action on the East Coast. Some highlights include programming the pop/rock talent for the National Arts Centre’s Atlantic Scene festival in 2003, booking the Marquee Club (Halifax’s largest venue at the time) in 2004/5 and producing JunoFest in Halifax in 2006. Until he opened The Carleton, he was also a member of ’s management team. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 4

YANNICK CIMON-MATTAR GET A ROOM (getaroom.ca)

Getaroom.ca has been promoting shows in Québec City for the past 16 years. We work with different venues and different scene as well as with a bunch of corporate clients such as the FIS, Gestev, UCI and more.

MICHAEL CLOEREN PHILADELPHIA FOLKSONG SOCIETY (pfs.org) BLUE MOUNTAIN SKI AREA & RESORT (skibluemt.com)

Michael Cloeren is the Director of The Philadelphia Folk Festival—a four- day event held the third weekend in August—consisting of eight stages and 50,000 guests attending annually from the USA and Canada.

Michael is also the Founder and Producer of The Pocono Festival [1992–2010] which is now the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, held the last weekend in July in the beautiful the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Michael presents Women In The Blues to colleges/universities, a two- part program involving today’s best international Blues artists. It con- sists of an in-class lecture series to the students during the day plus a concert performance later that evening on campus.

SHEA DAHL MRG CONCERTS (mrgconcerts.com)

Shea is the Vice President of MRG Concerts, a promoter with offices in Vancouver, and London, ON. Having been involved in the music industry for 15 years now, he has been a university programmer, talent buyer, festival organizer, venue operator, and corporate director.

Shea currently books tours across Western Canada, and runs the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver and Adelaide Hall in Toronto.

DIMITRI DEMERS ATOMIQUE PRODUCTIONS (atomiqueproductions.com)

Since 2000, Atomique Productions has been Victoria, BC’s leading in- dependent concert promoter, producing an average of 150+ concerts per year. Founded with a passion for music and a mandate to bring a diverse range of national and international talent to the city, Atomique is dedicated to providing quality live musical experiences to the Greater Victoria population. With an eye for up-and-coming talent, Atomique has produced shows for artists such as Queens of the Stone Age, Girl Talk, Feist, Modest Mouse, Leonard Cohen, Kid Rock, The Killers, Mackl- emore & Ryan Lewis, City And Color, Metric, Wilco, , and many more. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 5

ERIN DILLON CREATIVE CONTROL ENTERTAINMENT (creativecontrolent.com)

Los Angeles native Erin Dillon has been working as a music supervisor at creative control for two-and-a-half years. She works alongside Joel C. High (Monster’s Ball, Crash) on all Tyler Perry films, among other inde- pendent film productions.

Erin has taken a lead role in creative control’s Event Production division. She has helped produce events throughout North America for artists ranging from Timber Timbre to Melanie Fiona at venues as diverse as Ar- naud’s in New Orleans to The Old School Bar & Grill in Austin, Texas.

A performance pianist for 15 years, Dillon’s knowledge and appreciation for music is vast and eclectic.

JAMES DUFFY POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE (pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk)

I have worked within the music industry for over ten years, working at Pocklington Arts Centre, a 200-seat theatre and 70-seat studio located in East Yorkshire, UK. The venue programmes a diverse range of artists each year, in addition to programming a two-day festival each October. Past performers include Richard Hawley, , Roger McGuinn, Josh Ritter, Billy Bragg, Kate Rusby, Tom Russell, Eddi Reader, Low Anthem, Bob Harris, Raul Malo, , The Unthanks, Guillemots, Fairport Convention, Hot Club of Cowtown, Willy Mason, Gretchen Pe- ters, Eric Bibb...

HEATHER GARDNER VAPOR MUSIC (vapormusic.com/heroes/heather-gardner)

Heather’s life-long obsession with music and its love affair with advertis- ing, television, film, video games, and new media led her to Vapor in January of 2009, and she has been going full steam ahead ever since.

Over the past four-and-a-half years, Heather has worked on such proj- ects as the upcoming mini-series The Best Laid Plans (CBC), television series Seed (The CW/CityTV), Rookie Blue (ABC/Global), Less Than Kind (HBO Canada), AAA video game Shaun White Skateboarding (Ubisoft Montreal), and many feature films.

In addition to long-format work, Heather is heavily involved in the world of advertising and has worked on numerous campaigns, including recent spots for Samsung, Nissan, and The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

BEN GOLDBERG BA DA BING RECORDS (badabingrecords.com)

Ben Goldberg has run Ba Da Bing Records for nearly 20 years, releasing records by Beirut, Sharon Van Etten, (CanCon Alert!) Jenn Grant, Spiny Anteaters, and . He has worked in management (Breeders, tUnE-yArDs) as well as publicity (for Matador Records and Merge Records). Ben was recently project manager on the Neutral Milk Hotel boxset. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 6

DAVID HAYMAN SUPERSONIC CREATIVE (supersoniccreative.com)

David Hayman is Creative Director and Lead Music Supervisor at Super- sonic Creative Inc. ::: Rookie Blue / Saving Hope / Less Than King / Telus Canada Exclusive / Virgin Mobile / CIBC Events / Corona / Nestea + Coca-Cola Canada / Buick / Mazda / Movember / and lead Music Super- visor on numerous studio and independent feature films.

RYAN HEERSCHAP I BOOK SHOWS (ibookshows.com)

Ryan Heerschap has been working as an agent for over ten years. In 2008, Ryan started up his own agency, I Book Shows. With a growing roster of roots, singer songwriters and speakers, I Book Shows now has three agents servicing the roster. In 2010, I Book Shows started doing event sponsorship for Music Festivals, and works with AEG Canada, Wakestock, Live Nation Canada, and more.

DANIEL HIGBEE SECRET ROAD (secretroad.com)

Daniel Higbee is the Head of Film/TV in the music licensing department of Secret Road, a boutique music services company in Los Angeles. He used to freelance for music supervisor Jennifer Pyken, assisting her with television projects Las Vegas and LOST.

In 2009, he moved to Secret Road where he pitches a small and growing roster of independent acts and labels, including Ingrid Michaelson, The Civil Wars, Josh Ritter, and Katie Herzig. Landing notable placements in shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood, Pretty Little Liars and the 2011 Google Chrome “Dear Sophie” ad, Higbee pitches for a variety of film, television, and advertising projects.

STEVEN HIMMELFARB BILLIONS (billions.com)

I am a booking agent for the Billions Corporation. I book tours. I will tell you more in person.

ADAM KREEFT THE AGENCY GROUP (theagencygroup.com/employee/adam-kreeft/)

Adam is an agent at The Agency Group in Toronto, whose roster in- cludes such artists as Bend Sinister, The Stanfields, Hey Ocean!, Ben Caplan, Cheap Girls, and Teenage Kicks. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 7

CRAIG LASKEY HORSESHOE TAVERN (horseshoetavern.com)

Craig Laskey has been involved with the Horseshoe Tavern since the summer of 1995. The Horseshoe Tavern recently celebrated its 65th birthday on December 5, 2012, and in that time has hosted live shows with everyone from , , Joel Plaskett Emer- gency, and to Wilco, Ryan Adams, The Sadies, and The .

Collective Concerts / ATG concerts formed in 1998. Collective is a full service Indie Concert Promoter. It has promoted shows for everyone from Arcade Fire, Charles Bradley, The Specials, Death Cab For Cutie, The National, Patti Smith, Neko Case and more.

LEE OLSEN KCA ARTISTS (keithcase.com)

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Lee Olsen began a career in music playing in his own bluegrass band, Whetstone Run, for 15 years. He later formed his own talent agency, Lee Olsen & Associates, represent- ing such acts as the Fairfield Four (whom he also manages), Red Clay Ramblers, and The Seldom Scene, among others.

Joining Keith Case & Associates in 1989, Lee was named Vice President of the company in 1995. Lee is the responsible agent for the following bands: The Fairfield Four, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Seldom Scene, and Della Mae.

DAVID MACIAS THIRTY TIGERS (thirtytigers.com)

David Macias is the co-founder and President of Thirty Tigers, a label services, distribution and management company that serves the inde- pendent artist community. Clients include Flogging Molly, The Avett Brothers, Matisyahu, Jason Isbell, Trampled By Turtles, Low, Elizabeth Cook, and others. He also produces , including the 2005 Gram- my-winning Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster.

ELEANOR MCGUINNESS PITCH AND SMITH (pitchandsmith.com)

Eleanor graduated from Queens University in Belfast, moved to Dublin and immersed herself in the music scene, promoting clubs and booking national tours for Irish artists.

In 2009, Eleanor moved to Toronto to work on Virgin Festivals across Canada before moving into the agent side of the business as junior agent in Paquin Entertainment for the territory of North America.

Finally returning to Europe in 2010 to open the European Agency Pitch and Smith’s new office in Ireland, establishing herself as an agent and developing Pitch and Smith’s roster of clients in Europe. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 8

SAMI PARBHOO FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LOUISIANE (festivalinternational.com)

I’m the VP of Programming for Festival International de Louisiane (in La- fayette, LA). I listen and love great music regardless to style or genre. As John Coltrane said: “Damn the rules, it’s the feeling that counts!”

JULIA PHILLIPS BLUE SKIES MUSIC FESTIVAL

Music has always been part of my world. Piano as a child, clarinet in high school. The first band I hired was for my grade 8 graduation. Many years later, I have the honour to book for Blue Skies Music Festival in Claren- don, ON. Always looking for something new and different; supporting the youth coming out to play for the first time; to supporting the folks who have been playing for many years. During the day I support a friend who is disabled and has twins under the age of two.

KRIS POPE FULL CIRCLE FESTIVAL (fullcirclefestival.ca)

Kris Pope has been active in the Canadian music scene for ten years, recording and touring with dozens of acts, including Jenn Grant, Tanya Davis, Steve Gates, and Zac Crouse. As a songwriter, his musical proj- ects Acres and Acres, Caledonia, and Down with the Butterfly have been nominated seven times at the East Coast Music Awards.

His role in publicity/bookings have developed organically. He’s now on the Board of Directors of the Full Circle Music Festival, and is working/ playing regularly with Acres and Acres, Zac Crouse, Morgan MacDonald and Steve Gates, as well as laying down some sweet steel licks.

BRIENNE ROSE NOISE/RACKET: (noiseracket.com)

Originally from Santa Fe, NM, Brienne learned the film and music industry ropes from two legendary music supervisors in Los Angeles while studying at USC. After moving to New York in 2005, she began independently managing artists and bands, then, years later, started her company, Noise/Racket, in the West Village of New York City.

Since its inception, Noise/Racket has focused on bringing the best new music out to the world through films, commercials, and other creative projects; handling music placement and licensing for large commercial campaigns such as Hershey’s, Milkbone, and Kohler, and also acting as Music Supervisor on various feature films, including the 2013 Oscar win- ning film,Curfew . SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Delegates 9

SHAWN SCALLEN SPECTRASONIC (spectrasonic.com)

As Spectrasonic’s talent buyer, Shawn books over 150 shows a year in Ottawa venues ranging from 80–2,000 capacity, acts as a programming consultant for several local festivals, and produced JUNOfest 2012. His first booking was Fugazi in a community centre basement in 1989 and it’s been all downhill from there.

MARK WATSON WATSON ENTERTAINMENT (watsonentertainment.com)

Watson Entertainment is a full service artist Management Company based in Toronto. The company has received several industry awards in- cluding two JUNO nominations and two gold records since its inception in 1998. They’ve been the driving force behind countless national tours, international sales, media, sync licensing to major films, TV shows, and commercials. Watson Entertainment is not genre specific.

Roster: David Francey, Ashley Condon, John Landry, Eh440, Ann Vriend.

Watson Entertainment also handles artistic direction for several festi- vals, and sits on the entertainment committee for the Burlington Sound of Music.

KIM WINNICKY ATLIN FESTIVAL (atlinfestival.ca)

Kim organizes several community and musical events including the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Camp, Whitehorse Connects, and the Atlin Arts and Music Festival. She has previously served on the Board of Music Yukon and is committed to creating events that develop community through music and common experience.

The Atlin Arts and Music Festival celebrated its 10th Anniversary July 12–14, 2013. It is a festival of music, visual art, and film that attracts over 2,500 people to this small community of 300.

BOB JENSEN JENSEN MUSIC INTERNATIONAL (jproductions.com)

Bob Jensen, a veteran of the Canadian folk music scene for over 25 years, has worked as a performer, recording artist, record label owner, record distributor, publicist, manager and agent.

In the past 15 years, he and his wife Gail have built JMI into one of the most respected folk agencies in the world, working with legends such as , Pete Seeger, The Chieftains, as well as The Amazing Kreskin, fabled Hollywood veteran Mickey Rooney, and many more. The current roster includes artists from Canada, Australia, Chile, Guinea, America, Europe, and the UK. JMI’s mandate is to seek out the finest roots performers from Canada and around the world. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 10

Ashley Condon Catherine MacLellan Colour Code

ashleycondon.com catherinemaclellan.com colourcode.bandcamp.com

Raised between two potato fields Catherine MacLellan’s fine song- Colour Code is a five-piece on Prince Edward Island, Ashley writing talent and accomplished ensemble hailing from Char- Condon is the grandchild of Bill performance has been described lottetown, Prince Edward Island, Leblanc, a Canadian country as transporting. Having toured whose sound encompasses pioneer who once spent the night extensively worldwide, she is melodic harmonies backed by in jail with Hank Snow. Like pecan loved and respected by audi- pop-laden hooks. At the forefront pie—sweet and nutty—Ashley has ences and peers. are the girl-guy vocals that are won audiences over with her larg- carried throughout ’s MacLellan’s star has long been er-than-life stage presence and songs, effervescently telling rising in North America. Voted down-to-earth charm. Growing stories as they float on top of the Critics Favourite New Discovery up on everything from old-time string arrangements, driven bass by Penguin Eggs Magazine in country to folk, blues and south- and drums. 2008, her third record, Water ern rock, her music resonates. In The Ground, reached out to Their diverse and unique sound The success of her 2007 EP I’ve expand her already loyal fan can be attributed to the ever- Got This Feeling garnered the base as she toured in support present violin, upright bass, and attention of native and of legendary artists including a collective of musical odds and ECMA-nominated producer Bruce Cockburn in the United ends ranging from glockenspiel Joel Hunt (Teresa Ennis, Old States and Steve Forbert in the to key-tar. Man Leudecke). The two have UK, while also holding her own joined creative forces for Ashley’s by showcasing in Boston, Berlin, debut, full-length album, Come Cannes, Memphis, New York, In From The Cold, released on London, and Paris. June 15, 2010. Since its release, Silhouette is the highly anticipat- Come In From The Cold has been ed newest album from Catherine nominated for a 2010 Music Nova MacLellan. Receiving extensive Scotia Award and a 2011 ECMA airplay, the record captures for Country Album Of The Year her best qualities, effortlessly and a 2011 Canadian Folk Music stitching together elegantly wo- Award for New/Emerging Artist ven songs with her memorable Of The Year. blend of heartfelt and powerfully This past summer, Ashley played introspective lyrics and catchy over 50 shows at the Mack The- melodies. atre in PEI as a featured artist in Accompanied by the masterful the 2012 Charlottetown Festival’s Chris Gauthier on , the pair hit show, Come All Ye. Work on are a compact yet impacting tour- her highly anticipated sopho- ing unit. more album is in the works with an expected release in 2013. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 11

Coyote Dan Walsh Death Valley Driver

wearecoyote.bandcamp.com danwalshbanjo.co.uk reverbnation.com/deathvalleydriver

Coyote is a progressive pop-rock Touted as one of the finest banjo Since 2008, Charlottetown, PEI’s band hailing from Charlottetown, players in the UK as well as being Death Valley Driver has been Prince Edward Island. With an a superb singer, songwriter and making the red mud of the Island explosive and energetic live guitarist, Dan Walsh is described a little more crimson with the show, the group produces a as ’the real deal’ (Uncut) and bloody mix of swamp metal. blend of up-tempo indie rock ’taking the banjo into the strato- The band is currently putting which highlights Josh Carter’s sphere’ (Froots) with a unique and the finishing touches on their unique and powerful tenor and eclectic style taking in folk, funk, sophomore album, Graveyard the harmonies packed around bluegrass, jazz, rock and even Dead, which was engineered it. Coyote’s songs are generally Arabic. at Lukas Raine Recordings with light-hearted and well-arranged, Having toured the UK many times, Dave Skinner. featuring a good mix of acoustic Dan is also taking his innovative and electric sounds. Their debut album, Choke The sound further afield with appear- River, was released on Dimin- Over two years of performing ances in Germany, Canada, and ished Fifth Records. Engineered across the Maritimes, Coyote has New Zealand to come as well as by Haywire’s David Rashed, the become a recognizable name recently performing in India as album has gotten rave reviews in the indie scene part of a groundbreaking col- and had charted nationally on in Atlantic Canada. They have laboration project. several Loud charts on university performed at events such as the radio, peaking so far at number 3. ECMA Breakout, Rising Star, and Pop Rock Stages, The Evolve Mu- In February of 2011, Death Val- sic and Awareness Festival, Show- ley Driver won Music PEI’s Loud case PEI, Halifax Pop Explosion, Recording Of The Year, as well as and the Music PEI Awards Gala. being nominated for Group Re- Their debut EP, Tracks, has earned cording of the Year and Best New Coyote four Music PEI Award Artist. They were also nominated nominations including Album of for Loud Recording Of The Year the Year and New Artist of the Year, for 2011 by the ECMA. and at ECMA 2013 Coyote took The five-piece has shared the home the firstPeople’s Choice stage with Metallica, Coheed & Rising Star Award which has se- Cambria, Seether, 3 Inches of cured them a showcase at NXNE. Blood, Morbid Angel, Cryptopsy, August Burns Red, Lagwagon, Protest The Hero, Misery Index, Obscura, and many others. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 12

Dennis Ellsworth Drea English Words

dennisellsworth.com dreamacdonald.bandcamp.com englishwordsband.com

Dennis has grown into one of PEI’s Drea Macdonald is ready The debut album from English Atlantic Canada’s most potent to rock and roll. The multi-instru- Words, Red Potion, is a 33-minute songwriters, with beautifully po- mentalist and singer/songwriter collage of new wave and ’80s etic lyrics and a veteran’s sense of is excited to start performing her alternative, with ’70s synth ambi- melody, tune and arrangement. recently released first full-length ence, bursts of neo-psychedelia album, In a Heartbeat. and even a hint of Britpop. It all The most recent release, Dusk gets pieced together to form a Dreams, was recorded in Athens, Drea began playing piano at a singular vision of original and Georgia, with acclaimed musician young age and at 13 she picked contemporary DIY pop music, and producer, David Barbe (Drive up her first guitar. From there, riddled with hooks. By Truckers, Cracker, Bob Mould/ she was hooked. In high school, Sugar). The album consists of ten she was the lead singer of her Produced by Holy F**k bassist songs that blend folk, pop, coun- first band and by the time she Matt McQuaid, Red Potion was try, lounge, blues, soul, and what- enrolled at UPEI Drea was asked recorded at the Old Confidence ever else. Critics are calling Dusk to join the Chamber Choir where Lodge in Riverport, Nova Scotia Dreams Dennis Ellsworth’s most she strengthened her vocal by Diego Medina. The music beautifully crafted release to skills. A few years later, she trav- layers creative, punchy rhythms date. The record garnered Den- elled across Canada where she with stylish synth lines, efficiently nis a position in the international started writing and performing placed guitar, modest bass drops, category of the 2012 Mountain her own songs. and a pallet of unlikely samples Stage New Song Contest. which include Pakistani surf rock, Following two EPs she recorded movie dialogue, and low-fi ’90s Dennis Ellsworth has two previ- from 2008-2010, Drea released indie rock. ous solo recordings, 2010’s In a Heartbeat in March 2013. The Chesterfield Dweller of the Year, album features her band, The Preceding their debut effort, which Americana-UK.com called Wildebeards, who bring a rock English Words played tightly “heartfelt and heart-achingly edge to her up tempo alternative wound, guitar-and-drum based beautiful, a timeless album”, and roots sound. indie rock. A four song EP, Cus- Strange Boat, an EP released in tomer Appreciation, was released Whether she’s playing solo with September 2011 and nominated in early 2010 which saw the her acoustic guitar or playing for four Music PEI awards. band’s single “Rope” climb CBC electric with a full band, Drea’s Radio 3’s R30 chart. The band, A follow up to Dusk Dreams is confessional lyrics and powerful both as English Words and for- in development. The record will vocals come together to create a mer moniker Smothered In Hugs, be produced by Josh Finalayson country-infused, folk-rock sound. have played countless shows at () in late January / early home in Charlottetown, Prince February 2013 at The Bathhouse Edward Island, and have fre- in Bath, ON, and released in Au- quently toured Eastern Canada tumn 2013 on Busted Flat Records. playing POP Montreal, NXNE, and the Halifax Pop Explosion. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 13

Gordie MacKeeman Jordan Cameron Max Keenlyside and his Rhythm Boys jordancameronmusic.com maxkeenlyside.ca gordiemackeeman.com Jordan Cameron is a solo artist A dazzling pianist and formidable from Summerside, PEI. Now liv- composer, Max Keenlyside has Hailing from Prince Edward Is- ing in Charlottetown, he’s been made an auspicious entry into the land, the award-winning Gordie a regular of the music scene on music world. From the age of ten, MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys the island since the release of his he has written and performed serve up old-time roots music EP, Drawing from Observation, in music in ragtime, stride, and clas- with an energy level that practi- 2009. He performs using guitar, sical styles, gaining a reputation cally yanks you out of your seat ukulele, a loop station, and, of as a top young artist in his field. by the collar. The Rhythm Boys course, his voice. His newest re- were given the Galaxie Super- In 2009, Max represented Prince lease, My What a Lovely Hate, was nova Award at the 2012 Ottawa Edward Island in the National released in the fall of 2011, and Folk Festival for outstanding live Artist’s Program, held in the con- his new project, Your History, is performance. Tom Power, host junction with the Canada Games. due out in 2013. of Deep Roots on CBC, recently A favourite at jazz and ragtime called the Rhythm Boys his “Best events around the world, he has Discovery Band” at the 2012 headlined several times at the East Coast Music Awards. If ever Scott Joplin, West Coast Ragtime, someone was deserving of the and Blind Boone festivals. nickname “Crazy Legs”, it just In addition to festivals, Max regu- might be Gordie MacKeeman. larly concertizes and has given a His thrilling dance style mixed solo program for a live audience with great bluegrass vocals, Peter on CBC Radio. His debut release, Cann’s blistering guitar solos, KeenlyStride, was issued in 2010 and the lively multi-instrumental on the Rivermont label. This was talents of Thomas Webb and followed by Mostly Max in 2012, Mark Geddes, and Gordie MacK- featuring a plethora of Max’s eeman and his Rhythm Boys are a original compositions alongside complete entertainment package. the old classics. Max currently performs around North America, and is composing his first Sym- phony for orchestra. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 14

Meaghan Blanchard North Lakes Nudie meaghanblanchard.com music.cbc.ca/#/artists/The-North-Lakes music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Nudie

Meaghan Blanchard is a 24-year- Sending reverberations from be- An Island sensation for years, old singer/songwriter from yond the Confederation Bridge, Nudie has toured long and far Hunter River, PEI. North Lakes are a rock ‘n’ roll and played in venues of all sizes band that radiate with swagger across North America. He plays She draws a lot of her inspiration and bravado. Taking their cue traditional the way for performing and songwrit- from ’60s pop and garage rock, Hank Williams would have liked ing from her grandparents who the energetic five-piece com- it: great songwriting, minimal helped fuel her dreams and bines vivid lyrical imagery and a instrumentation, a strong voice, inspired her to take on the chal- colossal roar of musicality to craft and an everyman attitude. lenges of becoming a successful punchy, concise rock records. performing singer/songwriter. Their latest album, Grand Prix, She’s Gonna Fly, the third album captures North Lakes at their from this artist, will be released in most raw. Recorded in a church September 2013. The album was in Long Creek by Adam Gallant produced by John Keane at his (whose credits include acts studio in Athens, GA. Her most such as Boxer The Horse, The recent album, Chasin’ Lonely Danks, English Words, Al Tuck Again, was the winner of an ECMA and more) and produced by 2011 award. Meaghan’s first al- Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions), bum, Changing Things, received the album is a testament to the four Music PEI 2009 awards. galvanized direction and ambi- tion of the up-and-coming Prince Edward Island-based band.

Grand Prix comes on the heels of North Lakes’ debut, Cobra, which earned the band a Music PEI Award for Best Alternative Album in 2011. Since then, North Lakes have been performing steadily throughout the Maritimes and showcasing at industry events such as the East Coast Music Awards in Moncton, New Bruns- wick in April, Music PEI Week in Charlottetown, PEI in January, and Canadian Music Week last March. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 15

Racoon Bandit Richard Wood / Ten Strings And

racoonbandit.com Gordon Belsher A Goat Skin rwood.ca / guernseycove.ca/bio tenstringsandagoatskin.com Made up of Fraser McCallum, Roger Carter and brothers Adam Since he was very young, Richard Ten Strings And A Goat Skin is a and Scott Gallant, Racoon Bandit Wood has impressed audiences young award-winning bilingual has released two independent performing all across Canada, as trad/fusion trio that celebrates albums, with 2011’s Into the Hills well as in the US, Europe, and the music of the Irish, Franco- turning heads across the country. Japan. Richard has played for phone, and Maritime cultures. Popular new music site Skeleton Canada’s Prime Minister and They integrate modern and world Crew Quarterly said about Char- Governor General, the Queen rhythms with traditional and lottetown’s Racoon Bandit, “They of England (in Toronto), and for original tunes to create a fiery, show a knack for warm folk-rock the Emperor of Japan in Tokyo. infectious energy and unique arrangements that hide an an- In the late 1990s, he toured sound that is increasingly catch- themic bite; something that goes the UK and Europe headlining ing the attention of Eastern Ca- smoothly next to daydreamed concert halls and folk festivals. nadian and International venues campfires and docks at sunset.” He’s since played at the Lincoln and stages. Centre in New York City, Epcot at Winners of Music PEI’s Group Milestones saw the group mak- Disney World, and was a featured Recording and Rock Recording ing waves on both English and performer in the touring of the Year in 2012, the folk-rock Francophone venues at the spectacle Bowfire. Richard feels, quartet blends engaging lyrics, 2011 and 2012 ECMAs and their though, his greatest honour was subtle psychedelic tones, and debut bilingual album, TRI, was performing for Canada’s armed folk, country and rock into one awarded Music PEI’s 2012 Roots forces, once in Bosnia and twice captivating experience. Traditional Recording of the Year in Afghanistan. and was nominated for the 2012 The group recently released a Gordon Belsher began his career ECMA Roots Traditional Group vinyl EP, RacoonBandit/SisterJack, as a bassist in rock and dance Recording of the Year. Traveling and are now hard at work on their bands in the ’60s and ’70s, includ- ever further afield, the group was third full-length recording. ing a year on the road in the back- recently nominated for Music Nominees in 2012 for the ECMAs, up band for rock-n-roll pioneer PEI’s 2013 SpinCount Touring Art- Racoon Bandit has shared the Buddy Knox. A move to Prince ists of the Year. stage with many greats including Edward Island in 1978 capitalized The Sadies, April Wine, Al Tuck, on a lifelong interest in traditional In-Flight Safety, and Erin Costelo. music. This has since developed into a successful performing and recording career, both as a solo artist, and as accompanist for several Island fiddlers. First team- ing up with Richard Wood in 1996, this relationship has grown and continues to evolve. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: The Artists 16

Teresa Doyle The Meds Tim Chaisson

teresadoyle.com themeds.ca timchaisson.com

Teresa Doyle is a vocal explorer, Following a hugely successful Based in PEI, Tim Chaisson has singing Gaelic, jazz, folk, Celtic, Canadian national tour opening developed a strong reputation swing and latin music. Her eleven for Matt Mays, and EP release in as a performer/songwriter over recordings have met with critical 2012, pop-rock renegades The the past few years. He has estab- acclaim at home in the Maritimes, Meds’ full-length debut is slated lished a loyal fan base in Canada across North America, Europe for release in 2013. and Australia and grows his audi- and Japan. This body of work has ence tour-by-tour. Through fall 2012, The Meds and garnered numerous awards in- Matt Mays played a six-week, 22- Since the release of 2009’s cluding three ECMAs, two JUNO show tour that included shows Broken Hearted Beat, Chaisson nominations and the 2007 Victor in every province in Canada. Not has been added to the roster of Martyn Lynch- Staunton Award for only was this an unbelievable op- Bumstead Productions, ventured Music, awarded to one Canadian portunity to showcase The Meds across Australia on three suc- musician to reward excellence in to national audiences, the band cessful solo tours, hit #1 on the mid-career. had the good fortune of playing MuchMoreMusic Countdown, and Doyle has attracted listeners at sold out shows in many of Cana- performed to ever-expanding countless festivals and concert da’s most iconic venues, includ- audiences across the globe—from venues including: The Mariposa, ing: The Commodore Ballroom club to festival stages alike. He’s Winnipeg and Vancouver Folk (Vancouver), The Starlite Room also amassed his share of awards Festivals, the Montreal Jazz Fes- (Edmonton), The Pyramid (Win- and accolades, including COCA tival, the 92nd Street ‘Y’ in Man- nipeg), and The Phoenix Concert Emerging Artist of the Year and hattan, England’s Salisbury Art Theatre (Toronto). Music PEI Touring Artist of the Centre, Sound Symposium, The Year in 2012, on top of being This unprecedented debut tour St. John’s Jazz Festival, Canadian chosen as Musical Director for has given The Meds the op- Jazz and World Showcases and the Duke and Duchess of Cam- portunity to showcase their live the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. bridge’s highly-publicized Royal rock show, as well as their freshly She has two symphony col- Visit to PEI in 2011. released debut EP, to a national laborations to her credit and has market. Based on the success of Nominated for four East Coast performed with folk legends Stan this tour, The Meds will release Music Awards in 2013, including Rogers and The Chieftains. She their full-length album in 2013, Entertainer of the Year, Chais- gives voice workshops in Canada, and will continue touring Canada son recently celebrated his first Mexico, the U.S., and Ireland. in support of their live show and ECMA win for Roots/Traditional Her music appears on more than recorded material. Solo Artist of the Year to accom- a dozen compilations including pany his release, The Other Side. three collections by Putumayo Regardless of whether he’s joined World Music in New York and onstage by a full band or simply three releases with Rough Guide his guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, in the U.K. with releases around Chaisson makes his craft look the globe. absolutely effortless—the mark of a true artist. SHOWCASE PEI 2013: Messages 17

Message from Music PEI

Showcase PEI Delegates, welcome to Prince Edward Island and our 6th annual buyers confer- ence! Over the past five years we have welcomed over 150 delegates from around the world to participate each year in Showcase PEI and discover the wealth of musical talent here on PEI. As you will find, this conference is all about the music. We have planned live performance show- cases for you over the course of three days in a variety of venues and settings. We also hope to help you explore and discover this beautiful, little Island. You just might find it so interesting like many of our past delegates who have returned to vacation here.

We are very fortunate to have great support from our government and funders for our busi- ness development activities especially the Province of PEI, ACOA and FACTOR. We also want to extend a big thanks to the English Folk Dance and Song Society for the partnership that allows us to continue developing our Artist Exchange Program.

We hope you enjoy yourselves, have fun and have a productive time here on PEI!

Rob Oakie Executive Director, Music PEI

Message from Innovation PEI

Innovation PEI recognizes the excellent work of Music PEI, especially through Showcase PEI, in their efforts to advance the careers of Island artists. This business development conference is an important event for the Prince Edward Island music industry that creates opportunities and pro- motion like no other for our talented Island artists. We warmly welcome delegates from all over Canada, the US and the UK to Prince Edward Island and know they will find business opportuni- ties but also enjoy all that our Island has to offer.

Allen Roach Minister, Innovation and Advanced Learning Kent is a proud supporter of Music PEI and Island artists.

Come and visit our new Charlottetown location at 65 Walsh Road.

In support of Music PEI and the Island men and women who make it happen. A celebration of Prince Edward Island’s finest musical talents. Featuring the annual Music PEI Awards Gala, concerts, showcases, workshops and more!

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN! FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.MUSICPEI.COM

Networking Showcase Festival Trade Fair Conference Film Screenings Awards virtualWOMEX

Cardiff, Wales, UK 23–27 October 2013 www.womex.com musicPEI ad:Layout 1 13-09-12 2:45 PM Page 1

I N T R O D U C I N G T H E SONGWRITERS SERIES at The MACK New package deal –– “The Songwriters Series”: 3 shows for $80! Featuring breakout Canadian favourites: David Myles, , and Sherman Downey & The Ambiguous Case!

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E T O V I E W T H E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 L I V E @ T H E C E N T R E L I N E U P ! 1 800 565 0278 liveatthecentre.com

C O N F E D E R A T I O N C E N T R E O F T H E A R T S C H A R L O T T E T O W N P . E . I . OUR SPONSORS Music PEI would like to thank the generous support of the Showcase PEI 2013 sponsors.

Let's Build Something!TM

A Voice for Island Music | www.MusicPEI.com