By David Farrell
IMPEL, SX Works Global Publisher Services (SX Works), and the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) have announced the completion of a strategic partnership that expands North American and international mutual licensing and back-office administration opportunities.
The partnership empowers IMPEL’s independent music publisher members to license their digital rights directly in Canada with the CMRRA and in the United States via SX Works.
In addition to the collection of digital royalties, IMPEL members can also opt-in for licensing in other areas with CMRRA, including physical products and broadcast mechanical collections, in accordance with CMRRA’s a la carte program of client service offerings.
In the initial phase of the partnership, CMRRA members were able to join IMPEL’s multi-territory licences across Europe and beyond. More than 500 CMRRA clients have already enrolled and, with repertoire registration near completion, distributions are set to begin this year.
– Fiona Diamond has been named Interim Executive Director for Music NS. A co-founder of Brookes Diamond Productions, Fiona Diamond has held many roles across the industry including show producer, talent agent, concert promoter, operations manager, and marketing director. She founded the Halifax Comedy Fest, producing the event until 2007, and is the co-producer of Nova Scotian musical spectaculars DRUM! and Juba’lee Legacy.
– Women in Music Canada (WIMC) has named Robyn Stewart (she/her) as its Executive Director. An accomplished 19-year Event Director, currently holding the role of ED and CEO of the Western Canadian Music Alliance, Stewart’s background reaches all areas of event management and talent buying, with her strongest skills lying in financial management, complex logistics, government relations and fund development, and partner relationship building, according to a WIMC media release.
– Nickelback is set to release Get Rollin’, its 10th studio album via BMG on Nov. 18. According to the press release, the single, San Quentin' was inspired after frontman Chad Kroeger met a warden from the notoriously high-security California prison. The song follows as he plots his clever escape. Below is the lyric video for the track.
– After releasing an infectiously bright guitar instrumental cover of Gershon Kingsley’s 1969 Moog hit Popcorn last year, Liona Boyd is back with a new album celebrating the romance and rhythm of Latin music. Entitled The L.O.V.E., the celebrated and internationally acclaimed classical guitarist says that “the songs are really about maintaining a sense of joy during this trying time,”, in reference to the Covid epidemic. She has again partnered with longtime producer Peter Bond to record the album at Toronto’s Rose Room. It’s her 29th album release.
Since the beginning of her career in 1974, Boyd has released 28 albums. She has upwards of 16 million streams across platforms, and her live concert holiday special, A Winter Fantasy, continues to be televised nationally via PBS and CBC.The lead single is Gracias and below is the video for it.
– If you're interested in joining CIMA’s Board of Directors or curious about the issues affecting the landscape of the Canadian independent music industry that the Board tackles from meeting to meeting, join CIMA's Meagan Davidson (Tiny Kingdom Music), Gourmet Délice (Bonsound), and Daniel Turcotte (Monstercat) on Sept. 16 as they discuss their own experiences as first-time Board Members. Register for the free online intro here.
– The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) has announced the 30 recipients of the AID: #ForTheLoveOfLIVE financial assistance relief program, a joint effort between the CLMA and SOCAN created to help independently owned and operated small venues who have experienced significant financial challenges due to the pandemic.
From June 13 to July 13, independent live music venues with capacities of 500 or fewer in Canada were invited to apply to the program. The recipients were selected randomly by blind lottery, and each will receive $1,000 to help with recovery.
The 2022 AID: #ForTheLoveOfLIVE recipients are:
Bez Arts Hub (BC)
Local Losers (BC)
The Hart Gastown (BC)
The LIDO (BC)
Victoria Event Centre (BC)
Vinyl Envy (BC)
The Common / 9910 (AB)
The Vat Pub (AB)
Bulldog Event Center (MB)
The Good Will Social Club (MB)
Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (MB)
West End Cultural Centre (MB)
Broken Record Bar & Music Room (NB)
The CAP (NB)
The Caveau (NB)
Xeroz Arcade/Bar (NB)
First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity (NL)
Lunenburg Opera House (NS)
Aeolian Hall (ON)
Hayloft Dance Hall (ON)
LIVE! on Elgin (ON)
LopLops (ON)
Supermarket Bar and Variety (ON)
The Cameron Public House Ltd (ON)
Ausgang Plaza (QC)
Cooperative Paradis (QC)
Le Pantoum (QC)
La Petite boîte noire (QC)
La Source de la Martinière (QC)
Le Verre Bouteille (QC)
– Vancouver-based digital music distro Play MPE is again partnered with the International Songwriting Competition based out of the US. The grand prize on offer is a global music promotion distribution package worth US$4K. For details on all the prizes on offer this year, head here.
– Kobalt, one of the world’s biggest independent publishers and music-services companies, has sold a controlling interest to investment firm Francisco Partners. Music Business Worldwide reports that Francisco acquired a 90% stake in the company for $750 million, as per Variety.
