CFM and ACTRA RACS Showcase at South by Southwest
CFM and ACTRA RACS Present 2nd Annual New Artist Showcase at 25th Annual South by Southwest Music Festival & Conference
For immediate release – Tuesday, March 15, 2011: Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM), the Canadian division of the American Federation of Musicians, will once again partner with ACTRA Recording Artists' Collecting Society (RACS) to present a new artist showcase in Austin, Texas during the 25th annual SXSW Festival and Conference. Last year’s inaugural event boasted capacity crowds, enviable exposure for the five featured artists, and garnered a strong buzz amongst festival attendees. The organizations’ sophomore presentation will be staged in collaboration with the popular Canadian Blast Series, and features musically diverse performances from experimental duo PS I Love You, rapper Cadence Weapon, and the always gregarious band Rah Rah. This exclusive afternoon event runs from 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Canada House (Upstairs at Paradise - 6th Street & Trinity, www.paradiseonsixth.com), and is open to SXSW badge-holders and guest list.
“Over the last 25 years, SXSW has offered emerging talent essential exposure to the creative people who are involved in bring music to the public’s attention, explains Bill Skolnik, AFM Vice President from Canada & CFM Chief Executive Officer. “We congratulate SXSW for helping to further the careers of Canadian musicians; and are delighted to once again support our membership with another stellar music showcase”.
“ACTRA is proud to shine the spotlight on some of Canada’s most exciting artists and to show the world what these remarkable musicians have to offer,” said Ferne Downey, ACTRA National President.
The AFM Canada / ACTRA RACS showcase proudly features:
Kingston, Ontario’s quick-rising duo, PS I Love You, is multi-instrumentalist Paul Saulnier and drummer Benjamin Nelson. Their recently released CD, Meet Me At The Muster Station, is garnering attention for its experimental pop rock that seamlessly marries everything from quirky guitar looping pedals, keyboards with some gadgets and gimmicks, squalling Marshall feedback, searing solos, soaring melodies and rock-steady beats. Their impressive performance schedule includes appearances at both Canadian Music Week and NXNE. www.myspace.com/psiloveyouband
Named for the boat that carried them across Toronto Harbour to their studio, the Great Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker, Erik Arnesen and Colin Huebert create folksy compositions that have been described as remarkably haunting, heartfelt folk-pop sound, mixing ambient textures with skilful instrumental interplay. A captivating sound that earned the ensemble a #1 spot on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart. Feist, Robert Plant, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and cyclist Lance Armstrong are among their legion of loyal fans. They have toured extensively and have shared bills with Bela Fleck & The Sparrow Quartet, Hayden, Goldfrapp, and Bill Callahan of Smog, among others. www.greatlakeswimmers.com
Cadence Weapon, a.k.a Edmonton-born emcee-producer-DJ Roland (Rollie) Pemberton, is one of the hottest additions to the Canadian hip-hop scene. His debut album, Breaking Kayfabe was critically acclaimed, earning the artist a Polaris Music Prize nomination for Canadian Album of the Year in 2006. The recently released, Afterparty Babies broils with electro, techno and house beats, and dance rhythms that are rarely heard in hip-hop circles. Cadence Weapon has recently embarked on a five-week U.S./Canada tour. www. cadenceweaponmusic.com
Proud prairie rockers, Rah Rah sing of the seriousness of art, poetry, love and politics, and contrast it with a stage full of confetti, pinatas, candy, and six friends loving life and having fun. Their sophomore album, Breaking Hearts has received widespread industry praise. Rah Rah were crowned “Best New Canadian Band” and “Best New Alternative Band” by iTunes in 2009. The band has performed at the Regina Folk Festival, Pop Montreal, Sled Island, the 2010 Vancouver Cultural Olympiad and NXNE. www.myspace.com/rahrahband
In-Flight Safety soars to great heights with their poignant pop songs and memorable live appearances. This Halifax based four-piece consists of vocalist and guitarist John Mullane, keyboardist Daniel Ledwell, bassist Brad Goodsell and drummer Glen Nicholson. In-Flight Safety's critically acclaimed Vacation Land EP arrived in 2003 and was followed in 2006 by the band's debut LP, The Coast Is Clear. The latter went on to earn JUNO and MuchMusic Video Award nominations and three East Coast Music Awards, including: Rising Star, Alternative Recording and Group Recording of the Year in 2007. www.inflightsafety.ca
Tune into www.inthescene.ca for the latest updates on all CFM’s showcase events.
The premier destination for discovery, SXSW® celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011. Reaching a quarter of a century of being the biggest and most anticipated convergence of all things music, SXSW is ready to keep the reputation alive by programming the best event yet and is expected to drawn more than 15,000 music industry professional from around the world, each in search of tomorrow’s music innovators. Argueably the world's largest, longest-running and most prestigious music festival and global industry conference, SXSW is a must-attend industry event where new sounds are discovered and career development flourishes. The Southwest Music Festival & Conferences, takes place in Austin, Texas from March 11 through 20, 2011.
Building on AFM Canada’s long and successful legacy, CFM will continue furthering the particular interests and needs of professional musicians who earn their living in this country. Everyday CFM helps thousands of musicians with any number of issues related to the recording and performing of their craft. American Federation of Musicians, United States and Canada draws on the experience and strength of more than 90,000 musicians, with over 17,000 active members in Canada alone. Proudly celebrating 31 remarkable years of service, CFM is uniquely positioned to address Canadian issues, and provides vital resources for Canadian musicians, at any stage in their careers. For more information please visit us at www.cfmusicians.org
ACTRA RACS is a division of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) the national organization of more than 21, 000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. As a member of the Re: Sound Music Licensing Company ACTRA RACS is one of the organizations responsible for distribution of royalties collected on all tariffs related to sound recordings under Canada’s Copyright Act.
