The future of Canadian music
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to talk to youth involved The Cultch’s IGNITE! Mentorship Program about media relations in the arts. I sat on a panel with Janet Smith, arts editor at the Georgia Straight, and Rebecca Sharma, media coordinator for The Cultch. Collectively, we chatted about the steps one needs to take in order to get an article to print.
It was an inspiring experience.
These kids, ranging from spoken word gurus to songwriting superstars to drama queens to dancing kings, are quite talented. I later got the chance to sit in a group with just the songwriters and talk to them in-depth about the music industry, music journalism and music in general. It is moments like these that make me frustrated to hear about funding cuts to the arts. There are some truly talented and devoted teens who are eager to make music a career, but the reality is that’s going to be more and more difficult in coming years.
The above photo is what the future of Canadian music looks like. Doesn’t it look spectacular? I think so!
I’m so happy I had the chance to give back to the community, all while encouraging a bright musical future filled with folk rhapsodies and punk jams.
Thanks to Corbin Murdoch, Youth Program Manager at The Cultch, for including me on the panel.
It is going to be harder, but I think if people shoot for “make a living” instead of “international rock star” it will still be possible (with talent obviously.)
It’s going to be up to the fans ultimately though. We have to be willing to make the effort – to buy CDs when we don’t ‘have to’, to buy other merch, to go to shows and to otherwise help out when and where we can.
Thanks for the comment, Justin. I agree with you—simply buying a CD or a t-shirt at a show goes a long way for artists.
word up Justin.