Music Export Canada Presents CIMA Mission to BIGSOUND: A Look at Day 2

Posted on: September 12, 2014
Tagged as: Canadian Blast events

Brisbane, September 10^th

It was a full-on first day for our delegation at BIGSOUND, with a Canada-focused panel and speed-networking lunch during the day, and the Canadian Blast showcase in the early evening!

The Hooray for Canada! panel at 11.35AM, facilitated by CIMA president Stuart Johnston, saw the panelists which included Tim Jones (Pipe & Hat) and John Kastner (CMW) dishing out sound advice and valuable insights to all aspects (especially in touring and funding) of the music industry in Canada to a keen audience.

Immediately after the panel our delegation arrived en masse at Fat Dumplings for the Country Connections speed-networking lunch organized jointly by Sounds Australia, New Zealand Music Commission and CIMA. Over huge servings of dumplings our delegates met key industry professionals in distribution, promotion, publicity and media from Australia and New Zealand in snappy 8-minute blocks. The tight room was bustling as our folks connected with their peers this part of the world, and our ears were ringing from all the enthusiastic conversations!

After a short breather we made our way to the Canadian Blast showcase at Alhambra Lounge in the late afternoon. After a quick networking reception Stuart introduced Neill Dixon, president of Canadian Music Week, on stage to address the room, followed by a quick welcome by General Consul Mario Ste-Marie, the showcase commenced proper.

Lauded Toronto indie rock quintet July Talk stormed onto stage and shook the room, their manic raspy-voiced lead singer Peter Dreimanis was unstoppable, and the chemistry between him and his dulcet-toned female counterpart Leah Fay dynamic. Dreimanis’ aggressive physical antics, which involved slapping his cheek (till his nose bled, however unintentional), and his playful exchange with Fay made an incredibly electrifying set. It was simply impossible to take our eyes off them!

Introduced by Sean McManus from Manitoba Music who was on MC duties this evening Jordan Klassen followed on with quiet confidence and offered much needed calm to the room with warm melodies and reflective lyrics. The exquisite arrangement of his set came through interplay between him and backing vocalist Jocelyn Price as well as the punctuation of delicate moments with some of energy and soaring vocals.

After a quick set change Mise en Scene were welcomed on by an appreciative audience (Fay from July Talk included). We were ensnared by the prowess of this X-chromosome-only two-piece band of Stefanie Blondal Johnson and Jodi Dunlop from Winnipeg, who owned the stage with loud, characteristic aplomb. Great things await this fearless duo we predict!

World beat artist Buckman Coe‘s brand of reggae, roots and soul infused grooves resonated through the room and got us swaying gently into the night as this year’s Canadian Blast at BIGSOUND drew to a close. His uplifting and dancey set has undoubtedly made it more than worthwhile for those who stayed throughout the entire show at the Alhambra Lounge.

The local audience has showed us much love on our first day in Brisbane, and we cannot wait to show some more of the best of Canadian talents when we return tomorrow!