In the Spotlight: Tyler Medeiros

Story by Tiana Feng | Sunday December 23rd, 2012

At only 17 years old, Toronto native Tyler Medieros has already done some big things. The cousin of fellow international breakout stars Shawn Desman and Danny Fernandes, Medeiros found music at a very young age, releasing his first songs at only 15. Receiving positive responses, he kept recording and his first official single, “Say I Love You (Please Don’t Go)” (feat. Lil Twist) was a smash hit with fans, and attracted the attention of pop/rap superstar Flo Rida, who signed him to his new label, International Music Group.

With his songs charting on MuchMusic and Family Channel, Medeiros kept busy on a huge arena tour with Flo Rida and Pitbull, and became the face of Family Channel’s Anti-Bullying Awareness Week. And he’s not stopping anytime soon.

“Growing up I always had a passion for music,” he says. “I’m going to keep making my music for my amazing fans… I haven’t even seen half the world yet. Still so much to do.”

Lessons Learned: Electropop music tips from Dragonette

Story by Tiana Feng | Thursday December 27th, 2012

  • Martina: “If someone was going to start in this music, I’d say write from the heart and bring some soul.”
  • Dan: “I’d start with writing a really good song, because nothing happens without that.”
  • Dan: “Get it remixed: There are literally hundreds of remixes of Dragonette songs, and that really helps proliferate your sound.”
  • Dan’s recommended plug-ins and software: Ableton Live, Logic Audio, Softsense, Battery, Addictive Drums, Omnisphere, Trillium, and Apollo. “And get the most powerful computer you can afford to run all this shit.”

Lessons Learned: How writers connect to publishers

Story by Tiana Feng | Saturday December 22nd, 2012

  •  Need to reach a publisher? Just call or e-mail them. “I’m very easily contacted that way,” says Shawn Marino.
  • What are they looking for from a songwriter, aside from great songs? “That slightly entrepreneurial side of things, where they’re self –motivated, and always looking for opportunities themselves,” says Dave Quilico.
  •  What characteristic should you possess, beside an indefatigable work ethic? A positive attitude. “[A positive] attitude is extremely important,” says Mark Jowett. “If you’re a writer who gets down after being rejected once or twice, you’ll never make it.”