Only Québec music to be used in Québec government buildings from now on

Story by Eric Parazelli | Wednesday June 23rd, 2021

Quebec Culture and Communications Minister Nathalie Roy announced on Sunday, June 20, 2021, that only made-in-Québec music will be used from now on in the buildings of Quebec government ministries and public bodies. The Québec government’s decision is designed to  officially promote the use of Québec music, in harmony with its aims to increase the value of Québec culture, and promote local economic activity.

The Culture and Communications Ministry had already established a policy to play Québec music only on its communications platforms, but the government wanted to see other ministries and organizations follow suit. Besides increasing the influence of Québec music through government agencies and communications channels, the new policy is intended to help Québec music makers earn increased performance royalties.

SOCAN worked to ensure that background music suppliers used are legally licensed to play, so that copyright holders receive what they have rightfully earned for the use of their work.

“We love the idea of using regional music anywhere music is being played,” said SOCAN’s Interim CEO Jennifer Brown. “With this initiative, the Québec Culture and Communications department is supporting Québec music creators in a practical way, setting an example for all those committed to the development and good health of our music ecosystem.”

The Minister also announced that a $1,115,000 grant will be provided to ADISQ (The Quebec Recording, Concert and Video Industry Association) as part of a cultural sector economic stimulus plan, “Écoute mon album” (“Listen to My Album”).

Thanks to this financial support, 80 short TV and web videos bill be produced by ADISQ to further promote albums and EPs released during the pandemic, as well as the artists who worked on them. These videos will be watched on TV and online, starting in the Winter of 2022, thanks to major partnerships between ADISQ and a variety of broadcasters.

By supporting both initiatives, the Québec government has expressed its willingness to take part in an economic stimulus program for the music sector, and provide Québec talent with a broader platform. “Québec is a true incubator of musical artists who are finding their inspiration in our society, our roots, our land, and our dreams,” said Culture and Communications Minister Nathalie Roy. “Québec music is not only unique and rich, but Québecois people themselves listen to it, love it, and share it. I’m proud to see our government initiate practices that are going to make even more room for our music in our daily lives, thanks to its help.”

SOCAN Satellite Sessions: Allison Russell

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday June 24th, 2021

In order to provide a platform for our members on the rise, we’re pleased to continue the SOCAN Satellite Sessions – an ongoing series of new, unseen member performances broadcast on @SOCANMusic Instagram (and later available across all our social media platforms). In celebration of Black Music Month, the first series of sessions will showcase Black music excellence; each week in June, we’ll present musical performances by some of Canada’s most talented up-and-coming Black songwriters.

The fourth SOCAN Satellite Session features Allison Russell, streaming on @SOCANMusic Instagram starting on June 24, 2021.

Allison Russell has placed her hometown of Montréal at the heart of her first career solo album. The singer-songwriter, now based in suburban Nashville, has overcome her writer’s block to deliver the sublime, often painful, but redemptive Outside Child, in which she reclaims her story of being an abused child who found her “lifeline” in the Québécois metropolis.

“I’m happy to be back in Montréal,” says Allison Russell, born there to Scottish and Grenadian parents. “Today, my adoptive father – who was the source of the abuse I experienced as a child – and my mother have moved to Ontario. My ghosts have left town, so when I go back, it’s with my family, my musician friends, and it’s always nice to go back, really,” says the musician.

“That’s why the album starts with the song “Montréal,” she adds. “This record is really a tribute to my city. Montréal was my mother when my mother couldn’t take it anymore. In a way, the identity and cultural activity of Montréal saved me. The outdoor concerts at the Jazz Festival saved me, as well as my visits to the Museum of Fine Arts,” says the musician, who was fleeing the house to avoid her attacker.

Tune in to @SOCANMusic Instagram to see her exclusive video performance!

Register now for SOCAN Foundation / TuneCore Creative Entrepreneur Summit for Emerging Music Creators

Story by SOCAN Foundation / Fondation SOCAN | Wednesday June 23rd, 2021

The SOCAN Foundation, part of the SOCAN Group of companies, has partnered with TuneCore, the world’s leading independent digital music distributor, owned by Paris-based Believe, to launch the Creative Entrepreneur Summit, an online, interactive event geared towards enhancing the business acumen of emerging music creators and industry professionals. The summit will be held on July 20-29, 2021.

Music creators from across Canada can attend the six-day, live-streamed event, which will cover a host of discussions led by expert speakers. Topics explored will relate to music and business, including sessions on publishing, distribution, licensing, and legal fundamentals. Workshops will cover entrepreneurism, social strategy, data analytics, business planning, and more. Speakers include TuneCore’s Director of U.S. & Canada, Dan Rutman, TikTok Canada’s Music Lead, Jordan Sowunmi, Warner Music Group’s Director of Data and Insights, Christine Osazuwa, and many more.

“The music industry is a complex ecosystem, especially for emerging music creators pursuing their dreams,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation. “The goal of the Creative Entrepreneur Summit is to empower the next generation of musical artists to develop their business skills and entrepreneurial aptitude, so they can turn their talent and passion into sustainable careers.”

Rutman said, “It was important to TuneCore to join with SOCAN Foundation as the lead partner for the Creative Entrepreneur Summit, as both organizations have a shared track record for innovation, and developing programming in support of independent artists. This series of informative panels and inclusive workshops further defines our ambitions to inspire independent artists across Canada, and around the world.”

The summit will be live streamed on EventMobi, and registration for the event includes an all-access pass to more than 18 panels and workshops, as well as a code for a free single distributed via TuneCore. Anyone interested in attending the Creative Entrepreneur Summit is encouraged to register here.

For more information about the Creative Entrepreneur Summit, visit socan.swoogo.com/creativeentrepreneur or e-mail foundation@socan.com.

Additional summit partners include Music Publishers Canada, APEM, the Songwriters Association of Canada, the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, SPACQ, and Chartmetric.