RHYTHM RESURRECTION: Manitoba Students Launch Local Music Collection

Eleven local high school students have spent the last few months learning about the music biz and are ready to share what they've learned with music fans. 

Manitoba Music and ACI Manitoba teamed up once again to run a program aimed at Manitoba youth interested in careers in the music industry. Over the span of three months, the Youth Mentorship Program provided students from various southern Manitoba high schools with a chance to expand their knowledge of the industry and develop their own music business skills. 

Students participated in a series of mentor sessions facilitated by local industry professionals covering different aspects of the business, from touring to releasing records to marketing and publicity. Derek Kun of rock act Burnthe8track coordinated the project, which featured the expertise of Stephen Carroll (Empirical Artist Services, West End Cultural Centre), Jen Zoratti (Winnipeg Free Press), Mike Petkau Falk (Head In The Sand), JP Hoe, Jared Falk (Killbeat Publicity), Sam Smith (Windsor Hotel, Captain Manners Presents), Tyler Sneesby (Jazz Winnipeg), and Greg MacPherson (Disintegration Records), plus a studio visit with Carlos Vela at Mid Ocean School of Media Arts. 

While the mentor sessions helped the students learn firsthand about working in the industry, they also had a chance to develop their practical skills with a marketing project. Coordinated, marketed, and promoted by the students themselves, the project includes a collection of tracks from young independent Manitoba artists, dubbed Rhythm Resurrection: Unearthing Manitoba Music.

Rhythm Resurrection is a digital compilation featuring an eclectic collection of 10 songs from talented young Manitoba musicians, including contributions from Sons of York, Naysa, Until Red, Pocket Change, Linds, Sapphire Empire, New Renaissance, Elessar Thiessen, and more. The project features musical styles ranging from electronica to folk/pop and serves as a truly impressive representation of the diversity in the local music scene here in Manitoba. Stream the Rhythm Resurrection collection at rhythmresurrection.bandcamp.com.

The project will be released May 15 at The Park Theatre. The bill features rock outfit Sons of York, Brandon-based pop/rockers Until Red, and singer/songwriter Elessar Thiessen. Another group of youth will be handling the stage for the event. The Winnipeg Folk Festival, in partnership with ACI Manitoba, has been running a mentorship program for youth interested in stage management. Eleven participants between the ages of 16 and 19 will have the chance to use their new skills as part of the Daytime Stage Crew at the festival, July 9-13. But before that, they'll be at The Park Theatre to support the Rhythm Resurrection Release Party. Get show details