Undercurrents Compilation CD Highlights Innovative Young Artists

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Manitoba Music and the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI Manitoba) have teamed up for the second year 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 a dozen 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 workshops facilitated by local industry professionals covering different aspects of the music business, from touring to releasing records to marketing and publicity. The project was coordinated by Derek Kun of rock act Burnthe8track. The list of mentors included: Keli Martin from indie pop/rock outfit The Details, Burning Circus Management's Glen Willows, Winnipeg Free Press' Rob Williams and Melissa Martin, Private Ear Recording's John Paul Peters, Unity Sound's Matt Mayor, Transistor 66 Recording Co.'s Art MacIntyre, label rep Amelia Curran, Sidelined Productions' Nathan Terin, and Paquin Entertainment's Todd Jordan.

The workshops helped to develop the students’ practical skills, put to the test with a CD compilation project. Coordinated, marketed, and promoted by the students themselves, the album features tracks from eight independent Manitoba artists and is branded under the name Undercurrents.

The Undercurrents compilation CD is an eclectic collection of young and talented artists from Manitoba. Ranging from hard rock to folk, the CD features innovative unsigned artists such as SubCity, Ingrid Gatin, Amuse, Carly Dow & Ariel Posen, Mason Weselowski, Blame the Television, Micah Erenberg, and The In-Fluents. 

The Undercurrents compilation CD will be released at a multidisciplinary youth art show, The Up & Coming Showcase, which will be held at the West End Cultural Centre on May 18 at 7pm. The show will feature two of the artists on the CD: Mason Weselowski and Carly Dow.

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