Meet the MusicWorks Panelists - Going the Distance: Indie Career Sustainability

Get to know a more about Tim Potocic from Sonic Unyon Records, Padyamonium Management's Michael Gorman, and CLK Creative Works' David 'Click' Cox who will be on hand for our 'Going the Distance: Indie Career Sustainability' panel this Saturday, March 2.

David 'Click' Cox, CLK Creative Works

Founder of CLK Creative Works David "Click" Cox, has been heavily involved in the music industry for the past twenty years. Based in Toronto and having grown up in Edmonton his experience ranges from starting his own record company, signing artists, marketing for BMG Music, to Universal Music as an A&R rep. Click is involved in the JUNOs and has helped organize numerous music industry focused panels at CMW, NXNE, and UMAC. Click has not only represented renowned artists and groups, but was also part of a rap group, The Maximum Definitive. The band was nominated for Juno and won MuchMusic Video award in 1993. Click is also a mentor, volunteering with the REMIX Project. REMIX is an organization committed to helping disadvantaged youth interested in creative industries and furthering their formal education. He is also a partner in On Blast Digital, a DJ Promotions company that specializes in servicing music to DJs across North America., along with being, the Co-founder of the Stylus DJ Awards. Also, finds time to handle the content management for digital music distributor IDLA. With a heavy workload, Click still devotes large amount of his time to his own company, working with artists; Saidah Baba Talibah, Emma-Lee, and King Reign.

Michael Gorman, Panyamonium Management

With a diploma in Music from Humber College, Michael began his career on the business side of the fence with an internship at Chris Smith Management (Nelly Furtado, Fefe Dobson, and The Philosopher Kings). In 2004, Michael moved on to the Last Gang family. He quickly became General Manager for Last Gang Management along with posts at Last Gang Publishing and Last Gang Records. His skill and dedication were critical to the fledgling careers of Metric, Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFT and Crystal Castles. Managing their lives and careers on several different continents, usually in a different time zone than his own, Michael has a remarkable acumen in artist management. Since early 2008 Michael has been working alongside Sandy Pandya at Pandyamonium Management guiding the careers of artists which include Serena Ryder, Jully Black, and Alejandra Ribera.

Tim Potocic, Sonic Unyon Records 

Tim and Sonic Unyon Records has been operating for the better part of two decades out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Initially a record label releasing music for local artists, the company has grown into a well-recognized and award-winning imprint with international distribution that has released albums and DVDs for bands such as Hayden, Danko Jones, Treble Charger, Chore, Shallow North Dakota, Kittens, Tricky Woo, Thrush Hermit, Tristan Psionic, Simply Saucer, Tangiers, Frank Black and the Catholics, The Pixies, Crooked Fingers, The Jesus Lizard, Jens Lekman, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Aereogramme, Voivod, Eric’s Trip, Mares of Thrace and many more.

About the workshop

As the gap between the mega-hit makers and working class artist continues to grow, most artists, along with their managers and labels, ask for just one thing: to make a living. Everyone wants to have a hit, but no one sets out to be a one-hit wonder. For many, success in the music business today comes from laying a foundation on which to build a sustainable, long-term career.

Indie artists, independent labels, small management companies, and boutique music companies are leading the way, creating a new model for the music industry and bridging old and new music business realities. Where indie used to be a choice, it’s now the only choice for most artists. With dedication to their craft and DIY attitude, Canadian artists and companies are taking the lessons from Canada’s well established indie sector and updating their playbook for the post-digital economy.

This workshop will discuss the independent spirit of the Canadian music industry, and will identify tools that artists and companies have used to thrive in turbulent times. The panel will discuss setting attainable goals, building a committed fanbase, setting your business on a sound financial foundation, and understanding when and where to look for growth. Topics will include everything that goes into an artist’s career, from touring to publishing, and how to build a team that provides the best chance at a long and sustainable career in music.

Click here to register