Manitoba Music and Canada Council Launch Second Edition of Market Builder Residency for Indigenous Artists and Industry

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Ashley Robertson
Drezus
Jarrett Martineau
Tara Williamson (Photo: Summer Faith Garcia at RezKat Studios)
ShoShana Kish
Nick Sherman (Photo: Blue Earth Photography)
Ashley Robertson
Don Amero
iskwé
Vince Fontaine

Manitoba Music and the Canada Council for the Arts are set to launch the second edition of the groundbreaking music business project, the Market Builder Residency for Indigenous Artists and Industry. Running February 27 – March 3, 2017 in Toronto through Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program, Market Builder provides a unique opportunity for export-ready artists and four music entrepreneurs from across Canada to connect with industry leaders and exceptional creators.

This year’s group of Manitoba-based participants heading east for Market Builder features four award-winning artists that have earned national and international attention for their work, including: JUNO-winning musician/composer/producer Vince Fontaine (Eagle & Hawk, Indian City, Rising Sun Productions), Indigenous Music Award-winning powerhouse emcee and singer/songwriter Leonard Sumner, JUNO-nominated soulful country artist Don Amero, and Manitoba Country Music Award winning country act Ashley Robertson.

Making their way from other corners of the country to join the Manitoba delegation are Western Canadian Music Award nominated artist IsKwé, ShoShona Kish of JUNO-winning act Digging Roots, producer Tom Crier (Drezus, Team Rezofficial, Winnipeg’s Most), Revolutions Per Minute label founder Jarrett Martineau, singer/songwriters Tara Williamson and Nick Sherman, and hip hop artist Drezus.

This year’s Market Builder schedule will include one-on-one mentor meetings, panel discussions on key music business topics, and opportunities to network and build crucial business relationships. Participants will have the rare opportunity to connect with and learn from heavy hitters in Canada’s Toronto-based industry through mentor sessions and meetings, including representatives from Artists In Motion Booking Agency, eOne, Last Gang Records, MDM Recordings, Pandyamonium Artist Management, Paquin Artists Agency, peermusic Canada, Pirates Blend, SiriusXM, Sony Music, Spotify, Taylor Klein Oballa LLP, and URBNET Records. Publicists Dalton Higgins and Erin Ashley, music producers David Strickland and Douglas Romanow, songwriter Sarah Slean, vocal coach Micah Barnes, and more will also be available for consultations and collaborations with the participants.

Market Builder is made possible through the partnership of of the Canada Council for the Arts and the support of MuchFACT, a division of Bell Media Inc., DAIS, and eOne.

Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program was launched in 2004 to help First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people in Manitoba develop sustainable careers in music by connecting them with opportunities within Manitoba Music and beyond. Manitoba Music would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Province of Manitoba, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Film & Music, and FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters.

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