Meet the MusicWorks Panelists: Stu Anderson and Alexa Dirks

Coming up on March 29, Mighty Cypress Talent’s Stu Anderson and Begonia a.k.a. Alexa Dirks will be joining us for our workshop presented by Music Managers Forum of Canada, MMF Managers Huddle: Exploring the Manager-Artist Relationship. Get to know them a little through this short Q+A...

Mighty Cypress Talent Inc. was founded two years ago by Stu Anderson as a full-service talent management and event production company. Anderson's current artist management roster includes Begonia, The Bros. Landreth, Cairo Knife Fight, Joey Landreth, and Living Hour. Anderson previously spent five years as a booking agent at Paquin Artists Agency.

Begonia, a.k.a. Alexa Dirks, is creating quite a stir in Canada with her debut release Lady In Mind. The debut single "Juniper" went #1 on the CBC National Radio chart, who wrote “with her show stopping voice, blends acoustics and synths for her own brand of gospel.” Also known for her voice in the JUNO Award winning, harmony-driven group Chic Gamine, Dirks was recently featured on CBC’s Canada 150 New Year’s Eve National TV broadcast. NPR listed her as one of the 10 Canadian Artists You Need To Know, and CBC Music exclaimed that Begonia is one of the best new bands of 2016.  In a rare Globe & Mail music feature, her music was celebrated as “an audacious adventure in modern soul”. 

Favourite flavour of potato chips
Alexa: Sour cream and onion old Dutch Ruffles mixed with Doritos sweet chilli heat...
Stu: Dill for days

Last band you saw live
Alexa: 3PEAT
Stu: Begonia. How convenient.

Desert island album choice
Alexa: Wild is the Wind, Nina Simone
Stu: Fela Kuti, but it depends which desert island.

Last time TV series that you binge watched (when you were probably supposed to be doing something important)
Alexa: Westworld
Stu: Oliver Stone's Untold History Of The United States

Robots or dinosaurs?
Alexa: Aliens
Stu: T-Rex

ABOUT MMF CANADA
Music Managers Forum Canada (MMF Canada) is a registered non-profit trade organization whose mission is to become the go-to source for Canadian artists and managers on issues related to music management in Canada and around the world. MMF Canada is a membership-based organization currently serving over 150 members who represent over 300 Canadian and International acts. The membership is national in scope and ranges from self-managed artists to highly experienced managers representing some of the largest acts in Canada. Our daily objectives are to work collaboratively with the larger music community to offer education, resources, advice, discounts and a network of peers. MMF Canada is the Canadian voice of a larger network of Music Management Forum’s from around the world. Read more via the “International Music Managers Forum” link below. The MMF Canada is committed to ensuring that artists receive their fare share of remuneration from every possible income source. As the management sector’s voice in the industry, the MMF Canada acts as a lobbying force to various levels of the government on behalf of its members on key issues that affect managers and their artists. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting artists’ rights as new sound carriers and technologies are implemented. The MMF Canada also helps members develop management skills and music industry knowledge through educational initiatives such as panels and workshops.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The relationship between artist and manager represents one of the most pivotal and multi-faceted alliances in the music business. Presented with the Music Managers Forum Canada, join Might Cypress Talent's Stu Anderson and Alexa Dirks in a discussion exploring this complex partnership. They’ll delve into their process, their day-to-day, and the strategy behind the lead-up and roll-out of Dirk’s new solo project, Begonia.MusicWorks DIY Series offers developing artists and industry, as well as veterans looking to update their skills, the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the music business.

Register online, or to get more info, please contact:

David Landreth, Professional Development Coordinator
Manitoba Music
P: 204.975.5188
E: david@manitobamusic.com

MusicWorks is made possible by the generous support of the Province of Manitoba through Industry Services of Manitoba Jobs and the Economy; the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (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; The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group; and The SOCAN Foundation.