Manitoba Music
Meet the MusicWorks Panelists: Erin Lebar and Tim Jones
Publicity is an important part of any tour, release, or artist journey. Media coverage helps artists grow their fanbase, offers a sense of legitimacy, and connects people to the story behind the music. This is why it is crucial for artists to know what their story is, and understand how to present it to the media through interviews and pitching. Apart from the story itself, what other assets do artists need to have in place for a successful publicity campaign? On May 23 we'll be joined by professionals from both sides of the coin, for the DIY Series: Presenting the Artist Story, to discuss the important pieces needed to create an engaging story, and professionally present an artist to the media.
Erin Lebar is currently a multimedia producer at the Winnipeg Free Press, where she spends most of her time covering the city's music scene. She got her start in journalism in New York City, completing her Master of Arts in journalism at NYU and interning for a few big-names, such as Rolling Stone and Disney. After a few years, she moved back to Winnipeg to take a job at the FreeP, which at the time meant working over night working on the paper's website. She continued to work on the web side of things, as well as being as a copy editor and headline writer, for almost two years until she eventually made the transition to the arts and life department, where she has been since the spring of 2015.
Tim Jones is a multi-award-winning co-founder of Pipe & Hat Music Group. Jones has launched artists into a steady path of success, including countless awards and nominations, consistent radio charting, collaborations with Grammy Award-winning producers, and high-profile performances around the world. As well, Jones is an in-demand speaker, having appeared at conferences in the US, UK, and Australia.
Get to know them better with our little Q+A...
Q: What item, that you don't have already, would you most like to own?
Erin: If I'm being practical, a dishwasher; If I'm being fantastical, a highland cow.
Tim: A Tesla.
Q: What are your three go-to artists or records right now?
Erin: Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, Born Ruffians – Uncle, Duke & The Cheif, Gabrielle Shonk – Gabrilelle Shonk
Tim: Bazzi – COSMIC, Khalid – American Teen, The Avalanches – Wildflower
Q: When you were six, what did you say you wanted to be when you grow up?
Erin: A teacher.
Tim: Probably not when I was six, but basically up until 12th grade I assumed that I would be a percussionist in a symphony.
Q: If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?
Erin: "Don't read the comments".
Tim: The slogan already exists thanks to the great Michael Scott: "Somehow, I manage.” Bonus slogan: “Ok, ok, just get to the point."
Q: Who is your favourite person or group to follow on social media and why?
Erin: Locally I love following Begonia because she posts the weirdest things from backstage or at her home or wherever else she is. It's just fun. Otherwise one of my favourite artists, Sonde Lerche, often does videos about upcoming projects/shows or short live performances on IG, so I like to follow what's going on on his pages.
Tim: Kinda Funny, because they talk video games and other nerdy news (basically everything not involving music), and they are, well, kind of funny. Also, one of the few musical guests they did have was Sisqo, so that’s pretty great.