January Music Meeting 2019

Manitoba Music Builds Connections at Sixth Annual Music Industry Gathering in Tandem with Big Fun Festival, Co-presents Panel Discussion on Representation & Intersectionality in Music

Manitoba Music is heating things up in the middle of winter for this year’s edition of January Music Meeting (JMM). Now in its sixth year, the annual event brings industry and artists together in Winnipeg January 24-27 for a music industry conference with a DIY ethos.

The event welcomes top music industry pros for panel discussions, group sessions, one-on-one meetings, and networking mixers. Reps from the label, live music, management, recording, and publicity sides of the industry will converge in Winnipeg to discuss the state of Canada’s independent music industry, and provide concrete advice on how to get ahead in the constantly evolving music business.

"The music business is built on relationships and January Music Meeting is central to our work to keep our industry plugged in and competitive,” says Manitoba Music's executive director Sean McManus. “We’re bringing some serious music innovators here to Manitoba where we can facilitate those important connections between our creative community and the larger industry, and provide opportunities for our scene to grow and learn."

JMM offers Manitoba's music community a rare opportunity to network with a cross section of tastemakers and experts from across Canada and beyond while connecting with local artists and industry peers. Including this year, JMM has welcomed over 100 industry pros to plug into the Manitoba music scene since it launched. Invited panelists include Canadian reps from eEk! Productions, Frontside Group, Graceless Lady Management, MROC, Outta Town Sound, Sandbox Studios, Sleepless Records, SOCAN, and The Feldman Agency. Internationals making their way to Winnipeg include reps from Deckstar Management and CoveyLaw from the US, Gigwise from the UK, and Germany’s DevilDuck Records. Find out more about this year's panelists

The event runs in tandem with innovative indie festival Big Fun, which continues to reach new audiences and promote music discovery. The seventh annual festival will co-host the Manitoba Music Showcase at The Forks Market on January 25 featuring award-winning instrumental prog rock outfit Apollo Suns, high energy grunge rockers Silence Kit, and bedroom pop act JayWood.

Manitoba Music and Big Fun will also co-host a free panel discussion on Representation and Intersectionality in Music facilitated by Uzoma Asagwara on January 24 at The Tallest Poppy. The discussion builds on recent community-focused events in Manitoba Music’s professional development programming, including panels on mental health and safer spaces in the music community the organizations co-presented in past years. Speakers include Ayo Leilani (Witch Prophet), Elliott Walsh (Studio 393 / Artist), Jason Burnstick (JUST TV at the BNC / Artist), Joy Balmana (Synonym Art Consultation), and Kiana 'rookz' Eastmond (Sandbox Studios).

Registration for JMM is now open. All JMM events will take place at Manitoba Music (1-376 Donald St) unless otherwise listed. Space is limited and advance registration is strongly encouraged. For complete schedule and details, and to register, visit manitobamusic.com/jmm.

JMM is made possible by the generous support of the Province of Manitoba through Industry Services of Manitoba Education and Training, FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada's private radio broadcasters, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, and The SOCAN Foundation. This year’s January Music Meeting sponsors include CIMA, SOCAN, MROC, and True North Sports + Entertainment.