Manitoba Music
Meet the Mentors: Midwest Music Exchange
We’re bringing a little bit of the American Midwest to Winnipeg this month with the return of our Midwest Music Exchange program!
Manitoba Music is hosting two days of music industry programming focused on supporting artists' career development goals south of the border in Manitoba’s most accessible international market; the American Midwest.
On April 29 and 30, we’ll welcome seven Midwestern music industry professionals to share their expertise on two of our most requested topics: US radio and touring in the US. Delegates will also be available for group mentor speed meetings and at our Midwest Music Mixer to meet with participants and help them grow their careers across borders.
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Meet the Mentors
Chris Moon
Artist Manager & Merch Management
Anhedonia Management / Tough Love Podcast / Ambient Inks
Over the last 25 years, Chris Moon has worked to foster a creative approach to supporting artists in a variety of capacities.
As an artist manager, he’s worked with critically acclaimed artists such as Josh Rouse, Landon Pigg, and Rosie Thomas. He currently represents Apex Manor (Merge Records). He also works for Ambient Inks, a leading merch management company based out of Eau Claire, WI, as their Artist Relations Manager. Ambient clients include Bon Iver, Courtney Barnett, Sylvan Esso, John Legend, Caamp, The Backseat Lovers, Pretty Lights, and Thundercat, to name a few.
In 2019, Chris created a podcast called Tough Love: Adventures in Artist Management, where he interviews fellow artist managers, uncovering real-world stories and insights. Past guests include Jordan Kurland (Death Cab for Cutie), Josh Sundquist (Bon Iver), Michele Fleschli (Tenacious D), among others.
Chris has spoken at several industry conferences over the years, including SXSW and AmericanaFest. He's been quoted in Billboard Magazine, Pollstar, NPR, and the LA Times.
David Safar
Managing Director
The Current / Radio Heartland
David Safar is managing director for The Current. Previously, he produced and hosted "The New Hot," a weekly new music spot. While with The Current, David has launched features such as the Local Music Exchange, the Song of the Day podcast and the CD compilation, "Local Current Volume 1." Prior to joining The Current, David was music director and program director for Radio K (the University of Minnesota's college radio station). David is a music omnivore, with a soft spot for post-punk and hardcore music.
Julian Green
Content Director
Carbon Sound
Julian Green is the Content Director of Carbon Sound, a digital platform from 89.3 The Current focused on highlighting Black artists and their contributions to the canon of American music. He curates and maintains Carbon Sound's music library, on-air schedule, and digital content output. Green was Program Director of the University of Minnesota's student-run FM station Radio K, where he founded The Vanguard in 2020, a hip-hop and R&B stream and platform for local artists that has continued on since his graduation in 2021. Julian is also a prominent DJ in the Twin Cities, having performed at First Avenue, Varsity Theater, and Fine Line Minneapolis.
Lindsay Kimball
Program Director
The Current
Lindsay Kimball is program director for The Current. Lindsay started her career at The Current as an intern in 2005, eventually ascending to the assistant program director role, and then becoming the director of regional membership for Minnesota Public Radio. In her work at The Current, she was also a host, producer, and managed many “other duties as assigned.”
Career highlights include partnering with August Schell Brewing Company to release a co-branded beer, Schell’s The Current, producing both of Adele’s in-studio sessions at The Current, launching streams like Rock the Cradle, Radio Heartland, and Local Current, putting together the A to Z Prince playlist for fans to celebrate his life and music, and producing broadcasts from SXSW and Iceland Airwaves. Before joining The Current, she was host and music director for KWLC at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated from Luther College with a B.A. in communications and psychology.
Shayna Melgaard
Concert Promoter
Sue McLean & Associates
Shayna Melgaard is President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Independent Venue Association (mniva.org) and the Senior Talent Buyer for longtime indie, women-owned and operated Twin Cities concert promoter, Sue McLean & Associates, booking both private and public concerts such as Live at the Hilde, The Music & Storyteller Sessions, Live at Utepils, and more. Her experience includes venue operations, production management and booking, including four years with Live Nation Entertainment and five years at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Shayna has also served on nonprofit boards for both Rock the Cause and Twin Cities Catalyst Music, helping to develop emerging musicians and give young people equitable access to live music. She cut her teeth booking concerts for the on-campus venues at St. Olaf College in the mid-2000s. As a kid, Shayna dabbled in theater and music, but more often skipped piano lessons to attend backyard rock shows in the Dakotas, where she grew up. She currently lives in Minneapolis with her partner, Dane, and dog, Brutus.