Manitoba Music
Meet the Mentors: The Road to BreakOut West
We’re bringing a little bit of BreakOut West to Winnipeg this month with the return of our BreakOut West International Program! On September 23, we’ll welcome five BreakOut West international delegates to share their expertise on two of our most requested topics: international touring and international promotion. Delegates will also be available for group mentor meetings earlier in the day to help participants grow their careers across borders. Get to know the mentors a bit better and save your spot for these sessions via Eventbrite...
Danny Simons
GER
Grand Hotel Van Cleef Musik
Danny Simons started working in the music industry in 1994 at the age of 18 and did all jobs from stagehand, local promoter, guitar tech to road manager.
In 2002, he co-founded artist management company Liftboy Management where he takes care of German Artists Kettcar, Fjort, Adam Angst & Thees Uhlmann.
He became Head of Booking for Grand Hotel Van Cleef Musik GmbH in 2005. Beneath the companies focus on the German market, he also acts as the European agent for Canadian artists like John K. Samson, & The Winter Wheat, The Lytics, Jim Bryson, etc.
Element Everest-Blanks
USA
HYFIN / Radio Milwaukee
A veteran of the local music scene, Element Everest-Blanks is best known as a member of former Milwaukee Hip-Hop group Black Elephant. In 2002, Element wrote and performed a song that appeared on the soundtrack and in motion picture “Deliver Us from Eva,” featuring LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union. She was also signed to the prestigious Ford Modeling agency and voiced television and radio spots for McDonald’s national 365 black campaign. In 2010 Element began crafting songs for NBA and NFL teams. She graced the cover of numerous magazines, and her music has also appeared on MTV.
Everest-Blanks was part of 88.9FM’s original on-air cohort of DJs when the station launched in 2007. She returned to the station as an on-air host in September 2021. In February 2021, she stepped into her new role as Music Director, making her the first Black woman in this role for the NPR station. On-Air Host and brand ambassador with HYFIN. Everest-Blanks leads their ""Latest 1st Afternoon Drive."" Everest-Blanks is also HYFIN’s brand ambassador working to create on-air and online content and build relationships within the community.
With the launch of her new position as Music Director, Everest-Blanks launched a new social media series called HYFIN Verified. This series highlights urban alternative music artist that will and are creating a new sound outside of what the music industry has pushed on triple A radio. HYFIN Verified was designed to shake up the industry by highlighting artist that don’t fit neatly into any box. Most recently Everest- Blanks launched a new NPR Music Sunday specialty show " Mic Drop Moments."
Fiona Bloom
USA
The Bloom Effect
The Bloom Effect, founded in 2007, is a unique, full service boutique that specializes in branding for artists, personalities, record labels and lifestyle companies. The firm offers its clients a wealth of insight/knowledge and expertise as well as the benefits of a huge rolodex of premium, global contacts – everything it takes to make sure a brand or project is recognized or discovered by the right people.
Fiona has been instrumental in many artist campaigns including Digable Planets, Gang Starr, Avery*Sunshine, Raul Midón, Blackalicious, MF Doom, Anthony David, Dub Inc, ZADA, Tower of Power, The Zombies, and more. Prior to her record industry work, she was the talent buyer for a prestigious NYC venue, a radio personality in Atlanta with a widely popular Hip-Hop show on WRFG 89.3FM, a party promoter, freelance publicist and a voice-over talent. And before that: A Concert Pianist in England where she grew up!
Jesse Stensby
USA
Vitriol Radio Promotion
For more than 20 years, together with his cohort Jerry Steller, Jesse Stensby has built up Vitriol Radio Promotion as one of the most prominent radio promo companies in North America. Vitriol is a leader in developing bands at college, non-commercial, and commercial specialty radio stations across the US and Canada, introducing artists to the most passionate music fans you'll find.
They've been proud to work alongside legends like Nick Cave and Brian Wilson, and alternative stalwarts like The Sadies, Metric, Tegan and Sara, Grimes, Purity Ring and more in just in the past few years. Their efforts have earned #1 records for artists like Helena Deland, The Sadies, Hot Chip, Metric, Rostam, TR/ST, just to name a few.
Jesse has been a featured panelist and speaker at many colleges and conferences throughout North America including CMJ Music Marathon, Midwest Music Exchange, and more. He's also recorded and self-released multiple albums with his band and even dabbled in tour management throughout the years.
Maya Petrovic
IRE
Jawdropper Music
Maya Cullen Petrovic is an Irish artist manager and co-director of Jawdropper Music, with a management roster of clients in Ireland, the UK and Germany. She has worked in the Arts for over 20 years, & has a broad range of experience, from running festivals, to artist development, music PR and Music Business education, as she currently hold the Artist Manager lecturing position in BIMM Dublin. Maya was one of the Keychange Innovators for 2023.