Manitoba Music
Feedback, October 16 | Meet the Mentors
Build your music community. Meet your mentors.
Looking to make connections, grow your community, and learn more about the music industry? We've launched Feedback, a new monthly networking, mentorship, and community-building event. It’s a safe space for Manitoba Music members to get guidance from local industry professionals and an opportunity to share thoughts and exchange ideas with music peers and other members.
For this open house-style event, we'll be inviting music industry mentors from different backgrounds and experiences to hang out, answer questions, and provide folks with some guidance. Join us!
Feedback
Wednesday, October 16 / 5 - 7 PM
Manitoba Music, 530-112 Market Ave
Free / all ages
Derek Benjamin
He/Him
Derek Benjamin is the definition of a modern day producer: A masterful engineer, musician, songwriter, vocalist and more. His ability to combine creativity, advanced knowledge and versatility truly opens the door for any artist or project.
Shortly after graduating high school while working in the northern Alberta oil sands, Derek received the gift of a lifetime. It was a simple USB mic, but it allowed Derek to realize his deep passion for creating and performing music. The love of recording and experimenting musically grew quickly, as did the belief that a future in music was attainable. From then on, Derek spent countless hours writing, producing and recording many different genres of music. This led him to start performing and collaborating with other artists within the Hip-hop community. After meeting Marc Herve in 2011, they formed a duo called “6Sigma”. 6Sigma went on to release an EP and multiple singles. They gained regular radio play on stations such as Virgin Radio, as well as a regular feature in a TSN commercial and regular play at Winnipeg Jets home games. 6Sigma also performed over 15 shows in a short time, with some performances reaching 3000 in attendance.
After the success of 6Sigma, Derek decided to move to Vancouver, BC and enroll in the audio engineering and advanced production program at Nimbus School of Media. He learnt from some of the best in the business and solidified the skills he had been building for years. Derek graduated top of the class, receiving a letter of recommendation and a Nimbus gold record for most outstanding student.
Soon after, Derek moved back to Winnipeg to rebrand and manage Blackli$t Studios for over three years. Working with a multitude of artist’s and genres. Derek left Blackli$t to operate his own recording space in downtown Winnipeg for 2 years, until he and his partner purchased a new home in Winnipeg. They renovated the basement into a fully functional, accredited recording studio and production suite that has been in operation for over four years.
In May of 2019, Derek attended a YMCA Business program, which helped him make the jump to working as a full time engineer and producer. Derek has also been working closely with the CVE Performing Arts Production and Industry program to take on and train students as interns throughout the school year.
During the Covid 19 Pandemic of 2020-2021, running a home based business was increasingly difficult with public health orders limiting visitation and operations. Derek then partnered with Private Ear Recording in February of 2021, and moved into Studio B to expand his business to a commercial location.
Talk to Derek about production, songwriting, publishing
Jessa Johnson
Promoter / Marketing Coordinator
The Handsome Daughter
She/Her
Jessa is the talent buyer, in house promoter and marketing coordinator at The Handsome Daughter. With a decade of experience in booking shows and tours across North America. She believes in making touring and live music accessible for bands and audiences of all sizes and maintaining inclusivity in the music industry by creating and maintaining spaces for women and Indigenous folks.
Talk to Jessa about show bookings, event planning, and music venue management.
Zuki
He/Him
“It's simple, I’m here to make you feel something.”
That’s how Zuki describes his purpose as a DJ. With his eclectic musical taste inspired by his travels, you're guaranteed to go on a musical journey and ultimately be left wondering how you ended up on the dance floor. Growing up to his Mother’s 70’s funk essentials box set and his Dad’s Fela Kuti tapes playing in the household, his range of musical influence is wide.
Zuki can take the hypnotizing drums of South African house, saxophone samples from afrobeat hits and blend them effortlessly with your favourite rhythm, funk and hip-hop tunes.
From his humble beginnings almost a decade ago bringing the music to house parties, it didn't matter if it was a dance in Gwagwalada, or a backyard in Moscow, he’s been mixing genres and moving feet with just a couple of turntables. Since then he’s rocked numerous bars, stages and special events. A frequent collaborator with other artists in Winnipeg’s music scene and weekly residencies at Winnipeg’s go-to music venues, his playlists, mixes and remixes have racked up thousands of plays.
“I really think it’s ultimately about playing music that moves you and helping the audience erase the boundaries that “genre” can create.”
Talk to Zuki about Djing, building a loyal fan base, event promotion, music curation for brands