Music West 1997 : Next Level Report

Next Level Reports at Music West 1997. For all the highlights of this year's festival tune in May 8-11 and come and hear/read/see the in depth reviews of all the festivals events. We will be covering all the Music Clinics, Special Events, Interviews with the celebrities and music industry people as well as a look into the exhibition floor. So make sure you check it out May 8-11.

Music West 1997 Official Event Page
(Click here to go to the official event page)

Opening Address

The Canadian music industry is fine. There is no formula for getting a recording contract. And it pays to learn about radio operations. In Friday's opening address Warner Music Canada President Stan Kulin warned people not to believe rumours of the music industry's failing health. He says after a decline last year the industry has rebounded showing a growth of seven per cent in the first three months of this year. He also shed some light on the odds of becoming a musical success. He says his A&R department receives about a thousand tapes a year. Of those thousand tapes about one hundred will generate interest and of those hundred probably only one will get a contract and to top it all off he says there is no formula for becoming that one lucky band.

Standard Radio President Gary Slate urged all musicians to use all the radio resources they can to get radio airplay. He suggested musicians contact Factor at (416) 368-8678 to find out about support for Canadian acts, enter every homegrown radio contest they can, and learn about who does what in radio and start forming relationships.

SOCAN President Bill Henderson added some state of the industry figures to the address by pointing out the BC music industry generates 350 million dollars a year in revenue yet, the average income for singers and musicians is only 16 000 dollars a year.

article written by: Jeff Heywood

Master Producers Workshops - Bob Mould

In an incredibly easy going and casual atmosphere 12 people wrung all the tricks of the trade they could out of Producer/Artist Bob Mould (Soul Asylum/ Husker Du, Sugar, solo). For two hours Mould answered all questions and gave a great many insights into his production techniques.

Mould has not been won over by the digital revolution. To the surprise of many he is dedicated to analogue recording and prefers to cut tape. He likened the digital analogue difference to the difference between video and film. He feels the ones and zeros of digital do not do justice to organic instruments like guitars and drums.

Answering a question about his supposed hearing damage he said that was something he made up. He says it's not a bad idea to have a little white lie handy to throw the media to keep them occupied while you get down to work.

Throughout the two hours it seemed he could not get technical enough for those in attendence. Everything from properly miking drums, to his favorite eq's, to how to get along with the bands he has worked with. Mould answered everything.

article written by: Jeff Heywood

Virtual Insanity....Music and Multimedia

Panel: Lead by Nathan Gunn (Bitcasters), with Jay Daunheuer (Nettwerk), Sandy Pearlman (911 Entertainment), and Michael Dixon (Michael Dixon Management).

About thirty people in attendance.

This seminar includes a discussion focussing on 'enhanced CD' - from a legal, technological, and artist management perspective. Some of the issues: Multimedia content on CDs accused of damaging consumer stereo speakers; Do and/or should artists gain royalties from music videos and other projects; Content provided as a freebie vs. for sale; Format changes (78"to LP, LP to CD etc.) - are we making the wrong people richer?

An interesting insight from some of the nation's significant players.

Article by: Adriano Cavina.

Next Level Reports On F Music Fest 1997 Los Angeles

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