PLANTING A MUSICAL FLAG
Industry experts discuss artists that define Canada
Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series. Part 2, covering artists from Western Canada, will appear next Tuesday.
O Canada, we stand in ovation for thee. As the nation turns 150, we asked Canadian music industry experts — from musicians and label executives to major event organizers — to discuss the artists that planted their own flags in Canada’s key cultural communities.
Here is a snapshot of the musicians they feel have defined and inspired each city. In the first of a two-part series, we examine Central and Eastern Canada.
EAST COAST HALIFAX
Eric Alper, publicist and music
commentator: Sloan — “They came, they changed, they’re still here. Eleven LPs, two EPs, a live album, a greatest hits album and more than 30 singles. Pure pop throughout their entire history, all the more remarkable as they share songwriting with each member of the group and their unaltered lineup throughout their career. Nothing but hooks, harmonies and kind, nice guys to boot, too.”
Alan Cross, Canadian music historian and radio host: Sloan, Eric’s Trip, Thrush Hermit
ST. JOHN’S
Allan Reid, president and CEO, CARAS, the Juno Awards and MusiCounts: Ron Hynes — “The man of a thousand songs. He spoke about the hardships and love of the East Coast.” Steve Kane, president, Warner Music Canada: Great Big Sea — “If you can’t get to St. John’s, the good news is that Great Big Sea could be counted on to bring a bit of their town to you.”
Jack Ross, CEO, Canada, United Talent Agency: Great Big Sea — “Canada’s most successful purveyors of Celtic roots music, took the traditional music and the CanRock they grew up with and made it pop for Canadians from coast to coast.”
CENTRAL CANADA MONTREAL
Reid: Celine Dion — “She is undeniably an international/ global success. She is the world’s best-selling female artist!” Cross: Celine Dion — “One of the biggest stars ever in the history of Quebec.”
Arcade Fire — “One of the few bands to emerge anywhere in the world (in recent years), able to fill in an arena.”
TORONTO
Cross: Rush — You know you’re important when you’ve “been around for 40 plus years, and they’re naming parks after you.” Alper: Broken Social Scene — “You couldn’t have made up a group like Broken Social Scene. Take as few as six and as many as 19 members, all talented beyond belief, led by the adaptable and dedicated teacher, trainer, boss and friend to all, Kevin Drew. How many bands can you name do traditional big-league latenight TV shows, organize giant music festivals, create mindbending videos, and yet, still have credibility with the Pitchforks of the world? I’ll answer. One. And it’s them.”
Reid: Drake — “He has put the city on the international map. He didn’t leave Toronto to become famous. He built his incredible business infrastructure here at home.”
Kane: Blue Rodeo — “From the early days at the Horseshoe Tavern to the annual August show at the Budweiser Stage to the fact that they still pop up on stages throughout the city. Their songs are filled with images of the city. The fact that they’ve given a leg up to so many other Toronto bands just make them all the more special.”
Ross: Blue Rodeo — Part of the fabric of Canadian culture. The home address of the Canadian Music Business is Queen and Spadina and that is where you find Blue Rodeo. Jim Cuddy’s crew started a indie rock revolution that spawned The Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Cowboy Junkies and eventually Broken Social Scene etc.
O T TAWA
Reid: Alanis Morissette — “She redefined women in music and empowered women around the world.”
Cross: Hollerado, Bruce Cockburn
HAMILTON
Ross: Arkells — Since graduating from McMaster University together a decade ago, this acclaimed rock ’n’ roll band has represented the workmanlike pride of Hamilton and led an artistic renaissance in the Brooklyn of Canada.
Cross: Teenage Head
LONDON
Cross: The Demics (punk), Kittie (all female heavy metal band)
KINGSTON
Cross: Tragically Hip, Bryan Adams, The Inbreds