Finally the wait is over!
Megaphono is an Ottawa music organization which focuses on spreading the word about music from Ottawa, Gatineau and Eastern Ontario area and helping musicians export their music and create sustainable careers.
They have announced their first annual music showcase festival which is taking place on February 3 – 5.
So mark it down on your calendar!
Here is what to expect: TUESDAY: [UPDATE] Megaphono Launch Lunch – Tuesday, February 3 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm @ Ottawa City Hall Council Chambers (FREE)
Includes a 2″ tape cutting ceremony.
Andrew Vincent and Kwende Kefentse will kickoff the festival with the findings from the recent Ontario Music Fund supported study called Connecting Ottawa Music.
Panel: Wearing the Hats – Tuesday, February 3 @ 2pm – 3:30pm @ Saw Gallery. Panelists will be Lynn Miles (in the picture), Mike Dubue of the Hilotrons, Jim Bryson and Matt Ouimet. This panel is a discussion of the ins and outs of making music a career. From studio work to composition to production to love sound. Talk about how they balance it all and making it work.Last Ex, Evening Hymns and Scattered Clouds – February 3 @ 7pm – 10pm. This is a Arboretum Festival + E-Tron Records co-presents show. The church is located on 454 King Edward Ave. Tickets are $12 adv/$15 door but this will sell out since Last Ex feature members of Timber Timbre. Maybe Timber Timbre might make an appearance!? While Evening Hymns will preview alot of new material from the upcoming 2015 album “Quiet Energies”.Fet.Nat, The Yips plus one more act – February 3 10pm – February 4 2am. House of Targ is located on 1077 Bank St. Tickets are $12 adv/$15 door but get there early since it is limited capacity. Fet.Nat with their experimental French rock music and The Yips with their Ouija rock. Definitely will be a great show!
WEDNESDAY:
Panel: A Tribe Called Red at Saw Gallery on 67 Nicholas St. Time 10:30am – 12pm. NOTE: This is a talk not a live DJ set. They will discuss their successes and how they built a musical mammoth out of Ottawa.Networking: Speed Meetings I at Novotel Hotel on 33 Nicholas St. 12:30pm – 1:30pm. All full pass/Wednesday day pass holders will have the option of signing up for a meet one-on-one with the out of town invited guest for a round of 7 minute speed meetings. Great to meet new people at this event.Panel: Just the size of Montreal at Saw Gallery on 67 Nicholas St. 2pm – 3:30pm.Panelist are Dan Seligman of Pop Montreal (woot!), Andre Guerette of Guerette Agency (who?) and Michael Bardier of Heavy Trip (wha?). Discussions will about the challenges of building an audience in the city, differences between Franco and Anglo scenes. Tips on what you can do to improve your chances of succeeding in everyone’s favorite weekend party town dans Montreal!The Hintonburg Hang with Her Harbour, Jim Bryson (He better not banter alot in such a short set LOL), Future States, Winchester Warm, Silver Creek and Jackpine & The Fire. Taking place at The Record Centre and Elmdale Tavern from 4pm – 6pm. PWYC. More info click on the illustration by Chanelle FoisyDiefenbunker Doom Trip – February 4 @ 6:30pm – 10pm. This is the big and most unique show. Playing will be Steve Adamky Band (Rock on!), Boyhood, U.S. Girls (YES!!!), Heat (Finally!), Nightshades, Theaternia and Cabaal. Tickets are $20 with bus taking you to the venue or $10 without the bus. Very excited for this one!! Bus will be picking up at either Nicholas/Daly and Hintonburg Hang.Hilotrons, Socalled, Buck N’Nice and Training Season at Ritual from 10pm – 2am. After that adventure at the Diefenbunker, why not end off the night with this show at Ritual!
Mackenzie Rhythm Section, Pony Girl (See how all the members fit in that small stage), Le Groupe Swing, SORU and more. Why not get funky at Avant-Garde Bar. Tickets $8/ $10 door. Show starts from 10pm to 2am.
THURSDAY:
Panel: If We Only Had An Agent at Saw Gallery from 10:30am – 12pm. Panelist are Adam Countryman of the Agency Group (Damn!), Josh Iden of Panache (No way! Ty Seagall and Mac DeMarco is on it!) and Nicole Rochefort of AIM Booking. This panel will help you decipher the mysteries of how they find and sign new acts and what it takes to put pen to the paper.
Networking: Speed Meetings II! at Novotel Hotel on 33 Nicholas St. 12:30pm – 1:30pm. All full pass/Thursday day pass holders will have the option of signing up for a meet one-on-one with the out of town invited guest for a round of 7 minute speed meetings. Great to meet new people at this event.
Panel: The Spirit of Radio at 2pm – 3:30pm taking place in Saw Gallery.
Tom Power of CBC Radio 2 Morning (No way!) and Erin Flynn of CHUO 89.1 FM (YAY!) will be giving tips on how to get their attention and get your music played on the radio.
Do CD mailouts still make sense (Yes! In my opinion 😛 ) or has everyone gone digital (That’s the reality 😛 ). How does the music selection get processed at campus/community radio and how about the CBC?
Chinatown cafes with Jeremy Fisher (Get there early! He fills up a show!), Amanda Rheaume, Jill Zmud (Superb!), Catriona Sturton (Love her!), Mehdi Cayenne Club and Kristine St-Pierre. A PWYC afternoon with two of Chinatown’s hippest spots with Ottawa’s best singer/songwriters. More info click on the illustration by Chanelle Foisy. Show starts from 4pm – 6pm.
Closing Party for Megaphono at Mercury Lounge from 10pm – 2am. Performing will be The Peptides, FLO, KingsCollege, Zattar and many more. Tickets are $12 adv/$15 door
Small Talk, Ottawa Showbox and CKCU presents Crosss (Gonna be insane!), Petra Glynt (No way! Austra loves Petra!), Michael Rault and Kings Quest (Yay!) at The Dominion Tavern (As I call “The Dirty Dom”) from 10pm – 2am. Tickets are $8 adv/$10 door. It’s going to be off the roof!
