Snow and sub-zero temperatures are not on the schedule for the first time in Canadian Music Week’s 32-year history. The annual music industry conference and festival, held in Toronto, has moved from March to May (6-10). Jammed with 397 speakers (panels, keynotes and celebrity interviews); summits, workshops and B2B sessions; a tradeshow, offshoot film and comedy festivals; 850 acts in 50 venues; and multiple awards shows, this year’s CMW allows delegates to happily barhop and schmooze in the sunshine.
Four Things Not Miss At CMW
Celebrity Interview with Quincy Jones by Jazz FM91’s Ross Porter, a noted broadcaster who was awarded the Order of Canada
May 10, 5-6 p.m.
The 81-year-old will likely reminisce about his lifelong career as a musician, songwriter and producer, from childhood to befriending fellow teenager Ray Charles in 1947, touring as a jazz musician, entering the label side, composing for film to producing Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. But there’s also a current Canadian connection. Jones is executive producer and co-manager of 20-year-old Canadian jazz-pop singer Nikki Yanofsky, whom he signed in early 2013. Her second album, Little Secret, is due May 6 via A440 Entertainment/Universal Music Canada.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Conversation with Shelly Finkel by Ralph Simon, CEO/founder, Mobilium Global Limited
May 9, 1:25 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
As head of acquisitions for SFX Entertainment, the 69-year-old man with a billion bucks to spend on youth-driven EDM will be talking about snapping up some huge brands: promoters Made Event, event organizers ID&T, music festival TomorrowWorld, online music store Beatport, and promoters iMotion. Just as fascinating is Finkel himself who was in the music business until 1978 when he dove into a 30-plus-year career in the boxing world, including managing Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao and Evander Holyfield.
Deadmau5 Keynote Interview by CBC Radio and TV’s Jian Ghomeshi
May 9, 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Toronto-based Joel Zimmerman — aka Deadmau5, the superstar EDM music producer and performer — could chat about a range of topics: from being at the forefront of EDM’s rise in importance and mainstream acceptance to his new record deal with Astralwerks and just completed new album to gear preferences and his enormous social media reach. Then there’s the truly fun stuff, his Nyan Cat-painted Ferrari (“Purrari) and Coffee Run! videos for which he shoots the shit with a fellow artist on a drive to Tim Horton’s.
Surviving The EDM Boom: Three Critical Keys To Success
May 9, 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Moderated by attorney Dina LaPolt, this super panel of heavyweights in the EDM business includes artist manager Dean Wilson of Three Six Zero Group (Deadmau5); Mike Tunnicliffe of investment company Group M; Patrick Moxey, president of Ultra Records; Ryan Kruger of Live Nation Canada’s Electronic Nation division; and SFX Entertainment’s Shelly Finkel. Together they will provide direction on monetization, copyright protection, strategic partnerships and other business tools needed to ensure longevity and continued growth in this relatively new but exploding music genre.