January 17th, 2014
At Monday’s Economic Development Committee meeting, the Director of Economic Development, Michael Williams, is scheduled to present a new organizational structure. Clues as to some of the changes are contained in recent job postings for the Film Commissioner & Director of Entertainment Industries, which now includes a reference to music in the description.
4479 has been advocating for a music office at city hall. Last year a position was identified for a Sector Development Officer (Music). That position hasn’t yet been filled but at the last economic development committee meeting, it was mentioned that about 250 applications had been received.
January 17th, 2014
Efforts to find the best site for the re-installation of the iconic Sam the Record Man sign have made significant progress in the last couple months. In a meeting with a small group of music industry representatives this week, staff with City Planning outlined various alternatives and their pros and cons. The comprehensive presentation demonstrated that city staff are genuinely concerned about the heritage of the sign and the best way to preserve it, while ensuring the final solution also meets the broader goals of the music community.
The uncertain future of the Sam the Record Man sign last fall created a backlash in the Toronto community and led to the creation of the Save Our Sign group that 4479 was happy to support and work alongside.
Readers will recall that the issue came to a climax at the October meeting of City Council when a motion to amend the agreement with Ryerson University was deferred pending further consideration by the Deputy City Manager, John Livey.
City staff, under the direction of Livey, have conducted a wide consultation so far including:
- Ryerson;
- Yonge Street BIA;
- Area landowners;
- Sign consultants and experts;
- Representatives of the Sniderman family; and,
- Music industry members.
Consultations will continue and will likely include the newly established Toronto Music Industry Advisory Board which is made up of a wide cross-section of the music community. The Advisory Board was established in December by City Council and has not yet had its first meeting.
December 19th, 2013
Toronto City Council has unanimously approved the establishment of the new Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council, marking a significant success for the music community.
According to the staff report, the “Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council will provide a forum for the discussion of opportunities and challenges, exchange of ideas, input and advice, and collaborative development of recommendations and a unifying voice to advance the music sector in Toronto.”
Key among the council’s tasks will be to move forward with the Austin-Toronto alliance, the terms of reference of which were approved at the last Economic Development Committee meeting and endorsed today by City Council. The council will also be asked to “develop a strategic action plan that maximizes the impact of City support for the Toronto Music Industry.”
Members of the new council were chosen after a selection process that saw over 100 applications and dozens of interviews. The resulting list of 34 individuals includes artists and musicians, representatives of events and venues, promoters, management firms, agencies, recording studios, associations and music awards and distributors. The members have been appointed for a term that ends when the current term of City Council ends.
A music advisory board has been a key recommendation of Music Canada and 4479 and was borne out of research comparing Toronto to Austin. Generally speaking, the report pointed out that there was no dialogue between the music community and City Hall and that an advisory board would bring about a more collaborative approach to growing the music industry in Toronto.
December 12th, 2013
On Tuesday night, a sold-out crowd attended the Canadian premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis, the new film directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, followed by a night of Canadian music at the official after party. The after party featured performances by Jim Cuddy, Justin Rutledge, Lindi Ortega, Maylee Todd, The Beauties, as well as surprise appearances by Ron Sexsmith and Sylvia Tyson.
The event, presented by Mongrel Media and 4479, benefited MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity, and raised enough funds to outfit two elementary schools with musical instruments through MusiCounts’ Band-Aid Grant program.
“It was an honour for MusiCounts to be involved with the Canadian premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis. Thanks to Mongrel Media, 4479, all the artists who performed and most importantly, everyone who attended the premiere and after party,” said Allan Reid, Director of MusiCounts. “The proceeds raised through this event will fully fund two elementary school music programs through our Band Aid Grants, having a long-term impact that ultimately puts instruments into the hands of thousands children who need them most.”
Fitting with the film’s theme, folk music was featured from the beginning to the end of the event. Prior to the screening at the TIFF Bell Light, a folk quintet played on stage to welcome movie goers.
The film follows a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. As described on the film’s website, Llewyn Davis, played by Oscar Isaac, is a folk artist at a crossroads. “Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles—some of them of his own making. Living at the mercy of both friends and strangers, scaring up what work he can find, Llewyn’s misadventures take him from the baskethouses of the Village to an empty Chicago club—on an odyssey to audition for a music mogul—and back again.”
Today, the film received 3 nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy for Oscar Isaac’s performance, and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Please Mr. Kennedy”, featuring music by Ed Rush, George Cromarty, T Bone Burnett, Justin Timberlake, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, and lyrics by Ed Rush, George Cromarty, T Bone Burnett, Justin Timberlake, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen.
Oscar Isaac (Llewyn Davis) in Joel and Ethan Coens INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS Photo: Alison Rosa ©2012 Long Strange Trip LLC
Following the film, attendees headed to the nearby Adelaide Hall, where they were treated to some terrific music from top Canadian artists, who played a mix of songs from the Sixties folk era and their own songs.
The Beauties kicked off the show with one of their own songs, and served as the backing band to each of the artists performing. With their versatility and raucous live show, The Beauties showed why they were recently named runner-up for Best Band in Toronto by NOW Magazine readers.
The first artist to join the Beauties was Jim Cuddy, beginning with a performance of Bob Dylan’s ‘Like A Rolling Stone,’ drawing an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
Lindi Ortega was the next artist to take the stage, performing a Joan Baez song as well as one of her own. The afternoon before the show, Lindi tweeted that she was “losing my mind” trying to learn Baez’s finger picking style, although by showtime, it sounded like she had been performing it for years.
Next, the first surprise guest of the evening, Ron Sexsmith, took the stage, performing a song written by Tim Hardin, who performed in the 1960’s Greenwich Village folk scene, just as Llewyn Davis did in the film. After playing Hardin’s ‘Reason To Believe’, he followed up with ‘Hard Bargain’, written by Sexsmith and recorded by Emmylou Harris.
The concert continued with Justin Rutledge, who was recently awarded the Contemporary Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Awards, making him a perfect fit for the evening.
Just as it seemed the night couldn’t get any better, the show featured a surprise appearance by Sylvia Tyson, a Canadian music legend who was a part of the Greenwich Village folk music scene in the 60’s. Performing as Ian and Sylvia, the duo was managed by Albert Grossman, who served as inspiration for one of the characters in Inside Llewyn Davis, Bud Grossman. At the Adelaide Hall, Sylvia gave the audience goosebumps as she performed ‘Four Strong Winds’ with Justin Rutledge and the Beauties.
Maylee Todd was the next performer to grace the stage, delivering a great performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Susanna’ as well as her own song, ‘I Tried.’
Thanks to our co-presenter Mongrel Media, as well as sponsors TD Bank Group, Steam Whistle Brewing, Adelaide Hall, and the musicians who delivered such terrific performances and made for a very special night in support of MusiCounts.
December 10th, 2013
Tonight’s Canadian Premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis, and an evening of Canadian Music in support of the charity MusiCounts, presented by Mongrel Media & 4479, is now SOLD OUT – but you can win two tickets in our new Twitter contest.
To enter, let us know your favourite Coen Brothers movie by filling in the blank and tweeting: “Dear @4479Toronto – my favourite Coen Brothers movie is _________, and I want to see #InsideLlewynDavis tonight!”
We’ll draw one winner at random and notify them by 4pm today.
*Must be 19+ to enter.
Your event ticket Includes:
– A ticket to the Canadian Premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
– A ticket to the after party at Adelaide Hall featuring live performances by Jim Cuddy, Justin Rutledge, Lindi Ortega, Maylee Todd, The Beauties, and surprise special guests.
– One Steamwhistle beer at the concert.
– A copy of the soundtrack for the film Inside Llewyn Davis.
*You MUST bring your paper ticket to BOTH events for entry, as well as PHOTO ID
Screening starts @ 7:30pm: TIFF Bell Lightbox 350 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
After party doors open @ 9:30pm: 250 Adelaide St W Toronto ON M5H 1X6
The event is generously sponsored by TD Bank Group, Steam Whistle Brewing, and Adelaide Hall.
