Fresh Media 2010

Professor Andy Miah discusses the ever-changing face of journalism as highlighted by the Olympic Movement

On February 23, while some Olympic-focused journalists enjoyed massages, others joined bloggers and tweeps from around the world for an afternoon of dialogue at the W2 media space.

Hosted by W2’s Irwin Oostindie, the Fresh Media conference began with a keynote speech by professor Andy Miah, who raised interesting questions about the role of media in the representation of social change and the Olympic Games.

“My experience of the Games [this year] is not through TV, probably for the first time. Rather it is through Twitter, [through] my Tweetdeck, that I load up every day. This is how [some] people are encountering the Games. I think that is important: how we use technologies to visualize the Games [as well as]… how those new media are trying to become part of the conversation,” states Miah.

Tracing the development of Olympic activism from Mexico’s 1968 Games to the present, Miah noted that the Olympic Movement has always consciously aimed to develop and encourage social change. However, that goal can be undermined by the organization’s own tightly controlled avenues of access and expression.

For example, contracts with artists restrict some public expressions during the Games, while media outlets have been critiqued in light of sponsorship deals with the Games.

This year’s Games coincides with a rapidly evolving definition of "journalist," which now includes independent bloggers alongside multinational broadcasters. Miah observed “there’s a strong sense that the old media are fishes out of water, occupying a world without understanding what it is about” in their attempts to employ social media in coverage. However, he noted that access to technology isn’t everything: to make a large impact, the techniques of social media must reach broader audiences and overcome inequalities from lack of media literacy and the "digital divide."

“What is left to do?" Miah concludes, "Think critically about what stories need to be told… The Olympics is an entity that raises social issues, but doesn’t always address them.”

   

PEAK Performance Project anticipates a different kind of music industry

The PEAK Performance Project gets real with aspiring musicians, training them to do for themselves

Social networking, local talent, industry trends and networks of performers and fans come together in the PEAK Performance Project.

Chances are you’ve heard about the event by now. It was created by radio station 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop emerging BC-based artists like TV Heart Attack, Adaline and Wassabi Collective.

A  seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all B.C.-based musicians, the event offers 20 finalists an intensive week-long industry training program slash boot camp and the opportunity to perform—with the top three artists receiving money for career development. Visit the Peak Performance Project site for scheduling and information.

I was curious about the project and so asked local singer-songwriter—and Peak Performance Project participant—Ben Sigston, for his thoughts, and for ideas that other independent artists might find useful.

How does the PEAK Performance Project tackle recent changes in the music industry?

The highlight of the Peak Project is that they have been able to access guest speakers and lecturers that are some of the most innovative independent publicists, promoters and marketing strategists in the Canadian scene.

As technology keeps moving forward at such a rapid pace, the revenue streams from selling CDs are almost gone. Musicians are being forced to get out on the road and seriously work for themselves.

Many new musicians are now having to take care of all of their own business affairs in order to get ahead.

As a musician, is this daunting for you? Having to handle the business side as well as the creative side?

In today’s music climate it is imperative for all artists to be business-savvy. Honestly, it is so difficult to make enough money to employ managers, agents and anyone else that may help. It seems to me that the best way to move forward is to understand your vision as an artist and then try to put the plan into action. And putting that plan into action means having no money and playing as much as possible.

Can you describe the PEAK Performance Project Boot Camp?

The boot camp was amazing. It was at a place called the Rock Ridge Canyon nestled in the mountains near Princeton, BC. There was limited cell phone reception so basically there were no distractions. Every day we heard lectures hosted by different faculty—about five hours of lectures per day.

Some highlights were Ken Beatty from Kill Beat Publicity, Vancouver-based producer Jeff Dawson, Shawn Verrault from Wide Mouth Mason and Erin Kinghorn, an independent publicist from Toronto. There was so much great advice that it was a bit of an information overload.

Personally I really enjoyed Ken Beatty who shared his experiences as a musician and publicist, and encouraged all of us to get out there and work hard.

How do you use tools like social media sites to promote your work?

Ah, social media. This has not been my strong point as a musician but I'm definitely getting better. Social and interactive media are becoming the main way of communicating with new and potential fans. I'm beginning to use my website as kind of my main hub for all of these other sites… The only thing that is a bit crazy is that it is really time consuming to keep up with all of the new sites. I do feel a little overwhelmed at times because there are so many.

   

Media Democracy and the arts

How Media Democracy connects arts, culture, community building and sustainability

As a follow up to my preview of the Media Democracy Day fundraiser, held on October 15 at the Railway, I got in touch with event organizers and one of the performers to ask them to help me define the concept.

Media Democracy is one of those broad concepts that can mean different things to different people—a little like “sustainability.”

I was curious how participants thought Media Democracy connects to arts, culture, community building and sustainability. Here are their answers:

"Art and media democracy are both about empowering people to express themselves. Part of media democracy is make production and dissemination of art accessible to everyone. It's about equipping people with the knowledge, skills and tools to effectively express themselves and the collective values of their communities." 

"When you think about it, there is an integral link between media democracy and the arts. Art and culture can provide valuable community spaces for critical reflexivity, social opinion, and creative exploration; perhaps helping to draw better attention to and/or begin to bridge the gaps that exist in the social, cultural, political and economic constructs of our societies."

An example that comes to mind is Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky. He was granted permission to take photographs of factories in China, whereas he might have been denied access if he were a journalist. His stunning images of global industrial landscapes, which also include the Alberta oil fields, attract the viewer with their strange beauty while provoking critical reflection and discussion. Since art is always open to interpretation, the viewer is a participant in the making of meaning. There is a democratic exchange between artist and audience.

"As both an artist and an independent producer of various performing arts events and projects, I have experienced first-hand what I consider to be the downfall of the legitimate mass media in our time. (Some) prominent and respected news outlets no longer seek to report news without monetary compensation under the guise of 'sponsorship packages' that ensure, for a fee, that your event or news item will be covered... Without some serious mediation of the ethics of journalism, we will soon live in a world void of true art and honest expression.

   

Kate Reid is the ‘only dyke at the open mic’

Vancouver singer-songwriter Kate Reid on music, humour, kids and Kate Perry

On the topic of National Coming Out Day, Vancouver also boasts a thriving grassroots community of LGBTQ (that's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning) artists, writers, musicians and activists.

For example, local singer-songwriter (and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee) Kate Reid, is currently touring her debut album Coming Alive.

In her song “Only Dyke at the Open Mic,” she talks about her work, which aims to counteract mainstream stereotypes about LGBTQ experiences with a blend of political awareness and humour that recalls the approach of comedian Dave Chapelle.

Kate Reid on the role of humour in her work:

“I think it’s easier to stomach what I’m talking about if I make fun of it… I’ve learned things can become more palpable with humour. We need to address stuff like homophobia, even our own internal homophobia… I’m trying to help people see how we’re similar. We’re different, but we share human emotions and experiences.”

Kate Reid on her next project, which involves interviewing kids with lesbian mothers and turning their stories into songs:

“I’m interested in looking at how they feel as kids… The idea came to me through my fan mail. A young girl who was 13 saw me playing at the Vancouver Folk Fest. She had lesbian moms, and was very articulate when talking about what it’s like… My partner has two kids, and I was curious about what’s it like for them at school, with dykes for moms. I heard these cool stories, and wanted to turn them into songs, so I lined up 20 people within 24 hours who said they would love to be a part of it.”

"Music wasn’t really about coming out,
but rather figuring out who I am," says
Kate Reid. (Amy Reid photo)

Kate Reid on Katy Perry’s hit song "I Kissed A Girl":

“Katy Perry’s song was counterproductive in a lot of ways. It got our community some exposure on radio, but it was not getting the expression right. She’s a straight person singing about potentially wanting to be with a woman: a straight woman trying to get more attention from men and the media. It’s a trendy thing. She’s not saying she’s a lesbian, she talks about her boyfriend… She’s not representing anyone I know… A lot of people don’t think about the implications of a song—what it might mean for real people and in the eyes of non-gay community.”

Kate Reid on the role of music in her experience coming out as a lesbian:

“Music wasn’t really about coming out, but rather figuring out who I am. That was really huge for me. I’ve said before I think it saved my life… When I was coming out, I started listening to lesbian singer-songwriters: Ani Difranco, Tracey Chapman, the Indigo Girls… It helped me look at myself. Music is such a powerful venue for people discovering their feelings… A lot of people in the GLBT community need visions of what they can be.”