Dunlevy: M for Montreal showcases next wave of Canadian musical talent

tomtidgewellNovember 16, 2022

The event features 110 enthusiastic indie acts on stages across the city for everyone to see and hear from industry heavyweights and shakers.

Having just headlined a super fun free outdoor blowout at Jazz Fest, Clay and Friends will join Soran and Zach Zoya at M for Montreal. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

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“Montreal is known for producing up-and-coming artists,” said Mikey Richwayne Bernard. “It must be something in the water.”

he will know Bernard is the Director of Programming for M for Montreal.Music Industry Showcase Holds 17th Annual EDITION, November 16-19, 110 enthusiastic indie acts from Montreal and the rest of Canada take to stages across the city to be seen and heard by Movers and Shakers Foods.

Of these musical acts, 24 make up Montreal’s official selection of M. Attracting the attention of 300 industry representatives (including 150 of him from outside Canada), he plays back-to-back sets at nearby venues.

While these exclusive events are invite-only, M for Montreal takes its cues from POP Montreal with many shows and workshops open to the public in venues large and small.

Renowned Montreal artists, including Acadian folk disco transport Lisa Leblanc, are part of the official selection of M for Montreal. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

Case in point: Just headlining a wildly entertaining free outdoor blowout at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, local hero-fans Clay and Friends are former La Voix competitors at Quebec indie pop songsmiths in Japan. Actor Soran and rapper Zak Zoya. Montreal’s Anglo Hip-Hop Poster Boy’ Friday at 8pm at Club Soda.

Or how about high-profile Montreal pop star Dee Holt, who joins Caribbean Quebec club/soul singer Audrey and Newfoundland rapper Albert Dalton at Le Belmont on Wednesdays at 8pm.

“(Holt) is going to do her first show,” Bernard said. “She’s all over Spotify. She’s in America. She just signed to Nettwerk and she sounds like nobody from Montreal — she’s got a hint of Billie Eilish.” But she has a happier side.”

Dalton, he says, is a perfect example of what Montreal’s M stands for. Although his prolific MC is largely unknown outside of his hometown, he has a chance to shine on M for Montreal’s select industry heavyweight audience.

“Who’s this kid?” said Bernard. “He’s really down-to-earth, not a sophisticated guy. I love this-;

Montreal Fernie from Brazil will perform as part of M for Montreal. M in Montreal

The official selection includes notable Montreal acts such as slick indie-pop singer Ariane Roy, Acadian folk-disco transplant Lisa LeBlanc, electro-pop powerhouse Lydia Kepinski and rapper Emma Beko, alongside the aforementioned Solan, Clay and Friends. lining up. .

But there are also a number of lesser-known but interesting names, such as queer Brazilian Montreal Fernie, who have garnered attention for their meandering R&B style. Ontario Aboriginal shoegaze rock duo Ombiigizi are shortlisted for this year’s Polaris Awards. BC postclassical grunge artist C. Diab.

“A lot of people look at the (Montreal M) poster and say, ‘Who’s this band?'” Bernard said. “That’s what I want to hear. It’s a homework festival. I want to book bands that will make an impact in three to five years.”

He cites success stories such as former locals Mac DeMarco and Grimes and Icelandic folk-rock band Of Monsters and Men.

Indigenous duo Ombiigizi, shortlisted for this year's Polaris Awards, will perform as part of M for Montreal. — Indigenous duo Ombiigizi, shortlisted for this year’s Polaris Awards, will perform as part of M for Montreal. M in Montreal

Among the brightest industry representatives at this year’s M for Montreal are representatives from BBC Scotland, Seattle indie label Sub Pop, Tik Tok pioneers, influential LA radio stations KCRW and Seattle’s KEXP, plus representatives from Luxembourg. , the Czech Republic and Wales. M for Montreal also has partnerships with several Canadian provinces.

If that sounds pretty exclusive, there’s a free outdoor show (called Le Show Frette, or Chilly Show) at the skatepark on St-Laurent Blvd on Fridays at 4pm. Featuring Kepinski, trippy pop singer Virginie B., Anishina Abe singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner, and Jesse Mack his Cormac under the Van Horn Viaduct.

“We’re lucky to have this here,” Bernard said of Montreal’s M. “It’s easy for musicians to hang out in their own backyards, and people really appreciate our format.

“We do things the boutique way, not only by sponsoring and supporting events, but by finding partners who help Montreal artists move in their direction. It’s about building relationships, not about.”

Overview: M in Montreal It takes place November 16-19. For tickets and information, visit mpourmontreal.com.

tdunlevy@postmedia.com

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