Use videos to get more exposure, industry insider tells local bands
Local bands should use music videos to break into the national scene, says Julie Thorburn, program officer for Video FACT.
Thorburn said because the province is somewhat isolated from the core of Canada’s music industry, local bands could use videos as a promotional tool to get the country’s attention.
Video FACT finances music videos for Canadian artists. Thorburn was in St. John’s over the weekend for the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s first annual conference.
“It was my hope to come here and expose myself to the music community and I’m hoping I’ll see a lot more activity in terms of video production here,” she said.
“I’m hoping I’ll be inundated with proposals and storylines and scripts from musicians I’ve met here.”
Video FACT has limited involvement with Newfoundland bands, she said. The agency, however, has helped finance videos for Figgy Duff, Anita Best and Pamela Morgan, Rawlins Cross, Thomas Trio and the Red Albino and Pressure Drop.
“Considering the wealth of talent and the number of people making music in this province, that’s very limited.”
MIA’s Conference ’92 allowed industry people from across the country to see local bands and meet the talent, Thorburn said. She attended two nights of showcases featuring Newfoundland artists over the weekend and was impressed.
Two acts stuck out in her mind. The first night was singing and songwriting ability of Ron Hynes.
“Ron Hynes just blew me away. What a fabulous songwriter he is,” she said. “I was not that familiar with his work and he was mesmerizing.”
Day two of the showcase had a harder edge to it with local acts Pressure Drop, Privateers, Meanstreak and Hardship Post.
“Meanstreak was a good young band. You know they’re young and still developing but I thought the lead singer (Shawn Basha) was very strong,” she said.
“They were very aggressive. Now that was a band that pushed themselves on everybody. I’m taking home their promo kit and I’m sure every other panelist that was there is.”
Meanstreak’s five members have been together since 1989 and are between the ages of 19 and 21. The Mount Pearl band released their first recording, “In Your Face,” in April.
Members of Meanstreak are Basha, vocals; Rich Haigh, guitar; Dave Caines, guitar; Jim Kieley, percussion/drums; and Ken Walsh on bass.
Page 26, The Evening Telegram, Monday, November 2, 1992