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Time to Elevate - Reggae Music Canada

3/13/2013

4 Comments

 
Time to Elevate – Reggae Music Canada

Mediocrity, complacency, lack of talent, lack of viable outlets, poor organization, lack of unity locally, provincially / federally…  What best describes reggae music as it pertains to the artist performing within Canada?

As artists / performers I wonder if one has ever explored why in fifty years or so that no reggae music produced by an artist residing in Canada does not make top ten charts or even played in any kind of rotation on radio stations across the provinces?  Outside of the blatant racism by the CRTC or record labels that control the airwaves there is also the fact that ’they’ support NOTHING Canadian!  I am aware that this isn’t news to anyone but I do feel the need to repeat it constantly in the hope that someone / anyone finds us a path or solution to break this trend.  This writer hasn’t figured it out yet so that is my challenge to this genre.

Yet, at some point, I do need to stop the pity party.  I must at some point take on the mentality of a true champion!  Overcome all obstacles and barriers and just go for the gold!

Michael Phelps has over twenty Olympic medals, eighteen of them gold!  Usain Bolt has eight gold medals, winning every single Olympic race that he has run in!  No excuses!  No complaints!  Just results!  Winners always seem to find a way.  So I am going to adopt their combative, winning spirits and attitudes!

As the proclaimed “Canadian Reggae Defender” my focus must be to the top.  I see that we must first create the sale of reggae music in Canada along with the profitable export of reggae to foreign shores.  So in continuation of my last article, taking responsibility for a part of infrastructure creation, Canadian Reggae World (CRW) has taken over the booking of the Waterfall Indian Tapas Bar & Grill where we will bring reggae performances weekly.  What can our collective talents do in order to maintain and grow said audiences?

So in doing the bookings, I challenge the acts to create massive interest in their collective talents.  My take is, if one is to perform and audiences aren’t clamoring to see your next show, one may need to elevate if talent allows or take up a new profession / hobby.  It isn’t like the audience does not know and an artist needs to accept that not all have the same talents or skill sets.  If an artist cannot sell their music or tickets to a show, why be angry about it and blame everyone or everything else? Who or what could one be angry at?

Who is to blame?

I put it down to the fact that I am not good enough!  I believe that I can do better so I will work a little harder!  A little smarter!  I will continue with even greater creativity.  If I demand and expect more form myself, I will do the same for the acts that I book!  The act / artist / bands that bring in the fans and entertain consistently will be booked more often and given precedence over those that don’t do as well.  Just like in professional sport or even top level amateur competition, one must EARN their spot!



As I have stated previously, music is easy!  It either moves you or it doesn’t.  There is no gray area!  I ask the musicians and artist to bring their best and no less.  Every time!

 I will not support crap just because you happen to perform in Canada!  Bring the good stuff or don’t bother coming.  As a reggae music fan, I want to be moved!  I believe this to be a necessary shift in how reggae music is presented to our audiences as I feel that the genre must be “fan driven” as opposed to “artist led” as it seems to have been in the past.  The artist led style has its participants support crap music from each other, refraining to say negatives of fellow artists (to their faces) hence perpetuating mediocrity!  Fan driven means that people (reggae fans) are clamoring to see artists, be entertained, and purchase your work!  They tell two friends and so on…  If our venues are consistently packed we will have covered a small part of, “the sale of reggae music in Canada”.

I’m choosing a model that has worked time and again and it is time to do so now.  Motown, Trench Town, Studio One are places where the collective talents of artists drove music forward!  Time to try a thing here in Canada!

What I /we seek is the next world wide reggae star coming out of Canada!

Blessings,

JuLion

www.canadianreggaeworld.com

4 Comments
well said my brethen.case close..respect is due.my comment reach for the top always and never give up bless...
3/12/2013 08:41:07 pm

Reply
Tygon
5/28/2013 02:30:16 am

Thank you for another brilliant set of thoughts JuLion! Loving the new look of the website :) Bless up!

Reply
RJ
3/13/2013 11:47:30 am

Very true Julion, and my hats off to you for ALL your efforts! Now as a regular attendee of reggae shows in Toronto, I must give you my thoughts, especially on the aspect of packing dem venues with people. I have attended many shows at Waterfalls, and although I think that venue is somewhat adequate I do feel that it doesn't help us in OUR collective quest to pack dem house.
I always find the setup (or lack thereof) restricts the flow of people, inhibits the vibe and ultimately hurts live performances. This is an aspect that I have talked to about with both aquaintences and strangers alike during live shows there. The way that they pile up the unused chairs and tables is a true issue. I understand that Waterfalls is primarly a restaurant and they need those tables and chairs but man o man they really make live performances uncomfortable. It may not be such an issue on Denday but for live bands it really hurts. Reggae music is a music that is based on soul, vibe and feeling, yet dem upside down chairs and blockages throughout that venue does nothing to facilitate any of that. Most people hang in the path from the door to the bar...dem others hang alongside the bar, with limited people in front of the stage. Why? If people could populate in front of the dj/sound engineers then people would naturally populate towards the stage. Again I have talked to friends and strangers and everyone agrees these barriers diminsh the vibe that could be.

I am in no way try to critisize anybody or anything just giving you my thoughts to help you, in turn helping me and more people enjoy the music we love in live format.

Best wishes with much respect!

Reply
JuLion
3/13/2013 05:05:40 pm

Man RJ I do wish first and foremost to thank you for coming out and supporting the thing and more importantly, taking the time to voice / write your opinions.

1. I do agree, the Waterfall is NOT the most prime location for performances, but the owner did not turn his back on us as many other club and bar owners in this city have.

2. Though it certainly isn't ideal, it is our current home till be build the audience to accommodate a larger venue.

3. There are ZERO venues in this city that will bring the amount of live and DJ reggae music as the Waterfall will! Call it ignorance, racism, fear or whatever their hang ups are NO ONE wants reggae the way we are bringing it! And whenever they do, we will be willing to show up.

4. The owner of the Waterfall Rasie, has committed himself to this genre which is pretty alien to him and for that I do owe him my loyalty as well as my gratitude.

As you may know, I have been at this for a time now (over 20 years) and reggae is still an after thought to many in the 'established mainstream' and the fear of black skin, Rastafari and the music are still prevalent among them. I know! I'm the one who contacts these owners.

Reggae is blossoming now despite these setbacks through folks like yourself and our growing masses. Yes, it aint ideal, but we are still going to use it to elevate the thing and hope that you stick around to the finish line (whatever that is).

Blessings for taking the time...

JuLion

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