PHOTO : BOBBY SINGH / FOHPHOTO . COM
contents
September / October 2022 , Vol . XLIV , No . 5
INDIE INSIDER
Has a Canadian Company Solved Music Streaming ’ s Costly Fraud Problem ?
ROAD TEST
Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-M & Discoverer Delay effects pedals , the Shure KSM11 vocal mic , and the Positive Grid Spark Mini portable smart amp
DEPARTMENTS
9 First Take 12 Association Update 14 Changes 20 Canadian Musician Podcast 21 Events 64 Hot Gear 71 Advertisers ’ Index 74 Tech Tools 76 Classifieds 78 Showcase
COLUMNS
27 How to Create Success Despite All Odds
28 My Top 5 Tips for Combining Music & Motherhood
30 A Guide to Defusing Inter-Band Conflict
31 Authentic Personal Branding
32 How to Work in the U . S . As an Emerging Canadian Artist or Band
58 Recalibrating Your Musical Instincts
59 Open-Handed Drumming Means Playing Open-Hearted
60 Learning to Read 16 th Notes
10 22
62 Playing F Blues - Tonic Dominant Vs . Functional Dominant
CADENCE WEAPON OPENS UP ABOUT HIS LIFE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS , PG . 38
FEATURES
Alexisonfi re
On overcoming burnout , anxiety & inner turmoil to rise back to the top
By Manus Hopkins
34
Alexisonfire is now back in full force — their first studio album in 13 years , Otherness , was welcomed with critical acclaim and praise from fans in June . But things are different now that the St . Catharines , ON quintet know the toll that burnout can take on them . Rather than jumping right into a fullforce reunion , Alexisonfire took their time , slowly feeling things out before deciding the band was something they wanted — and needed — in their lives again .
38
Cadence Weapon ’ s Hard-Earned Lessons for Life
in Music
In his new book Bedroom Rapper , Rollie Pemberton ( a . k . a Cadence Weapon ) dishes on the highs & lows of his years in the music business
By Michael Raine Now 36 years old , and just a year removed from winning the Polaris Music Prize , Rollie Pemberton ( better known as Cadence Weapon ) is able to reflect on the significant highs and lows he ’ s had in his career . Here , Pemberton chats with Canadian Musician about early internet chat rooms , exploitive label deals , learning to manage his own career , and more . Plus , we share a short excerpt from Bedroom Rapper .
Building Your Own Home Studio
The gear , DIY tricks & overlooked things to know when creating a recording space
By Dajaun Martineau
42
Gold-certified producer Dajaun Martineau , who ’ s currently creating his latest home studio , provides a primer on making your own top-notch recording space . He ’ s got the gear tips , DIY tricks , and must-know info for all budgets . Plus , acclaimed producers / engineers / musicians Beatchild , Wayne Cochran , Ryan McCambridge , Phil Hotz , and Justin Meli share their own top tips and smartest purchases for home studios .
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The Most Cherished Instruments in Canadian Music
The Tragically Hip , Jay Douglas , Cancer Bats & more share the stories of their most prized instruments
By Michael Raine
From the fussiest gearhead to the most laidback “ give me anything and I ’ ll play it ” musician , over time , players all get attached to something . For some , it ’ s purely the sound and features of the gear that makes them love it , and for others it ’ s more sentimental and personal . Sometimes it comes with a hefty price tag , and other times it ’ s a family keepsake or gift . Regardless , we ’ ve always found the stories behind musicians ’ most loved instruments to be
fascinating — and often very touching .
COVER PHOTO : ALEXISONFIRE BY VANESSA HEINS