Press Releases

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Final Deadline for Artist Submissions is Friday, July 8th, 2011

Toronto, ON - July 4, 2011 - Indie Week Canada, Toronto’s alternative music festival for emerging artists has extended the final artist submission deadline to Friday, July 8th, 2011, to ensure that all acts have the opportunity to apply for a showcase at the eighth-annual festival, taking place October 12-16, 2011. All acts are eligible to apply except those signed directly to a major label (although bands signed to an indie label with major distribution are welcome to apply). Indie Week is highly receptive to international acts, and will automatically provide them with more than one showcase. In 2010, ten countries were represented at the festival. Selected acts will perform in front of music industry professionals, who will then select a top act to headline Indie Week Ireland 2012, the festival’s counterpart in Dublin, complete with free accommodation and flights for up to five band members. This prize allows the winning act spin-off opportunities such as the ability to plan their own European tour outside of Ireland, which is what past winners These Electric Lives and Darlings of Chelsea have done. In Spring 2011 These Electric Lives picked up two additional gigs at popular Dublin shows after playing the festival, and then went on to tour Britain with a date at Liverpool SoundCity. The band's experience garnered them attention from Canadian and Irish media. Interested acts should submit their electronic press kits through Sonicbids at http://www.sonicbids.com/indieweek, or by downloading the Mail-In Application here and sending supplementary materials by the post-marked deadline of July 8th. Please note: This will be the FINAL deadline – no extensions will be granted after July 8th. For more information regarding the festival and application process, please go here. Links http://www.indieweek.com http://www.facebook.com/indieweek http://www.twitter.com/indieweek http://www.sonicbids.com/indieweek

For all media inquiries: media@indieweek.com

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ACROSS THE POND AND BACK

These Electric Lives triumphant return for NXNE 2011

For Immediate Release June 1, 2011 TORONTO, ON – Electro-pop/Indie rockers, These Electric Lives are home. Still basking in the glory of their European tour, the band is gearing up for their homecoming show, a NXNE 2011 showcase on Saturday June 18th, 1 a.m., at Cherry Cola’s Rock N' Rolla Cabaret. Following the success of their recently-released EP, “We See Light…”  and a big win at Indie Week Canada, These Electric Lives embarked on their first ever tour of the UK and Ireland. Stops included Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool and London.  The band was honoured to headline Indie Week Ireland and to be a part of the much anticipated Canadian Blast showcase at Liverpool Sound City. They consistently made new friends and fans along the way with their high intensity show, a danceable hybrid of electro-pop/new wave and supercharged indie-rock. The European crowds were also intrigued by the band's download cards which gave purchasers online access to preview twenty-five tracks and the choice of ten songs to download.  It's not every day that fans get to create their own, custom, These Electric Lives album. “Our tour was life-altering for a lot of reasons. Seeing all those new cities in Ireland and England was an amazing experience all on its own but we also took things up a notch on stage every night in order to win over new fans over there. We're approaching our NXNE showcase as the final stop of our tour - a sweaty homecoming dance party! Come out and see what people across the Atlantic just saw!" – Gary Peter, Bass/Guitar/Keys, These Electric Lives

**These Electric Lives @ NXNE** Cherry Cola’s Rock N Rolla Cabaret 200 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON Saturday, June 18th 2011 @ 1 a.m.

Resources: Official: http://www.theseelectriclives.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6774427910 Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/TELTELTEL YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TheseElectricLives

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For music, high-res photos & interview requests, contact Lori Hirst lori@balsampiermusic.com, 416-414-5848

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The Suburbians Win Indie Week Ireland

UK Band Prepares to Headline Indie Week Canada in Toronto in October

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 25, 2011

After blowing crowds away at Indie Week Ireland and being named 'Best of the Fest' by industry, The Suburbians from Essex, UK will be showcasing in October for Toronto's Indie Week Canada 2011. The band has a solid lineup of talented musicians that features the guitar virtuosity of Ben Konstantinovic and his piano style method of playing guitar. As a group, The Suburbians are guitar driven, hook-laden rock n' roll and can be compared to Foo Fighters. The band was chosen by members of RCA Records, Sony Canada, Hot Press, and Bruised Fruit, among others, for their songwriting, performance, and promise. As Mick Lynham from RCA put it, "I think it's safe to say, this band will have a big career ahead if they keep this standard of songwriting." The win has already brought upon unexpected opportunities for the band, and as frontman Mark Konstantinovic said two days after the decision, "we've already been contacted by music publishers and show organizers in New York and LA, in fact we just booked a showcase this morning, so it just goes to show that there are people around the world watching Indie Week as an industry stamp of approval for emerging artists." So ask yourself if you've heard of The Suburbians; the answer may be no, but that might not be for long. Watch their catchy new music video 'Breathe' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OxLBlVAoss See Ben Konstantinovic's virtuosic style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ppYcmGsEk&feature=player_embedded

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Indie Week Does Ireland!

Indie Week Does Ireland!

Canada's Fastest Growing Independent Music Festival Returns to Dublin + Belfast May 11-14

Still abuzz from its most successful year in Toronto, the Canadian-produced music festival Indie Week returns to Ireland for its third year. The festival will see one of Toronto's top indie bands These Electric Lives showcase alongside promising Irish and British emerging artists. Indie Week Ireland 2011 launches with a free party on Wednesday, May 11 at Sweeney's Mongrel in Dublin, where ten bands perform across two floors. From there, Indie Week migrates to Belfast to showcase at Auntie Annie's on Thursday, May 12, then returns to Dublin's The Grand Social on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. Prices have been kept low, with special discounts for those who arrive early and nothing over €6 (except for wristbands, which at €10 allow access to all shows). Toronto band These Electric Lives are visiting the country to showcase on every night of Indie Week. They are the most current band to cross the Atlantic with Indie Week, who have been showcasing Canadian bands in Ireland and Irish bands in Toronto for the last five years. The two countries' music scenes are complimentary, which has allowed Indie Week to develop a successful 'exchange program' for Irish and Canadian bands. In fact, since 2007, Irish acts have been discovered by management at Indie Week Canada. Other Notable Acts Performing at Indie Week Ireland 2011: • Simon Fagan, who performed at Indie Week Canada 2010, where he realized his popularity amongst Toronto music fans (particularly the female segment) • The Dirty 9s, who were booked for the festival after the Indie Week crew discovered them on BalconyTV Toronto. • The Whatmans, who were voted Top Act by music industry at last year's Indie Week Ireland and subsequently headlined the Canadian festival in 2010 where they played to sold-out crowds. …And others local greats such as Preachers Son, The Beat Poets, and windings. See the left sidebar for full listings!

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INDIE WEEK IRELAND Application Deadline is January 21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 11, 2011

INDIE WEEK IRELAND ARTIST APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 10 DAYS AWAY

Apply for a showcase by Friday, January 21

The deadline to apply for Indie Week Ireland 2011 is only 10 days away! Time is running out to perform in one of the world’s most beautiful and musically rich countries, as is the opportunity to obtain Indie Week’s holy grail: A partially-paid trip to play in Toronto, Ontario and headline Indie Week Canada in October. Ireland is home to some of the top selling and critically acclaimed acts of the last 30 years, including U2, Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries, Damien Rice, BellX1 and Van Morrison. Music in Ireland is as much as part of the culture and core of Irish life as the rolling green hills, breathtaking coastal mountains and castles spread across the country. Ireland is an inspiring mix of the past and the future and the perfect back drop for a festival designed to bring attention and opportunity to independent acts from around the world. Performers who have been a part of both Indie Week Ireland and Indie Week Canada (winners and non-winners alike) have found that the festivals not only boosted their profile in their home country and gave them invaluable experience performing in a foreign market, but also allowed them the opportunity to meet and build relationships with the festival’s music-industry judges who, in some cases, have become instrumental in the growth of their careers and future touring opportunities. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 21. You can apply to Indie Week Ireland in one of two ways:

• Sonicbids members can apply online by visiting http://www.sonicbids.com/indieweek
• Those who are not members can complete the mail-in application attached to this email and snail-mail it to Indie Week headquarters.

GOOD LUCK! For more information or media enquiries: media[@]indieweek.com ### http://www.IndieWeek.com http://www.sonicbids.com/indieweek http://www.twitter.com/indieweek http://www.facebook.com/indieweek

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Indie Week Ireland 2011 Artist Applications are Open

The Irish-Canadian Festival is Looking for Europe's Best Independent Music!

Indie Week Ireland (May 11-14) is on the hunt for Ireland's best independent music! Could you be the next band to be dubbed this year's "Best of the Fest," complete with free flights to Toronto, Ontario in October 2011 for your chance to wow the Canadian music industry at Indie Week Canada? Time to find out! Artist applications are being accepted until January 21, 2011, but because Indie Week wants to give you every opportunity available, artists who apply by January 1st are privy to a 2-for-1 early bird special that lets you choose the option to apply for BOTH Indie Week Ireland and Indie Week Canada 2011 (a 150+ band festival that dominates the most beloved live-music venues along the infamous Queen St. W. strip) for the cost of one (1) submission. Not to bad for 35 bucks (approx €26 or £22)! Submissions are accepted via Sonicbids at www.sonicbids.com/indieweek; for artists who are not Sonicbids members, you can email artist@indieweek.com to request the Mail-In Application. Indie Week Ireland 2009 alum, Dublin-based rock band Sixteen Layers said of their experience at the Indie Week Canada 2009 festival: “Indie Week Canada was a big success for Sixteen Layers. To our joy, we met a lot of great people, drank a lot of Jager and heard a lot of great music. We're still working with a lot of people we hooked up with over the week.” Indie Week is fast becoming THE music festival for giving Irish and European acts a chance to introduce themselves to the Canadian music scene. The festival showcases top-notch European talent (along with a few talented Canadian artists to round out the bill, all of whom have participated in Indie Week Canada) over four nights in Belfast and Dublin. Showcases are judged by some of Ireland's most influential music-industry professionals, and artists are provided with their judges' feedback - something unique to Indie Week. And for those who have been disillusioned by the traditional "battle of the bands": Indie Week is nothing like them - it’s an artist-friendly festival where the emphasis is on the music, not the competition. Many artists who have participated in the festival and didn't win have still impressed enough to have been asked to play Indie Week Canada. The prize just makes it a bit easier! Simon Fagan, another Dubliner who performed at both the Canadian and Irish festivals, said this: “The organizers of Indie Week are great and by playing IW Ire, I got invited to perform at IW Toronto. This was a great experience & a very successful trip… If you're Irish, enter this to increase your chances of going to Canada, if international, you be looked after here!” Bands from around the world are welcome to apply - and don’t worry if you've never been on tour! In fact, Indie Week Ireland 2009 was Toronto band Bella Clava’s first-ever tour. You just have to give it your all and show our judges what you've got! Apply now at Sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com/indieweek.com) or click here to download the Mail-In Application.

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For media inquiries, contact media[@]indieweek.com Indie Week http://www.IndieWeek.com http://www.sonicbids.com/indieweek http://www.twitter.com/indieweek http://www.facebook.com/indieweek

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Admission Is A Blanket - Oct 14th - Blankfest Toronto at Indie Week

"It's about the homeless. Nothing more, nothing less." Just a week till Blankfest Toronto at the El Mocambo on October 14th during Indie Week 2010. The anticipation is building up between bands and supporters of helping out Toronto's homeless. "I'm really looking forward to Blankfest Toronto next week. The last two Blankfest Quebec's organized in Montreal have been great successes and I'm hoping we can even raise more clothing items in Toronto and beat the Montreal record of over 640 clothing items." comments Jon Asher, one of the organizers of Blankfest Toronto. "It will surely help Serving Charity and Toronto's homeless they help out during the frost biting winter months." Admission to the event is a donation of a blanket or winter clothing, or pay what you can monetary donation. All proceeds collected will be donated to Toronto's Serving Charity. The following is the line up for the event: October 14 at 7:00pm - October 15 at 2:00am El Mocambo - Upstairs 2nd Floor - 464 Spadina Ave (corner College St.) Bagdaddios (NYC) - http://www.baghdaddios.com Modified (Toronto) - http://www.myspace.com/modifiedband Playdeaf (Toronto) - http://www.playdeaf.com/ Falling Anvils (Montreal) - http://www.myspace.com/fallinganvils All Else Fails (Edmonton) - http://www.myspace.com/allelsefailscanada Crooked Valentine (Toronto) - http://www.myspace.com/crookedvalentinemusic Facebook Event - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid3D113097698739607&ref3Dts http://www.blankfest.org http://www.myspace.com/blankfestbands Facebook Fanpage - Blankfest Toronto About Blankfest: Blankfest Toronto's primary goal is to collect blankets, socks, underwear and non-perishable food for the homeless in Toronto. Toronto's winter months are known for having temperatures well below zero and those who are homeless run the risk of frostbite and possible death due to overexposure. Blankfest Toronto aims to aid those who are less fortunate and keeps the homeless warm while living on the streets. Blankfest was founded by New York City indie rock veteran Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios, founding Blankfest in 1997 and organizing an annual blanket fundraiser in New York City. In the past, Rowell says, Blank-Fest NYC has raised more than 6,000 total donations that have been distributed to the homeless in the New York City area and has inspired similar efforts in New Jersey, Manhattan and Nottingham, UK. Among the many distinguished artists who have performed at past international Blank-Fests are: Rothberg (EMI), Buddy Cage (Grateful Dead), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and Meg Griffin (Sirius Radio) About The Bands: 8:30pm - 9:00 pm Bagdaddios (NYC) 9:15pm - 9:45 pm Modified (Toronto) 10:00pm - 10:30pm Playdeaf (Toronto) 10:45pm - 11:15pm Falling Anvils (Montreal) 11:30pm - 12:00am All Else Fails (Edmonton) 12:15am - 12:45am Crooked Valentine (Toronto)

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Indie Week’s Biggest Year Yet - and Unbelievably Affordable!

$15 for 150 Bands Indie Week rolls into town Oct 13 and hijacks 15 venues for 5 nights. With 50% more acts than 2009, this is Indie Week’s biggest year yet, at 150 bands. For a limited time only Early Bird priced wristbands can be purchased at www.ticketscene.ca for $15. Fifteen dollars to attend all showcases, parties and industry panels is completely nuts. On Oct 01 prices increase to $20 (which is still unbelievably cheap). The wristband allows entry into some wicked parties. When was the last time you went to céilidh… in Toronto? Indie Week and Charlottetown's Tim Chaisson are presenting a céilidh at Drake Underground on Sat Oct 16. Maritime culture will be imported for a great evening of music, dance, drink, and fun! Indie Week is also presenting a full lineup of Australian bands. They’re coming here after a 21-hour flight, people. Check ‘em out at Underground Garage on Fri Oct 15. Also on the bill: Christina Martin’s CD release party at the Indie Week Launch Party (Wed Oct 13 @ Hideout), the Irish Showcase featuring Indie Week Ireland 2010 winners The Whatmans (Fri Oct 15 @ Hideout) and the BalconyTV Toronto Launch Party and Showcase at the Underground Garage on Sat Oct 16 (Toronto's newest online music show that gives bands their own "Beatles Rooftop Moment"). Oh, and there are some tight bands playing. A Primitive Evolution, Ten Kens (Last Gang Records), These Electric Lives, Tin Star Orphans, Ahoora (metal band from Iran), special guest Simon Walls who's walking across Canada, Isle of Dogs (OE from Birthday Massacre's band), and 143+ more! For more information or media enquiries, please email media[@]indieweek.com

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Music Vice to Cover Indie Week

Music Vice is pleased to announce a partnership with Indie Week music festival in Toronto. We will be teaming up as a festival sponsor to provide comprehensive coverage of all the action from Indie Week 2010. Now in its seventh year, Indie Week 2010 will be the biggest yet with 150 bands set to participate - up 50% from the 100 that played last year. This year's festival will have a bigger international feel with a larger contingent of participating acts from around the world. There's going to be Tokyo and Australian showcases, building on the festival's presence in Canada and Ireland, with it's annual festivals in both countries. Already established as Toronto's "third" music festival, Indie Week offers something different to NXNE and Canadian Music Week. It's more just about the music and less about the industry sideshow: there will be no hour-long industry conferences at Indie Week on the benefits of using Twitter. I had a blast at Indie Week 2009 and saw some great bands - 2010 promises to be even better, and our Toronto team will be rallying to provide extensive coverage of all the action, with reviews, photos and artist interviews. This year's Indie Week takes place in venues throughout downtown Toronto from October 13th-17th. Tickets can be purchased at TicketScene.ca Look out for our coverage from Indie Week on Music Vice this October. www.musicvice.com

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Tues Aug 17 : Second Wave of Artists Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, August 17th, 2010. Contact: INDIE WEEK Email: media[@]indieweek.com

SECOND WAVE OF BANDS PERFORMING AT INDIE WEEK 2010 ANNOUNCED

The INDIE WEEK CANADA 2010 music festival slams downtown Toronto’s live music venues October 13-17 with stellar lineups representing bands from every genre. As usual INDIE WEEK is showcasing some extreme unsigned talent. Perhaps the most exciting change from last year is the expansion of INDIE WEEK’s successful regional showcases. With bands hailing from ten countries such as Ireland, Australia, Greece, Iran, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US, INDIE WEEK is giving Torontonians a reason to look forward to the end of summer. For the full list of acts, please see www.indieweek.com. 5th PROJEKT (Toronto: Cinematic Rock) Ahoora (Tehran, Iran: Indie Modern Rock) Alert The Medic (Halifax: Rock) Black Napalese (Toronto: Rock) Carlo Meriano (Toronto: Acoustic Folk Experimental) Dead Messenger (Montreal: Rock) English Words (Charlottetown, Pop Rock) Joel Battle (Toronto: Folk Country) Last Second Magic (Dublin, Ireland: Pop Rock) Lauren Malyon (Toronto: Pop) Mad June (Montreal: Pop Rock) Maneli Jamal (Toronto: Acoustic) Modified (Toronto: Hard Rock/Metal) Nans & Nat (Montreal: Electronic Pop/DJ) Organ Thieves (Toronto: Rock/Soul/R&B) Our Friend & The Spiders (Montreal: Alternative Forest Rock) Pinup Saints (Montreal: Electronic Pop/DJ) Portrait (Toronto: Alt Rock) Stacey Kaniuk (Toronto: Soul Pop) StereoGoesStellar (Windsor: Power-Piano Pop) The Fantasy Defender (Toronto: Pop Rock) The Hyena Dog Robbery (Toronto: Crimewave) The TANUKI Project (Montreal: Electro Visual Rock) Vinyl Hero (Montreal: Rock) WAXMEN (Toronto: Alt Rock) For more information or for media enquiries, please email media[@]indieweek.com.

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