The awards show will feature performances from some of last year’s hottest artists including The Sheepdogs, Dan Mangan and Rich Aucoin. SiriusXM subscribers across Canada and the U.S. will be able to listen to the Awards and concert live on The Verge on XM 151 and Iceberg on SIRIUS 151.

“SiriusXM Canada is excited and proud to present the SiriusXM Indie Awards as part of Canadian Music Week,” said Andreanne Sasseville, Director, Industry Relations and Canadian Content Development, SiriusXM Canada. “We’re looking forward to showcasing an amazing night of performances from some of Canada’s top independent artists – all of whom are taking North America by storm.”

This year’s SiriusXM Indie Awards travels the map to deliver a stellar line-up of performances by some of the year’s breakthrough artists, including: crowd karaoke, confetti dance party of Halifax’s Rich Aucoin; the vintage boogie and neo-psychedelic sound of Saskatoon’s The Sheepdogs; the lushly textured folk of Vancouver’s Dan Mangan; the driving gloss-rock sounds of Toronto’s Young Empires; and the gritty garage-rock of Vancouver’s The Pack A.D.

From south of the border, sonic visionaries Passion Pit will close out the evening with their brand of electro-pop in a headline concert. Fans will have the chance to hear some of their favourites from the band’s first two albums – Manners and Chunk of Change – while getting a sneak peek into new material from their forthcoming release due early this year.

Tickets for the SiriusXM Indie Awards are on sale now for $39.50 plus taxes through all Ticketmaster outlets, Rotate This, and Soundscapes, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.ca, www.indies.ca. Ticket buyers may also call 1-855-985-5000 to charge by phone.

In addition to these performances, the 2012 SiriusXM Indie Awards will honour the achievements of 140 deserving artists across 28 categories when nominations are announced later this month.

For photos, updates, and announcements, please visit www.indies.ca.

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About SiriusXM Canada
SiriusXM Canada (TSX: XSR) is the country’s leading audio entertainment company and broadcasts more than 120 satellite radio channels featuring premier sports, news, talk, entertainment and commercial-free music. SiriusXM Canada offers an array of content from the most recognized news and entertainment brands as well as from professional sports leagues including the NHL, NFL, MLB and CFL.

SiriusXM programming is available on a variety of devices including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks and boats, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. Sirius XM programming is also available online at www.sirius.ca and www.xmradio.ca and on Apple, BlackBerry and Android-powered mobile devices.

SiriusXM Canada has partnerships with every major automaker and its radio products are available at more than 3,000 retail locations nationwide. To find out more about Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (TSX: XSR), visit our website at www.siriusxm.ca.

For more information:
Maricel Dicion
NATIONAL Public Relations
Phone: 416-848-1446
Email: mdicion@national.ca

Canadian Music Week
Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Jennyfer Sanchez/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

TORONTO – January 19, 2012 – With just nine weeks to go, Slacker Canadian Music Fest is pleased to announce another round of headline performances from The Temper Trap, Treble Charger, The Inbreds, Dragonette, Nneka, and Andy C:Alive along with an additional 150+ showcasing acts.

Running March 21-25, 2012 throughout 60 venues in downtown Toronto, the five day festival will feature each of these acts in a headline performance open to all wristband holders and available for individual ticket purchase through all Ticketmaster outlets, Rotate This and Soundscapes, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.ca, www.canadianmusicfest.com, or call 1.855.985.5000 to charge by phone. Tickets are on sale now.

On Sunday, March 25 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Australian export The Temper Trap will preview tracks from their forthcoming sophomore album while their first album Conditions continues its momentum with the hit “Sweet Disposition” still heard across radio, television shows and commercials throughout the country.

Fans of 90’s Canadian indie pop/rock will have a chance to catch rare reunion performances by Treble Charger and The Inbreds. Together for the first time in almost a decade, Treble Charger will return to the stage on Wednesday, March 21 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre with originating members Greig Nori and Bill Priddle to bring back their hits “American Psycho” and “Red”, while The Inbreds take over Lee’s Palace on Saturday, March 24 to deliver their original brand of bass and drums along with college favourite “Any Sense of Time”.

Five-time 2012 Canadian Radio Music Awards nominees Dragonette will headline the ProudFM showcase at The Hoxton on Friday, March 23 after wrapping up a successful year at radio with their hit song “Hello” with Martin Solveig. The band will touch down in Toronto to perform for Slacker Canadian Music Fest audiences before making their way to California for the Coachella stage.

Bassweek comes to town with acts Andy C:Alive at the Guvernment on Friday, March 23 and Hospitality featuring Netsky, High Contrast, and Camo & Crooked at Kool Haus on Saturday, March 24. Created by Destiny Events and Embrace Presents in 2011, Bassweek is now part of Slacker Canadian Music Fest and is a week-long celebration of Drum&Bass, Dubstep and Breakbeat culture.

Award-winning Nigerian singer/songwriter Nneka will settle in at Virgin Mobile Mod Club on Friday, March 23, premiering tracks from her newest album Soul is Heavy. Known for her politically aware lyrics and intense live shows, Nneka already counts among her fans and collaborators the likes of Damien Marley, Nas, Lenny Kravitz, Lauryn Hill, Gnarls Barkley, Sean Paul and Erykah Badu.

Additional acts and performances for the weeklong run of the festival include:

3 Inches of Blood – CANADA

3rd Line Butterfly – SOUTH KOREA

A-Game – CANADA

Agridoce – BRAZIL

Alejandra Ribera – CANADA

Alex Bien Band – CANADA

Alie Hughes – CANADA

Alyssa Reid – CANADA

Andy C – UNITED KINGDOM

Andy Clockwise – USA

Ashley Fayth – UNITED KINGDOM

Audio Rocketry – CANADA

Autumns Canon – CANADA

Bad Bad Not Good – USA

BBoss – CANADA

Bear Hands – USA

Bigott – SPAIN

Blackie and The Rodeo Kings – CANADA

Brad James – CANADA

Brendan Distefano – CANADA

British Columbians – CANADA

Brocade – CANADA

Cab – CANADA

Camo & Krooked – AUSTRIA

Capsula – SPAIN

Caspian – CANADA

Caveman – USA

Chad Price – CANADA

CHASING AMEE – CANADA

Chinatown – CANADA

Chloe Charles – CANADA

Christie DuPree – USA

Cloud Nothings – USA

Crazy Strings – CANADA

Crying Nut – SOUTH KOREA

Current Swell – CANADA

D-Pryde – CANADA

Daithi – IRELAND

Dallas Smith – CANADA

Dangerband – CANADA

Dani J – CANADA

Danielle Duval – CANADA

Danny Brown – USA

Darko – PORTUGAL

Dead Combo – PORTUGAL

Del Barber – CANADA

Devildriver – USA

Devin Therriault – USA

Diemonds – CANADA

Diesel – AUSTRALIA

Dinosaur Bones – CANADA

Djevon Earle && T-Witty – CANADA

Dragonette – CANADA

Dudley Perkins – USA

Dying Fetus – USA

Eisley – USA

Ferguson – SPAIN

Floor Thirteen – CANADA

Francelle Maria – CANADA

Frankie Chavez – PORTUGAL

Fred – IRELAND

Free City Collective – CANADA

Freedom or Death – CANADA

Georgia Anne Muldrow – USA

Glass Ampp – CANADA

Hacienda – USA

Hard Honey – CANADA

Hartford – CANADA

Head of the Herd – CANADA

High Contrast – UNITED KINGDOM

His Majesty the King – SPAIN

Hollowick – CANADA

Housse De Racket – FRANCE

Huddle – CANADA

Hue – CANADA

I Am Oak – DENMARK

Il Abanico – USA

Impending Doom – USA

INIRE – CANADA

Inlet Sound – CANADA

Jack Rollin’ Dandies – CANADA

Jen Lane – CANADA

Job For A Cowboy – USA

Jordan Cook – CANADA

Joy Phillips – CANADA

Kaila Picard – CANADA

Kate Morgan – CANADA

KIZ & LEGIN – CANADA

Kobra and the Lotus – CANADA

L.A – SPAIN

Lake Forest – CANADA

Lake of Stew – CANADA

Last of the Bandits – CANADA

Last Year’s Men – USA

Life Blown Open – CANADA

Lifestory: Monologue – CANADA

Live How You Live – CANADA

Long Story Short – CANADA

Loom – CANADA

Machines – CANADA

Madison Violet – CANADA

Maolain – CANADA

Marksmen – USA

Martha Meredith – CANADA

Maurice – CANADA

Melvin Lee Davis – USA

Michael Rault – CANADA

MiMi Cry – CANADA

Minus The Tiger – NETHERLANDS

MNDR – USA

Mo Kenney – CANADA

Molly Thomason – CANADA

Morning Thieves – CANADA

Nanna Larsen – DENMARK

Netsky – BELGIUM

Nneka – NIGERIA

Nova Heart – CHINA

October Flight – PORTUGAL

Old World Vulture – CANADA

OPOPO – CANADA

Oscar Penas – USA

Oscar Tango – CANADA

Paper Lions – CANADA

Party Cat – CANADA

Peace Be Still – CANADA

Peachcake – USA

Pedro Menendez Crossover Guitar – ARGENTINA

Petty Victories – CANADA

Poor Young Things – CANADA

Quartered – CANADA

Quique Gonzalez – SPAIN

Raz Fresco – CANADA

Redgy Blackout – CANADA

Rikers – CANADA

River Tiber – CANADA

Robyn Dell’Unto – CANADA

ROCKYARD – CANADA

Rosedale – CANADA

Rouge – CANADA

Run Romeo Run – CANADA

Ryan McAllister – CANADA

Ryan Nolan – CANADA

Salsa Con Jazz – USA

Samantha Savage Smith – CANADA

Saul Williams – USA

Scenic Route to Alaska – CANADA

Shanren – CHINA

Sheezer – CANADA

Shotgun Jimmie – CANADA

Slash – USA

Sparrows – CANADA

Stacey Kaniuk – CANADA

Street Pharmacy – CANADA

Sunny Daze – USA

TEA – CANADA

Teenage Kicks – CANADA

Teeth & Tongue – AUSTRALIA

The 6th Letter – CANADA

The Apache Relay – USA

The Autumn Portrait – CANADA

The Blue Stones – CANADA

The Danger Bees feat. Kid Twist – CANADA

The Dirty Mags – CANADA

The Dirty Nil – CANADA

The Draymin – SCOTLAND

The Faceless – USA

The Hippy Mafia – CANADA

The Mighty One – CANADA

The Modern Superstitions – CANADA

The Morals – CANADA

The Oh Wells – CANADA

The Playdates – CANADA

The Postelles – USA

The Swamp Yankees – CANADA

The Swaying Tuesdays – CANADA

The Washboard Union – CANADA

These Electric Lives – CANADA

Tiffany Shea – USA

Tinpan Orange – AUSTRALIA

TNG – CANADA

Topanga – CANADA

Trailhead – GERMANY

Treble Charger – CANADA

Vetusta Moria – SPAIN

Via Audio – USA

Waterbodies – CANADA

Whitebrow – CANADA

Wildlife – CANADA

Will Currie And The Country French – CANADA

X-Wife – PORTUGAL

Yuichiro Tokuda’s RALYZZ DIG – JAPAN

Zachary Lucky – CANADA

Zoo Legacy – CANADA

Zoo Lion – CANADA

Along with previously announced shows by:

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy | Friday, March 23 | The Phoenix Concert Theatre | 9 p.m.

*Childish Gambino w/ Danny Brown | Saturday, March 24 | Sound Academy | 9 p.m.

The Cat Empire w/ Tinpan Orange | Saturday, March 24 | Phoenix Concert Theatre | 9 p.m.

*Fanfarlo w/Avalanche City | Saturday, March 24 | Virgin Mobile Mod Club | 7:30 p.m.

Saul Williams w/ Spoek Mathambo | Friday, March 23 | The Great Hall | 9 p.m.

*The Trews w/ Poor Young Things | Friday, March 23 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | 8 p.m.

John K. Samson & The Provincial Band | Thursday, March 22 | The Great Hall | 9 p.m.

*Kings & Queens: Blackie & The Rodeo Kings w/ special guest appearances by Amy Helm, Holly Cole, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Serena Ryder and more Queens to be announced | Wednesday March 21 | Massey Hall | 8 p.m.

*The Saw Doctors | Tuesday, March 20 | Virgin Mobile Mod Club | All Ages | 8 p.m.

*(in association with Live Nation)

For a complete list of acts, visit www.canadianmusicfest.com. All Slacker Canadian Music Fest performances are accessible to holders with a festival wristband. Certain restrictions on some shows may apply. Entry to all shows is subject to capacity. All shows are 19 and over unless stated all ages.

The schedule is subject to change. The schedule will be updated frequently – so check the site often for up-to-the-minute information and announcements.

Stay tuned for more shows and announcements as they develop.

About Slacker Canadian Music Week

Celebrating 30 years, Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to March 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and over 60 various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

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For media information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Jennyfer Sanchez/Joanne Smale

T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director

T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST & UNION EVENTS PRESENT
REGGIE WATTS
THURSDAY MARCH 22, 2012
DANFORTH MUSIC HALL
147 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON – Doors 8:00 PM – All Ages
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY JANUARY 20 AT 10 AM
Advance tickets $35.00 + S/C available online Ticketmaster.ca, UnionEvents.com,
charge by phone 416-870-8000

Hilarious, brilliant, unpredictable – comedian/musician Reggie Watts is a staple of the international performance scene. Reggieʼs improvised musical sets are created on-the-spot using only his formidable voice and a looping machine. No two songs are ever the same. An avowed “disinformationist,” Reggie loves to disorientate his audiences in the most entertaining way. You may not know what Reggie is going to do, but thatʼs okay – he doesnʼt either.

As a solo performer, Reggie was handpicked by Conan OʼBrien to open nightly on Conanʼs entire North American “Prohibted From Being Funny on Television” tour. Reggie was featured “Hot Comedian” in Rolling Stoneʼs Hot Issue 2010 and featured profile in GQʼs Man Of The Year issue 2010. Reggie released his debut comedy cd/dvd ʻWhy $#!+ So Crazy?ʼ on Comedy Central Records in May 2010.

On screen, Reggie has appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, HBOʼs The Yes Men Save The World, Comedy Centralʼs Michael and Michael Have Issues, Iceland TV, UKʼs “Funny Or Die,” PBSʼ revamped Electric Company and the music video “What About Blowjobs?” for College Humor. Reggie can also be seen in short comedic interstitials during Comedy Centralʼs late night block and has a pilot for the channel in the works.

As a musician, Reggie recently recorded the EP Pot Cookies through Normative Records, sang on Regina Spektorʼs “Dance Anthem of the 80s” and contributed two tracks to DFA Recordsʼ Spaghetti Circus. Also the frontman for Seattle rock outfit Maktub, Reggie and his band recently released their fifth album, Five. Reggie performs the theme song for Kristin Schaalʼs new “Penelope Princess of Pets” show and also recorded original music featured on Louis CKʼs show on FX.

WEBSITES: http://reggiewatts.com | http://www.canadiancomedyfest.com

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For press inquiries, please contact:
Sheila Kenny, Right On! PR, Sheila@rightonpr.com

For more information, please contact:
Katherine McFarlane, The Union, marketing and publicity, 416-203-3509, katherine@unionevents.com

For Canadian International Comedy Fest information, please contact:
Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Jennyfer Sanchez/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

TORONTO – January 17, 2012 – Slacker Canadian Music Fest

With his first solo album selling Platinum in Canada, and a new album set to launch in May of 2012, Slash will return to Toronto to give fans a taste of what’s to come.

An original member of iconic rock band Guns N’ Roses, the Grammy-winning Slash helped the band create signature sounds like the guitar riff of #1 hit “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome To The Jungle.”  The band dominated the 1980’s and 90’s music scene selling more than 100 million albums worldwide and ushered in a decade of hard-charging rock music. He has since grown that success with Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver, receiving countless accolades and awards including a forthcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2012. His performance at the Super Bowl XLV half time show in February 2011 was the most-watched program in U.S. television history when more than 106 million people tuned in.

Wristbands to gain entry into this event are available for purchase at www.canadianmusicfest.com.  Wristbands are limited, subject to capacity.

MONSTER ENERGY PRESENTS
SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY
W/ KOBRA & THE LOTUS AND DIEMONDS
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012
THE PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE – TORONTO
DOORS 8:00PM            SHOW 9:00PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets available at www.canadianmusicfest.com
TICKETS $39.50 (PLUS TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES)
19+/GENERAL ADMISSION

About Slacker Canadian Music Week
Celebrating 30 years, Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries.  Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to March 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and over 60 various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe.  For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

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For media information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Jennyfer Sanchez/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

Steve-O (a.k.a. Stephen Glover) has become a household name and it all started when he snatched a video camera from his fatherʼs closet when he was fifteen years old. From there he started producing homemade skateboarding videos featuring dangerous stunts mixed with comical behavior.

He was born in London and by the age of twelve, had lived in five countries and communicated fluently in three different languages. After finishing high school in London, and completing a year at the University of Miami, Steve-O realized that college wasnʼt for him. He enrolled in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College to help further his goal of becoming a professional stuntman. After graduating Clown College, and determined to make it in Hollywood, he began to pitch his home videos to producers.

Eventually, his videos made it into the hands of Jeff Tremaine (Jackass Creator/Director/Producer) who was working with Johnny Knoxville to create a stunt based reality show. The rest is history. MTV aired the first season of JACKASS in 2000. In 2001, Steve-O launched his own “Steve-O Donʼt Try This At Home Tour”, establishing himself as an accomplished stage performer, at venues throughout the U.S. and in a dozen countries.

When the JACKASS TV series ended in 2002, the team moved on to JACKASS: THE MOVIE, released in October of that year. Shortly thereafter, Steve-O and fellow JACKASS alum, Chris Pontius, were given a spin-off show entitled WILDBOYZ, which aired on MTV and MTV2 and lasted four seasons. In 2006, JACKASS: NUMBER 2 was released in theatres, and in 2010 JACKASS: 3D where Steve-O continued to thrill audiences with his outrageous stunts.

In 2009 he competed on ABCʼs hit show, DANCING WITH THE STARS, and lasted six weeks, despite an injury and having virtually no dancing ability whatsoever.

Most importantly, however, Steve-O has been clean and sober since March of 2008 and lives a healthy, vegan lifestyle in the Los Angeles area…but he still has no problem stapling his balls to his leg.

WEBSITES: http://www.steveo.com/ | http://www.canadiancomedyfest.com

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A production of The Union – www.unionevents.com

For more information, please contact:
Katherine McFarlane, The Union, marketing and publicity, 416-203-3509, katherine@unionevents.com

For Canadian International Comedy Fest information, please contact:
Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Jennyfer Sanchez/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

900 ARTISTS – 40 COUNTRIES – 60 VENUES – 5 NIGHTS – 1 WRISTBAND
A PART OF SLACKER CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK 2012 – CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Adding to the scope of the event, Slacker Canadian Music Fest will introduce a jazz series at the Courthouse and other venues with performances by international and domestic artists. This year will also see featured showcases by Arts & Crafts, Dine Alone Records, The Agency Group, Windish Agency, S.L Feldman & Associates, Paquin Entertainment, Billions Corporation, Sirius XM, CBC, New Noise Live, Exclaim, Filter Magazine, Mogo Magazine, Pirates Blend, T.M.K.O, Audioblood, Young Lions Club, Jagermeister, Proud FM, Dawg FM, KX96, Sounds Australia, Music from Ireland, The Great Escape, M for Montreal, the annual win-to-get-in CHUM Fanfest and many more. Oh, so many more!

As part of the entertainment lineup, Slacker Canadian Music Fest will also showcase an eclectic mix of music-oriented films, special screenings, documentaries and movie premieres during the Tribute presented Film Festival taking place Wednesday March 21 to Saturday March 24 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and NFB Cinema. Newly expanded to four days, the Film Festival will once again feature special appearances and Q&As with some of the films’ stars, directors and more. Full program will be announced in January.

2012’s edition will also see the launch of the Canadian International Comedy Fest presented in association with Bite TV and Yuk Yuk’s. Featuring five days of the world’s hottest comedians in Toronto’s prime comedy clubs (Absolute Comedy, The Second City, Yuk Yuk’s), the comedy fest will include some of North America’s leading comedians, a night of musical comedy with Sean Cullen on Thursday March 22 at Glenn Gould Studio and the finale of Bite TV’s Stand Up & Bite Me, where someone will be crowned Canada’s best stand-up comic and be awarded with a $10,000 grand prize.

For a complete list of acts, films and show details, visit www.canadianmusicfest.com. All Slacker Canadian Music Fest performances, films and comedy shows are accessible to holders with a festival wristband. Certain restrictions on some shows may apply. Entry to all shows is subject to capacity. All shows are 19 and over unless stated all ages.

The schedule is subject to change. The schedule will be updated frequently – so check the site often for up-to-the-minute information and announcements.

Slacker Canadian Music Fest wristbands can be purchased at www.canadianmusicfest.com. For a limited time only, fans can purchase wristbands at a special buy-one-get-one-half-price offer available only through the website. Individual tickets for certain shows are available at Ticketmaster – www.ticketmaster.ca – or 1.855.985.5000 to charge by phone.

Stay tuned for more shows and announcements coming in January.

About Slacker Canadian Music Week

Celebrating 30 years, Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to March 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and over 60 various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

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For media information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Planet3 Communications Ltd. • Laura McLean/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

Slacker Announces Title Sponsorship of Canadian Music Week

Slacker to Launch Stations Highlighting Slacker Canadian Music Week, Canadian Bands and Artists

TORONTO / SAN DIEGO – December 1, 2011 – Slacker, Inc. today announced that it has signed on as the exclusive title sponsor of Canadian Music Week. Canadian Music Week is a five-day entertainment event in Toronto, Ontario that includes Canada’s largest new music festival, Canadian Music Fest.

Slacker Canadian Music Week takes place March 21-25, 2012. Focusing on the music business, Slacker Canadian Music Week combines conferences, a trade exhibition, awards shows, a film festival, a comedy festival and Slacker Canadian Music Fest into a week-long event. The festival features over 900 emerging artists and headlining acts from 40 countries in over 60 venues around Toronto.

“We’re thrilled to have Slacker Radio as title sponsor of Canadian Music Week,” said Neill Dixon, president of CMW. “They are unlike any radio service out there, connecting fans with the music they love and ensuring that the 30^th Canadian Music Week will be the most engaging event yet. This sponsorship extends the reach of emerging Canadian artists across North America.”

Leading up to Slacker Canadian Music Week, Slacker Radio will be releasing a variety of stations with a Canadian focus. As the event approaches, Slacker will launch Artist Showcase stations, unique stations programmed and hosted by bands and artists playing the festival. A 30^th anniversary Canadian Music Week station featuring the festival act highlights from over the past thirty years and a Slacker Canadian Music Week station that includes exclusive artist interviews and music from the festival lineup are also planned for launch.

“We’re going to help produce a unique and exciting experience for Slacker Canadian Music Week,” said Jonathan Sasse, senior vice president of marketing at Slacker. “The event is an amazing opportunity to engage with fans and artists as we expand our service throughout Canada.”

Slacker Radio offers a fully customizable and personal online radio experience in the United States and Canada that includes the most varied and compelling range of content offered by any Internet radio service. The Slacker Radio experience includes over 100 expert-programmed music stations, ABC news, ESPN sports, comedy, custom artist-hosted showcase stations and leading music festival stations. As a Facebook music partner announced at f8 with over 30 million registered users and a music catalog offering millions of songs, Slacker Radio gives listeners the ultimate music and content discovery resource.

To register or to purchase wristbands for Slacker Canadian Music Fest, please visit: http://www.cmw.net/conference/online-registration/.

About Canadian Music Week
Celebrating 30 years, Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to March 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and over 60 various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

About Slacker, Inc.
Slacker offers the world’s most complete range of radio services. Whether it’s the award-winning free Slacker Basic Radio, or the fully-loaded subscription services Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio, listeners enjoy a unique, custom listening experience. Slacker enables music lovers to play highly personalized music online at the Slacker web site, on connected home devices or on-the-go with Slacker Personal Radio applications. Slacker mobile applications are available for Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, Nokia, Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry smartphones. For more information visit: http://www.Slacker.com/about.

For regular Slacker updates follow us at www.Twitter.com/SlackerRadio, become a Fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SlackerRadio, check out custom videos at www.YouTube.com/Slacker or visit www.Slacker.com.

###

Slacker and Slacker.com are registered trademarks of Slacker, Inc. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

Media Contact:
Joanne Smale/Laura Mclean
Planet3 Communications Ltd.
647.346.4101
info@planet3com.net

Media Contact:
Anders Steele
FortyThree, Inc.
831.239.0960
slacker@fortythreepr.com

The Radio Star National Talent Search (formerly the Radio Star National Songwriting Competition) is now underway. Through December 16^th, Canada’s emerging new artists can submit their songs at www.radiostar.ca for a chance to win $10,000 in cash plus thousands worth in music equipment, services and more.

For more than 18 years, the competition – sponsored by Astral Radio and presented in association with Canadian Music Week – has been providing an exceptional opportunity to Canadian artists to be discovered by radio programmers, music publishers, industry executives, and audiences alike across Canada. The contest expands this year to include performing musicians in all genres while giving the public the opportunity to listen to and cast a vote for every single entry at www.radiostar.ca along the way. The top 50 bands will then move on to the finals, where the Grand Prize winner will take the title of Radio Star and collect their rewards.

“Canada is teeming with talented musicians. Radio Star provides a platform for emerging artists across the country to present their music to the world. Listeners drive the voting and ultimately expose their artistry to the radio and recording environment, ultimately nurturing our unique musical culture and enriching our burgeoning music industry,” says Rob Farina, Executive Vice President, Content for Astral Media.

“Astral Radio has been at the forefront of developing and supporting Canada’s young artists for decades,” says Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week. “Through the Radio Star competition alone, they have brought hundreds of aspiring artists to the attention of our industry and music fans nationwide. These new changes to the contest will set a platform for even more great talent to be discovered.”

The national Grand Prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of: $10,000.00 in cash (first runner up receives $2,500.00 cash); 30 hours of mixing and mastering time from Metalworks, Canada’s #1 recording studio; $5,000.00 national radio promotion package from dB Promotions & Publicity Inc; Ephiphone Les Paul Ultra III and case; Ephiphone Jack Casady bass in ebony; Yamaha MO8 Music Production Synthesizer; Cubase6 Audio Workstation Software Package; Custom 4 Piece Drum Kit provided by UDRUM with hardware and cases; Neumann U87 Professional Studio Microphone; Tascam 2488 NEO PortaStudio – 24-track self-contained audio work station; a Songwriters’ Resource Library Package featuring some of the bestselling songwriting titles carried by Music Books Plus; an all-expense paid weekend at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto – March 21 – 25, 2012; delegate passes to attend the 2012 Canadian Music Week Conference & Canadian Music Fest; access to some of Canada’s most successful songwriters and music industry professionals through the Songwriters’ Summit; and an opportunity to perform at Canadian Music Fest in Toronto during Canadian Music Week.

Both the Grand Prize winner and the first runner up will each receive one free digital radio station upload to any format of choice by RDR Music Group in conjunction with DMDS.

Each regional winner will receive a prize package consisting of: an Epiphone AJ-500R Acoustic Guitar; Sennheiser Studio/Live Package including: E865 condenser vocal microphone, stand, cable and HD280 professional headphones; Yamaha Pocketrak W24 with 3 hours Pcm Recording and tilt-up stereo microphone; 2 ½” Carving Leather Guitar Strap w/ foam padding and garment leather backing from Levy’s Leathers Limited; Planet Waves Custom Pro Series Instrument Cable & Headstock Tuner and D’Addario EXP 16 Coated 80/20 Light Gauge Strings.

All entrants receive a one-year subscription to Canadian Musician Magazine.

Interested participants should tune into the following radio stations for further information:

Virgin Radio 95.3 FM Vancouver, BC

CJAY 92 FM Calgary, AB

100.3 FM The Bear Edmonton, AB
 

Big Dog 92.7 FM Regina, SK

HOT 103 FM Winnipeg, MB

Virgin Radio 99.9 FM Toronto, ON

The Bear 106.9 FM Ottawa, ON

Virgin Radio 96 FM Montréal, QC

Q104 FM Halifax, NS

Big John 98.9 FM Saint John, NB

Hits 99.1 FM St. John’s, NL

Canadian Radio Star would not be possible without the following sponsors: Astral Radio; Canadian Music Week; Canadian Musician; Canadian Music Publishers Association; D’Addario; dB Promotions & Publicity Inc.; DMDS; Epiphone Guitars, Fairmont Royal York; Levy’s Leathers Limited; Metalworks; Music NL; Music Nova Scotia; Neumann; Planet Waves; RDR Music Group; SOCAN; Songwriters Association of Canada; Sennheiser; The SOCAN Foundation; Tascam; UDRUM, Yamaha.

Astral Radio is a member of the Astral family. Astral Media Inc. is one of Canada’s largest media companies. It operates several media properties—pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties—among the most popular in the country. Year after year, Astral’s pay and specialty television, radio stations, and The Harold Greenberg Fund have together awarded over 170 million dollars to the development and purchase of local programs and original productions, as well as supporting our musical talent. To learn more about Astral and its contribution to culture, go to astral.com.

Canadian Music Week, proudly celebrating 30 years, is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining three information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net

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For Canadian Music Week information, please contact:
Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

His career spans 43 years and counting. Within them, he has formed and led three of rock’s legendary bands – Free, Bad Company and The Firm – along with his own career to worldwide success. He has written, recorded, produced and released 30 albums which have gone on to sell over 90 million in total. His songs have left an indelible mark on music – topping several charts and winning numerous awards – while his voice has earned him acclaim as one of Rock’s greatest singers. A consummate writer and performer, he has recorded and/or performed with the who’s who of rock – including Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Brian May, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Slash, Nils Lofgren, Charlie Watts, Bryan Adams, Motown’s Sam Moore, and The Four Tops while continuing to tour internationally. On Saturday, March 24, 2012, platinum selling singer, songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Paul Rodgers will entertain CMW attendees with an intimate performance and revealing tales behind his classic hits during “Kings and Queens of Songwriting: Songwriters ‘In The Round’“.

One of Canadian music’s most dynamic and benevolent couples, Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk, has been longtime collaborators in more than marriage. Together, their musical talents have intertwined to produce tracks for emerging artists, write songs for superstars, as well as record their own albums. Individually, they have contributed to charities worldwide in support of human and animal rights, world peace, education, and the environment. Their ardent activism and beliefs in social progress have affected the lives of children, mental health patients, addicted peoples, impoverished societies and aboriginal communities both home and abroad.

“Activism is something that makes us feel connected to the world around us and conveys our gratitude,” says Kreviazuk, speaking for the two. “We find this opportunity at the local, provincial, national and international levels. Global or local, being of service is the greatest part of being.”

“Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida have together and individually brought joy and inspiration to music fans all over the world through their music. From the early beginnings of their successful careers, they have been compassionate advocates in making our world a better place to live both at home and around the world. Not only are Raine and Chantal amazing artists, they are great humanitarians and I am proud to say my friends. My Father and I are honoured to present them with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award as they truly embody everything this award aspires to celebrate,” says Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Slaight Communications.

War Child Canada – of which Kreviazuk is an Honorary Founder – is but one of the organizations that has benefited from the duo’s enduring dedication. In 2000, the couple traveled to Iraq with War Child to see the effects of war on the Iraqi children and provide humanitarian assistance. This trip resulted in the documentary “Musicians In The War Zone”, which served as a call to action for Canadian youth to become informed global citizens.

Maida founded War Child’s Busking For Change initiative in 2007 with a goal of raising $30,000 to build a school in Congo. Five years later, Busking For Change has far surpassed that original goal. While the event began with Maida busking on the streets of Toronto, it has grown to include other Canadian artists, such as Ron Hawkins, The Reason, The Arkells, Mother Mother, Hey Rosetta, Midway State and Saint Alvia.

In addition to Iraq, the couple has traveled extensively to developing nations through War Child Canada programs, including Darfur and Ethiopia, bringing awareness to their needs. The two have also participated in concerts and other musical performances as well as lent their voices to several albums in benefit of War Child.

In 2010, Kreviazuk contributed the song “Na Miso” to the Enough Project – an organization committed to ending genocide and crimes of war – and Downtown Records’ Raise Hope For Congo compilation. Proceeds helped fund efforts to empower the women of Congo as well as raise voices for peace in the country.

Closer to home, Kreviazuk and Maida have been long supporters of Sick Kids Hospital and Children’s Hospital Foundation in Winnipeg and their ongoing research and care in children’s health. They have given their time to helping children afflicted with cancer and through Canuck House and Boost, have provided support to families during and post palliative care and to children of abuse, respectively.

Kreviazuk has collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association to eradicate the stigma connected with mental illness. Her stance on mental health has brought awareness and fundraising support to the disorder and to a holistic approach to its treatment.

A proponent of social change and involvement, Maida has been outspoken on his democratic beliefs. Through his commitment to Apathy Is Boring, he has encouraged youth to be more active in their communities and the democratic process, and in turn, shape the course of the future.

Proud of her aboriginal ancestry, Kreviazuk is a passionate supporter of First Nations people and an advocate for their empowerment and the preservation of their history and heritage. This same commitment has instilled a deep appreciation in both her and Maida for Canada’s great north and subsequently in Polar Bears International. The two are strong advocates of the organization in their work to protect the habitat of this vulnerable species while addressing the larger effects of climate change on the planet as a whole.

In addition to their humanitarian work, both Kreviazuk and Maida continue to be extraordinary forces in the Canadian music industry. Both multi-platinum selling artists, Kreviazuk has long been recognized as one of the premiere female artists in Canada with her signature piano-driven songwriting, while Maida has served as the driving force behind one of Canada’s leading rock groups, Our Lady Peace, as well as his own solo career, with his unmatched vocal style and cryptically poetic lyrics.

Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida follow previous Humanitarian Spirit Award recipients Gary Slaight, Tom Cochrane, Denise Donlon, and Sarah McLachlan.

Tickets for the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards gala dinner are available for purchase through the Canadian Music Week website at www.cmw.net.

Canadian Music Week, proudly celebrating 30 years, is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining three information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net

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For Canadian Music Week information, please contact:
Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net

Download high res photos:

Raine Maida

Chantal Kreviazuk