CIMA presents the Canadian Blast at SXSW 2012

CIMA presents the Canadian Blast at SXSW 2012

Discover new music and connect with Canadian music business
professionals at the Canadian Blast BBQ, Canada House and Canada Stand

TORONTO, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Canadian Independent Music
Association (CIMA) proudly presents Canadian Blast at South by Southwest 2012 in Austin, Texas as CIMA plays host to music professionals from around the world.  This year marks the 7(th) anniversary of the Canadian Blast BBQ at Brush Square Park and the return of Canada House at Trinity Hall and Canada Stand at the Austin Convention Centre.  Each event offers SXSW delegates opportunities to see and hear the best
up-and-coming Canadian talent and connect with the country's music
industry professionals.  A record 135+ Canadian bands are officially
showcasing this year, making Canada one of the most well-represented
international presences in Austin.

"I'm very excited about this year's event in Austin," says Stuart
Johnston, President of CIMA.  "CIMA's Canadian Blast initiatives at
SXSW have been a huge asset to our membership, and to the great
Canadian artists and bands that they represent.  Every year, valuable
relationships and business deals are forged as a result of the
consistent effort of the artists and our partners.  I fully expect this
year to be the best yet." 

CIMA's SXSW 2012 festivities kick off with the 7th annual CANADIAN BLAST BBQ & SHOWCASE sponsored by SiriusXM Canada on Wednesday, March 14, 3pm to 7pm, at Brush Square Park right across from the Hilton and Austin Convention Centre.  The BBQ is a SXSW tradition featuring warm Canadian hospitality
alongside the best emerging independent artists in the country.  The
entire event will be broadcast live by SiriusXM Canada on Sirius
Channels 152 (Radio3) and 161 (Bande á Part)and rebroadcast that evening at 9pm (EST) on XM Channel 151 (The Verge)
and Sirius Channel 151 (Iceberg).  This year's BBQ performances
includes Library Voices, Whitehorse, Said the Whale (w/ surprise guest!), Zeus,
Rich Aucoin and The Sheepdogs.  The event is open to all Platinum and Music badge holders.

The giant Canadian flag flies high as the music, networking and fun
continue at CANADA HOUSE starting Thursday, March 15 through Saturday March 17, from noon to 6pm.  Located at the beautiful Trinity Hall (Old School Bar & Grill) overlooking the action at the cornerof 6(th) and Trinity, Canada House features performances that will be talked about for years
to come.  This year's performances include:

THURSDAY 12pm Six Shooter Records 3 pm Nova Scotia BBQ
MARCH 15 presents The Stanfields
Sleepwalk Guitar Festival Ben Caplan
Jam Dog Day
Whitehorse, featuring Wintersleep
Melissa McLelland
and Luke Doucet

FRIDAY 12pm ACTRA-RACS/MROC 3pm OMDC presents The
MARCH 16 presents ONTARIO Showcase
TOPS Hooded Fang
D.O. Molly Rankin
Great Lake Swimmers The Balconies
Imaginary Cities Cuff the Duke
Library Voices

SATURDAY 12 pm CIMA/SOCAN presents 3pm FACTOR presents
MARCH 17 The Wilderness of Manitoba NORTHERN LIGHTS
Art of Fresh Chains of Love
Ghettosocks, Timbuktu, Bahamas
Muneshine & Great Lake Swimmers
the Extremeties w/ guests Elephant Stone
(Droppin Science)

CANADA STAND at the newly revamped SXSW Trade Show is the hub for exploration of new
Canadian business ventures. Representatives from all over Canada will
be available to meet and discuss music, film and interactive business
opportunities.  This year, Canada Stand's highlighted activities
include the SXSW Block Party and Country Connections, giving SXSW
delegates targeted networking opportunities with Canadian industry
representatives.  You can also pick up a handy Canadian Blast music
schedule highlighting all showcasing Canadian bands.  Canada Stand will
be open daily at the Austin Convention Centre (Stand
#1207,1209/1306,1308)from Monday, March 12 through Thursday, March 15.

ABOUT CANADIAN BLAST at SXSW

Canadian Blast, an initiative of the Canadian Independent Music
Association (CIMA), includes a range of performances, business services
and events around the globe providing access to the trendsetting,
vibrant and internationally focused Canadian music industry.

Canadian Blast at SXSW 2012 is the result of the efforts of many
individuals and companies, including CIMA's partners and
sponsors: SiriusXM Canada; Radio Starmaker Fund; Society of Composers,
Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN); Harvard Broadcasting;
Audio-Video Licensing Agency, Inc. (AVLA); Government of Canada
(Department of Canadian Heritage/Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Canada-GOA); Ontario Media Development Corporation
(OMDC); Astral Radio; Slacker Canadian Music Week (CMW); and Foundation
Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR).

ABOUT CIMA

The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) is the national trade
association representing the English-language, Canadian-owned sector of
the independent music industry. CIMA works proactively to assist the
independent sector to expand business opportunities and partnerships in
the international marketplace by providing strategic support for
Canadian companies at trade missions, key international trade shows and
conferences around the world.

 

SOURCE Canadian Independent Music Association

Canadian Independent Music Association

CONTACT: FOR MORE INFORMATION: canadianblast.com/sxsw2012MEDIA CONTACT:
Leah Selvidge
OWCPR
512-775-6255
leah@otherworldly.com

CIMA CONTACT:
Stuart Johnston
President
416-485-3152 ext. 232
stuart@cimamusic.ca

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