Andy Jones, FOCUS Wales Co-Founder & Festival Programmer   Andy Jones is the co-founder and music programmer for the FOCUS Wales showcase festival. Andy has worked within the music industry for over 15 years; as an artist, label MD, and promoter. He’s delivered work for a variety of labels, including dedicated releases in the UK, Germany, Italy and Canada. Through these projects Andy has gained extensive experience of the various sectors, providing his team with a depth of expertise which underpins the delivery of the FOCUS Wales festival. FOCUS Wales is an annual international showcase festival for the Welsh music industry, and takes place in Wrexham each year, placing the industry spotlight firmly on the talent that Wales has to offer the world. 2022 marks the festival’s 11th anniversary year edition, and will welcome over 15,000 festival goers, with over 250 artists from around the world performing across 20 stages. Alongside the annual festival, FOCUS Wales also have an international branch to their work, supporting artists from Wales to export across the globe, with FOCUS Wales showcases to date at SXSW, M for Montreal, BreakOut West, and more projects in the works. Andy has taken part in conferences at music industry events around the world, including BreakOut West (Western Canada), Tallinn Music Week (Estonia), UU Sound (Russia), POP Montreal, M for Montreal, SHOW ME (Switzerland), Indie Week (Toronto), LUCfest (Taiwan), TAMM (Japan), Ear Hub (Hong Kong), MU:CON (Korea), Zandari Festa (Korea), Nova Scotia Music Week, Live at Heart (Sweden), and NewSkool Rules (The Netherlands).

Jason Galaz – Muddy Roots Jason Galaz founded Muddy Roots Music for the folkies on the fringe, the punk rock roots community, the independent artists looking for a scene that supports individual expression. Muddy Roots is home for bands that fall in between genres, anywhere in the world. https://www.muddyroots.com/

Elis Paprika – Mexico Music Industry Elis Paprika, musician, singer, and activist from the city of Guadalajara in México. I play rock n’ roll, and have been a pretty important part of Mexico’s music scene since 2006. I have released 8 records and a few off record singles throughout the years, the latest of which is the song “Todo Se Está Cayendo” released just two weeks ago everywhere. I’m also one of Mexico’s top international touring artists, touring regularly in North and South America, and Asia, and just recently returned to touring (after the pandemic started) completing a tour of Colombia a couple of weeks ago. I’m playing Vive Latino for the 4th time this next March.    I also created and head the Now Girls Rule Organization, where we feature women lead music (and sometimes other types of art) projects who are truly working to make a name for themselves, and help shine the spotlight on their work, so everyone can learn about all the amazing women creating phenomenal art currently. We also focus much of our work on inspiring a new generation of women artists through educational programs and events for children and young people. We have a bunch of different activities and events we do, like the Now Girls Rule Podcast on Señal VL (Vive Latino’s podcast channel), The Now Girls Rule Show on Vans Channel 66, La Marketa (Mexico’s first ever all women music merch bazaar and showcase), Girls Will Rule (art camps for girls ages 7 and up), Now Girls Rule Nights (series of concerts featuring established and up and coming women musicians), and Networking Nights (gatherings where we introduce women professionals from various backgrounds so they can collaborate in work projects). We also collaborate with FIMPRO (Mexico’s biggest market for music professionals), and direct their activity and content for and from women and gender diversities. 2022 will see the launch of the 1st Now Girls Rule Music Festival, as well as the Now Girls Rule Music Label. Now Girls Rule Organization began in 2014.   Here are some links where you can checkout my music and work:   “Todo Se Está Cayendo”: https://youtu.be/ZGZCNvcWYus “Stupid Song”: https://youtu.be/IRsj6y-V-As   La Marketa 2019 RECAP: https://youtu.be/lf8YYmhJYSg   Now Girls Rule Art Camp and Now Girls Rule Night: https://youtu.be/h-5zpj14HAo   Now Girls Rule official website: nowgirlsrule.com   Vans Channel 66 (The Now Girls Rule Show is LIVE this Wednesday 4pm PST): https://www.vans.mx/channel66   The Now Girls Rule Podcast on Señal VL: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0mOb3VrZXkigB1MZXSrjNx?si=h5sYAz5lT9ya-kzG_6ZlNw

Single By Sunday – Pop Punk from Scotland

Combining electronic and classical compositions, Theodore balances his music somewhere between ambient post rock and gritty 80s synth-wave. When reality allowed for concerts to happen, Theodore performed in more than 40 headline gigs during his 2019 tour in Europe and the US. The final show of the tour was an exclusive concert on Bob Boilen’s world-renowned Tiny Desk. He has shared the stage with Sigur Ros, DIIV, Αmber Run and among many other festivals, he also performed at Reeperbahn 2017 & 2018, played at Eurosonic, Musexpo LA and SXSW 2018 & 2019, where he was selected as NPR Music’s ‘Favorite Discoveries And Memorable Moments’. Theodore performs in his very own magical, capturing way and as Bob Boilen has already put it: «I can see that it’s the music — and music alone — that casts its sorcery»  After receiving the best reviews from the likes of BBC Radio 6 and his latest album was premiered from NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered by B. Boilen and R. Hilton’, Theodore is now working on a new conceptual space-themed album, titled ‘The Voyage’, which is set to be launched in 2022.

Sergio Noronha, Portugal Music Journalist, to A and R, to Event creation, to Educator, and always a fan of the Rolling Stones. Listen, as we discuss Sergio's autobiographical ascension into the top tiers of the music business industry, and his connection to all things Rock'n Roll. Lots of history in music and geography in this one.

Sergii Maletskyi - Concert Promoter  Learn about the big stage throughout Eastern Europe

Dartsya Tarkovska – Music Industry of Ukraine Dartsya Tarkovska is a founder of music consulting agency Soundbuzz and a co-founder of Music Export Ukraine. She’s also an author of educational projects about music management and marketing. Dartsya is a speaker of The Great Escape (UK), Waves Vienna (Austria), Mundial Montreal (Canada), Mastering the Music Business (Romania), Nouvelle Prague (Czech Republic), MENT Ljubljana (Slovenia), Nimbs, PRO music USA, Successful Artist talk and others. Alumni of the International Marketing course at Berklee College of Music. Since 2018 she provides management support of Ukrainian artists at European showcase festivals

Michael Theisen (Booking Agent, Promoter) shares deep insights that are the most important information for any artist looking to take their career to the next level

As International Project Manager at Centre national de la musique (CNM), my mission is to help the French music industry professionals (labels, tour agents, publishers, managers, etc.) exporting their projects and connecting with international professionals all over the world. Check out music and news on whatthefrance.org! Centre national de la musique (CNM) is a French State organization dedicated to the music industry created in January 2020. Acting as a hub for all French music professionals, it aims to support and promote a wide range of genres and represent all industry sectors – from recorded music to live shows and publishing. The CNM is taking on all of the export activities and services that were previously those of Le Bureau Export since 1993, which has now joined the organization. Its mission is to foster the international development of the French music industry and variety industry and provide information about made-in-France artists, their French professional entourage and the French music sector: expert consulting and recommendationsfunding programsmarket resourcespromotion about the latest projects through our recommendation brand What the France  Benjamin Demelemester has been working in the music sector for 19 years as Booking Agent (Zamora Productions), Production Manager (Festival de Saint-Denis), and since 2016 International Project Manager at CNM. Based in France, he lived two years in Russia and has been a regular globetrotter since then. He loves foreign languages, genre films and bands with unpronounceable names.

Niklas Hoxell, Musikevent (Event and artist agency) MusikEvent is an Artist and Event agency in Sweden. You can book artists and entertainment from us for concerts, festivals, and private and corporate events. We offer also event production, sound and light, stages, digital solutions and streaming services for companies and individuals.

Bosse Nikolausson – Talent Coach We give young musicians and upcoming artists the tools to build careers and a chance to make a living from music. This is done by giving industry support and training in everything from copyright management and entrepreneurial skills to performance support and personal development. The Swedish program Talentcoach started 2011. The program is government funded, with main funders County Music Organization (Länsmusiken), the Regional Council (Regionförbundet i Kalmar Län) and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket). We also get financial support from the municipalities of Hultsfred, Kalmar, Mönsterås, Mörbylånga, Oskarshamn and Västervik. Since the start, several of our acts have been signed both nationally and internationally. Bo’s background is both as a musician and songwriter releasing music that has been on the top 10 charts in Sweden, getting (a lot of) radio attention especially in North America and touring all over the world in the band Charizma. Charizma has been around since the early 80’s and is now on a break! He has also a background doing artist development, starting festivals and music houses, putting up gigs and other events through the study associations in Sweden and was for a few years the operation manager for TBV’s music department in the south of Sweden. Bo has been involved in Talentcoach since the beginning of the program and is now the operation manager. He has also recently been involved in the songwriting program at the Linnaeus University.

Mikael Gottberg – Music industry of Sweden, from Västerås with love

Guernica Mancini is one of the world’s best female rock singer/songwriter from Sweden. Music has always been a big part of her life, from her childhood days in a church choir to forming her first band at the age of 14. In 2007, Guernica enrolled at the prestigious Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA, where she won a songwriting contest. This led her to record with famed music producer Darryl Swann, who’s worked with acts such as Black-Eyed Peas, John Frusciante and Macy Gray, just to name a few. During her time at the Musicians Institute, she formed the all-female band Inglourious, performing at music venues in LA as well as Las Vegas, including House of Blues, Hard Rock Café, The Key Cluband The Roxy. 2010 saw Mancini team up with Jeff Young (former member of Megadeth) as the lead singer for his band Souls On 11. After 5 years in LA, Guernica moved back to Sweden and formed her own band The Royal Ruckus. The following 4 years the band played throughout Sweden and toured around Europe. 2017 gave Guernica the opportunity to audition for the Swedish all female rock band Thundermother, where she since has been the lead singer. Mancini has sung on the last three Thundermother albums and was part of the songwriting of the two most recent ones. They have toured all over the world, played massive Festivals such as Wacken, Sweden Rock Festival, Alcatraz, Exit Festival, Reload Festival and many more. As well as playing on The Kiss Cruise, Full Metal Cruise and supported The Dead Diasis, Backyard Babies and Rose Tattoo. Thundermother is by far one of the hardest working, extensively touring bands in the world and Guernica is the voice of this thunder machine!In 2020 she joined Hank Von Hell on his single ‘Crown’ off his album Dead. 2021 the band King Zebra, also signed to Golden Robot Records’ metal label Crusader Records, asked Guernica to join them on their song ‘Wall of confusion’. Golden Robot Records is very excited to sign a worldwide solo deal with Guernica, as she is ready to work on her own. Guernica wants all her fans to know this doesn’t interfere with her duties in Thundermother, as they are stronger than ever.  “Getting to do something creatively that’s completely my own is something that I’ve been longing to do since I was a very young girl. It’s scary but at the same time so exciting and fun! I feel very fortunate to have gotten this opportunity. More than anything I feel so happy that my bandmates in Thundermother are really supportive and excited for me. So now let the Guernica solo legacy begin.” – Guernica Mancini We welcome Guernica to the Golden Robot Rock Family …..

Rhonda’s job is to let the musicians master their instruments, while she conducts the business of growing the industry. She enjoys the challenge of wearing many different hats. Success oriented herself, Rhonda is equally concerned with helping her team and members achieve success in their lives by providing strategic direction, resources and sage guidance. STRATEGY: Rhonda brings the following assets to MusicNL: over 20 years leadership and experience in board governance and  a decade working with corporate Canada through the chamber of commerce movement. As a former lobbyist and advocate she will represent her member’s voice to the three levels of government and stakeholders. COACHING: Rhonda has a passion for helping those around her succeed. She will coach her team and members to step up and move forward aligning with the new strategy that MusicNL will put into play in 2021. PERFORMANCE: To this end, her best advice is to stay positive and have an “I CAN ATTITUDE”. Past President of Positive Thinkers Club, St. John’s Chapter, Rhonda truly believes that hard work and a positive attitude will change your world and get you where you want to go! Contact: rhonda at musicnl.ca | 754-2574 ext 1

Alan Willaert toured as a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist in ‘classic rock’ bands for 20 years. He was hired by the AFM as an International Representative in 1990, and also served as Executive Director.  Now, as Vice-President from Canada of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), and head of the Canadian Federation of Musicians (an organization within the AFM), he oversees the operation of the CFM national office in Toronto.  As VPC, he not only heads negotiations of national agreements for Canada, but also is involved in the negotiations in the US. He is on the board of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), and Secretary-Treasurer of the Musicians’ Rights Organization Canada (MROC), a sub-collective of Re:sound. In addition, he travels internationally for FIM and WIPO meetings on intellectual property.

Danno O’Shea (Central Canada) Consultant and Agent; Leader and drummer of My Son the Hurricane https://www.msthofficial.com/ John McCuaig (Western Canada) Consultant and Agent; Leader, songwriter and singer of Arcana Kings; (formerly The Johnny McCuaig Band) https://www.arcanakings.com/ Andre Pettipas (Eastern Canada) Consultant and Agent; Leader, songwriter and singer of Andre Pettipas and The Giants https://www.andrepettipasandthegiants.com/ Evan Murray (Canada/Taiwan) Consultant and Agent; ITAC is led and conceptualized by Canadian federally and provincially funded Showcase and Conference Coordinator of Vision 360 Productions Inc. Live At Heart Newfoundland, Evan Murray. https://www.liveatheartnl.ca/ Summary ITAC is a global music industry consultancy and booking agency/promotion company. We will work with independent musicians, record labels, booking agencies, managers, promotion companies, publicists, brands, government funding agencies, music industry associations, and music export offices. We offer professional services to help make music business projects and export initiatives more successful. ITAC collectively see the opportunity for this music industry-based business to exist in this fast-paced world full of global opportunities. “Export Ready” is a term used to qualify that an artist is ready to proceed to perform outside of their country of residence. The ITAC experts are able to develop artists to be “Export Ready” through our consultation services and potentially to tour them regionally, nationally, and internationally. We are primarily based in Sweden, Taiwan and Canada, however our networks are global. We will give our clients the best chance at successfully breaking into chosen and fully researched markets and/or integrate into the music scenes that make the most sense for them and for their music business. We acknowledge that not everyone in the music business, or every artist can gain the same amount of success as others. For anyone to become successful, it takes wits, skill, integrity, dedication, excellent decision making, luck and most of all having the network, relationships and expertise to execute well made plans. Our booking team at ITAC can plan and arrange tours across Canada. We have partnerships around the world to explore potential touring and opportunities in other countries. Success comes in many different shapes and forms. There is “Breaking into a market” success, and there are “success stories” to help build the music business project in one’s own backyard. Starting from our questionnaire, and through consultation with the artists and other colleagues, we will develop the best plan possible for your music business. What is ITAC? ITAC Stands for International Touring Association of Canada. We are a group of professional musicians, agents, music industry consultants, licensing and synchronization professionals and showcase conference and festival organizers. Collectively we know how to arrange Canadian and international touring experiences and are aware of many potential opportunities to break into regional music scenes across the world. We have much experience planning tours of venues and festivals, obtaining press, radio play, amassing fans and revenue through syncing and licensing, publishing and masters. We gather all the information necessary to make a successful plan for our clients to emerge and be more successful in their music business affairs. We especially know how the Canadian music scene, weather/seasons, roads and Canadian music culture work, as well as the international markets. We have many friends and partners to help us give our clients the best music business planning experience possible.  IITAC is for Industry Professionals and Musicians. ITAC is a booking and consultancy service for everyone in the music business. We can work with managers of multiple artists, complete record label rosters, export offices at preparing their clients to be export ready. We can help create and facilitate export initiatives for Music Industry Association offices and we can consult and book individual artists as well. By filling out our questionnaire form, we will be able to better understand potential clients’ needs and resources and we will then be able, through an incoming, free, consultation, to identify how we can be of the utmost service to a new client. How does ITAC work? The first step is to send us a message on Facebook, or email us, to let us know a bit about your project, such as where you are living. The second step is to fill out our questionnaire. There are two different forms, one is for clients in Canada and the other for clients outside of Canada. If we believe the client has music with the potential to be successful, a 2-hour introduction consultation will be arranged. The consultation will be a process of understanding the experience level, vision and potential of our client’s initiatives and what are some of the best ways for structuring and planning this vision to become a reality.  When our potential client answers the questionnaire we will be able to have a better idea of what experience level our clients have attained. All clients are unique to us, from entry level independent music business experience, all the way to Music Industry Association Executive Directors. The level of experience and position in the music industry will give us a preface for our consultation. Our ITAC team members can consult about subjects such as: logos and branding, digital presence, terrestrial radio, marketing and PR strategies, merchandise, backline, travel arrangements, the importance of your website, syncing and licensing, finding a publisher, copywriting your music, royalties, why it’s important to create specific EPK’s for specific regions, and what you need to know and include in a powerful EPK. It can include social media strategies and/or tour planning for the novice to the professional. We can set up weekly mentoring and guidance sessions for our clients where we will assign tasks to build and strengthen a professional business brand out of their music project. Finally, we will discuss preparing artists for booking opportunities – how to create a stage plot, technical rider and the inside need to know items about touring. Becoming export ready is not a simple task, it takes talend and true dedication with a serious business attitude for the endeavor. We can also teach how to attend showcase conferences to get best results. We teach about possible grants and associated budgeting and reporting. Our professionals at ITAC will make individual plans to suit the needs of each individual customer. We understand different clients will have different needs. Please visit our Facebook page and send us a message, or email us to get the process started. https://www.facebook.com/touringassociationofcanada/ evan@musicindustryins.net Is ITAC for Canadians? ITAC are committed to giving our International clients as well as our Canadian clients the best chance at breaking into their desired market places. If the client is past the application process the first and most important aspect is understanding our relationship. We can offer consultations based on career orientation inside and outside of Canada. We believe there is real value in building your music business product regionally and nationally before taking it abroad. Of course, there are special circumstances for everything, and we are willing to consult and explore all possibilities. We also realize that there are different needs based on different levels of experience. Our team members have collectively booked artists in 6 continents; North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. We strongly encourage Canadian, European, Australian, and Asian funding agencies, export offices, MIA’s, and music professionals to contact us for a consultation.  Why use ITAC as a Music Professional outside of Canada Canada is one of the most beautiful and friendly countries on Earth. It includes most of the various ethnicities and cultures throughout the world. The booking partners at ITAC are three of the most successful and experienced artist professionals of their specific Canadian regions. Each of our booking partners have firsthand experience booking festivals and executing successful Canadian tours. We also have two showcase conference coordinators and executives on our team. These showcase conference coordinators have global networks and are constantly attending music networking events around the world, building and structuring contacts, projects and ideas to further the growth of the global music market place. ITAC is a prime consultancy service for educating yourself, building your brand and booking your artists. Please do the research on our team members and decide for yourself.

SOCAN – Grant writing, Licensing and Royalties Holly Hudson is the Program & Development Coordinator at SOCAN Foundation. She works to introduce funding initiatives and enhance existing programming available to music creators across Canada. A freelance grant writer since 2016 and a professional grant writer since 2018, Holly served as the funding coordinator at Valeo Arts Management, working to nurture a diverse roster of Canadian talent, including A Tribe Called Red, Haviah Mighty, Jean-Michel Blais, and Jeremy Dutcher. She has developed a Canadian granting system guide for emerging artists, and her expertise lies in helping musicians develop sustainable careers. Getting her start in the music industry by interning at Arts & Crafts Records, she has held positions at Bell Media, CBC, and Apple Music.  -

Canadian Music Week Neill Dixon, President, Canadian Music Week There are those who make music — and there are those who make music happen. Neill Dixon, who heads Canadian Music Week, has a 45-year history in Canada’s music industry, and has played a significant role in its growth and international development. After graduating from College in London, England, he came to Toronto in 1967, and spent three years at the tail-end of the folk music “boom” running Grumbles, a coffee house that featured major Folk names of the day. Dixon moved briefly into the record business, taking on the role of Regional Promotion Manager at RCA Records before becoming VP of National Promotion. His path soon changed to management, working with artists as varied as Martha Reeves, Jr. Walker, Triumph and Long John Baldry before turning his focus to his new startup Solid Gold Records, an independent label that garnered 27 gold and platinum records in less than five years. Neill launched Canadian Music Week in 1982 since then it has become the most important single event in this country’s music industry. The event is the longest running Conference /Festival in North America. In recent years, Neill has introduced several Canadian Awards shows, and new talent searches. Neill has also put his extensive world-wide database to good use by passionately promoting Canada’s best export ready artists and built CMW’s importance as an export development engine. As Neill puts it; “It is our mission to build bridges of trade and culture between Canada and the world.” Most recently Neill on the heels of legalization in Canada has expanded his business endeavors with two Cannabis trade shows O’Cannabiz and Grow UP.

LIZ LENJO Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Commissioner for Oaths & Notary Public. Liz Lenjo is the Founder and Managing Consultant of MyIP Legal Studio. She specializes in Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Media and Fashion Law. She is an immediate Former Member of the Copyright Tribunal, the tribunal established under Section 48 of the Copyright Act (CAP 130). She serves in the Kenya Fashion Council as the Head of Intellectual Property & Policy in the Legal Committee. She is an adjunct faculty member at the Strathmore University Law School where she teaches Sports Law, Media and Entertainment Law as well as Business Law. Liz is also a tutor with CopyrightX by HarvardX- Kenya that is run by the GoDown Arts Center. Liz holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Turin (Italy) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and Postgraduate Diploma Kenya School of Law. She also holds a Certificate in Fashion Law from Fashion Law Institute – Fordham University Law School (New York). She also has professional certificates in IP Management, Mediation & Arbitration from WIPO Academy and CopyrightX from HarvardX. Liz is also a published writer and scholar. Her LL.M research paper has been published by the renowned Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review 2018 titled: “Inspiration versus Exploitation: Traditional Cultural Expressions at the Hem of the Fashion Industry.” The paper is available online on Westlaw and Nexis as well as the Marquette IP Law Review website (https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/iplr/vol21/iss2/4/). She has also written and been quoted in several local newspapers including the Sunday Nation, The Standard, The Star, Up Magazine (now defunct), Copyright News among others as well as international news platforms. Liz is a blogger on www.lizlenjo.com on IP and Entertainment Law matters focusing on nonlegal minds to understand basic issues in these areas of law. She is also the Chapter Lead of Creative Commons Kenya and the head of the Culture & Entertainment Platform. Liz has been recognized for her efforts in the legal field and is a recipient of the prestigious nomination in Kenya: Business Daily Top 40 under 40 Women 2018.