Music Calgary is a local non-profit organization that promotes dialogue and support for professionals within Calgary’s music scene. Founded as a legacy project after Calgary hosted the 2008 JUNO awards, Music Calgary has been presenting SoundOff Summit — a hybrid music festival and conference — since 2013.
With SoundOff, Music Calgary aims to put Calgary on the map as a city people pay attention to, says executive director Colleen Krueger.
“A huge part of the event is to bring industry [professionals] into Calgary to see what we have going on, and also to support the artists that are in the city and help them develop wherever they’re at… or give them information that they need to develop their career,” says Krueger.
Each year, the festival brings delegates from across the country to Calgary to host panels and mingle with local talent. Some of this year’s delegates include Ben Goldberg of Ba Da Bing Records, Montreal promoter Jonathan Nudell, and long-time Toronto radio host Alan Cross. Delegates also see locals perform to a crowd of their own fans, because this conference is open to all — including you!
“For us as an organization, we just see the impact for artists to have that home turf to bring out their audience, and show a delegate, ‘Hey, we have a lot of people that love us, and they’re down to see us, and the energy is here.’ We’re building shows with some of the best talents in Calgary, and we’re building bills that don’t always happen organically through the scene or promotion,” says Krueger.
Local rapper Tea Fannie went from performing at last year’s Summit to joining the board of directors for Music Calgary this year. For her, SoundOff is a chance to build connections.
“I went to all the conferences, and I soaked up all the knowledge that I possibly could, and I was just so shocked at the fact that this was right here In the city,” she says. “I was able to meet more artists in the city, and I even collabed with a couple of them!”
Fannie feels this year’s lineup — which features locals including Sunglaciers, The Blue, and Clea Anaïs — will be the strongest yet.
“I always geek at the talent that we have in the city,” she says. “I think this one will be [the year] that people will be like, ‘Wow, Calgary.’ Every single band hits… It’s gonna be an epic, epic festival this year.”
This year’s SoundOff Summit takes place at various venues November 14 to 16. Check the lineup and grab a pass at musiccalgary.ca.
