Yukon Government Supports Yukon Recording Artists

FOR RELEASE #07-154
July 18, 2007

WHITEHORSE – Three local artists have been awarded Yukon Film & Sound Commission Sound Recording grants to support their careers in the recording industry. This spring’s recipients, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Art Johns and Root Sellers Media’s Nemo and Prhyme will use this funding to take the next step in their recording careers.”The Sound Recording program supports artists who are ready to record their work for promotion and distribution,” Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon said. “This funding is a continuation of this government’s commitment to supporting local artists as they develop their sound recording careers.”

Brothers Galen and Daniel Ashley, of Root Sellers Media, were awarded $4,642 to produce a professional sound recording. Their sound is a combination of real-time electronic sequencing, hip hop vocals and instrumental performance in live settings. This Sound Recording program funding enables the duo to produce a CD which will be manufactured for national distribution and used as a high quality promotional product.

“This is going to enable us to get access to a professional standard of sound and recording engineering with a very established engineer here in Yukon,” Daniel Ashley, with Root Sellers Media, said. “The recording will be high quality and on par with recordings across Canada.”

Marc-Andre Hamelin and the band Hammerhead received a $2,000 professional demo recording grant. Hammerhead plans to have their demo of funk rock blues music available in Yukon early this fall.

“Having a demo will extend our exposure and give people an opportunity to listen to our music,” Hamelin said. “More exposure means people will be more familiar with our tunes and they will start to get to know our band.”

Sound Recording program is part of Yukon government’s ongoing support for the sound recording industry. Grants are awarded twice each year with applications accepted May 1 and November 1. Projects are reviewed by a jury of industry peers. Awards are granted to eligible applicants whose projects best meet the Yukon Sound Recording program’s objectives.

For more information on the Yukon Sound Recording program visit the Yukon Film & Sound Commission website: www.reelyukon.com.

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Attachment: List of Sound Recording grant recipients.

Contact:
Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
(867) 633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca
Sunny Patch
Communications, Economic Development
(867) 456-3913
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

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ATTACHMENT: Sound Recording Grant Recipients

All three recipients are first time Sound Recording grant recipients:

Marc-Andre Hamelin and his band Hammerhead was awarded $2,000 for a professional demo recording of “Funktown Blues”. For more information about Hammerhead visit www.myspace.com/yukonhammerheads.

Art Johns, a respected Tlingit elder and self-taught singer and guitar player, was awarded $2,000 for a professional demo recording of “Blue River Rose”. Johns plays Old Time Country music.

Root Sellers Media (Galen and Daniel Ashley’s Nemo and Phryme) was awarded $4,642.25 for a professional sound recording of “A Burning Star”. For more information about Root Sellers Media visit http://www.myspace.com/rootsellers.