News Archive
The Songwriters Association of Canada provides regular updates on the economic and cultural climate for music creators in Canada and abroad. Stay up to date with the S.A.C.’s work by checking the news archive below and following along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Please also visit our events page for opportunities to collaborate in person and online.
Placing Yourself Within Your Song’s Lyrics
Using the first person (I, me) in your song can create more of an emotional connection with your listeners when you write about loss, love or any universal emotion. Making…
Willie Dunn
By the time he passed in 2013 at 71 years, Willie Dunn was finally getting a belated taste of a renewed interest in his music. It had been a long…
The Weeknd, Eddie Schwartz Lead SOCAN Awards Winners
The 2020 SOCAN Awards were handed out in May. Eddie Schwartz, S.A.C.’s president emeritus, received the Cultural Impact Award for his undeniable influence as a songwriter on the international music…
Some Six Nations Sounds – Part 3
Round Dances, Blues Dancing and Club Music – A few Six Nations selections. Pappy John’s Band – The Bar Road Band was where Don Powless and Murry Porter Mohawks from…
2021 SOCAN Songwriting Prize Finalists: Brilliant Canadian Music Creation Didn’t Miss a Beat Last Year
The SOCAN Songwriting Prize finalists—10 emerging songwriters from English Canada and 10 from French Canada—have been selected by fans online. This is the only major songwriting award in the country…
Some Six Nations Sounds – Part 2
Most early recordings of Indigenous people were done at the behest and with sponsorship from The Smithsonian Institute, followed by folkloric and archival endeavours. The Smithsonian Institute recorded George Buck…
Some Six Nations Sounds – Part 1
As June flies by, S.A.C. considers Indigenous Peoples Day, from a musical angle. Following the horrific discovery of 215 children’s graves at the Kamloops Residential School, it seems fitting to…
Live Nation and Drake Are Opening a Brand New Concert Venue in Toronto
History, a 2,500-seat concert venue is being launched by Drake and Live Nation later this year in Toronto. The venue will host about 200 events a year to become a…
Bill C10 is good for Canada
S.A.C. is a proud signatory and supporter for Bill C-10. Bill C-10 is a critical first step towards rules that are fair and effective, and reflect the modern-day media landscape.…
Songwriters Association of Canada Announces, “Women of S.A.C.” Live Stream Concert on April 21
Line Up Features Five Incredible Female Songwriters Toronto, ON – The Songwriters Association of Canada is proud to announce the Celebration Series Songbird North Women of S.A.C. live stream concert…
S.A.C. Women’s History Month Series – Ruby Waters
Still in her early 20’s, Ruby Waters is a successful songwriter, seasoned live performer, and certainly eager to resume her live concerts like everyone else on either side of the…
S.A.C. Black History Songwriters Series: Vancouver Soul History
Most early Canadian soul music came from Ontario. Canada’s Black population was concentrated in the country’s biggest cities, as well as parts of Nova Scotia. Of the few Canadian soul…
S.A.C. Black History Songwriters Series: Gary Beals
There are some curves in life, some longer or sharper than others. Over the last 17 years, Gary Beals has taken them and put aspects of life’s winding road into…
S.A.C. Black History Songwriters Series: Maestro Fresh Wes
When “Let Your Backbone Slide” was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in late 2019, the 30 year old song was the first hip hop jam to receive…
Featured Member: Isabelle Banos
Isabelle Banos is a Montreal-based producer, songwriter and a founding member of thealternative pop band Caveboy, in which she plays bass and synthesizers. She has performed across Canada, showcased throughout…