M for Montreal | Catch up

M for Montreal is back in its usual format, presenting a rich program, both for the public and for the local and international industry. The showcase festival, in which Lydia Képinski, Clay and Friends, Lisa LeBlanc and Marilyne Léonard will participate, takes its mission more seriously than ever.

Marissa Groguhe
The Press

After the disruptions caused by the pandemic, the music industry needs M for Montreal more than ever, assures programmer Mikey Rishwain, reached during a trip between Los Angeles and Montreal.

While travel has been banned for the past two years, the pandemic format of the event has not allowed M for Montreal to deploy to the best of its abilities. “We had the right to half-full rooms. Finally, we had permission to fill them in full, but we had already committed, recalls Mikey Rishwain. Above all, it was hard to invite the international world. »

As a reminder, the mandate that M for Montreal has given itself is to showcase Montreal talent in order to create contacts with international delegates who have come to recruit promising artists. Founded in 2006 by Sébastien Nasra and British programmer Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury), the event uses the city’s venues to provide a springboard for local industry.

A virtual component is being rolled out this year, inspired by the last two editions. But nothing replaces the incursion into Montreal culture, which the M for Montreal team knows very well. “People don’t want to lose the culture here, so even if they meet virtually, they come to Montreal. It’s a place like no other, warm. Delegates like to have their coffee where Leonard Cohen or Godspeed have had theirs. »

And the international delegates are indeed back this year. “Usually we invite people, but this time they approach us. Many want to get back into action. »

Encourage our artists

This year, the organizers of the showcase festival are making up for lost time. “We put forward emerging artists who have lacked that in recent years, who have not had the chance to be on stage. »

Thus, many artists like Clay and Friends, Odreii, Lydia Képinski, Fernie, dee holt, Super Plage, Zach Zoya, Alicia Clara and Gus Englehorn are on the bill. Some names are a little better known, others less so.

To unearth these talents, Rikey Rishwain relies in particular on student radio stations. A CISM host provides him with names of artists to follow. He looks at independent radio charts. “You also need to know as many people as possible in the industry as well as their sisters, brothers and cousins! People in Los Angeles give him leads on Montrealers who are making their mark in the United States. Producers inform him when the number of plays of their artists increases considerably.

The formula has proven itself. Grimes performed at M for Montreal, as did Half Moon Run. Milk & Bone gave their first concert there. Mac DeMarco says he hasn’t had a single day off since attending the event.

Mikey Rishwain likes to call M for Montreal “M for Middle Guy”, the intermediary, the facilitator. ” The streams are not everything, he says. In Quebec, we are fortunate to have a lot of support for culture, we want to facilitate relationships and opportunities. We open our doors to pros around the world. »

The ball is then in the court of the artists. The advantage of a concert compared to a demo sent by email or being on a listening list? “You can show your vibes, your audience is there and the professionals attend to that. The magic happens when everyone is in a room, says the programmer. The presence, the face-to-face, the meeting… it allows the bigger picture. And the artist has everything he needs afterwards to do his next ones moves. »

This is why Mikey Rishwain invites the public to go see the artists they appreciate or to go and make discoveries. “You can give back to the artist by making him look even better! »

Four recommendations from programmer Mikey Rishwain

dee holt (with Fernie, Odreii, Albert Dalton and Nicholas Craven)

“dee holt signed with an american company before anyone here knew that name. Someone from LA told me about this artist from Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. This is the next Charlotte Cardin. Not the same music, but it has the quality TikTok, pop quality, appeal to Generation Z. Listening to her, you wouldn’t believe she’s from Montreal. »

At the Belmont, November 16, 8 p.m.

Kiwi Jr

“This band from Toronto, signed to Sub pop [Weyes Blood, Beach House] go play at the van horne overpass skatepark [le 18 novembre, avec Lydia Képinski, Jesse Mac Cormack et Barry Paquin Roberge]. It’s the old one backup tape of the Alvvays group. Their album is so good. It’s kind of ‟new school of The Strokes”, with its own pop side. »

Under the Van Horne Bridge, November 18, starting at 4 p.m.

Ducks LTD (with Ping Pong Go)

“Another group from Toronto, which is a bit in the Mac DeMarco scene. We are known for exporting Mac internationally and we want to find artists with the same spirit. Ducks LTD does indie/surf rock/lo-fi, it’s really good. And more and more people in the United States are talking about it! »

At the Ministry, November 19, 10:30 p.m.

Lary Kidd (with Emma Beko and SLM)

” I love it. He has a Quebec side to American-style rap. He’s one of the best rappers in Montreal and it was important for him to have his place in M.”

At Club Soda, November 18, 8 p.m.