BRR Team

Nuela Charles’ mix of pop, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul is in a league of its own. Based in our dear city of Edmonton, Nuela has a way of bringing warmth to a chilly November afternoon. Nuela has been nominated three times for the Western Canadian Music Award for Urban Recording of the Year, in 2011, 2013 and 2017. And in 2017 took home the Western Canadian Music Award for Urban Artist of the Year.

Nuela released her first album Awake in 2012 and her follow up The Grand Hustle in 2016. Nuela’s catchy rhythms and soulful voice have gained her popularity in Edmonton, the U.S., and Europe. Nuela’s music has been featured in many TV shows and films in Canada and the U.S.

Nuela is a true Edmontonian. She has seen great success here and feels no need to leave. We respect and support that here at BRR and want to see more artist staying in Edmonton. Even though she travels in support of her music she always finds her way back. We are very glad to have Nuela joining us on the Panel and to have her as an honorary member of Bent River.

Chloe Albert is a Juno nominated singer-songwriter from Edmonton. Her first album Dedicated State was released in 2008 and won her the Canadian Folk Music Award for ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’, and she hasn’t slowed down since. Her sound is thoughtful, versatile and lends itself well to not only folk but blues, roots, soul, jazz and country, her storytelling ability is revered by many.

Her Juno Nomination was for ‘Adult Contemporary Album of The Year’, she has also received a Western Canadian Music Awards Nomination for ‘Roots/Solo Album of the Year’ plus, won three Edmonton Music Awards for, ‘Roots/Folk Recording of the Year’ ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Female Artist of the Year’.

Chloe is releasing her third album in 2018 and we can’t wait to hear it if its anything like her last two it will be spectacular. I remember seeing Chloe play the Folk Fest in 2009, it was the first time I had ever heard her, she blew me away. I took Dedicated State home with me and listened to it many times. We are so happy to have Chloe on the panel and as an honorary member of Bent River.

Get to know Bent River Records’ special guest producer who will be coming in to work with the winning artist of our Call for Recording Projects competition alongside our very own Juno-winning engineer, Paul Johnston! Here are 5 fun facts about Marcus Paquin:

1. Marcus has a master’s degree in sound recording from McGill University.

2. Marcus is not only an amazing sound engineer, but is also a musician. He formed indie pop band Silver Starling back in 2009.

3. Marcus’ wife, Marika Anthony-Shaw, has been a touring violinist with Arcade Fire. Pretty talented couple!

4. Marcus has recorded with Stars, Close Talker, Ok Cobra, Arcade Fire, Little Scream, Les Jupes, The National, Local Natives, Hey Rosetta!, Timber Timbre, and the list goes on and on. WOW!

5. Marcus did the live music mixing for the film Mistaken for Strangers, the documentary film about The National.

MacEwan is happy to welcome photographer and film maker Randy Cole as a visiting artist from October 29 to November 1. Randy is also a visual art and music marketing teacher, he has also shot over 150 short films, mostly on the topic of jazz. 

…You know who also loves jazz? You guessed it, Bent River Records! So it’s understandable why we wouldn’t want to miss a second of the knowledge Randy is going to be bringing to MacEwan. Randy will be doing a recording session on Oct.29th, a filmed masterclass/clinic on Oct. 30th, a Ethnomusicology guest lecturer also on the 30th, a follow-up lecture Oct. 31th and a lecture in the recording course MUSC 366 Nov. 1. Now that’s a busy week – something that we sure know a thing or two about here at BRR! Randy will also be putting together a EPK with Canadian saxophone wizard Al McLean and his outstanding rhythm section; Jim Doxas (drums), Adrian Vedady (bass) and special guest Benito Gonzalez (piano). 

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the best way to promote your music in a professional manner, you do NOT want to miss this. Oh, and if you’re planning to enter our competition to record an album with Marcus Paquin, you could use an EPK to apply, so you should definitely come out and learn some useful info.

For full details check out: https://www.macewan.ca/wcm/MacEwanEvents/SS_VA_RANDY_COLE_17

I don’t know if it’s possible for you to be more excited than me about the amazing things happening at BRR this week, but who knows! Maybe you’re Marcus Paquin’s #1 fan. If that’s the case, then you would probably give your first born for the chance to record with him. Well, never fear, BRR is here! And the good news is, we’re asking a lot less then your first born child. Submit the following items to Bent River Records by November 17, 2017, and you will be entered into our competition for a chance to record a full album with our very own Juno Award winning engineer, Paul Johnston, and with Marcus Paquin, who has worked with Arcade Fire, The National, Local Natives, Stars, and more. Bent River Records will fit the entire bill; studio fees, mixing and mastering fees, album artwork, and manufacturing. All we need from you is a biography, two recent recordings, links to websites and social media, a CV or resume, and one hi-resolution photo. That is it. Easy, breezy, beautiful! I know people say that when something sounds too good to be true it probably is, but in this case, they are wrong. This competition is way too good to be true, but is very true. This is a once in a life time opportunity and I know you won’t want to miss out! The sky is the limit, and here at BRR we spend a lot of time in the clouds, so come float with us and with Marcus – together let’s make some incredible music!