News

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!

There are some exciting things happening at Bent River Records this fall! Not only are we still getting settled into our new beautiful new home downtown, but we also have some important releases coming out. Between Mallory Chipman’s Rags and Feathers: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen, and Joshua Rager’s Jondo, we have a lot to be proud of.

On October 12, Joshua Rager will be releasing his third album, Jondo. This is Joshua’s first release with Bent River and we are very happy to add him to the BRR roster. Joshua’s CD release party will be in Montreal at the Maison de Culture Côte-des-Neiges, as part of the OFF Festival du Jazz. We are beyond sad that we can’t be there to support, but if any of you are in Montreal right now, be sure to check it out. It is going to be a blast! Make sure to take some pictures for us, with the hashtag #GetBent so we will feel like we were there!

Rags and Feathers: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen, coming out November 10th, is Mallory Chipman’s much anticipated follow up to her debut album, Nocturnalize. I don’t think I’ve stopped playing Nocturnalize in my record rotation since its release last year! I’m counting down the minutes until we can hear the final cut of her new record, and I know you all are too. Be sure not to miss out on the wonderful Mallory Chipman performing her new album live at the Blue Chair Café on November 10th. It’s going to be a true BRR party, and we would love to see you there. Call 780-989-2861 to reserve your spot now before it sells out!

We were so excited to show off our new home with everyone at the Allard Hall grand opening. This move has been a long time coming, and it’s hard to believe we finally made it to our amazing new downtown centre for arts and culture! Allard Hall really does make us feel like we are living the high life ,and if you ask me, it’s about time! Our grand opening was kind of like the best housewarming you will ever go to (so if you missed it, you missed out). From the tours to the performances to the fine art, there was something wonderful happening everywhere you looked. The big band performance in the nest was my favourite part; the way the sound carried throughout the whole hall was amazing. Maybe one day Bent river might have a feature in one of the nests…. It could happen.

I also loved the looks on every person’s face that walked through our state of the art recording studio. There were definitely some blown minds looking at all of the world class gear – impressive, I know. That’s where the magic really happens. Bent River is already hard at work breaking that space in, and we can’t wait for you all to hear what the studio and Bent River Records team can really do. If you were a fan of our releases before, just wait until you see the change that this upgrade has brought to the BRR sound. You won’t believe it!

Make sure to stay connected with everything Bent River by following and liking us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Thank you to everyone that joined us at the opening, it was truly a pleasure to share our new stomping ground with you. Hope to have you back soon!

Here at Bent River Records we are over the moon about the beautiful article written about us by Gene Kosowan in Avenue Magazine. It’s always an amazing feeling to see your name in print! We couldn’t be happier about our featured spot in Edmonton’s hippest magazine. And shout out to Paul and Rose for being the more photogenic record execs we’ve ever seen!

Check out the article here:

http://www.avenueedmonton.com/City-Life/Detours/Arts-Culture/Bent-River-Records/

Also, be sure to check-out more great articles online and in print from Avenue and Gene Kosowan.

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