The influential DJ and producer will work with those who want to make a giant leap during a residency at Studio Bell and will also perform a DJ set at the Hifi Club.
When you want a mentor, you go to the best. Or a master.
Aspiring EDM artists will be happy to hear, then, that Canadian techno legend Richie Hawtin will be the new RBC master in residence at the National Music Centre’s Studio Bell.
The DJ and producer who arrived on the scene in the early ’90s and helped take the music into the mainstream will mentor a group of lucky individuals who want to take their music to the next level, maybe make that jump from small clubs to festival stages.
“Canada continues to deliver some of the most innovative and popular musicians in the field of electronic music,” Hawtin said in a press release from NMC.
“In celebration of our country’s continuing contribution, and to help in its future development, I’m excited to visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and to work with DJs and producers from across the nation to share some of my insight and experience.”
NMC has put the call out to all emerging electro artists across the nation to submit to participate in the program in late June and “receive professional development advice and creative direction from one of the innovators of electronic music and techno.”
If you want to toss your name into the ring, you can do so at nmc.ca/artists up until June 1.
Previous masters have included Daniel Lanois and Our Lady Peace’s Raine Maida.
“Richie Hawtin is one of Canada’s most influential musical exports,” NMC’s director of programs Adam Fox said in the release. “His impact on international electronic music is indelible, and I’m excited that he’ll be able to share some of the knowledge he’s gained over his career with emerging Canadian electronic producers.”
Non-mentorees but fans of Hawtin can also get some wisdom from him as the artist will sit down with respected Canadian music journalist Larry LeBlanc for a conversation that’s open to the public followed by a Q&A on June 28 at Studio Bell. Tickets for that event $18, $14 for students and seniors and are available from studiobell.ca/whats-on.
And for those who want to hear what Hawtin does best, he’ll also perform a DJ set at Hifi Club the same night to help celebrate the venue’s 12-year anniversary. Tickets will be available soon from hificlub.ca.
Mike Bell has been covering the Calgary music scene for the past 25 years with publications such as VOX, Fast Forward, the Calgary Sun and, most recently, the Calgary Herald. He is currently the music writer and content editor for theYYSCENE.ca, and the co-host of the show Saved By the Bell, which airs Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. on CJSW 90.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter/@mrbell_23 or email him at mike@theyyscene.ca. He likes beer. Buy him one.
