Saturday


Tying Tiffany - Show Me What You Got (2011) from theSPONKstudios on Vimeo.

This video just rattled me... in a good way. Like ice cubes down your back on a hot day.

Monday

Interview Prep


So last week I had a phone interview with a well known and prestigious festival in Toronto. Can you guess which one? Anyway it was a phone interview and I bombed it big time. But they were professional enough to call me back and offer feedback and urge me to apply again in the future, which I intend on doing. So sweet rejection has taught me that  you need more than confidence and a great attitude to win people over. You have to be totally and fully prepared and a great way to do this is to do a mock interview in advance as well as touch up on you're knowledge on the company you are applying for. If it's a phone interview try and book the day off of work. It was unfortunate I had less than 24 hours notice and couldn't get work off. But! Live and learn right? So here are some questions and answers I gathered from About.com, my favourite reference site.


But first here are my hot tips for interviews:
  • Stay confident, take a breath, don't rush.
  • Do you're research and be prepared, this will help tremendously with your answers
  • Give yourself plenty of time day of the interview
  • Don't be self-deprecating or sarcastic. Stay positive and smile a ton. Until you're face falls off actually.
  • Work the right angle, what do you have to offer, what are you're skills, what can you contribute to the team? Think like you're interviewer.

1. Q: How was it working for your last supervisor?
Really means -Eeep trick question! Don't talk trash! Ever. Everybody knows everybody in this biz and you could very well be slamming their friend or a friend of their boss.
  •   Putting down your supervisor only shows you're disloyalty to a team once a job is complete. "Accentuate the positive and minimize any difficult situations. Discuss the strengths your past supervisors had and how they helped you succeed in your positions." Maybe you felt you're last supervisor delegated their work too much, spin that and say ' I felt a great amount of independence working with them and really developed my leadership skills.' Badabing! 

2. Q: What can you contribute to the company?
Really means- What do you have to offer and are you confident in your skills
  • "Describe specific examples of how effective you have been in your other positions, change you have implemented, and goals you have achieved. Talk about the depth and breadth of related experience that you have. Also relate your abilities to the employers' goals."
3. Q: Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.
Really means- How do you handle stress? Are you a problem solver or a drama mama?
"Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution. Examples of good responses include:
  • During a difficult financial period, I was able to successfully re-budget our departments needs and save the company x amount of dollars. With some help from a few volunteers, we substituted paid positions for work experience and cut costs enormously. Of course we were able to offer volunteers a stipend and free meals during shifts.
  • When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track. We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time."
4. Q: What interests you about this job?
Really means- Are you passionate about this job and informed on it's requirements
  • "Describe the qualifications listed in the job posting and connect them to your skills to show your knowledge of the position. Mix enthusiasm with desire to gain new skills and confidence to use relatable skills. For example if you were 
    interviewing for a Human Resources Manager job where you would be responsible for recruiting, orientation, and training, you will want to discuss how you were responsible for these functions in your past positions, and why you are interested in continuing to develop your expertise in Human Resources management.
5. Q: What problems have you encountered at work?
Really means- How do you handle problems among the team.
  • "Once I found a major flaw in the work of one of the most senior members of the department, which could have been very costly to the company if it had been overlooked. I went directly to him, and called it to his attention so he could fix it before it affected the final outcome."
6. Q: What is your weakness
Really means- Are you a positive person? Show them by turning your weakness into a strength
  • "Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
  • I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time."
  • For more Q&A visit about.com
  • Interview Prep

    So last week I had a phone interview with a well known and prestigious festival in Toronto. Can you guess which one? Anyway it was a phone interview and I bombed it big time. But they were professional enough to call me back and offer feedback and urge me to apply again in the future, which I intend on doing. So sweet rejection has taught me that  you need more than confidence and a great attitude to win people over. You have to be totally and fully prepared and a great way to do this is to do a mock interview in advance as well as touch up on you're knowledge on the company you are applying for. If it's a phone interview try and book the day off of work. It was unfortunate I had less than 24 hours notice and couldn't get work off. But! Live and learn right? So here are some questions and answers I gathered from About.com, my favourite reference site.


    But first here are my hot tips for interviews:
    • Stay confident, take a breath, don't rush.
    • Do you're research and be prepared, this will help tremendously with your answers
    • Give yourself plenty of time day of the interview
    • Don't be self-deprecating or sarcastic. Stay positive and smile a ton. Until you're face falls off actually.
    • Work the right angle, what do you have to offer, what are you're skills, what can you contribute to the team? Think like you're interviewer.
    1. Q: How was it working for your last supervisor?
    Really means -Eeep trick question! Don't talk trash! Ever. Everybody knows everybody in this biz and you could very well be slamming their friend or a friend of their boss.
    •   Putting down your supervisor only shows you're disloyalty to a team once a job is complete. "Accentuate the positive and minimize any difficult situations. Discuss the strengths your past supervisors had and how they helped you succeed in your positions." Maybe you felt you're last supervisor delegated their work too much, spin that and say ' I felt a great amount of independence working with them and really developed my leadership skills.' Badabing! 
    2. Q: What can you contribute to the company?
    Really means- What do you have to offer and are you confident in your skills
    • "Describe specific examples of how effective you have been in your other positions, change you have implemented, and goals you have achieved. Talk about the depth and breadth of related experience that you have. Also relate your abilities to the employers' goals."

    3. Q: Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.
    Really means- How do you handle stress? Are you a problem solver or a drama mama?

         
    "Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution. Examples of good responses include:"
    • During a difficult financial period, I was able to successfully re-budget our departments needs and save the company x amount of dollars. With some help from a few volunteers, we substituted paid positions for work experience and cut costs enormously. Of course we were able to offer volunteers a stipend and free meals during shifts.
    • "When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track. We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time."



    4. Q: What interests you about this job?
    Really means- Are you passionate about this job and informed on it's requirements
    • "Describe the qualifications listed in the job posting and connect them to your skills to show your knowledge of the position. Mix enthusiasm with desire to gain new skills and confidence to use relatable skills. For example if you were 
      interviewing for a Human Resources Manager job where you would be responsible for recruiting, orientation, and training, you will want to discuss how you were responsible for these functions in your past positions, and why you are interested in continuing to develop your expertise in Human Resources management."
    5. Q: What problems have you encountered at work?
    Really means- How do you handle problems among the team.
    • "Once I found a major flaw in the work of one of the most senior members of the department, which could have been very costly to the company if it had been overlooked. I went directly to him, and called it to his attention so he could fix it before it affected the final outcome."
    6. Q: What is your weakness
    Really means- Are you a positive person? Show them by turning your weakness into a strength
    • "Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
    • I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time."
    • For more Q&A visit about.com
    • Wednesday

      Top Ten Music Fests in Canada - posted by CBC Radio 3


      CBC Radio 3's Go Outside and Play Top 10
      Dawson City Music Festival, July 15 - 17, Dawson City YK. At the fork of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. 'Nuff said... ok, here's who's playing: Shout Out Out Out Out, Shotgun Jimmie, Rich Aucoin, Amelia Curran and more. Don't miss Radio 3's stage Saturday night at the Palace Grand!.
      Evolve, July 22 - 24, Antigonish NS. Voted the #1 music fest in Canada in our Searchlight Contest, this year thehedonist explosion returns with Fred Penner, the Idlers, Chali 2na, Carmen Townsend and many others. Go naked.
      Home County Folk FestivalJuly 15 -17, London ON. Our own Grant Lawrence MC's this fest featuring Dan Mangan, Sarah Harmer, Basia Bulat, The Acorn and more. 
      NxNE, June 13 -19, Toronto ON. The biggest R3 fan meet up EVER goes down at this huge city-wide music fest. R3's headquarters will be as always the Horseshoe Tavern onSat night!  
      Regina Folk Festival, Aug 5 -7, Regina SK. The awesome little urban fest in the park has an excellent line up this year including Hawksley WorkmanCoeur de PirateBraids,Michael Bernard FitzgeraldHey Ocean! and more.
      SappyFest, Jul 29 -31, Sackville NB. Line up announced today! Bonjay, Gobble Gobble, Little Scream, The Sadies, Jerry Granelli and more.
      Sled Island Music Festival, June 22 - 25, Calgary AB. An international explosion of alt-rock, featuring the Buzzcocks, Chad VanGaalen, Jenn Grantthe Raveonettes and many more.
      Live at Squamish, Aug 20 - 21, Squamish BC. The second annual BC fest features Metric, Weezer, Bend Sinister, Girl Talk, Shad, Kyprios and more.
      Winnipeg Folk Festival,  July 6 - 10, Winnipeg MB. One of the best line ups in years at one of the biggest and best fests in the country, including Tegan and Sara, Blue Rodeo, M Ward, and the Be Good Tanyas reunion show!
      Wolfe Island Music Festival, Aug 5 -7, Kingston ON. Line up announced today! Stars, Plants and Animals, Jenn Grant, Great Lake Swimmers, PS I Love You and more.

      Sunday

      The Career Game

      At some point in your career time-line you cross over from your money-making-job to struggling-to-make-it-career and with that leap comes a whole new ball game in terms of etiquette, interviews, presentation and courtesy. I'll cover a few things that have helped in my approach at keeping it professional and getting taken a little more seriously.

      Courtesy
      Guestlist- don't ask, if someone offers amazing. But you don't really wanna be that guy do you? The band/manager has so many friends hitting them up with texts already. If you do score a regular guestlist spot show you're gratitude with a drink for them, buying their merch and supporting their band.

      Etiquette- Phone & Email

      Phone: Be polite, smile and be concise over the phone. Always be respectful to the receptionist,  staying on their good side will likely lead to more information about whatever you need.  Try calling during a less busy time of day perhaps 1-3pm when everyone is usually back from their lunch but not rushing through their tasks to finish before the end of day. Early morning could also work depending on the day. Monday is always best avoided as offices are catching up on their weekend emails. Which brings me to emails.

      Email: It is said that the best time to email is a Tuesday night so that the receiver can get it mid week when things have slowed down since Monday catch-up. Friday is the worst time to send an email and expect a response. It will likely get lost in the hustle of the weekend. Plus if it is a cold email, it will have the lowest priority during the busiest time.  Keep your email brief, polite and to the point. Professionals usually have little time to spare for cold emails. With this in mind - try writing your email with the receiver's attitude in mind. What can you do for them? Why are you contacting them? What would you like and what can you give in return? Who do you know that gave you their contact information? Always be patient and polite. Give the person time to get back to you. This can be frustrating but worth it in the end. Thank them for their time and find a nice signature that works for you (i.e cheers, best etc.) I like to have an additional signature below with my contact information and my blog addy.

      Interviews:

      • Be prepared- bring your cover letter, resume, filled-out application in advance.
      • Be extra prepared- read about the company you are applying for. Research their website, look up the team members. Try and find out if you know some of the same people. Come to the interview with enough knowledge about the company so you feel comfortable talking to your interviewer.
      • Be early so you're not frazzled, don't chew gum, smile.
      • Look tidy and a little trendy. Where a topic piece that will make you stand out. Don't look dated you want the interviewer to feel like you could fit in with the vibe of their team.
      • It's said that 25% of advancement in the workplace is technical ability. The other 75% is interpersonal skills and image. People want to be around others similar to them, keep this in mind.
      • Be a human being not a robot- talk to your interviewer like you've met them before. Ask them how their day is going. While an interviewer asks questions to tons of job prospectives all day they rarely get asked questions themselves and hey we all need to talk about ourselves a bit!
      • Buy the coffee- this is something I had to read for the light to flash on, of course! They are giving you their time, the least you can do is buy the coffees. This goes for coffee dates with professionals and friends helping you out. 


      Tools

      Business cards- My business cards cost me  $11 at Kinkos.  I got around 60 printed to start out and had the help of a designer. It helps to know someone who can design or help you learn how to design a business card.  These people are around! And if you sweet talk em maybe you can do it in trade. Once it's designed just bring the jpeg down on a USB to Kinkos (call ahead to find out the spacing and how many cards per sheet to line up on your file). Grab an exacto knife and a ruler to avoid the cutting fee.

      Aboutme.com
      Recently I had a coffee date with my friend Scott Honsberger (Artist consultant from yourbandsbestfriend). He gave me a few words of advice about getting myself out there. One gem was Aboutme.com, which is a website that introduces the world to you and directs them to all your social media sites- twitter, myspace, linked in etc. I love it! feel free to check mine out here. I've kept mine simple with my Linked In, Blog and Twitter links only. Facebook to me is a personal place where I only add contacts if they've bridged the gap from professional to buddy buddy. (This usually entails a drink or two and a conversation longer than the 2 min. nice to meet you greet). All in all this is a valuable site, it's free, so simple to set-up and becoming more commonly used on business cards.


      Facebook vs. Linked In
      Both these accounts are useful if used correctly. Linked In is great for job information, familiarizing yourself with professionals and their track record. It's great for informing those in your network of your experience and job status. Linked In is  basically an online resume where as Facebook is a smorgasbord of distractions and endless connections. Everyone is on Facebook whether they like it or not. If you keep yourself informed then you are probably aware that businesses will peruse your profile before they hire you sometimes. The things I don't like about Facebook are 1. The distractions and 2. The drama. Steer clear of both these things if you want to stay on people's good side. Don't send spam or over-notify others with events you're promoting. Also try and keep your posts pleasant, if you're consistently telling the world about interesting things and events that you enjoy or are involved in then this is what they will remember you for. People like helpful tips, they don't like hearing you complain. Try and keep your posts un-offensive (if you're partner's mom can read them then you're probably in the clear). All I'm saying is once you put it out there you never know who's reading it. You always want to give off an air of confidence and success.  All in all facebook is great but it's not totally necessary for the business world to see and that's why I left mine off my aboutme.com.


      The Career game is a lot of work but it has it's perks. Play the game or get left behind.





      Wednesday

      Snowblink

      California bread, toronto based duo Snowblink is comprised of Daniela Gesundheit (Bruce Peninsula) and Dan Goldman. The line-up of Snowblink past has been known to expand to include other extended community members — MGMT, Nat Baldwin (Dirty Projectors), Frank Lyon (Keepaway), Caley Monahon-Ward (Extra Life), and Ryan Driver among them.  “One of the most compelling new voices on the Canadian scene.” –CBC

      Tuesday

      Intern-ships

      Internships have led to many outcomes in my life.

      1. Business contacts
      2. Valid and eager references
      3. Skills and valid industry experience
      4. Debt
      5. Job opportunities

      If done right, calculated risks can be the kick-start of your career. My first internship was at S.L Feldman & Associates. I got the internship lead through a friend of friend back when I was hosting The Beehive: a  regular 60's rock n roll throwback night in Vancouver. I worked in the  Music Supervision department and spent a large portion of that spring on this lovely show:    Good times! It gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of labels and managers, one of whom has become a close confidante whom I still ask for career advice. Taking this internship also encouraged me to go back to school, at which time I had to take 2 more internships to graduate. With a new focus on festivals I did the unthinkable and re-located from Vancouver to Halifax for an unpaid internship with Halifax Pop Explosion. Paying rent & all of my own expenses with student loans, I was able to live there for 3 months. With an eagerness to do all that I could, and absolutely no social life, I was able to successfully take on a second role from Logistics Coordinator to Volunteer Coordinator.  From this internship I befriended a lot of amazing people within the industry and met a fierce learning curve gaining numerous new skills. HPX turned out to be the most amazing opportunity as it connected me to a whole other coast of music, tons of approachable east coast industry professionals and many job leads. As of next month I will begin my work with NXNE as Transport Coordinator.  I've also been invited back for a position with HPX next October.

      How to be successful in your internships

      1. Show up on time, work as if you're being paid and you are a necessary part of the team.
      2. Positivity and enthusiasm go along way. It's easy to let down your guard around your co-workers but try and remember your place if you can.
      3. Go the extra distance, offer helpful opinions, help out where needed. You will get noticed.
      4. Help other team members out when you have the time.
      5. Try and learn new skills that you can put on your resume in the future. Think of it as unpaid training for your next job. Beats taking night classes.


      About.com has a ton of blogs on the music industry that I follow. Here is one just on internships. Penny Loretto Internship Blog. Remember that even if an organization doesn't offer internships on their webpage, everyone loves free work. So offer your help in a brief cold email stating your expertise, enthusiasm, appreciation for their org and whether this is for school credit or not. Remember to keep it brief as these are busy professionals that don't always have time for surprise emails. Long-winded and unclear emails only do you a disservice. This recipe helped me a lot in my intern searches. It also helps to check out the staff list on their contact page and look them up on linked In or facebook. See if you have any mutual friends that can introduce you so you can get a better feel for the workplace and whether they are hiring.

      Hope this helps!
      K

      CMW Faves

      CMW was a whirlwind of both the talented and big business names. Here were five notable acts that I came to appreciate even more so.

      The Pack A.D.



      The Sheep Dogs


      Janelle Monae

      hollerado

      Bombay Bicycle Club



      Molly Rankin

      Volunteer Opportunities/ Networking events this month

      Welcome to Keener. This is just a quick update letting you know what volunteer opportunities are going on in the city this month. This week I'm stoked to be actively involved with Canadian Music Week, CMW website. With a film festival, award show and conference all surrounding the showcasing festival itself, this is quite a dynamic operation. It will be running this week from March 9-13th. The conference is a great place to meet a ton of leaders in the industry, so grab some business cards and try and come on out!

      The Junos are also coming up. While I tried to get involved, they had a mass amount of applicants this year.  Junofest is happening March 25 & 26th. For a list of all the Juno events click here.

      SYNTHESIS, a fundraising gala for the Queen West Art Crawl, is also happening March 25th.  There's still time to volunteer for this event and who knows it could lead to work with QWAC come September.

      For a full list of volunteer opportunities from the Toronto Arts Council click here. Better yet sign up for their newsletter on volunteer events here.


      Wednesday

      weekly top five

      1. Zeus- Marching Through Your Head
      This song will be marching through your head.


      2. The Coppertone- Nighttime Wishes
      This girl slays it. Definitely someone to watch.


      3. Austra- Beat and the Pulse
      Bruce Peninsula's Katie Stelmanis' new project. Accompanied by the eery and entrancing identical twins from Tasseomancy (formerly ghost bees). Their live show is a perfect mix of sexy magic.


      4. Brendan Canning- Love is new 
      I'm finally giving Brendan a little more ear play and I'm digging it.


      5. Castlemusic- Heaven
      Oldie but goodie, still my favourite song by her. Jennifer Castle you're dreamy like cat power without the drunken crazy talk.