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CDR Toronto- Local Music Series – June 16 2016-Part 2 (cdr-projects.com)

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CDR (Create, Define, Release) – The night of ideas and tracks in the making at 805 Studio

CDR Cover Banner June 2016

I decided to re-cap the first CDR event of 2016. CDR thrives on genre differences and a lot of that was played a few weeks ago.  Musical differences are what CDR is all about.

The idea is for all participants to hear other sounds and maybe connect each other to the musicality of sound. CDR speaks to collaboration. The last session has seen a steady progression in participants reaching out mostly on the night of the event. Gavin mentioned that it was great to see extra layers of music people coming out of the word works.

‘We’re starting to see a bit of an organic development. There were a larger number of listeners. People are bringing in gangs of friends who are also interested in making music….It’s a discovery for everyone’

Some of the submissions are spontaneous and most were last minute. Gavin and Ramon specifically sent a shout out to Peter Delorum from Kingston, Ontario. He submitted a wikked track ‘Iliad’. He drove from Kingston, Ontario! CDR Toronto had an amazing Akai software giveaway. (Just one of the few reasons why it’s a great place to be!) The reason is to empower good production people and increase the potential to make great music!

The Dego event in April really helped CDR expand their reach! One of two mandates is to promote CDR artists at other clubs/events followed by the other to create a visual understanding of other artists’ creative process.

CDR continues to focus on supporting local Toronto/Canadian-based artists. Gavin believes that Canadians are poor at self promotion. Events like these are a great way to get your musical projects out there. Ramon shouts out DJ Gareth (Snafu 76) who is always ready and attended all 3 CDRs and as always the team is excited to see more new faces.  Special thanks to Elizabeth Da Costa for allowing CDR to run events at her community arts building! (805 Studio) It’s an amazing space which personifies CDR-be sure to check out the next event on June 16th! Have your submissions ready!

 

805 Studio, CDR Toronto, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, Movers & Shakers, Music, promoters, Toronto

CDR Toronto- Local Music Series – April 21st 2016-Part 1 (cdr-projects.com)

theshineprjct

Apr 2016

Calling all production people, bedroom and garage studio peeps, shower singers- CDR is reaching out to all of ya’ll! First London, then Berlin-followed by Sydney and now Toronto! Why Toronto? You know what I’ll say: Canada’s got talent with inner Toronto and surrounding areas being an explosive hub.

I originally wanted a cipher-like roundtable discussion with all 4 members/creators/collaborators on this project but with busy schedules I was able to pin down Gavin Alexander and Ramon Charles. We talked about CDR Toronto-(A head space to deliver unfinished works) and we pondered on its momentum and how they have created a hub for local talent to showcase their music ideas, production and creativity.

This is why CDR is so special>>>>>>>‘audiences at CDR have been treated to pre-pre-release plays of songs’ and underground heads love this stuff! If you missed last year’s sessions you won’t wanna miss the first CDR of 2016.

Let me introduce to CDR Toronto team of talented collaborators:

Gavin Alexander (CDR HQ) Experienced Producer of both Music and Multi-media events as well as TV & Film production and co-collaborator of CDR HQ London

Janine Wright (The Flower and the Bird) A Toronto-based jazz, blues singer and composer also part of The Flower and the Bird a soul jazz quartet new on the Toronto scene!

Koray Özel (istolethesoul) Label Manager at @istolethesoul. A self-described “music enthusiast who loves to share new discoveries with like-minded people”, Koray Özel aspires to curate beautiful and meaningful releases with talented artists from around the world!

Ramon Charles (BLK BETA) A Producer/Writer/Editor at Bell Media’s Creative Agency and juggling Freelance Editing and Motion Graphics work in his free time

Describe how you see Toronto culturally, musically and artistically? Gavin and Ramon both believe that Toronto is rich (multi-perspective), seasonal (Spring’s here!) and Diverse (multicultural).

Gavin: Cultural projects have so much promise and opportunities in Toronto, in London there are always people in the way

Ramon: Population is lower here, the influx of people to the city’s core adds a bit of spontaneity

What about THIS city? A city’s culture can thrive if artists can afford to live in the city. (Gavin)

With more people, there are more ideas, more collaborative project and of course more creativity. (Ramon)

Musically, Toronto is at its APEX (Gavin)

Why bring a showcase like CDR? Why choose Toronto?

Gavin: ‘WelI…. live here now, Ramon inspired me to get this started in Toronto…It’s an amazing place for music, I love grassroots events, I like to find new music early, It’s a big city but a small world, A lot of people know of each other but they don’t connect, All genres stay separate, I want to use CDR to create a different vibe!

Ramon: I’ve seen the transitions here in Toronto…. We’ve got new options but also people/scenes are going introspective….the bottle service thing is one way but we’re looking to add a little more substance. Toronto is an artful place, CDR is great for creating works and it’s actually quite fresh/new!

Gavin: Toronto is kind of getting a sense of self-awareness and confidence. There’s always been an existential message/identity of firmly planting it in anything done here that we’re Canadian!

Ramon: There’s a surprise by artists/Torontonians that their music is good. Artists are not used to the attention. Toronto is a place where different styles can live. The music reflects the multiculturalism of the city.

Participants have increased, the growth is organic. People love CDR’s concept, people are also curious. Established artists have shown up, but there’s more room to grow. If you can’t make it now they’ll get you at the next one. Gavin believes that if something is genuine and you bring in a genuine vibe, the ripple effect goes on from there….Ramon adds ‘We want CDR to last, it’s a community thing. We don’t expect it to happen overnight”

‘It’s like shining a light on ourselves creatively instead of around us-to make CDR sustainable. It’s a key component to what we can do continue this for the next generation’

The first installment of CDR Toronto (Create, Define, Release) takes place this Thursday April 21st, 2016 at 805 Studio, 805 Dovercourt Rd at 9pm! All genres welcome, music enthusiasts are also VERY welcome!

CDR HQ Twitter: CDR Headquarters 

CDR Toronto Event/Facebook: CDR Events page

CDR Toronto Instagram: @CDRTORONTO

Event Venue:http://www.the805studio.com/