Music FestivalInfo For Artists Application
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED > Thanks for applying.
INFO FOR ARTISTS & APPLICATION
The applications to showcase are now being accepted. Halifax Pop Explosion books headlining acts and then creates showcasing opportunities for bands to open for them. We usually get 300-700 applications a year, but we actually have a guy who’s job it is to listen to every single one.
There are two ways to apply:
SONICBIDS – This is the easy way of applying: via our partner Sonicbids. We really appreciate the ease of use that Sonicbids offers, and since about half our applications are xpressposted or couriered in the last three days, most of you spend as much or more sending us physical applications than we collect from Sonicbids!
PHYSICAL APPLICATION - we do take apps by mail/courier/freight. We need a CD or CDR. Do not send DVDs or VHS or CD Video. Another thing that artists should note is that EVERY YEAR about 10-20 artists send packages with NO CONTACT INFO. If you want to play, give us a way to contact you. YOU MUST FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM TO BE CONSIDERED. There is no fee for mailing an application, just the mailing cost.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JULY 20, 2009.
**take advantage of our early pricing deadline, april 27th, through SONICBIDS**
**early INTERNATIONAL deadline is april 27, all INTERNATIONAL applicants who submit before this date will be notified by may 11th** SHOWCASE GUIDELINES
Whether you apply via Sonicbids or via snail mail, the same process will be applied. A significant number of performers at the Halifax Pop Explosion are chosen through an application process. The following is a guide to how those showcase acts are chosen by the selection committee. Keep in mind that we are flexible on certain things, as long as communication between the artist and Festival organizers is consistent.
The Selection Committee is usually comprised of one or two local artists, one or two local media folk, a representative from the Board of the Halifax Pop Explosion Association, and the Talent Director. The jury is different people every year. If the Festival has rejected you in the past, keep in mind that this year, new ears will hear your music. If you are rejected many years in a row, keep in mind that means dozens of different people have rejected you…. draw your own conclusions.
Criteria
* Artist should have released a recording that is available to the general public and/or
* Artist should be touring in support of this release, or seriously preparing to do so.
* Artist should submit the proper material for consideration (we will not listen to tapes, vinyl, DATs, VHS videos or any of the other weird things we get sent to us).
* The artists music should be consistent with the HPX programming, so look at who has played in the past!
* Artist should not have played HPX the previous year.
Selection Committee’s Role:
Selection by the committee does not guarantee a spot at HPX. Ultimately, we need to be able to fit the act into our programming. Our schedule is made very carefully in order to maximize the potential of each show. We do not just stick a bunch of showcasing bands in some bar 10 km outside of downtown. We do not put a PA in a dance club and have you play there at 6:30 pm just as the dinner crowd is leaving. We do not book bands to play at a main stage the moment doors open at 8:30 when the headliner goes on at 1am. With all this said, 99% of bands selected by the jury in 2004 and about 90% in 2006 & 2007 & 2008 got placed in the Festival.
Don’t Be That Guy:
A good way to never play HPX is to swear/whine/berate/etc us in e-mails or on message boards. The people involved in HPX do so for the love of music, and don’t need that balanced by hate. We read all the message boards… we too are music fans.
Territorial Exclusions:
A key component to the Halifax Pop Explosion is that we showcase a lot of talent that would otherwise not come here and we have formalized a territorial exclusion clause. WE ARE VERY FLEXIBLE ABOUT THIS AS LONG AS YOU TALK TO US BEFORE DOING THINGS. The following is only a guide. If there are any problems talk to us! PLAYING NON-HPX SHOWS DURING THESE TIME PERIODS WILL ENSURE YOUR SHOWCASE IS CANCELLED.
* Local (Halifax and area) artists should not play any shows in Halifax (metro) two weeks prior or one week following HPX.
* Artists from Atlantic Canada should not play Halifax (metro) one month prior or two weeks following HPX.
* Artists from outside Atlantic Canada should not play Halifax (metro) 6 months prior or 6 weeks following HPX.
Please consult us if there are any problems, we are very reasonable people!
*ALL MATERIALS SUBMITTED TO THE HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION WILL NOT BE RETURNED* |
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