Saturday, September 29th

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Capital Rehearsal Studios

250 City Centre Ave, Unit #202

The Independent Music Business Series is a monthly free seminar and lecture series aiming to enrich the knowledge and expertise of artists, musicians and music service providers in the National Capital region. This month, join us for a session on PR for the Independent Artist with Kevin Bourne.

Kevin Bourne is the CEO of SHIFTER Agency, a PR and marketing agency based here in Ottawa. When he's not keeping up with the Kardashians, he's being published in or featured on leading media outlets including CBC Radio, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Business Journal, Apt613, and on shiftermagazine.com where he serves as editor and columnist. Born and raised in the 6, Kevin currently resides in Ottawa with his wife Koliah and their three children. We asked Kevin some questions to get to know him a little better:

1. What is your favourite Ottawa music memory?

I'm originally from "The 6" so I don't have any childhood or teenage memories, but I'd say covering Bluesfest 2015. It was my first Bluesfest ever, whether as a fan or as media. I got to be in the photographer pit for Chance the Rapper. I also got to shoot the Nas show and attend Kanye West. I was spoiled to have that be my first Bluesfest experience ever.

2. If you could spend a day with anyone in music, who would it be and what would you do?

I actually thought about this this past weekend. Hands down it would be Jay-Z. I respect him as an artist (he's one of my favourite rappers of all time), but I'd love to pick his brain as an entertainment entrepreneur. I'd love to get some business advice from him, especially when it comes to the music biz. We'd probably just hang out at his house and eat some food. Maybe we'd go for a drive at some point and continue chatting.

3. What is the most rewarding thing about doing the work that you do?

The most rewarding part is having the ability to help talented people that deserve to be recognized to actually get recognized. Everything we do is about that- the content, the PR and marketing services, the playlist. Our tag line is, "We notice you and get you noticed". I love allowing an artist to hear their song on the radio for the first time. I love introducing someone to an artist and have them say, "Wow. That person's from Ottawa?" We started SHIFTER, both the online magazine and agency, because we saw so many talented people around us who weren't being seen so any time we do that it's rewarding.

4. Who is your favourite person to follow on social media and why?

I follow a lot of people, but I don't engage much with anyone particular person's content. I'm a big YouTube guy. But if I had to pick someone on social media I'd say Belly and The Weeknd's manager Cash. He's not my absolute favourite person to follow, but it's inspirational to see an Ottawa guy excelling at the highest level.

29.09.19 Indie Music Biz: PR for Artists with Kevin Bourne