2021/22 Program

With the support of ACOA and Innovation PEI, Music PEI is very happy to announce that the 2020/21 round of the Taking Care of Business Program (TCOB) will be resuming this fall. TCOB was designed to assist Music PEI members to further develop their careers with a particular focus on the ability to create multiple revenue streams, develop or improve best practice business management skills and increase business opportunities.

Program Delivery

John MacPhee of MacPhee Artist Services delivers the program. John has had over a decade of experience as a member of internationally touring artist Paper Lions in a hands-on capacity involved in all aspects of his band’s career and in recent years has acted as a consultant and advisor for countless artists. John brings a wealth of knowledge and sound business skills to the program.

Past participants have had very positive results:
The Taking Care of Business program helped me get a better understanding of the fundamentals of the music industry, and made me aware of so many revenue streams I was unaware of before. It taught me some key components to having a successful career in the industry, such as grant writing, releasing music, and a lot of very valuable things on budgeting and finances. This program made connections for me that are invaluable and will help me in the steps of furthering my career. It brought $1000 in grants, and almost $2000 in funds for my upcoming album. I now have a finished and completed marketing plan and business plan all thanks to this program. These are key things that I was unaware of.
Logan Richard

I believe the Taking Care Of Business program is of great value to Music PEI artists. A number of projects John and I developed together have a lot of potential. The program was really great in terms of making my business more organized, and the industry member introductions were very much appreciated. I would be very happy to work with John in a further capacity in the future—he is a consummate professional, has a wealth of knowledge regarding the music industry, and has a clear passion for helping in bettering the careers of the artists he works with.

Andrew Waite

The Taking Care of Business Program was a massive help to my music career. John’s knowledge of the industry was integral to moving my career forward. Working together every week was really inspiring and definitely kept the momentum going in terms of being on top of the tasks at hand. It was really helpful to have the goals and timelines set in place in the beginning and the outcomes were better than I had hoped for. I am so glad I was part of Music PEI’s Taking Care of Business Program.

Kinley Downling

Areas of Focus

#1: Registering Music Catalogue

The first is a process of Registering Music Catalogue of each participant’s music with five major Performance Rights Organisations (PRO) for royalties. They are:

  • SOCAN
  • MROC
  • CMRRA
  • AVLA
  • Sound Exchange

#2: Best Practice Business

The second component, Best Practice Business, is designed to help professionalise the business of the artist. And includes (if required):

  1. Legal registration of business entity
  2. Distribution of entire artist catalogue via major online distributors
  3. Launch of personalized artist portal**
  4. Launch of online merchandise store
  5. Launch (or review) of FACTOR artist profile

* Artist portal is an online library, cataloguing all pertinent information including legal, financial, master rights, lyrics, master recordings (key for licensing), administrative, tour information and more.

#3: Marketing & Promotions

The third component will assist in the Marketing and Promotions approach of the artist and includes registration (or review) on the following social media platforms:

  • CBC Music
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

#4: Music Business Course

The 4th component includes completion of ‘MacPhee Artist Services Music Business Course’; Four 6-hour courses covering topics including:

  • Music business administration
  • Touring, tour accounting and tour management
  • Songwriting
  • Album production
  • Label marketing
  • Receipt filing and bookkeeping
  • Grant writing
  • Social media best practices,
  • Healthy artist/group dynamics including equality, encouragement and respect.

#5: Recording 101

Recording 101 (a.k.a. Home Studio For Millennial Dummies): A series of solo and group sessions on home studio recording will be led by Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions, Sorrey, Hill Sound Studio). Topics to be covered will include:

  • Home Studio Setup
  • Recording 101 (software)
  • Recording 101 (hardware)
  • Editing
  • Mixing
  • Compression
  • EQ
  • Saturation/Distortion
  • Reverb/Delay
  • Critical listening and more

#6: Synchronization 101

Synchronization 101: A series of group sessions on synchronization and music publishing will be led by Kinley Dowling (KINLEY, Hey Rosetta!). Topics to be covered will include:

  • What to do before the production and what to leave the studio with (studio files, contracts signed, etc.).
  • Co-writer, artist, co-publisher’s paperwork to use before the track is released.
  • Metadata (the most important tool in getting your music pitched – the way to format the information about the song embedded within the mp3’s of your songs).
  • DISCO – the new way to send your music to music supervisors. Learn what the platform is and how to use it.
  • How to pitch your song and make sure music supervisors remember you.

Program Costs

The cost of the program for each participant is $4,000 with 90% being subsidised by ACOA and Innovation PEI. The participants are required to contribute 10% ($400) and must be able to complete the program within six months. The immediate return from increased royalties alone should cover the artist’s investment.

Info & Submissions

TCOB submissions for 2021/22 will open in the fall.

For additional information please contact:

Steve Love, Program Officer
[email protected]

Eligibility Criteria

Six successful applicants must meet the following Eligibility Criteria:

  1. This program is open to solo artists or bands.
  2. Applicants must be permanent residents of PEI:
    1. Permanent address on Prince Edward Island for at least 6 months.
    2. File income taxes with the PEI government.
    3. If a band, 50% of the members must be residents of PEI.
  3. Artists must have had one previous release (single or album).
  4. All submissions are accepted but priority will be given to those artists who are either currently exporting or export ready.
  5. If you are selected, you will be required to be a Music PEI member.
  6. Decisions will be made by a jury of music industry professionals.

Successful applicants must meet the Exporting or Export Ready criteria as set by Music PEI. Adjudication scoring is also detailed in this document. Applicants must be current Music PEI members and residents of PEI.