The music biz is a tough racket.

But a brand new Music BC program is giving a huge leg up to some lucky rising stars.

Nicky MacKenzie | Photo credit: Music BC

Fifteen artists from around the province have been chosen for ARC — an intensive program to accelerate a musician’s creative, business, and technical world, and to help them establish a solid career in the industry.

“As a musician myself, I know how important a program like this can be in educating and providing networking opportunities that can help launch and sustain a music career,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. 

Among the 15 inaugural winners, two of Victoria’s own were picked for the program, which will run from late July to September.

One of the chosen artists is Victoria’s Nicky MacKenzie. Raised on Salt Spring Island, MacKenzie is a up-and-coming jazz-soul songstress who recently won the Canadian Songwriting Challenge. With R&B grooves of the likes of Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse, MacKenzie credit is climbing, but with ARC, her musical world just opened up. Big time.

“As soon as I read the email telling me I was accepted I just felt this surge of motivation,” MacKenzie tells VictoriaNow.

Nicky MacKenzie | Photo credit: Music BC
 
“This industry can be brutally competitive," she continues. “You have to be the biggest believer in yourself because there will always be people who try to tear you down. So when other people put their faith and belief in you, like music BC has done, it gives you that much more drive and faith in yourself.”

The Island’s other successful candidate is local art-pop group, Bridal Party. The quintet, which summons the studio precision and playfulness of Stereolab and Steely Dan, creates danceable recordings with offbeat, personal storytelling. The band has toured Canada and the States, and ARC will only enhance their momentum.

Bridal Party | Photo credit: Matts Schram

Music BC’s ARC program consists of three major elements that any young musician would clamour for. 

The Clinic portion consists of business and branding workshops with industry professionals. The Retreat section is a multi-day mentorship on the creative process of writing, recording, and performing live.

The third component of ARC is perhaps the most exciting for us music fans. The Show portion of the program will see all 15 artists perform live at Victoria’s renowned Rifflandia Festival this fall.

"We are thrilled to be hosting participants of this unique program in its first year," says Nick Blasko, President of Rifflandia Festival. 

Music BC is known as the voice of our province’s music industry, and advocates for every corner of the biz, from artists and agents to studios and festivals. ARC has been funded by the BC government for three years, so far.

“I’m incredibly excited for this program because there are so many crucial components to the music industry that developing artists aren’t given the opportunity to learn about,” says MacKenzie.

“I think this program will be perfect for me because it will fill in the cracks of the industry knowledge I haven’t learned yet. I also can’t wait to network with the other artists and learn from all the lovely people involved!”