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NLIS 1 April 8, 2002 (Industry, Trade and Rural Development) Cultural trade mission opens door for two Newfoundland and Labrador music groups Music groups RASA and The Punters will perform at a prestigious music industry event in Boston later this week. Their participation in the Newfoundland and Labrador music showcase is a result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development�s cultural industries trade mission to Boston last November. The MOU was signed between the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MIANL) and NEMO, a Boston area music conference and showcase. "The participation of the groups in this event is a solid example of the value that these trade missions provide," said Kelvin Parsons, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. The cultural industries trade mission to Boston was part of the department�s ongoing New England Trade and Investment Initiative. Under the memorandum, RASA and The Punters will be featured in a "first of its kind" Newfoundland and Labrador showcase, scheduled for Friday, April 12. The two Newfoundland and Labrador groups will also be featured on a CD that will include selected acts from the showcase. This CD will be distributed to the 1,500 delegates, as well as a large number of industry professionals across the United States. In addition, NEMO will invite select music industry representatives to a special reception for the Newfoundland and Labrador music groups prior to the showcase. This is designed to ensure maximum exposure for these musicians to industry professionals. "This is an excellent opportunity for RASA. We've always known that New England was one of the best target markets for our product. It's also important that we maintain the relationships we established during the Boston Trade Mission in November," said Erin Best of RASA. "We believe that music is one of our province�s most valuable resources. We are proud to represent Newfoundland and Labrador on the international stage." Larry Foley of The Punters, said: "The Punters are primed to avail of this awesome opportunity afforded to us by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. The NEMO showcase will enable us to present our group and our sound to a wide variety of potential U.S. consumers, from festival buyers to college programmers. This is a golden opportunity for our music. NEMO is a great chance to follow up on the contacts made during the New England trade mission last November. Our previous experience in this market has taught us that our music will travel well in the U.S. and we look forward to representing Newfoundland and Labrador at NEMO this April." NEMO is an internationally renowned three-day music industry showcase and awards event held in Boston each year. It features the prestigious Boston Music Awards, two full days of panels, workshops, clinics and a trade show. Many internationally successful music acts have originated from NEMO, and as such, it is heavily attended by a wide variety of senior music industry officials from across the United States. This year, 3,000 musical acts applied for 200 showcase opportunities. MIANL is Newfoundland and Labrador�s music industry association. It has a mandate to address key issues affecting the Newfoundland and Labrador music industry, increase its awareness locally, nationally and internationally, and create and encourage opportunities which will stimulate growth of the industry. Its membership includes musicians, composers, recording studios, distributors, managers, agents and other related music industry companies. The Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development�s New England Trade and Investment Initiative has a mandate to stimulate export opportunities to and encourage new inbound investment from the New England states in ongoing efforts to create new jobs and wealth for Newfoundland and Labrador. Photo #1: RASA is one of two music groups that will perform at a Newfoundland and Labrador showcase during the Boston area music showcase and conference NEMO later this week. Photo #2: Newfoundland and Labrador music group The Punters will perform at a showcase on April 12, 2002 during NEMO, a Boston area music showcase and conference. The Punters will also be featured on a CD that will include selected acts from the showcase, including fellow Newfoundland and Labrador music group RASA. Media contact:
2002 04 08 4:00 p.m. |
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