During these winter months, it can be hard to think about summer plans. But we’re already planning for NXNE 2011! Just thinking about five days and nights of music should be enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. And with the submission deadline right around the corner (Jan. 31!), we wanted to give you another reason to make those summer plans now. We recently chatted with Glen Erickson (guitar) of The Wheat Pool, who played at NXNE 2010, and he gave us the scoop on why artists should make room for this festival in the schedule
Why did you submit to NXNE 2010?
We hadn't played NXNE before and figured it was time. We had heard good things.
What did you do to prepare for the festival?
Being a western Canadian band we always feel we have to do extra work to make the most of these trips. So we hit up all our fans first. We then followed up with press and college radio we had interacted with on previous tours and set up interviews. Then we listed industry people we wanted to invite to the show, and ones we wanted to meet with and talk to personally, and started sending out invitations.
Tell us a bit about your festival experience.
Best festival experience yet. The program director was really good to us. We came as part of one invited showcase and ended up playing three times. He was really accessible and cool to work with. Our sponsored showcase was an incredible night at the Dakota. The audience energy at so many of the venues and on street was great. We saw a lot of friends play great shows too. It was a real great community time. We feel really at home in Toronto now. NXNE seemed much lighter on the ‘conference' side and stronger on the festival side. More about seeing shows than talking about them, which suited us fine.
Did you meet any influential people there? How has NXNE influenced your career?
It was another festival in many ways, since as a band you can't put too much expectation into these things. But we know it was above the grade. We met some great people, a few we have kept the relationship up and might have some influence in the future. We met a lot of fans and worked hard to make our presence felt. I guess it influenced us that way - reminded us that working hard and being prepared pays off when you are in the right place at the right time.
Can you give other artists submitting to NXNE some advice?
Have your stuff together and be ready to give all of yourself to it. Maybe its because we are coming from across the country, but we when we land in Toronto we are 100% committed to the festival from start to finish. Be "on" the whole time, and be a good person, because if you make the effort to meet people and talk business and go see other bands and meet them and meet fans - its the right environment to make things happen.
Don’t forget to get your submissions in by Jan. 31st, and we’ll see you at the show!