Songwriting
with Chris Birkett

English | Français

 

About the Program

Hitmakerz, CD Baby, and Indie Week are happy to announce a new series of in-person songwriting workshops.

During this full-day program, participants receive guidance from award-winning instructor, Chris Birkett, and pair off with other aspiring and professional songwriters to create 3 new songs.

The songs are showcased for the entire group of participants and feedback will be presented. During the showcase, demos are recorded for each song and participants receive copies of the stem tracks – useful for immediate release, post-production, etc.

During the day, participants get to meet and co-write with some of Nunavut’s most promising, young artists, who will be staying in the building, working with the instructors to write and record their new albums. Songs may be written in multi-lingual situations (including French, Inuktitut, etc.), which will be just one of many other “creative challenges”.

Participants get tips and tricks from the Ottawa-based entertainment lawyer, Byron Pascoe of Edwards Creative Law, as well as the other industry professionals working in the studio compound.

Everyone will benefit from getting to know seasoned, award-winning songwriters, mixers, and producers, as well as other local songwriters, producers, and artists.

This intimate event will create amazing new music, friendships, and unforeseen opportunities for growth. Once the program is over, participants will also get access to an exclusive Facebook group with other songwriters.

Bonuses

  • FREE professionally-recorded demo tracks & stem audio files ($250 value)

  • FREE headshots/artist photos taken in our professional photo studio ($250 value)

  • FREE tickets to Music Pro Summit 2021, hosted by Indie Week ($60 value)

  • FREE PRO Single Release with CD Baby ($35 value)

  • FREE vocal assessment ($50 value)

  • FREE templates for Split Sheets, Producers Agreements, etc. ($100 value)

  • FREE mini-course on “How to Get Grants to Attend Workshops” ($350 value)

  • 10% discount on music production (for singles/albums, $250 value per track)

  • 20% discount on future Hitmakerz events ($50 value)

  • $20 discount on rental from Long & McQuade ($20 value)

  • FREE VIP Access & drinks at the next Hitmakerz event after-party ($35 value)

  • FREE giveaways & prizes (audio equipment, books, merchandise etc.)

(Total value = $1,400+)

Price

$248.00 General Admission
Prices do not include GST or payment processing fee.
** We offer a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. **

Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 (Labour Day) 👉 TICKETS
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 👉 Tickets currently unavailable

The deadline to apply is September 5, 2021.
Seating is limited and selections will be made on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Schedule

  • 7:00 AM | Program Opens, Breakfast, Meet & Greet

  • 9:00 AM | Welcome Presentation (30 min.)

  • 9:30 AM | Songwriting Session #1 (60 min.)

  • 10:30 AM | Break / Practice & Preparation (30 min.)

  • 11:00 AM | Song Presentation & Demo Recording (60 min.)

  • 12:00 PM | Lunch / Networking / Photoshoots (60 min.)

  • 1:00 PM | Songwriting Session #2 (60 min.)

  • 2:00 PM | Break / Practice & Preparation (30 min.)

  • 2:30 PM | Song Presentation & Demo Recording (60 min.)

  • 3:30 PM | Songwriting Session #3 (60 min.)

  • 4:30 PM | Break / Practice & Preparation (30 min.)

  • 5:00 PM | Song Presentation & Demo Recording (60 min.)

  • 6:00 PM | Closing Ceremony / Networking / Photoshoots (60 min.)

  • 7:00 PM | Program Closes

Housekeeping Items

  • The event will be hosted in Ottawa. The address – which will be sent to participants ahead of the event – is easily accessible by public transportation and has ample parking space available.

  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks.

  • Attendees should bring their own instruments, as well as something to write with (paper/pen, iPad, etc.).

  • All attendees must have at least 2 years of songwriting experience.

  • All participants must agree to abide by the workshop rules, available here

  • The instruction will be in English, French, and/or Inuktitut.

  • Due to the ongoing pandemic, all participants must be able to provide proof of both Covid-19 vaccinations 2 weeks prior to the event.

Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 (Labour Day) 👉 TICKETS
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 👉 Tickets currently unavailable

The deadline to apply is September 5, 2021.
Seating is limited and selections will be made on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Instructor Bios

Chris Birkett
(Sinead O’Connor, Buffy St. Marie, Quincy Jones, Sting, etc.)

Chris Birkett is an English/Canadian producer, songwriter, composer, and sound engineer based in Toronto, Canada. His musical collaborations include international megastars like Led Zeppelin, Sinead O’Connor, Sting, Quincy Jones, Buffy Saint Marie, and the list goes on! His albums have sold over 100 million copies, and his work has won him multiple Grammy Awards, Junos, and Canada’s top musical honour, the Polaris Prize. He’s worked extensively with Buffy St. Marie and many other Indigenous artists, including the new album for our very own Angela Amarualik. To learn more, go to https://chrisbirkettmusic.ca/

Thor Simonsen
(Kelly Fraser, Aasiva, Joey Nowyuk, etc.)

Thor Simonsen is a Danish-Canadian artist and entrepreneur. Originally from the Faroe Islands (Denmark), Thor spent his childhood and teenage years in Iqaluit, Nunavut, before completing his BA in Interactive Design from the Danish School of Media in Copenhagen. An accomplished artist and music producer, Thor has released two solo albums and produced many more for other artists, including Aasiva, Angela Amarualik, Ajungi, Joey Nowyuk, Shauna Seeteenak, the late Kelly Fraser, and many others. His music has won (and been nominated for) many awards, including Juno Awards, Planet Awards, and Indigenous Music Awards. In 2016, Thor created Hitmakerz, a social enterprise and record label with a mission to help create sustainable careers in the arts for Nunavummiut. To learn more, go to https://thorsimonsen.com/

Click here to see the rest of the Team.

Can’t make the event? Join our email list for all future events 👉 http://eepurl.com/hB3gaD

Official Partners

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!

Hitmakerz (9806415 Canada Inc.)
Address: 4002 Anuri Street, PO Box 2184, Iqaluit NU X0A0H0 / 555 Brittany Drive, Ottawa, ON K1K4C5
Email: info@hitmakerz.com
Phone: (867) 222-8416