Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Music Nova Scotia’s Battle of the Bands: HMV Next Big Thing Music Nova Scotia is pleased to announce Jim Benner, Head of Special Events for one of the UK’s leading music businesses, MAMA Group, will be attending Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week. MAMA Group operates a number of leading UK venues through its Mean Fiddler Group joint venture with HMV PlC. Through a partnership forged during export missions to the UK, Music Nova Scotia has been able to negotiate a showcasing opportunity on one of MAMA Groups leading festivals, HMV Next Big Thing. HMV Next Big Thing is an exciting new music festival being staged and promoted by HMV and live music partner MAMA Festivals across five London venues in February 2011. The London-based event showcases over 60 artists representing the best new talent from the UK, Ireland and around the world through an annual, multi-venue festival. HMV Next Big Thing supports different music genres, ranging from Indie and Rock to Folk, Jazz and from Pop and Electronica to Hip Hop and Grime. Music Nova Scotia is calling all eligible bands to submit to Music Nova Scotia‘s Battle to HMV Next Big Thing. Preliminary rounds will take place at the Seahorse Tavern every Tuesday in September for Music Nova Scotia's New Music Tuesdays, with one round in Cape Breton on Thursday, September 23. The final battle will take place as a showcase in Yarmouth during Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music week, where one winner, selected by Jim Benner, will represent Music Nova Scotia on one of the UK stages during HMV Next Big Thing in February, 2011. Submit online at www.musicnovascotia.ca/hmvbattle. Deadline to submit: August 6, 2010 by 5:00pm. This opportunity is available for Music Nova Scotia members only. There is no fee to apply. Submission criteria: While we encourage everyone to apply, due to the export nature of this initiative, consideration will only be given to artists that fit within the programming of past HMV Next Big Thing stages and meet the following criteria:   • 1 recording released within the past two years or upcoming recording within the next 3 months. • Strong professional history - regional touring/show experience, regular performance locally, critical reviews, industry buzz, online presence (eg: MySpace views/hits/plays). • Independent or established team/infrastructure. • Artists will be judged based on the music uploaded to their www.musicnovascotia.ca profile and www.myspace.com profile so make sure it's best foot forward and your tour dates and audio files are current and updated. • Submissions are to include a brief description (150 words or less) on how the band/artist would capitalize on a showcase opportunity at The HMV Next Big Thing festival. • All applicants must have an updated www.musicnovascotia.ca member profile to meet eligibility criteria. If you do not have your username and password to log into the website please either use the Forgot Password button on the website or email info@musicnovascotia.ca and it will be emailed to you. When you are filling out your profile online, choose a category in the "Change Category" field. This will ensure that you are listed in the directory. – 30 – For any questions about the Music Nova Scotia Battle of the Bands: HMV Next Big Thing please contact: Dwayne Ellis Project Coordinator - IT & Events Music Nova Scotia 902-423-6271 ext 110 dwayne@musicnovascotia.ca About Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW): Now in its 14th year, Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week brings together the music industry and the public for four jam-packed days of performances, music industry conference, international and domestic buyers programs, and the gala awards show. Music Nova Scotia is proud to present Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week 2010. The event will be held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia from November 4-7, 2010. For more information, go to www.musicnovascotia.ca/nsmw Funding Partners Nova Scotia Department of Tourism Culture and Heritage | FACTOR | SOCAN Foundation | The Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission | Nova Scotia Come to Life   Corporate Partners Molson Canadian | MBS Radio | Z103.5 FM Radio | The Yarmouth Vanguard | The Rodd Grand Yarmouth and Rodd Colony Hotels | CJLS Radio | Sound Systems Plus | Christie Lites | St. Cecilia Studios | Thistle Hyundai   Accommodation Delegates are encouraged to book their accommodations early!  The Rodd Grand and Rodd Colony, our host hotels, are offering discounted rates when a delegate pass is shown at checkout.  While there are more accommodations in Yarmouth County, these locations will be filled with delegates and will be on our weekend-long free shuttle route.  For more information about accommodation, see http://www.musicnovascotia.ca/nsmw-accommodations How to Purchase Tickets All tickets and delegate passes will be sold through: www.ticketpro.ca 1-888-311-9090 In person at any Ticketpro outlet - http://ww3.ticketpro.ca/pos.php Delegate passes and tickets will be also be available for purchase during the conference at the Nova Scotia Music Week registration desk located at the Rodd Grand Hotel Conference Delegate Pass - Price $75.00 (HST included, Ticketpro service charges not included) Benefits - Access to all showcasing venues subject to capacity. This does not include access to Songs and Stories, Music and Industry Awards Brunch, Gala Awards Show and Music Nova Scotia presents Wintersleep. For further information, please contact: Laura Simpson Communications and Membership Coordinator Music Nova Scotia (902) 423-6271 ext #2 (902) 423-8841 Fax 1-888-343-6426 Toll Free GMT -4 302-5516 Spring Garden Road Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 1G6 laura@musicnovascotia.ca www.musicnovascotia.ca