Music Industry

SOCAN announced $2 million fund to help struggling Canadian musicians

SOCAN, Canada’s performing rights organization, is following in the footsteps of a few other similar organizations in other parts of the world in coming up with an emergency fund for its members during the coronavirus crisis.

From the press release:

The program is based on information gained from discussions with numerous SOCAN members. It is primarily aimed at SOCAN’s songwriters and screen composers whose ability to sustain their income has been compromised by the impact of the crisis on the music industry, especially on those whose concerts have been cancelled, or whose television and movie productions have been suspended. The interest-free advances will be considered based on each member’s most recent earnings history, urgency and need.

Each individual application will be considered on its own. SOCAN already provides royalty advances to thousands of deserving creator and publisher members every year as part of its commitment to nurturing the careers of Canada’s music creators. Domestic music publisher members are able to access support as well.

Members who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis and wish to apply for the program should contact SOCAN’s Membership team at 1-866-307-6226, or by email at [email protected]

Priority will be given to SOCAN members who are faced with a loss in live performance royalties or screen composers whose productions have been suspended.

The interest-free advance program will be followed by additional support initiatives that will be announced in due course as needs are better identified.

As one of the leaders in the Canadian music ecosystem, SOCAN is in proactive contact with all relevant levels of government to draw their attention to the need of music people and businesses to benefit from all general economic relief programs and to consider specific programs for music, as one of the highly impacted sectors. While SOCAN and others will do their parts, the crisis is on a scale that only governments can mitigate.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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