OIART Guest Lecturer nominated for Best Recording Engineer at Juno's
What does a Juno nominated engineer have to say about recording one of Canada's coolest female artists? OIART students get a taste when Vic Florencia comes to speak during OIART's guest lecture series. Vic has recently been nominated for his work on Esthero's “Everyday is a Holiday” & “Melancholy Melody” from the Wikked Lil Grrrrls album. He has also been responsible for engineering songs on the albums of artists such as Bedouin Soundclash (nominated for Best Single), Nelly Furtado, Danko Jones & Kinnie Starr. Best of luck at the Junos Vic!

OIART at the ECMA Awards
For yet another year, OIART sponsored the East Coast Music Association's Industry Award for Technician/ Engineer of the Year. OIART Alumni Mark Neary (2000) and Mike Shepherd (1997-98) took home an award each. Mark's band, The Novaks, who have also been nominated for Best Band in CMW's Indie Awards, won CBC's Rising Star award & Lakewind Sound Studios, where Mike works as Head Engineer, won Studio of the Year for the 6th time consecutively! Lakewind has recorded almost every famous East Coast artist from Rita MacNeil to Gordie Sampson. OIART would like to congratulate all of the nomniees and winners and wish them all good luck for next year.

Grads in the Spotlight: Sound for Lord of the Rings in Toronto
Putting on a grandiose theatre production like The Lord of the Rings requires the attention and professionalism of every person involved. So it is a huge credit to the talents of OIART grad Craig Kadoke (1990-91) to be included in that team. For the past 10 years, Craig has been working on the sound teams of various live theatre performances in Toronto including Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and now The Lord of the Rings. Craig has also established his own recording company, True Sound, specializing in recording 'acoustic events', True Sound Recording works with artists in capturing performances in locations that compliment the music and inspire the performers.

Independent Hip Hop with Pete Rock
OIART grad Rob Bakker (2003-04) has been extremely busy and successful as of late. Rob recently completed his first music video for his Pete Rock produced single “Imagine That”, established Lamplight records, and has just returned from a tour in Japan. Rob is currently working on his sophomore solo project "Status Symbol", and his debut production compilation "Monsters" featuring a number of artists rapping and singing over Rob's productions and arrangements. Check out the worldwide release of Imagine That when it premieres on Much Music.

Steve Albini at Sundae Sound
Artist, Engineer and Producer Steve Albini recently worked with OIART Alumni Dave Alcock (1994-95) and Alan Irving (2002-03) at Dave's Sundae Sound Studios in Calgary Alberta. Steve is one of North America's most influential producers working with such big names as Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and Helmet. Al had this to say of the sessions: “The whole experience watching him engineer was mind blowing.”