From Far and Wide: Episode One

A great new series about indie rock in Canada.  Take the time to watch this.

Comments

[Acdoyle]

Doesnt get a whole lot more exploitive than that.

[anon.]

how is this exploitive? that seems disrespectful to those artists? were they dragged there? maybe. but looks indie to me.

[Teeder]

The real question is: who's funding this initiative?

[Barker]

It seems more like a discussion than exploitive.

[popejonpaul]

This looks amazing.

[Josh Braiden]

The show isn’t exploitive at all, in my opinion. From Far and Wide is comprised of a group of established and connected people who are looking to work as a collective with a band and build a label around that band. All the artists that appear on the show are there voluntarily and are eager to obtain the grand prize: a fully produced EP which includes the studio time, production, mixing, mastering and physical/digital albums (not to mention a music video for each track). The project is funded by TARA and Chalet Studios (links at the bottom and can be found on the FFAW site), not to mention the hard work put in by their entire team.

FFAW is about supporting original Canadian content and it seems to be coming from a place that is overwhelmingly positive. While there are critiques for each group, they are not told to “disband” or that their music isn’t good enough. The show features 16 out of over 800 bands that submitted material (and based on the first episode, still manages to contain diverse musical content). Due to the untelevised selection process, there will be no laughs at the expense of the humiliation/embarrassment of people who were either overconfident and under talented or who were just able to muster up the bravery to try something new and uncomfortable (i.e. American Idol).

Perhaps I’m too close to it all. I was fortunate enough to be in 1 of the 16 bands that participated in the show (we will be appearing in the next episode). However, from my experience on the set and in every piece of correspondence I’ve had with those involved, I have received nothing but grace, positivity and a willingness to help. Give it a chance and spread the word – Canada and the world need more things like this.

Sponsers:
http://tara.ca/toronto/
http://www.chalet.com/

[Josh Braiden]

....dammit... I meant, "Sponsors"

[Panda]

This is Panda the creator of the show. Im really really happy that people are asking important questions here. Questions we could never anticipate. We are going to put a little blurb before every episode that explains that we are independent and that this is a passion project of the purest intent. Who's backing this? People's time. My time. Renee's time. Sean's time. Mark's time. Don, katy, Chalet, TARA, all the bands, all the assistants... everyone has given so much of themselves to be part of a collective that strives for something real. And this is very real. That I assure you. And we intend to grow with substance and a continued idealistic and open mind.

Again.. thank you so much for asking these important questions and feel free to email me anytime if you have any more.. or comments, critiques.. we are very open minded.
Peace,
Panda.