Casablanca Media

It’s February so it must be time for longing glances over flickering candlelight, beautiful flowers, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and most of all love songs. We’ve got the language of love to set the mood for romance.  

It’s been another fun week at the Casablanca Media headquarters. During our royalty deadline crunch, there was the great Chai Tea debate. The only clear winner was Starbucks as we do love some ‘tea’ tea.

Our Creative Manager and resident shark expert, Amy escaped on vacation for a couple days. She’ll be at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference next week. If you see her there, hit her up for some music! 

Jaylene Johnson and Tupelo Honey are in Whitehorse, Yukon at BreakOut West. (Have you voted for “Can’t Stop” in The Journal’s hockey anthem contest?)

Our writers are busy making magic in the studio including Brandon Chandler, in Los Angeles and Charles F., in Montreal. 

We can’t stop listening to Bombay Bicycle Club. Their new album A Different Kind of Fix is on repeat while we are lost in a caffeinated swirl of numbers.

As a true Canadian, we are known for loving beer, rock music and hockey. When you put those things together that is pretty much perfection!

Edmonton is looking for a new theme song and we think the anthemic rock of Tupelo Honey would get the crowd into a frenzy! For the next week you can listen to their song “Can’t Stop” and cast your vote over here. 

Tupelo Honey was in Toronto playing Indie Week. Pictured above is the band with Casablanca Media’s, Dondrea Erauw and Amy Eligh.

Portland duo, Josh and Mer, mix indie pop with electronic sensibility. Their silvery harmonies and exquisite melodies are entrancing. From the lead song “From The Sea” which instantly captivates, to the groove heavy beats of “Mind Control,” all the way to the final enchanting ballad in “Skeleton Key,” Planet Music delivers spellbound charm.

It’s now available on iTunes.

Planet Music by Josh and Mer

Photo by Erik Simkins

Lizz Hunt joined Casablanca Media Publishing in May 2009 and so began an era of Lizzisms.

She enthusiastically approached her job as our newest Publishing Coordinator. In between doing numerous song registrations and a sea of royalties, Lizz made sure that the office was caffeinated with endless pots of strong coffee. She embraced our addiction with such passion that she eventually gave herself caffeine poisoning and now she has to avoid caffeine. Truly. I can’t even imagine.

At all our boardroom gatherings we could always count on her for a cheerful “Yay!” Lizz became known for season pushing. Often she’d be pining for Christmas in July. She introduced theme days to our office. Some of the themes included penny candy, nautical and specials names for each day of the week. An office favourite was ‘Freeday’ accompanied with music by Aretha Franklin.

When Amy Eligh went on maternity leave, Lizz moved over to the creative department. She became our Creative Services and Licensing person. Last week I asked her to put together a list of her ten favourite songs that are represented by Casablanca Media Publishing. She posted them on Twitter and in case you missed it earlier here they are again. (With links to YouTube so that you can listen to Lizz’s favourites!)

10. “Every Orchid Offering” – Andrew Keoghan

9. “Trap The Mouse” – Winter Gloves  

8. “I Missed Again” – Phil Collins

7. “Easy To Love” – The Jezabels

6. “Day-O” – Harry Belafonte 

5. “Know Better, Learn Faster” – Thao & The Get Down Stay Downs

4. “Beggars” – Bombay Bicycle Club  

3. “Oh, Me” – Nirvana  

2. “Delta Lady” – Joe Cocker 

1. “Hey Joe” – Jimi Hendrix 

P.S. We miss you Lizz. Is it summer yet!?!

I feel like the last week flew by. Careful, meticulous planning. Giddy excitement. New friends, old friends. Friends.

I had the great privilege to spend the last few days with co-workers and writers to capture some new found music in honour of Ed.

Sadly, last May, Ed Glinert, Casablanca Media Publishing’s founder and President, unexpectedly passed. We wanted to honour Ed, so we decided to get a group of spectacular writers together to write, with the hopes of releasing a digital album whose proceeds would go to The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

And from there, it took off. The three of us began to work together… and fast. We contacted writers, found a cottage, booked some flights and waited for the day it would begin. It came together so well, so quickly.

When Sunday, the 14th, rolled around, the whirlwind began. Flights were arriving, gear was being piled in, and we were heading off to Collingwood. It was a long ride. The weather was intense - thick storm clouds rolled in within 10 minutes of being on the road. The 400 slowed to 60 km/h as torrential rain took over our windshields.

We arrived sometime around 10pm. It was dark. The cottage was dark. The air smelled sweet, and looking into its windows, I was already aware of the life these writers would breathe into the walls.

Monday morning came quickly, and the writers began to work after breakfast. Some took off to the beach to write in the water. Others took to their rooms. The house shook with such vibrancy, with such inspiration - I knew at this moment, this week was going to be incredible.

Mid-day, writers began to feel the songs come together, and the recording process began. Jana, Amy and myself collectively felt ten times the excitement we had initially felt as we heard these finished songs grace our ears.

Tuesday and Wednesday followed suit - shimmering harmonies, and addictive hooks soared out of every crack of the cottage.

Through-out the week, many songs were recorded. Birthday candles were blown out. Beards were shaved. Marshmallows weren’t roasted, but rather sailed through the living room with a quiet thud as it landed on shoulders, stomachs, cheeks or whatever crossed its path.

I am honoured to have been a part of it all. The love and companionship shared over those days was truly something indescribable. I know it comes across in the music and we are all so excited to share with you the magic that was recorded this past summer.

Big thanks to …

This years writers:

Dan Lee (Hooded Fang)
Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions)
Becky Ninkovic (You Say Party)
Brandon Chandler
Jason Haberman (The Paint Movement)
Francois Cloutier
Nils Edenloff (The Rural Alberta Advantage)
Carl Johnson (Library Voices)
Charles F. (Winter Gloves)
Megan Bonnell
Jon Janes (The Mountains and the Trees)
Nate Kreiswirth (Cancel Winter)
Stephen O’Shea (You Say Party)
Josh Schroeder

SOCAN, for their support

Imprint Music, for their amazing studio, and incredible engineer, Lance Schibler

Peter and Rob, who graciously let us use their cottage, Chalet Collingwood

Casablanca Media crew - Jennifer, Katharine, Steve, Greg, Dondrea, Brett, Evan, Kevin, Sara, Precy

And to the Glinerts - Ethel, Steve, Ali, and Ricki - Ed was such an incredible man, with such great love for his family.


Music, photos, and videos to come shortly.
Lizz.