Industry in Residence

Legendary alt-rock band The Violent Femmes are touring Canada this summer, but before they get on the road, founding member and bassist Brian Ritchie is coming to PEI to get to know Island musicians as part of the Island’s first Industry in Residence programme.

Ritchie’s resume is impressive: as well as being part of one of the world’s best-loved and most enduring bands, he was the first—and only—curator of MONA FOMA, the Festival of New and Old Art in Tasmania, for 17 years, where he conjured up line-ups that featured artists like Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, John Cale, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, FKA twigs, The Flaming Lips and Bikini Kill; is proficient at the shakuhachi—so much so that he acquired a teaching licence; and is a prolific international multi-genre collaborator.

“Brian…[has] got such diverse experience,” explains Chloe Goodyear, who has been working with the province on projects to support the Island’s musicians. “He’s worked with some of the most famous artists and biggest stages in the world, but he also has genuine interest in so many forms and levels of music and musicians.”

On June 17, Ritchie will be “In Conversation” at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown at 6:30 pm. He will talk about his life as a musician, tell stories from the road, and give his impression of music today. This event is free to both Island musicians and the general public, but registration via trailside.ca is essential.

Ritchie will also be available for several days of one-on-one consultation. Island artists and industry can register for 20-minute sessions through Music PEI (visit musicpei.com) from June 1, and do not need to be Music PEI members to do so.