This month’s In House article features Eric Cohen, CMRRA’s Quebec market liaison on the Communications and Industry Relations team. Learn more about Eric’s impressive history in the music industry and his passion for the Quebec industry.
You recently joined the Communications and Industry Relations team at CMRRA as our Quebec market liaison. Can you tell us what this means?
It means so much to me for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, as a composer and consumer of music, it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to see the industry from every angle, giving me insight into the inner workings of an industry that is in the constant state of change and evolution. The digital age has been both exciting and somewhat scary for people in our industry, but being part of a team that is constantly adjusting to the realities of music publishing in a new era is very reassuring.
My role at CMRRA is rather unique, in that I am the Industry Relations consultant for the province of Quebec – a role I take very much to heart. The reality is that Quebec is a distinct society, especially when it comes to cultural norms, buying and consumption habits, musical tastes, and pop culture reference points. This “difference” is something to be celebrated. It is why Quebec has one of the most incredible star systems I have witnessed on the planet – nowhere else in the world, that I have seen, seems to rally around and support its artists as much as I see here in Quebec. To support its own cultural output as fervently as it does, Quebec does get a gold star! However, there are challenges in trying a one size fits all approach to all our clients, and we are keenly aware that Quebec does things a bit differently, so it only makes sense to have someone on the ground, here in La Belle Province, to ensure that our community is properly represented within the industry, our country, and the international music publishing community at large. We have some amazing publishers putting out groundbreaking work and massively popular hits on a regular basis, and I’m proud to help facilitate that.
What is your favourite part about your work in the Quebec music industry?
My favourite aspect of working in the Quebec music industry is the comradery! I used to work as the DJ at HMV megastore in downtown Montreal, and I met so many people (fellow staff, musicians, fans, local promoters, managers, agents, record company reps, etc…), and many of them are still very close friends of mine decades later. In fact, just recently, I was at a slew of music festivals and I was never, ever alone, because I was always running into old friends who still work in the industry. Quebec’s music industry is a like a big family – most people know each other, there is very little in terms of bad competition… lots of good competition though. Songwriters and performers are very supportive of each other here in Quebec, and we see more and more collaboration happening between Anglophone and Francophone artists and songwriters. It’s a very enriching environment.
There is also an incredible talent pool in Quebec, and so many styles represented. Right now, francophone and franglais Hip Hop is MASSIVE with local fans, and it’s so exciting to see how much potential is out there, and to help it shine. We also have some of the best music festivals in the world, from Jazz to Franco, Osheaga, Lasso, IleSoniq, Pop Mtl, M for MTL, Nuits D’Afrique, Festif, FEQ, and so on. So for a meloman (french word for crazy music fan) such as myself, I am in the perfect environment
You’ve recently registered your catalogue with CMRRA (congrats!). Can you tell us more about your experiences in the music industry and how it led you to CMRRA?
I have been working in the music industry for as long as I can remember – starting out as an HMV employee then going to work at Musiqueplus, and Global TV as a music reviewer.
My first band was a high school garage band, but we did have a certain future prime minister as our roadie/manager! No joke – if we meet one day, ask me about it. Since then, I’ve played in several other bands; a rock band (Puddy), a Rocky movies tribute band (Balboa), a space rock outfit (Buzz Cooper), and toured North America and Europe and put out a critically acclaimed album which I am quite proud of, with my former band, USA Out of Vietnam.
I also have a TikTok and Insta project about air drumming (check out airdrumguy on TikTok) and work with many clients as a content producer, including: Evenko, Just for Laughs, Family Feud, Dragons Den, Transplant, and a variety of music festivals that include many of those mentioned above, and more. I’ve also worked as a producer for The Today Show (NBC), and Entertainment Tonight Canada, and I sometimes host content for Qello Concerts and Stingray Music. I am a regular columnist for L’effet Pogonat on Ici Musique / Radio Canada.
I have worked within the music industry in Montreal for decades, so it seemed like a logical progression for me to take on this position of industry relations for Quebec at CMRRA.
Can you share with us Quebecois music that is a playlist must-have?
There is so much amazing music in Quebec, it’s almost impossible to know where to start. Some of my favourites would have to start with my own namesake, Mr. Leonard Cohen. What can I say that hasn’t been already said about the great Leonard?
Going back in time, there are some excellent artists that all Canadians should be aware of: Robert Charlebois was a hippie rocker with a great affection for the Quebec people; Harmonium were among the most important prog rockers of their time, blending Quebec folkloric music with Supertramp-styled orchestral/prog rock. Majo/Corbeau’s Illegal is one of the best Quebec 80’s songs; along with L’Affaire DuMoutier (about a spooky murder) by The Box. Men Without Hats and Corey Heart repped Montreal to the entire world in the 80’s, while Jean Leloup was just getting started. I think Quebec’s music is almost perfectly represented by Jean Leloup – it’s quirky, funky, funny, poignant, rockin’, and full of idiosyncrasies specific to Quebec.
There have been amazing artists in the last 20 years as well: Malajube – who conquered the American indie market with an album sung entirely in French; Dead Obies as well, who rap en franglais, along with fellow Hip-hoppers Alaclair Ensemble who also mixed Quebec slang with trap beats to go international. There are artists like Arianne Moffat, Pierre Lapointe – new style chansoniers, and bands like Besnard Lakes and Teke::Teke, who take psychedelia to new levels. DJs like Kid Koala and A-Trakare amongst the most prolific and talented artists in the turntable game; and new artists like Les Louanges and Hologramme who you really need to hear.
In fact, there are too many to name, but it is important to note that Quebec produces some of the greatest music in the world, so you really gotta just dive in!
