Refolkus

It’s a feeling folks know all too well: the inner dread that sets in as tax season approaches. After all, you got into a creative field for a reason, and the thought of pivoting to accounting and balance sheets can be incredibly daunting.

But fear not, sole proprietors, artist entrepreneurs, and creative CEOs; today we are joined by Sondra Gold, CPA, who breaks down the keys to filing fast and filing well, making it all incredibly easy to understand (can taxes actually be fun?!). 

Whether you are just starting out, or well into your career, there are insights and money saving tips that everyone can use. We discuss everything from what you can deduct on your income tax, to when you need to register your business, start collecting and paying HST, and when it’s time to think about incorporating.

Listen in, and get ready to set yourself and your business up for success.

About Sondra Gold

Sondra grew up in a home filled with creativity. When it wasn’t her mom writing or performing music–her dad was blaring the Beatles, and she was practicing for her 10 years of dancing and performing in musicals. This love for the creative arts ignited her passion for working within the cultural industry.

Saddled with over a decade of experience working alongside music industry accountant veterans D. Jae Gold and Michelle Gold, Sondra has had the opportunity to work with many high profile clients and those who are just finding their footing in their careers. She has expertise in music, film, TV, comedy clubs, nightclubs, all performing arts, and anyone in front of and behind the camera.

Sondra’s speaking engagements include Coalition Music (Canada’s leading music incubator), VO North Conference, U Of T (Munk School of Global Affair), #paid, Music Managers Forum (MMF), Song Studio, Folk Music Ontario, Kensington Market Jazz Festival and more. 

Sondra works hand in hand to ensure her clients are tackling their immediate needs but also considering their future ambitions. Better yet, she equips them with the tools they need to understand how to run the accounting side of their business.

There’s nothing that brings greater fulfillment than to enable her clients to do what they love for a living so that she can take care of the accounting — After the Show.

Follow Sondra on Social Media: 

Instagram

Sondra Gold website

Link to “Folk Inc: When, Why, and How to Incorporate Your Music Business”

Apply to Showcase at the 2023 Folk Music Ontario Conference - OCTOBER 12-15, LONDON, ON

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Presented by Folk Music Ontario

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Fraser (Murdoch Entertainment)

Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

You may not know the term ‘stagecraft’ when you read it, but when you see a musician who takes this term to heart, you can definitely see the results.

JUNO-Award winning Angelique Francis, is one of those artists. 

Her live shows are a thrilling mix of musicianship and choreography, but what goes into the planning of a truly energetic and captivating live show?  

This week, as we dive into her career, we also explore what it’s like to work so closely with her family, and the process they undertake to ensure every live performance is not only entertaining, but responsive to each audience.

About Angelique Francis

Angelique Francis is a versatile and exceptionally gifted musician. This multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre singer- songwriter/composer has wowed audiences across the globe with her electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful textured vocals. 

She is known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including Folk, Blues, Soul, Roots, Gospel and Americana. Angelique has shared the stage/opened for a large roster of well-known musicians such as Gary Clark Jr, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Keb’ Mo’, Jimmy Vivino, Beth Hart, Tom Cochran, Burton Cummings, and many more. Her diversity, passion and love of music can be heard in all of her original compositions. 

Disclaimer - This interview was recorded prior to the 2023 JUNO Award ceremonies where Angelique was awarded the 2023 Blues Album of the Year award.  We would like to send a big congrats to Angelique and her band on the much deserved recognition. 

Follow Angelique on Social Media: 

Official Website

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

Twitter

RSVP for the Export-Ready Webinar Series Here

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Presented by Folk Music Ontario

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Fraser (Murdoch Entertainment)

Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Two years ago, our guest left a successful career doing what she loved in one of the most sought-after industry jobs: Music Supervision. 

Why? Burnout. 

Today, we speak with Dondrea Erauw, the author of Bye Bye Burnout, a newsletter dedicated to providing insight and tips on how to avoid unhealthy work habits, and turn burnout into creativity. Working a job in the music industry can be wonderfully fulfilling, but sometimes what seems like success can evolve into wearing too many hats, and working at all hours of the day and night. This episode dogs into how we can identify burnout, and move through it (or hopefully avoid it!), to a healthier work/folk/life balance.

Dondrea has had 10 years' experience as a music supervisor at Instinct Entertainment (founded by Michael Perlmutter). Originally from Caledonia, Ontario, Dondrea had the miraculous opportunity of working on a number of films and television shows such as "Spinning Out" (Netflix) and Canada's iconic series, "Degrassi". She is a two-time award winner and in April of 2021, she was presented with a Guild of Music Supervisors' award for her work in the film "The Cuban". 

Dondrea is also a singer-songwriter, creating blissfully raw and vulnerable music that is influenced by her surroundings and mother nature.

Follow Dondrea on all social media, and check out some of her curated playlists here

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Presented by Folk Music Ontario
Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett
Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Chopp (Murdoch Entertainment)
Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac
Artwork by Jaymie Karn
The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Artists can experience some of the highest highs and lowest lows while they ride the emotional rollercoaster that comes with life in the music industry, and it can be overwhelming to switch between these vastly different feelings both on and off the stage.

While positive and negative periods can be (mostly) out of our control, our guest today, Cindy Doire, is here to share strategies to manage emotional turbulence, and learn to find peace and enjoyment in both the ups and downs of this creative life.

Plus, you’ll hear why Rosalyn is banned from ever performing at a pub in Amsterdam, and an introduction to our new favourite word: “deprestival”.

Cindy is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying), a certified trauma-informed yoga teacher (E-RYT 500), a somatic coach, and an award-winning singer/songwriter. As a therapist, teacher, artist, and coach, she embraces how different every day and every moment is, and she allows the flow direction to come from the here-and-now. The journey is never linear, and it looks different for everyone; embracing individuality and the complexity of each person is essential.

This special conversation is inspired by the successful ReFolkUs Wellness Sessions held at the 2022 Folk Music Ontario Conference. These sessions proved that we need to keep wellness conversations going all year round, and were a huge influence in the development of this podcast. We hope to continue offering the in-person ReFolkUs sessions at the next Folk Music Ontario Conference, October 12-15, 2023 in London, ON. 

Links from the show : 

CAMH - Mental Health Support

Suicide Crisis Line

UNISON Benevolent Fund
Cindy’s Website
Listen on Spotify
@cindydoire on Instagram
Facebook

RSVP for the Export-Ready Webinar Series Here

______________

Presented by Folk Music Ontario

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Chopp (Murdoch Entertainment)

Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Full-disclosure, Kaia and I don’t get to talking about Composing for Film and Television until about 20 minutes into this conversation. We start by discussing the early stages of her career learning clawhammer banjo from the legendary Mitch Podolak, attending various Old-Time music camps in West Virginia, and growing up in Canada’s Folk Festival scene. 

Then, in 2018 after 2 years of extensive touring, Kaia suffered a panic attack mid-show and came to the realization that she needed to make a change.  After attending some community classes on how to use Ableton, the freedom of self-producing and composing opened up a new world, and she began to explore opportunities in Film and TV, putting her career on a whole new path. 

Fast-forward to today, Kaia has just been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for ‘Best Original Song’ for the series 'The Porter'. She is a Juno Award-nominated and Polaris Prize-longlisted songwriter of Grenadian-Canadian heritage. Her voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim from CBC, BBC Music and Rolling Stone. Her recent film work includes the CBC/BET+ TV Emmy-nominated series 'The Porter', and she has had a song placed on Global TV’s Mary Kills People. Kaia has toured internationally, including notable performances at NPR Tiny Desk Concerts and Carnegie Hall. In 2021, Kaia took part in the Slaight Music Residency at the Canadian Film Center and released a new single ("Parallels"). She is currently working on a full length album for release in 2023.

Links from the show : 

Kaia Kater’s Website

@KaiaKater on all socials

Purchase her albums direct from her website

Stream on Spotify

Linktree

The Swannanoa Gathering 

SOCAN Foundation : Equity X Production Mentorship Program

Slate Family Music Lab

RSVP for the Export-Ready Webinar Series Here

______________
Presented by Folk Music Ontario
Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett
Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Chopp (Murdoch Entertainment)
Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac
Artwork by Jaymie Karn
The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Introducing ReFolkUs. A new podcast by Folk Music Ontario, for folk artists and music industry professionals who want to learn how to make money, find their creative community, and stay grounded and healthy in this intensely stressful but heart-centred industry. 

Each episode, we tap into the most inspirational minds from every corner of the music industry and discuss how to build your business, protect your mental and physical health, and ultimately, create a life and a living of your dreams, without burning out. 

Hit that subscribe button now, and never miss an episode!
______________
Presented by Folk Music Ontario
Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett
Produced by Kayla Nezon (Folk Music Ontario), Rosalyn Dennett (Folk Music Ontario), Tim Fraser + Tanya Chopp (Murdoch Entertainment)
Recorded by Kayla Nezon, and Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Edited by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin
Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac
Artwork by Jaymie Karn
The ReFolkUs Project is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage