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Artist will receive five-day residency to record at Studio Bell’s world-class facilities
(Calgary, AB — April 18, 2024) The National Music Centre (NMC) and Partake Brewing, a low-calorie leader of non-alcoholic craft beer, are pleased to announce that Montreal-based artist, musician, and producer Tess Roby has been named for the NMC Artist in Residence presented by Partake Brewing.
Roby was chosen by a jury of NMC staff and professionals from over 100 submissions. The artist will receive a five-day residency to explore and record inside NMC’s world-class facilities at Studio Bell.
Born in Toronto and now based in Montreal, Roby is a classically-trained vocalist and a self-taught synth player. Her explorative brand of music incorporates electronic, ambient, and avant-pop sounds. Influenced by artists such as Björk, Kate Bush, and Suzanne Ciani, her music is shaped by the use of voice, analog synthesizers, and drum machines. She has released two full-length albums, 2018’s Beacon and 2022’s Ideas of Space; the latter of which was released on the SSURROUNDSS record label, created by Roby as a space for women and non-binary artists making electronic music in Canada.
“As a fully independent artist, I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity,” said Tess Roby. “I’ve waited years to visit this historic collection of synthesizers and acoustic instruments at the NMC. I’m so excited to spend time writing and recording my third full-length album using the collection and world-class studios.”
Tess Roby joins a list of esteemed artists who have participated in various streams of NMC’s residency program, including keyboardist and composer Robin Hatch, singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish, indie alt-pop musician Rich Aucoin, lo-fi soul duo Sargeant X Comrade, flautist and composer Jiajia Li, pop-rockers MAJOR LOVE, R&B/soul singer Tanika Charles, classically-trained vocalist and composer Jeremy Dutcher, DJ-producer duo A Tribe Called Red, neo-classical pianist Jean-Michel Blais, and many others.
Roby’s residency will take place at Studio Bell in the fall of 2024, and a second residency will be awarded to the winner of CBC Music's Searchlight 2024 contest later this year.
The NMC Artist in Residence presented by Partake Brewing will culminate with live performances by Tess Roby and the CBC Music's Searchlight 2024 winner. Stay tuned for more details on the public component at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
About Partake Brewing
Partake Brewing is the maker of craft non-alcoholic beers brewed for those who make it happen. Serving up the lowest calorie non-alcoholic craft beer on the market, Partake, offers a delicious array of award-winning styles all under 30 calories, so you can enjoy a beer throughout all your pursuits. Founded in 2017, Partake Brewing has become a leader in non-alcoholic beer in North America, with distribution in major retailers across Canada and the United States. As a B Corp certified company, Partake Brewing is praised by drinkers for its unique combination of exceptional flavour, classic styles and game-changing nutritionals. Learn more at drinkpartake.com or follow @partakebrewing on social media.
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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Publicist
T. 403.543.5123
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada