Aurakle

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Bio

Risa Laughteristhebestmedicine (also known as Risa Roumeliotakis) has been working in the underground / alternative side of music, wearing many different hats, both locally and internationally since 1993.
Since then, ranging from event/concert production/promotion, venue management, stage direction, to booking tours for artists and record labels, every alliance has each expanded into a solid network of creative collborations, and busy buzzing sharing bees world-wide.
With years of experience from both live instrumental concerts/tours/shows, to a wide range of electronic music, festivals, and artists, knowledge of graphics, html, publishing, marketing, she has continued to do logistics consulting, as well as programming schedules for festivals, and promotional consulting for artists and labels for the last 10 years.

Founding Sonic Ritual productions in 1994 , she also worked as Production Manager at Foufounes Électriques, Director of Operations at Metropolis (L'Équipe Spectra - Montreal Int'l Jazz Festival), Marketing Director at Interchill Records, alongside Gordon Field and Andrew Ross Collins, and by the end of the 90's, named one of the top “most influential people of the decade” in Montreal by the Montreal Mirror weekly in October 1999.

From 1997-2007 she represented artists such as DJ Maüs (European tour), Toires (Morocco/France) in Canada, as well as most of the artists on the Interchill label for every release. Risa also worked closely with Adham Shaikh & Ekko (Canada), Suns of Arqa (Scotland), Legion of Green Men (Canada), Neil Sparkes & the Last Tribe (UK), and Catherine Potter's Duniya Project (Canada) on several of their gigs, releases, collaborations, and tours.
In the late 90's she was producing record launch events/concerts and world-wide promotional campaigns for the releases of Suns of Arqa featuring Adham Shaikh (with a full all-star tribute concert including Catherine Potter (bansuri), Ganesh Anandan (percussions), Uwe (sitar), Sophie Garant (violin), E.Shankar (tablas) live @ Lion D'Or 1999), Interior Horizons (featuring Legion of Green Men live @ Le Studio - Just for Laughs museum 1999), Sky Dancing vol.1&2 (featuring Komodo and Freeworm live @ Tokyo Lounge 2000), ISHQ, Gaudi, Kaya Project, Floatation, and Infinessence, among others, as well as various co-productions with Greenland Productions for L'Équipe Spectra.
Several cross Canada tours followed with bookings for Freeworm's Vegetation = Fuel (Hydrophonik Records) in 2001, and for Les Disques Audiogram in 2002. Risa also produced events in collaboration with the MEG Festival (Montréal Électronique Groove) featuring Irina Mikhailova (Kazakhstan), Toires (Morocco/France), and Gordon Field, bringing them further into the Montreal spotlight in 2003.

In 2007, with lots of support from a few generous sponsors, to raise funds for Prevent Cancer Now, Risa was inspired to start Insightful Events, a non-profit collaborative network, combining educational workshops/conferences/lectures/seminars, and documentary films, with live world fusion concerts, performances, special guests, and Djs. Aside from a few summer festivals at that time, along with the exceptional MutanDanse, Insightful Events was one of very few organizations producing events in Montreal, that brought more educational elements, together with eclectic world musicians and performing artists.
From October to April, a dedicated team of 12 volunteers, helped support a monthly series of themed events called Docillumination, (sponsored by HOUR Magazine, Zazen, Ascent Magazine, Druide, etc.,), that featured workshops and lectures from renowned authors, professionals, and experts, on natural / alternative medicine, environmental health, healing arts, sacred plants, art therapy, etc., inspiring natural health alternatives, wellness, fitness and the joy of living, while celebrating multicultural electronic / world fusion creative music (live concerts and Djs), live performance (dance, etc.,) with special guests (programming available here in the archives).
The network forum on the website gained interest from at least 1500 sharing members that began meetup groups on their own, but since it was a non-profit, funds to support the forum eventually ran low, and IE began producing promotional events more exclusively for various spas in the province of Quebec.

Risa has continued to offer a diverse variety of freelance services from a wide range of experience, a vast spectrum of disciplines and influences spanning over 2 decades, seasonal consulting contracts with various different artists, record labels, festivals, promoters, booking agencies, organizations for product launches, educational workshops, lectures, seminars, locally and internationally, as well as major conferences including IFFS/AMFAR – 18th Annual World Congress 2003-04.

As a music fan above all, the initial spark ignited with the alternative 80's underground scene, and grew with an affinity for the ethereal and spiritually inclined musics of the world, with the beginnings of Dead Can Dance, that set fire to a whole new musical journey, introducing new horizons of sound in the early to mid 90's, with the birth of electro-world fusion artists like Transglobal Underground, Asian Dub Foundation, Talvin Singh, Loop Guru, Afro-Celt Sound System, FSOL, Bill Laswell, Nitin Sawhney, Karsh Kale, James Asher, Bally Sagoo, and many more... a longer, much deeper history goes further back to the early 80's for those who are curious.

MOST importantly, none of these projects or memories would mean anything, without all the hard work, dedication and support of such passionate partnerships, new and inspiring connections, that have touched us all so deeply throughout the years, in a global cosmic unified family of likehearted dreamers, musicians, artists, music fans, soulful collaborators, technicians, builders, love and freedom warriors of all ages, from all walks of life, and all corners of the globe, who genuinely contribute unconditionally and relentlessly, with an abundance of spirit, humility, creativity, honesty, benevolence, integrity, grace, and a wide open heart full of love for the music ~ღ~ that have made, and continue to make all the difference ... those who really care about the future of this planet, and the preservation of ALL life on it.
Infinite gratitude for all the extraordinary work you do ~ღ~ and warmest thanks for every precious moment we've been blessed to share ~ღ~
you know who you are ~✫*¨`*✶♪.¸¸.♫*ღ~
Every moment counts, time is so limited, and there's still a ton of work ahead of us if we're going to have any chance of saving what's left of mother nature.
Together, we have a much wider range of experience and knowledge to share moving forward, with a much greater power to create real change in a more humane and peaceful world.
"If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together" ~ african proverb
It all starts with the one and only universal language of music that unites us all in the first place, joining forces with faith and love in ourselves and each other... all the rest will follow...
so what are we waiting for ... let's dance ~ღ~

Plans are in the works for new projects and collaborations.
The time has come. The world needs us now more than ever before.
Please check the news page for details, and feel free to get in touch if you'd like to contribute or participate.
ONE love ~ღ~

News

Reviews

In this space, articles, reviews, interviews, and event highlights listed by year, will be posted with photos and videos.


Reviews (on releases or events), productive / constructive comments and feedback (both positive and negative), along with our own personal shroomy ratings (from 1 to 5) will be posted here, from various longtime music contributors, artists, supporters, and fans. Please feel free to share your own feedback at the bottom of this page.


Flashback reviews : not quite as fresh and detailed as a full review, but a sweet music memory (along with a digital quality photo) may be submitted from the past, with a brief description of the magic, an overall shroomy rating (supported by fan friends), as well as credits for the photographer.
Feeling nostalgic while digging through your musical archives / collections ?...
please submit your favorite classic music moments, and we'll share them here.


Interviews recorded with some of our favorite artists will be podcasted monthly on soundcloud, and articles posted below.


An attempt to recover some of the earliest archives and photos from the early 90's to mid 2000's, is also in the works, so if you have any to contribute, OR if you'd like to apply to be an occasional or regular contributing writer, reviewer, or member of our team, please get in touch.
Please check back often for updates.

articles

reviews

been to an awesome event lately ?
we'd love to hear from you ~ღ~

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Articles

Flashbacks from the Source :

Through the heart strings of one soul's journey, a peak into the early transition from analog to digital sounds, and the extraordinary influences from an era of synth pioneers to generations of electronic composers.

by RR - March 19th, 2018

image source : the singles collection

Partners and Allies

The following list is infinite, eternally incomplete, and grows too quickly to stay updated, which is why this space will be continually under construction.
It would be too easy to upload all favorites accumulated online since the early 90's, that would include wayyy too many broken links to sites, that have sadly already come and gone.
If we put preference on QUALITY over quantity, ideally the quality of REAL human connections, relationships, collaborations, partnerships, and communications are much more a priority on this ever-evolving list.
If you'd like to be included in this space, please feel free to get in touch with your details, and please note... facebook, twitter, instagram, and most non-music social media links are discouraged here.
Also, if you have any broken links to report, please let us know.

The links below are all in random order, without preference, lots of love, connections, and memories both past and present.

endorsements

With over 25 years experience in event production/coordination, marketing, public/media relations, creative concepts/research, tour/talent booking with a few of Montreal's most renowned festivals and organizations, and an extensive background in Communications from Concordia University, another ten years experience goes further back to the corporate travel business, where Risa was awarded the nationally renowned Plaque for Outstanding Achievement (province of Québec) presented by the Canadian Industry of Travel and Tourism and Agent Canada Magazine - Vancouver, B.C.,.

Alongside Cybermedia, she also designed several websites such as Montreal After Dark (at the time, voted the city’s #1 award winning Nightlife website Montreal Independent Music Industry - MiMi) and the Best of Montreal - BOM Awards 1995).
Long after Sonic Ritual productions in 1994, she launched Insightful Events in 2007, leading to yet another series of unique monthly events, as well as other projects and collaborations that followed. (details here).
Contributing to collectives and festivals on a freelance basis since then, the creation of this Aurakle seemed like the only next logical step forward.

The following endorsements and testimonials are available in their original form, signed and dated, as well as the original Mirror article in print. To obtain hard copies please don't hesitate to to get in touch.

March 2004
Interchill Records
Saltspring Island, B.C.

Risa has been a supporter of fine music for ages now, with a background in event management and production in Montreal's biggest venues, working on the famous Montreal Jazz Festival and luckily for us, with Interchill for years in Montreal. Her energy, understanding and experience made her a real asset to our team, and I'm still benefiting from the lessons she taught us. So, if anyone needs a dedicated person to coordinate their event or promote their music, projects, or productions, then look no further.

Yours truly,
Andrew M. Ross Collins
President
Interchill Records
Montréal, Québec
Relocation to Saltspring Island, B.C.
(March 2001)

le lundi 4 février 2002
Les Disques Audiogram / F Communications
Montréal, Québec

Chère Risa,
C'est avec grand plaisir que j'écris cette lettre de référence pour toi. Travailler avec toi a été stimulant, amusant et enrichissant. Ta précieuse expérience et ton talent rare, ta personnalité calme et conciliante, ton enthousiasme à faire ton travail et ton jugement juste et sensible sont de grands atouts pour une entreprise.

C'est donc sans hésitation que je te réfère à ton futur employeur comme étant une employée responsable, vaillante, performante et agréable.

En tout souhaitant bonne chance dans tes recherches.

Amicales salutations,
Nicole Bouchard
Les Disques Audiogram
Montréal, Québec

January 10th 2002
L'Équipe Spectra
Montréal, Québec

We had the pleasure to work with Risa Roumeliotakis as a Hall Director for the Metropolis between February 1999 and October 2001. In this period, she showed a great deal of creativity and sense of responsibility.

In her everyday task, she had to look after staff management and relations with our promoters. Her attitude and flexibility made our collaboration with her a most pleasant experience.
I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone in our business. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Kind regards,
André Ménard
Co-founder/Vice-President
L'Équipe Spectra
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Montréal, Québec

January 4th 2001
Interchill Records
Montréal, Québec

Since working with Interchill from 1999 to 2004, Risa's responsibilities included marketing worldwide, publicity, promotional concepts and budgets, artist biographies, press kits and press releases, web content, artist/media/public relations, booking and coordination of record launches and special events, hiring of interns and sponsorship proposals.
She's trustworthy, intelligent, responsible, diligent, quick to learn, a good self-starter, as well as being easy to get along with and clear in her communications. Risa has proven to be an invaluable resource; her positive nature and professional dedication are second to none and have made a substantial difference in Interchill's marketing efforts. She has been a solid member of our team, and the quality of her work has been recognized not just by us, but also by the artists on our label ~ all of whom have benefited from Risa's work. She will be a strong and valuable asset to her next employers.

Yours truly,
Andrew M. Ross Collins
President
Interchill Records
Montréal, Québec
Relocation to Saltspring Island, B.C.
(March 2001)

Oct 28th 1999
Montreal Mirror
Nightlife Issue 1999 - The Most Influential People & Places of the Decade
Montréal, Québec

Greek girl, huh? Sure, but Risa Roumeliotakis is more like a Greek goddess of the grueling grunt work behind hoards of live music in Montreal (all styles) and she loves it. And you should love her for it.
Resumé : former corporate travel agent, former promotions and production manager of Foufs, current director of operations of Metropolis, current publicity person for Interchill Records and ongoing director of her one-gal operation called Sonic Ritual, in which she'll do everything from media relations to tax paperwork for musicians.
"I think of myself as part of a collaborative network" says RR. "I'm still a music fan first and foremost." She means it man. Now bow down.

by Chris Yurkiw
Senior Music Editor
Montreal Mirror
Montréal, Québec

Feb 15th 1999
HOUR Magazine
Montréal, Québec

As music editor for Hour Magazine in Montreal for the last three years, I have had the pleasure of working with Ms Roumeliotakis on a number of different occasions. I have, without exception, always found Ms Roumeliotakis to be thorough, well-informed and unfailingly professional in the execution of her responsibilities as a music promoter and producer. She has made her voice known in Montreal, and is highly regarded not only as a steadfast contributor to the scene here, but also as a tireless fan. It is my considered opinion that any organization willing to take her on could only benefit from such an addition.

Sincerely,
Jamie O'Meara
Senior Music Editor
HOUR Magazine
Montréal, Québec

June 16th 1998
Foufounes Électriques
Club/Venue (Capacity 1600)
Montréal, Québec

From September 1996 to June 1998, Risa spent her first few months here responsible for the club's publicity & promotion and later granted the position of Int'l Talent Buyer and Production Manager in charge of the entire department. She was responsible for bookings, contracts, market research, immigration and tax exemption forms for bands, booking of technicians and security for shows, stage management, sponsorship proposals, accounting (budgets and reports), among many other responsibilities. During her employment here she proved to be dynamic, self-sufficient, knowledgeable, concise, dedicated and always well-informed. Risa's accomplishments and work was recognized city-wide in the business for it's dependability as well as for her excellent organizational and communication skills. She would undoubtedly be an asset to any production house or record label.

Sincerely,
Norman Boileau
General Manager
Foufounes Électriques
Montréal, Québec

June 10th 1998
99.9 The Buzz Radio
Re : Everclear & Marcy Playground Gig
Burlington, Vermont

Hey Risa - YOU ROCK !
Thank you SO MUCH for your help on our show !
WE LOVE YOU !!!!

Steph, Karl, James & the rest of the BUZZ dorks
Station Manager, Music Director & Staff
99.9 The Buzz Radio
Burlington, Vermont

October 21st 1996
S.L. Feldman & Associates
Vancouver, BC

Dear Risa,
I just wanted to drop you a short note to thank you for all your hospitality towards Waiting for God on their recent cross-Canada jaunt. The band had a warm reception and a good show at your room and we just wanted you to know that we certainly appreciate the effort put forth.
Reconstriction / EMI will be releasing the new CD on December 3,
mixed by Ken Marshall (Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Download)
and it promises to launch this band into superstardom !
Please extend our thank yous to your staff !

Melissa Keith
Agent
S.L. Feldman & Associates
Vancouver, BC, Office

January 1997
Invisible Records
Chicago, Illinois

I love YOU !
I cannot thank you enough for your support during this tour. I (as well as many others, although I can't speak for them) have never worked so hard in my life and your appreciation and efforts in this ultra-neato event meant the world to me. It was completely amazing to experience the energies who are Test Dept and Sheep on Drugs. They are incredible people with good brains and good messages and talented and hopeful and hard working..... I couldn't ask for more. BUT ..... for the first time, I came to terms with the (obvious) fact that they rely on our work here at invisible to be able to live productively as artists. OH MY GOD !!! THEY'RE RELYING ON ME !!!! This HUGE lesson, as well as responsibility, I terrifyingly and affectionately undertook and loved! and learned! and loved! and I am so glad you were excited and helped too. I often wonder what's going on in the pop-culture, where "art" is not about knowing one's soul, let alone CHALLENGING IT, but more about falling in love, being in love, trying to be loved, hyping love, love, love. This is crazy. Maybe if pop music taught us to love ourselves first; and learn about what is important to us as individuals; and to express what we know as individuals; and learn from eachother;... and open the borders; and open our minds........the rest would fall into place..... dreamy dream dream.....
Thank you again..... I mean it !!!

All my beast and bad punctuation,
Amy Gorman,
Publicist
Invisible Records
Chicago, Illinois

February 1997
Cleopatra Records
Los Angeles, California

Risa,
I can't thank you enough for the courtesy at your club! It was also great talking with you about how the music scene and distribution is in your area / country. You gave me alot of insight that I may not have ever gotten. Hope our next show with you does as well as all previous successes.
Thanks again,

Darl Morgan,
Cleopatra Records
Los Angeles, California

le 14 novembre 1997
Oblik Instance & Press Play Records
Montréal, Québec

Chers Amis,
Au nom de tous les membres du groupe, il me fait grand plaisir de vous adresser nos plus sincères remerciements pour votre contribution exceptionelle au succès de notre spectacle aux Foufounes Électriques, jeudi le 6 novembre 1997.
Nous avons beaucoup apprécié l'enthousiasme dont vous avez fait preuve tout au long de la soirée. Votre compétence, votre diligence, votre promtitude et votre sens professionel ont été abondamment soulignés par toutes les personnes qui ont contribué à l'organization du spectacle et forts appréciés des membres du groupe. Vous avez su inspirer confiance et assurer le bon déroulement du spectacle.
Sachez qu'OBLIK INSTANCE n'est pas seulement une formation musicale mais aussi une famille dont vous faites maintenant partie. Comme toute famille, nous n'oublions jamais nos membres.
En vous réitérant toute notre reconnaissance, je vous prie de recevoir, chers amis, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.

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Media

Various articles have been written since the mid 90's, back when newspapers were still printing. These are just a few listed in chronological order, some also available in their original print form. To obtain hard copies please get in touch.

Mission

To bring much deeper level of meaning, creativity, intention, community, awareness, sharing, and healing to music events worldwide, that will help raise the consciousness and vibration of this earth to a much higher level of peace and harmony, and perhaps hopefully ~ one soul at a time... save a few more lives in the process.

The AURAKLE is a space to create, experience, share, remember, and celebrate some of our most magical and extraordinary music moments of the past and present...
to preserve our culture and honor the memory of those who contributed unconditionally, and still do, with all their energy and love, to build and cultivate the electro-psychedelic movement as we know it today.

The reviews page will feature, interviews, articles, and highlights listed by year, posted with reviews, photos, videos, productive/constructive comments and feedback, as well as monthly podcasts, shared by various longtime music contributors, artists, supporters, and fans.

Since digging deep into the archives may take some time, this will be an eternal work in progress. Patience is always appreciated.


"There is a great choice that awaits us every day ~ whether we go around carving holes in others, because we have been so painfully carved ourselves...
or whether we let spirit play its song through our tender experience, enabling us to listen as well... to the miraculous music coming through others.”
~ Mark Nepo

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History

1982-93

Risa's first unique creative sound inspirations grew alongside the humble beginnings surrounding Claude Rajotte's renowned New Music Foundation (NMF) in 1982.
Without ever having any prior interest in public radio before, (to avoid ads), she fell in love immediately with this exceptional, one and only weekly radio show on ChomFM, listened and recorded it religiously every Monday night. An engaging new addiction that promoted a few alternative bands she'd already known, and introduced many more such as...
Joy Division, Dead Can Dance, Brian Eno, Einstürzende Neubauten, Young Gods, Jah Wobble, Spiritualized, Stabbing Westward, SPK, Leftfield, Nitzer Ebb, OMD, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nina Hagen, Killing Joke, Suede, Neon Judgement, Pixies, Bauhaus, Slowdive, Fugazi, Luna, PWEI, Diamanda Galas, TheThe, Spahn Ranch, 808 State, Suede, Klaus Nomi, Sianpheric4, Jesus Lizard, Cocteau Twins, Cabaret Voltaire, Iggy Pop, The Smiths, The Fall, Ministry, Ride, Lush, Skinny Puppy, Veruca Salt, Clock DVA, Primus, The Orb, Pete Murphy, Meatbeat Manifesto, The Cure, Front 242, Danielle Dax, Elastica, Jane’s Addiction, The Sundays, KMFDM, Curve, Gang of Four, Scorn, House of Love, Charlatans UK, James, Future Sound of London, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Stone Roses, Test Dept., Jesus and Mary Chain, FM Einheit, Wire, Echo & the Bunnymen, Inspiral Carpets, Frontline Assembly, Delerium, PJ Harvey, The Stranglers, Propellerheadz, The Cramps, Underworld, Herbaliser, etc., (among many others)...
Another favorite music source at the time was Patti Schmidt's CBC Brave New Waves (1984 onward), as well as some of the more obscure, experimental sounds coming from the occasional CKUT underground / alternative show.
For the next two decades, she enjoyed re-recording her own personal compilations of all her favorite tracks (from the NMF collection) on cassettes that she shared with close friends.

Most memorable concerts of the decade (80's-90's) :
The Fall, Killing Joke, Nina Hagen, Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Siouxie and the Banshees, GBH, UK Subs, Gang of Four, Subhumans, P.I.L., the Stranglers, Dead Kennedys, Charlatans UK, Young Gods, Simple Minds, Suede, Black Flag, House of Love, the Pixies, Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush, Kraftwerk, Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, 808 State, Meatbeat Manifesto, the Sundays, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine, NIN, David Bowie, King Missile, PJ Harvey, Soundgarden, the Cure, Frontline Assembly, Stray Cats, etc.,
Special thanks to Sylvain Houde (Foufounes), Dan Webster, Paget Williams, Nick Farkas, and Nancy Ross (Greenland productions), and Rubin Fogel (Fogel / Sabourin).
Other 80's favorites :
Local alternative Djs : Larry Law and Philip Faith
Local record store : Dutchy's Record Cave
Record labels : Mute, Interscope, 4AD, Warp, etc.,
Music mags : The Face (UK), NME, URB, Alternative Press (before $ell out)

1993

After having been in the travel and tourism industry for over a decade, she decided to start using her own benefits to book tours, rentals, and accomodations for bands across the country as their agent.
Towards the end 1993 the internet was finally born. With only a meager dial-up connection, and the invaluable support of Mark Prince (Cybermedia), she started desiging websites, and only two years later Montreal After Dark, was voted the city’s #1 award winning Nightlife website (Montreal Independent Music Industry - MiMi 1995). There was also the Musicians Referral Network a Classifieds style match-maker website (relatively similar to today's kijiji) for bands and musicians seeking each other to complete their bands, for short-term recordings or long-term performances, inviting all local bands to join from across the province.
Highlight :
Lollapalooza 1993 - headlining : Front 242, Primus, Fishbone, Rage Against the Machine, etc.,

1994

A year later, she started Sonic Ritual, an artist touring / booking agency with yet another website, representing local artists like Pure Drama, AWM, Rhea's Obsession, Chiwawa (aka the Clouds), Sianspheric4, and later Dj Maus, Verderosa Nyc, Adham Shaikh, Toires, etc.,.
At the time, producing local gigs such as the Sonic Ritual Summer concert series, and the North by Northwest concert series, among others, in various different venues, focused on the import and export of Eastern Canadian talent, while going back to Concordia University for her Communications degree, and taking on a seasonal freelance contract as Production Assistant Coordinator / Publicist for Drum Fest 94.
Highlights :
Woodstock 94 - headlining : Aphex Twin, the Orb, Dj Spooky, Orbital, Primus, Nine Inch Nails, Porno for Pyros, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Peter Gabriel, Blind Melon, Green Day, etc.,
Lollapalooza 1994 - headlining : Smashing Pumpkins, The Breeders, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, L7, The Flaming Lips, The Verve, Guided by Voices, Stereolab, Shonen Knife, etc.,

1995-96

Greenland Productions / Donald K Donald hired Risa (freelance) as their Production Coordinator / Publicist for both the Montreal Independent Music Industry Awards (MiMi’s) - (for 2 editons 1995 and 1996), as well as the very first Néo-Musique Montréal / New Music Montreal (NMM NMM Festival) 1995.
In September 1995, she was invited by Martine Prévost of Polliwog (artist agency for Groovy Aardvark, QRN, etc., later Montreal festival) to join their showcase of bands and crew of music journalists, on their bus to the CMJ Music Marathon / Musicfest weekend in New York, where she attended various conferences by top renowned industry professionals (including keynote speakers such as David Bowie, as well as panelists from some of her favorite Alternative record labels), sharing their expertise on Booking and Touring, Artist Development, A&R, Independent Labels, Contracts and Legal Representation, Distribution, Music Marketing and Promotion, Sponsorship, Alternative Radio Programming, and much more.
Highlights :
CMJ Music Marathon / Musicfest 1995 in NYC / headliners : Tricky, PJ Harvey, Echobelly, Laika, Foetus, David Byrne (Talking Heads), Ben Neill, etc.,
Lollapalooza 1995 - headlining : Sonic Youth, Beck, Patti Smith, Laika, Hole, etc.,

1996

Risa was hired at Foufounes Électriques, as their Production Manager
Almost immediately, she travelled to both California and Nyc, to meet with booking agencies in person, that would later bring in more opportunities, leading to more outstanding productions such as :
The Cramps, Spiritualized, The Damned, The Legendary Pink Dots, Pigface, Fishbone, Laibach, The Jesus Lizard, Jim Rose Circus Sideshow, Frontline Assembly, Genesis P-Orridge (Throbbing Gristle/Psychic TV), Catherine Wheel, Carter USM, Stabbing Westward, The Misfits, King Diamond, Gene, The Inbreds, Consolidated, The Lunachicks, Everclear, Cubanate, Blinker the Star, The Fleshtones, FM Einheit, New Bomb Turks, Raggadeath, Autour de Lucie, C-TEC, The Geraldine Fibbers, Fu Manchu, Marcy Playground, Blanks 77, Spahn Ranch, The Planet Smashers, Scorn, The Humpers, The Kingpins, Broken Hope, Switchblade Symphony, The Mahones, Dead Voices on Air, Numb, The Allstonians, The Torture King, Genetic Control/Fair Warning's 15th Anniversary, The Sneaker Pimps, Shonen Knife, The Dandy Warhols, Dread Zeppelin, etc., to name a few.
Highlights :
CMJ Music Marathon / Musicfest 1996 in NYC / headliners : MeatBeat Manifesto, Orbital, Loop Guru, Primus, PWEI (Pop Will Eat Itself), Wedding Present, Perfume Tree, Kelley Deal 6000, NIN, etc.,

1996-97

Transitions in the flavors and fusions between industrial synth and electronic music were becoming much more pronounced, and bands like Download, Orbital, C-Tec, Delerium, Cubanate, Dead Voices on Air, (among others), were slowly going digital.
That's when Risa met Louise Gauvreau (DJ Maüs) @ Yoda's Den, who introduced her to the dubby jungle drum'n'bass vibes she was playing on vynil at the time, opening yet another door to delicious new sounds. As they grew much closer, they eventually shared many more electro-parties / gatherings in lofts and warehouses on Prince street, and elsewhere on the outskirts of Old Montreal.

1997-99

By the summer of 1997 there was Arrival II Risa's first electronic outdoor festival, in a wonderful location featuring 3 stages, including Jeff MkUltra, Nuclear Ramjet, Freaky Flow, Misstress Barbara, Rikam, Nivoc, Neerav, and many more.
Soon after that, Risa and Maüs started booking her first European tour. Casper (Kaleidoscope - UK) who was already in touch with Maüs, was managing Interchill's UK office as their distributor at the time, and spoke to Andrew Ross Collins about hiring Risa in Montreal.
Around the same time, without any prior knowledge of this serendipity, while attending the first Eclipse 1998 in Montreal (produced by Rikam - EOMF / Tech Safari), she discovered Adham Shaikh and Gordon Field, playing in the chill room of a massive go-kart warehouse where she fell in LOVE with their music.
The connection was eventually made, and Andrew hired Risa as Interchill's new Marketing Director alongside Gordon Field (A&R), where she was responsible for world-wide marketing, promotion, publicity, artist and media relations, writing and editing artist biographies and web content, production of special events and record launches, artist bookings / contracts, sponsorship proposals / contracts, radio tracking, etc.
Somewhere between the transition from analog to digital, with experience and perspective from both acoustic live performance shows, and electronic composers/producers, as we watched technology, gadgets, instruments, and new digital toys begin to evolve much quicker in the early 90's, we also saw many more electro-acoustic/fusion artists stepping further into the spotlight.
With early childhood exposure to mediterranean and middle-eastern flavors, thanks to the wonderful influence of Andrew, Gordon, and Adham's discerning ears for pure bliss, and the wave of ethno-electro fusion exploding on dancefloors everywhere, Risa's affinity for ethereal / spiritual world sounds had been officially re-awakened.

1999

Not too long after that, she met with André Ménard (Co-founder / Vice-President - Montreal Int'l Jazz Festival) where they shared a long chat about music, and she handed him one of her own cassette compilations. A few weeks later, he got in touch with her to let her know how much he loved it, and encouraged her to either start her own label, or Dj to share her eclectic collection with a much wider audience. He then offered her a position as the new Director of Operations at Metropolis (capacity 2200) concert hall for (L'Équipe Spectra / Montreal Int'l Jazz Festival).
As head of operations, Risa was responsible for hiring, direction, supervision and coordination of staff (75 - 100 employees) for all events and concerts (internal and/or external productions), settlements with producers, administration, box office reports, artist and media relations, safety regulations and inspections, security, customer service, and all operations in general. Needless to say, while keeping her day-shift gig going with Interchill, there was no time for sleep.
Then in the summer of 1999, OM Festival (2nd edition) featured 5 stages, with a line-up including Neil Sparkes and the Last Tribe (Transglobal Underground - UK), Caspar (Kaleidoscope - UK), Mercan Dede, Adham Shaikh's EKKO project (with live musicians including Naki (stikharp), Neil Sparkes, E.Shankar (tabla), Uwe (sitar), Sophie Garant (violin), among others), as well as sets by Dub Gnostic, Andrew Ross Collins, Legion of Green Men, Adityo, Gordon Field, Jeff MkUltra, Nuclear Ramjet, Nivoc, Rikam, and many more.
They built a magical Interchill stage around a sparkling waterfront surrounded by beautiful multi-colored lights, that was one of the most ...u.n.f.o.r.g.e.t.t.a.b.l.e... stages we'd EVER seen !!!

2000 and beyond

After spending a few years at Interchill, with very little sleep from the previous nightshift at Metropolis, getting up every morning to hear a fresh new artist, with a fresh new sound, from any random part of the globe, was ALWAYS a thrill never to be missed.
The favorites in Risa's collection evolved much deeper towards the roots of psy-ethno/chill, dub, ambient, trance, electro, tribal, origins and fusions, starting from mid to end 90's with even more exceptional releases from artists like Transglobal Underground, Future Sound of London, Natasha Atlas, James Asher, Michael Stearns, Suns of Arqa, Bill Laswell, Jonny L, Steve Roach, Sheila Chandra, Nitin Sawhney, Grooverider, Bally Sagoo, L. Subramaniam, Badmarsh & Shri, Gabriel LeMar, Black Star Liner, Cheb-I-Sabbah, Global Communication, Loop Guru, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Spacetime Continuum, Solar Stone, Rabih Abou Khalil, Thievery Corp, Richard Horowitz & Sussan Deyhim, Funki Porcini, Animal Zen, Talvin Singh, Afro Celt Sound System, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bandulu, Toumani Diabate, Dzihan & Kamien, Skylab, Vedic, XangBetos, Underworld, Ayub Ogada, Juno Reactor, Zion Train, Ravi Shankar, Joi, etc., on pioneer labels like Dragonfly, Astralwerks, Real World, Dakini, Flying Rhino, Waveform, SpiritZone, Twisted, Blueroom, Hearts of Space, TIP, Instinct, Six Degrees, Outcaste, and of course Interchill, (among many others), that changed the course of her musical journey with every exciting new discovery, nourishing her soul with a whole new level of inspiration and creativity moving forward.

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If you see a photo you recognize, and know the photographer, please get in touch, and we'll be happy to add their names with links to their website.
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Background photo (main menu) by Andrei Kalamkarov

Intro page photo by Soren Larsen

Endorsements page photo by John Trancisco

Mission page image by Marshall Lefferts - Cosmometry

Reviews page photo by Peter Ryaux Larsen

photo above (also used on Terms and Media page) by Akisutra Projekt - Germany

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Elements

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