thanks for this, interesting read.
I am instinctively disturbed by the idea of dance music expecting or relying on cash injections from the outside - whether that's from government or business.
It's probably irrational really and I've not really interrogated it but my half-formed view is that a music's potential to be dynamic/exciting/throw up unexpected things is pretty much inversely proportional to its reliance on funding structures outside of its control.
You point out the failings in the funding system in canada which come from a certain deeply ingrained preconception of what 'real'/'legitimate' music is - i.e. not a DJ set - but how can a large scale system ever be satisfactory? It's a) run by bureaucrats and b) trying to please everybody all at once (or, alternatively, trying to please a particular interest group - which is obviously unfair on everyone else).
No sure why I think market forces are somehow better suited to the job of deciding who should have a career and who shouldn't, but I do. Music-making and media technologies are such these days that people can devise ways of being self-sufficient without too much hassle (it may involve having to work another job of course). I honestly think, if I saw the logo for some funding body on the flyer for a clubnight, I would react with suspicion - 'why do they need funding?' or 'what bullshit "cross-disciplinary"/"community outreach" hoops did they have to jump through to get that money?'
rant over, sorry. Interested to know your thoughts anyway.
