'Mini-me syndrome' prevalent in east coast music scene, says industry professional

Keziah Myers knows what it's like to be a lone voice in a room full of decision makers who do not look like her.

Myers is the executive director of ADVANCE, Canada's Black Music Business Collective.

She says many executives in Atlantic Canada's music industry have "mini-me syndrome," meaning they primarily take people under their wing when they share similar identities. 

"[Musicians of colour] many times don't have — especially here on the east coast — they don't have representation and managers who are going to advocate for them," said Myers. 

"That mini-me might be great, but are there others that are similar age, same motivation that I can put on the stage and really help to learn the industry?"

Myers encourages underrepresented musicians to self-motivate, and remind themselves that they deserve space in the industry. She said it will be a gradual change, but she looks forward to seeing more "different faces" decision-making roles.

The executive director moderated a panel on advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the music industry as part of the East Coast Music Awards Conference in St. John's Friday.

Put your money where the music is

Postcards were scattered across tables throughout the Delta Hotel during the conference, asking guests to write down what they would like to see happen in the east coast music industry within the next five years.

When asked that same question by CBC News, Myers said that she'd like to see more east coast musicians and industry professionals working in the area, instead of moving to other parts of the country.

"The more you invest in the infrastructure and the ecosystem, the more you can build the infrastructure and the ecosystem," she said. "The more that you are not looking to places like Toronto to say, 'well, everybody comes out of Toronto."

"If you want to be competitive in this space, you have to invest in that space," said Myers.

With investment comes equity, according to touring agent Mira Silvers, who also spoke on Friday's panel.

"What we are all here for is money," said Silvers.

Silvers is the CEO of FORT Agency, and has worked with festivals such as MUTEK in Montreal, and South by Southwest in Texas.

She says the key to achieving an equitable music industry is helping diverse communities, such as women and people of colour, find economic self-determination. The live music agent said it's also important to avoid falling into tokenism and hiring certain musicians to simply check a box.

"Hire the people you want to uplift," said Silvers. "Hire the people that know that community…because if you're an outsider trying to serve inside a community, you're just never going to get it right."

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