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Madrigaia (Winnipeg MB)

Madrigaia is a unique female a cappella group who deliver stunning versions of ancient and modern folk songs sung in French, Yiddish and other European languages. www.madrigaia.com
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Tranzac Club 10:00
Looking for: Bookings; Attending workshops; Promo (maybe finding a publicist?)
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Marie-Claude McDonald, info@madrigaia.com, 204-284-3303
Listen to "Elibama"

Madviolet (Toronto ON)

Singer/songwriter Brenley MacEachern and Cape Breton "fiddle chick" Lisa MacIsaac draw you into their universe of provocative music, where sweet sultry, vocals are caught up in a swirl of folky, hypnotic music. www.madviolet.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Holy Joeís 10:00

Marianne Girard (Keswick ON)
Marianne Girard has a gift for writing folk-tinged ballads featuring guitar, mandolin and her haunting vocals. If you like: Oh Susanna, The Brothers Cosmoline. www.mariannegirard.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Tranzac Club 9:00
Looking for: Label Representation (Canada/U.S./International); Management Representation (Canada/U.S./International); Securing Distribution (Canada/U.S./International)
Contact: mg@mariannegirarde.com, 905-989-2295

Martina Sorbara

When you listen to Martina Sorbara, you hear the elements of jazz, folk, pop and rock. Performing on stage with only the accompaniment of a drummer, Martina plays both piano and guitar, switching from one instrument to the next throughout her set. She is a self-taught guitarist with a captivating and highly original style.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Christina Dunkley, Nettwerk, christina@nettwerk.com, 416-725-5998, www.martinasorbara.com
Listen to "Bonnie and Clyde"

Martine (Moncton NB)
Martine is an Acadian pop rock artist who writes spiritual songs that reach the hearts of today's generation. www.eaglesoundsrecords.com
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 B-Side 10:00

Mark Bragg (Halifax NS)
Mark Bragg writes quirky, catchy songs with a genre-crossing cabaret feel to them. Think: Ben Folds Five, Jack Breakfast. www.markbragg.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Cameron 9:00
Looking for: Securing a Booking Agent (Canada/US); Label Representation (Canada/US); Securing Distribution (Canada/US)

The Mark Inside (Whitby ON)
Melodic four-piece rock band whose style ranges from spacey jams to bouncy R&B grooves and thundering distortion levels. Think: Weezer, Sonic Youth. www.markinside.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Rancho Relaxo 11:00

Mark Masri (Toronto ON)
Mark Masri is a solo pop, R&B and soul artist who won Best Gospel Album at the Vibe Awards in 2002. www.markmasri.com
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 B-Side 11:30

Marlowe (Pointe-Claire PQ)
Formed in 1996, Marlowe makes beautifully inflect mood-pop that is part soundscape, part guitar pop. They describe their sound as experimellow post-pop/nouveau psychedelic.
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Clintonís 10:00

Marky Ramone & the Speed Kings (Los Angeles CA)
Marky & the Speed Kings play hot and steamy, hi-octane rock ëní roll. If you are into fast and loud sing-a-long rawk then you will love this band. www.markyramonegroup.com
Festival Showcase: Sun Mar 2 Healeyís

Marsala (Douro ON)
Marsalaís love for blues and rock ranging from Sarah McLaughlin to Led Zeppelin, as well as her strong jazz influences, prevails in her guitar and piano based soulful music.
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Cameron 10:00
Looking for: Management Representation; Label Representation; Booking Agent

Matthew Barber (Toronto ON)

Matthew Barber plays soulful indie rock/pop music that has catchy melodies and infectious vocals. Think: Elliot Smith, Jeff Buckley. www.matthewbarber.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Clintonís 1:00

Mayor McCA (Toronto ON)
Mayor MaCA is a one-man singing sensation who makes curiously, catchy pop music. If you like: Bob Log III, Rheostatics.
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Victory CafÈ 9:00
Looking for: Label Representation North America/Europe; Management Representation; Securing a Booking AgentNorth America/Europe
Contact: Christian Anderson, mayormcca@excite.com, 416-821-9844

Maza Meze
This 9 piece Toronto-based ensemble uses explorations into traditional music from Greece and the Middle East as a launching pad for their own unique and original sound. Sung in several languages, the band’s compositions are as varied as the cultural and musical backgrounds of its members.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Randy Barnard, CBC Records, randy_barnard@cbc.ca, 416-205-6033, www.cbcrecords.ca
Listen to "Elli"

Mean Red Spiders (Toronto ON)
Mean Red Spiders' music is imbued with a melancholic, baroque-pop sensibility. Accordions, glockenspiels and moogs wash and soar over signature guitars, melodic bass and expressive percussion. If you listen to: Bardo Pond, Lush. www.meanredspider.com
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Sneaky Deeís 12:00
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Phil Klygo, Teenage USA Recordings, phil@teenageusarecordings.com, 416-341-0049
Listen to "Advance to Illinois"

Melanie Durant (Toronto ON)

Melaine Durant has a unique and innovative sound, rhythmically banging and refreshing. She mixes R&B and hip hop stylings into something truly her own.
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Revival 8:00

Melanie Laine (Regina SK)

Melanie Laine creates up-tempo country pop music that displays strong emotion. If you listen to: Crystal Gayle, Patsy Cline. www.melanielaine.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Tranzac Club 9:00
Looking for: Label Representation in Canada and/or US; Securing a booking agent in Canada, US and Europe; Securing distribution in Canada and/or US
2003 CRMA Nominee
Contact: Jimmy Dean, songcatcherpublishing@hotmail.com, 306-761-5644
Listen to "Jump Right In"

The Meligrove Band (Toronto ON)
The Meligrove Band plays straightforward pop rock that has a 60s jangly feel to it, with sweet harmonies and sing-a-long choruses. www.meligroveband.com
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Horseshoe 9:00

Merkury Burn (Toronto ON)
Merkury Burn makes music that is a twisted blend of sexual energy, new wave and glam punk. If you dance to: New York Dolls, Temptress. www.merkuryburn.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Zen Lounge 11:00
Looking for: Label Representation (US/Canada/West Coast); Securing Distribution (North America); Securing a Booking Agent (US/West Coast/California)
Contact: R. Kelly, Clipperton, info@merkuryburn.com, 416-504-6680

Metazon (Montreal PQ)
Combining techno and soul melodies, Metazon drop high-voltage lyrics that come straight from the heart and reveal the struggle of underground reality. Their mix of hip-hop, drum & bass and South American folk music is very refreshing. www.metazon.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 The Red Square 9:45
Looking for: record label that could specialise in hip-hop international; booking agent that could do north america and south america; ditribution deal, international

Michael Jerome Browne

Michael Jerome Browne has established himself as a veritable high priest of traditional American folk and Roots music. Born in South Bend, Indiana, he picked up his first instruments, guitar and harmonica, at the age of nine. Within a couple of years, he was busking on street corners and by his early teens he was ‘blowing people away’ at local coffeehouses.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Michael Browne, info@borealisrecords.com, 416-530-4288
Listen to "Children"

Michael Mitchell (Victoria BC)

When a small school in Africa wanted to learn something about Canada, Victoria-based children’s singer Michael Mitchell was eager to oblige 200 of his Canada Is For Kids coloring books and some of his Canadian recordings to his favorite cause—promoting Canadian heritage. He has performed more than 2,300 of his popular Canada Is For Kids shows across the country and has just released Canada Is For Kids—Vol. 2, a new collection of original and traditional songs.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Moira King, mkm music productions ltd., mkm@michael-mitchell.ca, 250-658-3405, www.michael-mitchell.ca
Listen to "Water"

Michael Schade & Malcolm Martineau

One of today’s leading tenors, Michael Schade performs in Vienna, New York, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Hamburg, Chicago, Los Angeles and at the Salzburg Festival. Highlights of 2002-2003 include the title role of Oedipus Rex at the Edinburgh Festival and in Toronto, Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera and Die Zauberflote, Die Fledermaus, Il Barbiere di Sevilla and La Traviata at the Vienna Staatsoper, concert appearances with the New York and Vienna Philharmonics, duo recitals with Russell Braun in Barcelona and Strasbourg, and solo recitals in Vancouver, Toronto, Graz, Cologne, Duisberg, and Amsterdam.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Listen to "Der Jungling an der Quelle"

Micro Maureen (Toronto ON)
Micro Maureen created a huge buzz throughout the industry when they recently signed with Core DKD. Lead singer and key songwriter Rubin Huezenga has developed the perfect vehicle for his abundant talents. www.dkd.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Rivoli 11:00

Mike Clark (Vancouver BC)
Mike Clark has just finished recording his debut independent album "Darker Machines," which relates to Wilco, Nirvana and Elliot Smith, with honest lyrics and a whack of hooky melodies.
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Leeís Palace 7:30

Million Dollar Marxists (Ottawa ON)
Million Dollar Marxists play catchy, high energy, balls-out punk rock music with a skill and swagger that delivers the goods. Think: The New Bomb Turks, Bionic. www.milliondollarmarxists.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Rancho Relaxo 9:00
Contact: Luke Martin, milliondollarmarxists@rogers.com, 613-265-8827

The Miniatures (Kitchener ON)
This six-piece band writes crunchy, alterative, power pop rock in the vein of Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. www.theminiatures.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 The 360 10:00

Mista Cronks (Toronto ON)
Mystic, the former Bass Is Bass emcee, has re-invented himself with his Mista Cronks project, which is a hybrid of hip hop, R&B, acid jazz and soul. www.coalitonent.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 The Red Square 11:00
Contact: Rob Lanni, info@coalition.com, 905-508-0025

Monica Schroeder (Winnipeg MB)
Singer-songwriter Monica Schroeder plays acoustic guitar with an electronic edge that showcases her poetic and musical versatility. Sounds like: Cowboy Junkies, Jann Arden. www.monicaschroeder.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Victory CafÈ 10:00
Looking for: Management Representation; Securing a Booking Agent (Canada/US); Publishing Deal
Contact: Monica Schroeder, info@monicaschroeder.com, 204-775-6341

Morgan Davis (Toronto ON)
Davis' passion for the blues has never wavered. On his first solo recording "Blues Medicine" his original tunes display skillful songwriting, accompanied by electric guitar and a good dose of humour. www.morgandavis.com
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Healeyís 11:00

Mossman vs. Mr. Tsunami (Montreal PQ)
From their Montreal stronghold, comes mix master Mossman and musician Mr. Tsunami to challenge the norms of sound – with one foot in the tradition of King Tubby and The Upsetter, and the other foot striding into the future and stomping firmly on the necks of cultural opressors and economic parasites. Using sound as their revolutionary weapon of choice, Mossman and Mr. Tsunami embrace life rather than death and seek to open the minds and change the sensibilities of the wicked.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Listen to "Quixotic"

Mr. Underhill (Delta BC)
Mr. Underhill consists of three brothers who create glam-soaked goth rock that is catchy and high energy. Think: KISS, Danzig. www.mr-underhill.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Bovine Sex Club 11:00

Mudvayne (Not Of This Earth)

The quartet's second album combines a new attention to melody and disciplined musicianship with Mudvayne's trademark dark lyrical vision, rhythmic complexity and jagged, sonic brutality. www.mudvayne.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Kool Haus

Nasri (Toronto ON)

Nasri has an infectious R&B pop soul sound that meshes old and new influences into something exciting and original. If you turn the lights down to: Marvin Gaye, Glenn Lewis.
Festival Showcase: Sat Mar 1 Opera House 8:15
Looking for: Label Representation – World; Securing Distribution – World; Securing a Publicist
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Jordan Applebaum, artist.management@sympatico.ca, 416-707-9849, www.nasrimusic.com
Listen to "Best Friend"

Nathalie Clarke (Edmonton AB)
Nathalie Clarke's love of and devotion to singing is reflected in the sheer joy of the sound of her voice, which expels a range of influences including jazz, R&B and pop. www.nathalieclarke.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Healeyís 8:45
Contact: iam@nathalieclarke.com, 780-908-0914

Natasha Waterman (Toronto ON)
Singer-songwriter Natasha Waterman mixes blues, jazz and R&B in her soulful hip hop. She has performed at every Honey Jam since 1997 and her alter egos include Mother Nature and Nature.
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Savanah Lounge 11:30
Contact: Jeremy Eastmond, jeremy@dynamicsoul.net, 416-705-7685

National Anthem (Toronto ON)
Formed in 2001 by members of The Carnations and the Grace Babies, National Anthem's debut CD "Sing Along If You Know The Words" is a rock platter so delectable that you will scarf it down and be back for seconds.
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Reverb 1:00
Contact: Kevin Hilliard, nationalanthemrock@hotmail.com, 416-977-6776

Neil Osborne (Vancouver BC)
As lead singer of 54:40 Neil Osborne is a known force. Neil has recently begun to focus on his solo-crooning career. www.5440.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 Hughís Room

Noisecat (Toronto ON)
The pure rock ëní roll energy of Nosiecat's gyrating music is apparent from the get-go! Think: Blondie, PJ Harvey. www.noisecat.net
Festival Showcase: Thurs Feb 27 Zen Lounge 9:00
Looking for: Management Representation (Canada/U.S.); Label Representation (Canada/U.S.); Booking Agent (Canada/U.S.)
Contact: Elle Spencer-Lewis, noise@noisecat.net, 416-458-8382

NOJO

Since its debut in 1994, NOJO has performed everywhere from the prestigious Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Italy to the renowned Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. They have performed with a variety of special guests such as Ray Anderson, Don Byron, Sam Rivers, trumpet great Kenny Wheeler, and tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: True North Records, dan.broome@truenorthrecords.com, 416-596-8696, www.nojomusic.com
Listen to "Short Order"

Not By Choice

Not By Choice plays rock music. When they pick up their guitars, sit behind the drums or step up to the mic – that’s what exudes. They can’t escape it. They were born to ROCK.
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
2003 CRMA Nominee
Listen to "Standing All Alone"

NQ Arbuckle (Toronto ON)

NQ Arbuckle is a beautiful balladeer with a husky voice singing world-weary songs accompanied by banjo, accordion and honky-tonk piano. If you listen to: Tom Waits, John Hiatt. www.nqarbuckle.com
Festival Showcase: Fri Feb 28 El Mocambo 9:00
2003 Indie Awards Nominee
Contact: Shauna de Cartier, sdecartier@earthlink.net, 416-465-2459
Listen to "Mixkin Dancehall Blues"