John Poirier has been the Warner Music Canada representative on the east coast of Canada for “decades.”
Poirier handles requests from east coast media and ensures record stores here get their product, in addition to the many other hats he wears.
Over the years, Poirier has taken on several pet projects, including releasing a series of albums that gather up some of the Atlantic region’s top traditional music talent under the Atlantic Standards banner.
Last year, he expanded on this series with an album called Atlantic Voices, compiling songs by some of the top female singer-songwriters in the region. The album featured Julie Doiron, Rose Cousins, Christina Martin, Ruth Minnikin and many more.
These projects are a labour of love for Poirier, who has the full support of Rhino Records, who release the albums, and Warner, who distributes them.
Poirier is already considering his next compilation, but in the meantime he took a few minutes to answer some questions for our Fridays with … feature.
1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)
Preparing for the Wilco (Halifax) show in March. Also, Warner Music Canada is gearing up to promote Meaghan Smith’s new record, The Cricket’s Orchestra .
2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?
I started importing and selling records that did not have a domestic release from the U.K. and U.S. when I was in university. First major lesson was not to promise what you cannot deliver.
3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?
I have been listening to the latest releases by The Magnetic Fields, Charlotte Gainsbourg and The Low Anthem. I’m also enjoying some Atlantic & Blue Note jazz reissues as well as The Beatles mono box set. I’ve started to acquire vinyl again.
4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?
I like to read computer (Mac) magazines and study Greek and Roman history.
5. The Internet and social media are allowing artists to get closer to their fans than they ever were in some respects. What are your thoughts on this?
Anything that allows the artists to interact and inform their fans is a valuable asset. Forward thinking record companies realize this. Twitter, Facebook and MySpace have ushered in a new era in marketing.
6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?
I’d probably be a veterinarian or a history professor.
7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
How not to electrocute myself while installing a new doorbell.
8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would you delete?
The “boy band” era…very annoying.
9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?
Single-malt scotch.
10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:
The east coast music scene ... is the most vibrant and diverse scene in Canada. When music professionals from outside the area visit Atlantic Canada they are always blown away by the amazing amount of talent emerging from a region with such a small population.
11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?
Release another compilation of East Coast music for Rhino Records, this will be the fifth volume.
Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Broken Ohms’ Stephen MacDonald
