The Montreal based Productions Bros Inc. has established itself as one of the main forces on the Canadian Blues scene. The organization is known for booking, managing, recording and distributing some of the best blues talents in Quebec and Canada.  Working with artists such as local blues veterans the Stephen Barry Band to overseeing the Canadian touring schedule of major U.S. acts including Mississippi Heat, when it comes to blues, Bros. is at the forefront.

 

Crossroads Blues is pleased to introduce you to René Moisan - an integral part of Bros Inc. Here's his story…

 

 

CB: Hi René. Can you describe for our readers what Productions Bros. is and what it does?

RM: An indie that developped from 1984 on, now made out of 4 divisions, first a booking agency (1984), then a record label and publisher (1992), a small management division (1995) and a distribution company (1996).

 

CB: How would you describe Bros’ goals or philosophy?

RM: Quality over quantity, music passion over business.

 

CB: How long has Productions Bros. been up and running?

RM: 22 years, though the first 4 were very much a part-time affair.

 

CB: When did you begin working with Bros.?

RM: I co-founded it with my partner Jean-Pierre Aubert whom I met during my university studies in "Récréologie" at UQTR in Trois-Rivières.

 

CB: What is your role and official position at Productions Bros.?

RM: I am V-P and I lead the recording/publishing division and oversee the distribution.

 

CB: What drew you to the music business?

RM: A passion for music and artists.

 

CB: What does a typical day entail for you?

RM: Get in at 8:45 am, tackle the phone messages and daily e-mails, then get in the production/marketing/financing of the current recording projects, troubleshoot and deal with all problems. 

 

CB: How do you see the role of Bros. in the Quebec blues scene?

RM: The first company to get involved on the Blues scene in Quebec (early 1990s). We are happy to have helped in structuring it. There are now quite a few serious labels, presenters and organizations active in the field. 

 

CB: Who were some of the first blues artists that Bros. worked with?

RM: We really started with The Stephen Barry Band and went from there to get involved with other Quebec artists (Bob Walsh, Steve Hill, Vann Walls, Michael Jerome Browne, Nanette Workman, Mike Goudreau and Boppin' Blues Band and recently Pat The White). We always worked also, mainly in bookings, with American artists like Mississippi Heat, Lucky Peterson, Bryan Lee and many others.

 

CB: What factors determine if Bros will give a blues artist full backing? What services can an artist expect from Bros?

RM: Some artists are only distributed by us, others only booked through our service, it is a different deal for each... Obviously a few are fully represented by our company, such as Pat The White for instance. If we like an artist's project very much and the timing is right, he might get offered the whole package. We have to be able to devote loads of time and energy towards a fully-backed project, so we can only take on a few of these.

 

CB: Without a recording contract, many artists either have to - or actually choose to independently record and distribute their music digitally (ex: Apple i Tunes) and through online music stores (ex: CD Baby).  What are your thoughts on the growing independent music scene?

RM: That is cool, I am happy bands find alternative ways to get their music out there, I love it when somebody self-produce a great cd and brings it to us for distribution. The next challenge is marketing the cd properly and financing these marketing initiatives.

  

CB: What impact does the independent music trend have for an organization such as Bros?

RM: I do not feel it is major. In fact, when an independent act sells well, they will eventually be very much interested in signing with a proper distribution company. This happens all the time.

 

CB: What are some of the blues highlights for you in your career at Bros?

RM: Too many to mention, but nothing beats receiving multiple nominations for albums you have worked on or being side-stage when a big crowd explodes, calling for an encore from your band!

 

CB: Where do you see Bros 20 years from now?

RM: I do not know if we will still be there, it is a tough business and as we chose to remain relatively small and not to build an empire, chances are that we may fold at some point when we have had enough of the struggle. The label and recordings will be there for a long time though, many of those will last forever.

 

CB: Thank you for taking a few moments out of your very hectic schedule.

 

Be sure to check out Bros website: www.bros.ca