Steve is a singer, songwriter, producer known for his memorable hooks and electrifying stage presence. As the frontman of 'Hot Hot Heat,' he was at the forefront of the 2000s indie-rock explosion, touring globally and cementing his status as a defining voice in modern rock. Also a four-time Juno Award nominee, Bays is a seasoned producer, engineer, co-writer, videographer and director. Along with his big hair and eccentric taste, Bays is a mad scientist of sorts, with a lengthy resume that bridges the past and future of alternative music. Recently also stepping into his own spotlight, Bays has launched a new solo chapter of his music career, channeling his restless creativity—melding punchy, hi-fi indie pop with raw, unfiltered energy. Whether he's jumping between high energy live shows, filming an impromptu video shoot, or conducting an all day and night long studio session, Bays is the kind of artist who tends to feel the most at home when he's wandering ahead, chasing the feeling of something yet to be named.

Kevin Maher is a Juno award-winning producer, songwriter, mixer and artist whose career has moved freely between alternative rock, pop and comedy. As the frontman and creative force behind Fake Shark, or bass player for Billy Howerdel, Maher has toured internationally, landed songs in major television and advertising campaigns, and scored multiple Top 10 singles at Canadian alternative radio. Behind the console, his production and songwriting work has earned six Juno Awards and includes collaborations with artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen, Dave Grohl, Fionn and Hotel Mira, with songs reaching #1 on Billboard Canada. Equal parts songwriter, producer and obsessive studio experimenter, Maher has built a career around chasing ideas that feel exciting rather than staying inside a particular genre. His work spans everything from scrappy, distorted indie rock to polished pop, blending memorable hooks with unusual sounds, big personalities and a willingness to tear a song apart until it feels undeniable. Whether he’s producing an artist, writing a chorus, directing a video, mixing a record or commanding a crowd with Fake Shark, Maher approaches each project with the same restless curiosity. After years spent moving between stages and studios, he continues to push toward new territory, less interested in repeating what’s already worked than finding the next thing he hasn’t made yet.

Colleen is a composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who bridges the worlds of musical theatre and contemporary pop music genres. She has written the scores for acclaimed musicals including Vinyl Cafe: The Musical, The Louder We Get, and Grow, with productions staged across North America and the UK. Her work in pop and commercial music has been featured in television, film, podcasts, and web series. A dynamic live performer, Colleen has built a loyal global fanbase on Twitch.tv, where she shares original music and live-looping performances weekly. She has earned the status of Twitch Partner and was a featured performer at TwitchCon San Diego.

Since co-founding Amelia Artists in 2002, Piers has co-managed the careers of past and present clients including Tegan and Sara, Bedouin Soundclash, Luca Fogale, The Librarian, Buck 65, and The Funk Hunters. In collaboration with his artists and label partners, Piers’ work has resulted in over 1.5 million albums sold in the pre-streaming era, hundreds of millions of track streams, seven Gold certifications, twelve JUNO Award nominations with four wins, a Grammy nomination, an Academy Awards nomination, and a New York Times Best Seller. In 2018 he co-founded Amelia Recordings, an early stage record label with a mission to help a new generation of artists develop creative and career momentum. Piers originally comes from a musician background himself – as a founding member of the band Jets Overhead, he performed at major festivals including Coachella and Bonnaroo, toured throughout the world, and was nominated for a JUNO Award. As a believer in lifelong creativity, Piers continues to write and record with experimental electronic project Astrocolor, who won Instrumental Artist of the Year at the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards.

Savannah’s experiences in the music industry have seen her on both sides of the curtain. Her journey has included a degree in music, followed by years of performing and touring in various bands, and continued at Music BC as program manager for artist development initiatives for over 8 years. Along with co-founder Meagan Davidson, Savannah launched Tiny Kingdom in 2017 as an artist management and services company, representing clients including Skye Wallace, Haley Blais, Teon Gibbs and Jasper Sloan Yip. Their expansion into a label in 2020 saw Tiny Kingdom added to a very short list of female-owned labels in Canada, and their passion for supporting other women and gender minorities lead them to spearhead the Women In Music - BC chapter. Savannah's musical and industry knowledge has been called upon as a panelist, consultant, juror, and as Chair for the MMF (Music Managers Forum Canada) and Board member of Women in Music Canada.

Phoenix Bain is a communications and marketing professional who got their start working in college radio in 2010. With their passion for music always front and centre, they have developed and executed marketing strategies and campaigns for music organizations, artists, and venues across Canada. In 2021, they joined Definitely Real Agency as a full-time Digital Lead, working across a diverse roster of brands and artists. In 2026, they returned to their roots in music, joining the Blue Heron Music team as a Marketing Lead to help shape the next chapter of growth for their artist roster.

Stephen is a Victoria, BC–based talent manager and co-founder of Blue Heron Music, an artist management company known for its artist-first approach. Since 2005, he has produced and managed acts and helped musicians secure major placements and partnerships with brands like Volkswagen, Google, Netflix, and HBO (including over 200 syncs) while supporting careers that now generate over 500 million annual streams. Active in the Canadian music industry, Stephen is recognized for his expertise in artist development and market strategy. He also co-produces one of Victoria’s most successful music events, The Phillips Backyard Festival Series, which highlights an incredibly global and diverse music culture. Stephen was a close friend and colleague to Dylan Willows for 15 years, owning music venues together, working on festivals and pushing local Victoria talent to a national and international level.

Morgan Brooker has been a cornerstone of the Victoria music scene for over 20 years, helping shape the careers of acclaimed artists such as Jon and Roy, Current Swell, Jesse Roper, Ocie Elliott, and many others. He is also the co-producer of the revitalized Phillips Backyard Music Series, a celebrated event that brings world-class talent to the heart of Victoria. A true champion of live music, Morgan’s passion has taken him around the globe in pursuit of unforgettable performances by some of his favourite artists.

Terry McBride is the co-founder and CEO of Nettwerk Music Group, one of Canada’s most influential independent music companies. Now in its 40th year, Nettwerk is committed to nurturing a diverse roster of artists by fostering fan-connected communities, helping musicians build sustainable and long-term careers. Beyond music, McBride co-founded the groundbreaking Lilith Fair tour, raising over $10 million for women’s charities. In 2004, he expanded into wellness with the launch of YYoga, a chain of yoga studios in Canada. Renowned for his forward-thinking approach to digital music distribution and artist empowerment, McBride has received numerous accolades, including the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award and multiple Pollstar Manager of the Year honors. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for A2IM (the American Association of Independent Music), a not-for-profit trade organization representing over 600 independent record labels.

Austin Tufts is a JUNO Award–winning drummer, producer, and mixing engineer based in Victoria, BC. Best known as one third of Braids, Austin spent 13 years in Montreal building an international career as a touring and studio musician, performing throughout North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia. His work spans performance, songwriting, production, recording, and mixing, and he has collaborated with artists including Jon Hopkins, The Backseat Lovers, Empress Of, Megan James of Purity Ring, and Tim Hecker. As a drummer, Austin emphasizes musicality, nuance, and finding the right part to serve each song, while his production experience brings a deep understanding of drum tone and recording techniques. Austin co-founded Dream Club Recording Studio in downtown Victoria in 2022 and also co-owns Studio Toute Garnie in Montreal. He studied Jazz Performance at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music and brings both his technical training and extensive professional experience to teaching. His approach focuses on developing students’ ears and musical instincts, helping them make intentional choices, find their own voice, and build confidence both on stage and in the studio.