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Rock The Water on Spotify

 
December 15, 2021

Alexander Keith Beer Song

Although it’s been almost 10 years since I released Alexander Keith, I was able to share it with new ears at a songwriting event this week. Receiving positive feedback from fellow musicians that this still stands as a catchy rock beer song a decade later was music to my ears.

Here is where you can give it a listen:

iTunes: Alexander Keith

Alexander Keith on Spotify

YouTube Music

Fun fact: Alexander Keith beer company actually posted on their Facebook Page

Alexander Keith’s Facebook Page

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January 28, 2021

Got the blues?

Hey you. Got the blues? Let’s talk. Seriously, anytime.

Then we’ll jam ?

#bellletstalkday

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October 16, 2019

Going North

Here is a new #raito creation, an orchestral composition & video I created called ‘Going North’!!!

Have been hard @ work. Music for full documentary is a wrap for the Jezzepee Jones #meth documentary “Methamphetamine- Community Under Seige’ being launched on #amazonprime January 2020 & a ton of screenings and festivals the next few months . I’ll be posting A LOT more on that soon… so please #staytuned

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February 24, 2019

Score for Meth-Community Under Siege 5min Promo Complete

You know that good fuzzy feeling you get when you finish something worthwhile. Ya, I’m basking in that warm glow, all the while feeling the heaviness of the  meth crisis & pain it is causing for so many.

Will share the final promo vid as soon as I can, hoping next week, but seriously can’t wait for you to see & hear the initial story featuring the “Bear Clan Patrol‘ for the ground breaking documentary Meth- Community Under Siege.

It’s a story that needs to be told!!!

January 10, 2019

Writing Music for Winnipeg Meth Documentary

I am honored that my music will be a part of shedding light on this horrific crisis. Although based in Winnipeg, the universal crisis of addiction is felt from East Van to Halifax, and everywhere in between. There isn’t a person I know that ‘addiction’ has not impacted their lives personally or affected someone they know or love. I’m all in and will invest 100’s of hours to ensure this documentaries music matches the emotion and heaviness that addictions inflict…period!!!

Please help make this documentary a reality!!!  Yes YOU

  • If you can’t spare the cash totally understand, but you can step up and show your love and support by sharing this campaign on your FaceBook, Twitter, email or by word of mouth. Just click over to IndieGoGo and use the easy share buttons 🙂

Stay tuned for updates… and hugs for sharing & caring!

February 6, 2017

Hallelujah Cover Practise Session

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December 29, 2016

Back Up Singers & Goodbye to 2016

Over the holidays I watched a documentary that fundamentally has impacted how I feel about music, and even more so about some of the famous songs of the 60’s, 70’s & beyond. In a good way!!!

If you love music, I highly recommend you watch ‘20 Feet from Stardom‘. I never knew the name Merry Clayton (Stones-Gimme Shelter) or Lisa Fischer (Sting-Hounds of Winter) until I watched this doc. I know them now, forever burnt into my musical psyche, and will be listening too and writing music differently from this day forward.

BACK UP SINGERS ROCK!!!!!

That’s all I have to say about that…

Oh and goodbye 2016 🙂

PS. Few new Raito & The Leed tunes coming your way early 2017.

 

October 10, 2016

Busking Success for Winnipeg 2016

I will update this soon, but wanted to quickly say to everyone that the City of Winnipeg has indicated they will produce a communication plan by the end of 2016 on Busking in Winnipeg. This is, to my best understanding, following the Edmonton model of clearly communicating existing by-laws, via our city website, and promoting the diversity of the arts in the Peg.

Select qoutes from City Council Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services & Parks- October 14th/2016:

Direction 1: Continue to develop Winnipeg’s unique artistic identity and diversity of expression.
Direction 6: Promote awareness of the richness of Winnipeg’s arts & culture within and outside Winnipeg.
Direction 8: Establish Winnipeg as a city of choice and desired destination for artists and creative professionals.

In short, I do believe this is an excellent outcome and win for buskers IN and travelling through Winnipeg. Happy Thanksgiving! #winnipegrocks

May 11, 2016

Busking Radio Silence Update, NO Busking Bylaw & Next Steps

My apologies for the radio silence the last two days. If you have been following my busker proposal this past week then here is the update. If not, in one sentence or less, I have had a fair amount of local media reaction to my proposal to Winnipeg City Council to implement guidelines for busking in Winnipeg; with the intent to have more freedom and more buskers performing in Winnipeg public spaces! #moreofagoodthing (Skip to the end of you just want the Winnipeg City Council Update)

GOAL: NO BUSKING BYLAW… FOLLOW THE EDMONTON BUSKING GUIDELINES…MORE BUSKERS IN THE PEG

So, after writing an open letter to the mayor/city councillors, I spent time explaining my proposal to multiple media outlets (CBC, CTV, Metro, Bell Media, etc.). Here is a short interview with Richard Cloutier (CJOB Radio Winnipeg) so you get the gist.

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/O6s6fK5GlVE

CITY COUNCIL UPDATE: On May 9th, a few hours after the CJOB interview, I found myself patiently waiting at City Hall (Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks) to state my case. Unfortunately, I didn’t book the entire morning off and ran out of time, due to another local issue running WAY longer than expected.  After excusing myself, I did leave behind the Edmonton Busking Guidelines and learnt later that City Council committee unanimously agreed to  review busking guidelines in Winnipeg. I did request to speak at a future meeting, and kinda promised I would bring my guitar next time! 🙂

My intent is to follow up with the committee in the next couple of weeks and ensure that they are considering all the angles/facts when it comes busking in Winnipeg. The ultimate desire is to make busking easier, more transparent, and the most street performing friendly city in Canada.

April 27, 2016

Busking By-Law Open Letter to Winnipeg Mayor & City Council

Recent Press: 

May 6th Winnipeg Sun Article http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/05/05/winnipeg-musician-wants-busking-bylaw
May 7th Metro News Article http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/05/07/winnipeg-musician-wants-bylaw-for-buskers-.html?cq_ck=1462630484718
May 8th Global News http://globalnews.ca/news/2688190/winnipeg-musician-wants-better-rules-for-buskers/ & Winnipeg Free Press http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/busker-wants-to-play-by-rules-378591086.html

Original Open Letter Below

————————————————————–

Dear Mr. Bowman,

I appreciate in advance you taking a moment to read and comment.

We have a problem in Winnipeg that is easily solvable for our fine music & art friendly city.

No Busking in WinnipegProblem:  We do not have a busking bylaw. Instead, police warn artists they are soliciting or hand out fines and lump in buskers with panhandlers. I blogged about this last year, after hearing about a local busker being fined. I know handing out fines isn’t the norm. Yet, if a busker/street performer were to have  a concrete by-law or defined set of rules in place, they would know how to play within the fence posts.

Fire Works Winnipeg PermitIt is beyond my comprehension that Winnipeg , who has and continues to create some of the world’s best musicians, in the absence of a bylaw, will not at least allow an artist (musician, juggler, mime, etc.) to get a permit or business license to share their passion & talent in public places. It is relatively easy to get various Winnipeg business licenses or a (no cost) permit to discharge fireworks. Does this make sense to you, that we are not so Friendly Manitoba when it comes to street performers & buskers Mr. Mayor? 

We all want a vibrant city and are constantly looking to improve downtown. Musicians and performing artists, like in 1000’s of cities worldwide, can add a positive, fun, cultured atmosphere, well beyond the buskers who have to apply for Portage Alive Busking (Jun-Sep) & the limited buskers & performers permitted at the Forks (annual busking license via competition).

Solution: I have provided links below to Kenora &  Edmonton’s Busking Bylaws (although Edmonton doesn’t technically have a bylaw). I would propose Winnipeg City Council copy either of their progressive approaches to providing direction to street performers in their city. I’m sure if you call either Mayor for permission to copy they would give you two thumbs up!

Kenora Busking Bylaw ~http://listview.kenora.ca/Files/ByLaws%5C2015/066-2015%20Busking.pdf 

Edmonton Busking Bylaw ~ http://www.responsiblehospitalityedmonton.ca/street-entertainment-busking/  In Edmonton you do not need a permit to busk/street perform. They have simply put together rules, publically displayed on their website, and have listed  all the relevant bylaws that apply.  This could be a very quick way for Winnipeg City Council to approve busking & street performing in Winnipeg while still protecting citizens.

In conclusion, we elected you for a reason Mr. Mayor; agility, transparency and accessibility! I do look forward to hearing from you Mr. Brian Bowman & any or all of City Council.

As with any open letter, this one is no different. I invite any and all to respond, no matter your opinion. I would especially ask the music/arts/performing community to weigh in too.

Best Regards,

Raito

Ref: City of Winnipeg Permits http://www.winnipeg.ca/Services/permits/