Supernova Entertainment Inc.

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Supernova
Type	Private
Founded	1992
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Area served	North America
Key people	Elliott Hurst (CEO) Sandy Hurst (COO) Sanford Liu (Director)
Industry	Entertainment
Services	Battle of the Bands
Website	Supernova.com

Supernova Entertainment Group Inc. is a Canadian concert promotions company that has been producing Battle of the Bands® shows since 1992. Headquartered in Toronto, Supernova regularly showcases new bands across Canada and the United States on a weekly basis. All of Supernova’s live events feature indie bands in popular venues with other local indie bands and in some cases, with major label headliners.^[1] Supernova’s purpose is to provide bands with their first opportunity to play a live show.

Contents 1 Supernova History 2 Leadership 3 Battle of the Bands® 3.1 Battle of the Bands® Trademark 3.2 Tours 3.3 Series 4 Participating Cities and Venues 4.1 Cities 4.1.1 Canada 4.1.2 United States 4.2 Venues 4.2.1 Canada 4.2.2 United States 5 Battle of the Bands® Prizing 6 Supernova.com 7 Supernova Alumni 8 Supernova Controversy 8.1 Ticket Sales 8.2 Judging 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Supernova History

Supernova was founded in 1992 in Toronto, by two brothers Elliott Hurst and Sandy Hurst, as a means to provide unknown bands with an opportunity to play before a live audience.^[2] The idea for Supernova began when Elliott and Sandy booked their high school friend’s band into an all ages show. ^[3] After that, Supernova began running Battle of the Bands® shows every weekend across Southern Ontario, Canada.

In 1997, Supernova launched Supernova.com, "where registered artists can post concert dates, pictures, and information about themselves" (Wall, 2003).^[4] That year also marked the first annual Musicfest. Musicfest began as a way to give indie bands the experience of opening for a major Canadian headliner.

The series continued for six more years with the highlight being Rock The Border ^[1]. Rock The Border featured 80 bands during 2 days performing in front of an estimated 10,000 fans outside Summit Park Mall in Niagara Falls, NY.^[5] Theory Of A Deadman and Default were booked to headline the two day event.

Soon after, Supernova expanded into several North American markets. This expansion has led to new series and tour opportunities. Supernova has booked numerous headliners into showcases, tours and series. Previous headliners include illScarlett, Finger Eleven, Silverstein, Bif Naked, 30 Seconds to Mars, Social Code, Breaking Benjamin, and No Use for a Name.

In 2007, Supernova ran its first United States national program, Out Of The Garage 2007. The year also saw Supernova.com re-launched as a social community.

[edit] Leadership

Elliott Hurst
Elliott Hurst is the CEO and co-founder of Supernova. He studied at York University where he earned a MBA from Schulich School of Business, a diploma in Arts and Media Management, and a BFA in Film and Video. Elliott’s previous projects include the World University Consortium, and online distance learning co-operative; Online World Library, an aggregator of library resources; and the Casino Club of Canada, a charity fundraising company.

Sandy Hurst
Sandy Hurst is the COO and co-founder of Supernova. Sandy studied at York University and earned a MBA from Schulich School of Business and a BA in Psychology. Sandy’s previous projects include Machinehead Studios, a recording studio in Toronto; Club Rockit, a live events venue; and Canadian Booksellers Association.

Sanford Liu
Sanford Liu is Supernova’s Director of Interactive. Sanford holds an Honours Bachelor for Computer Science from the University of Toronto. His previous endeavours include Toronto District School Board and Henderson Bas, a Canadian interactive agency.

[edit] Battle of the Bands®

Supernova shows are based on a Battle of the Bands® format. Supernova Battle of the Bands® shows ^[2] feature approximately 12-15 local bands playing on any given night. There is no application process, no fee, and no auditions to go through. There are also no age restrictions for either bands or audiences.^[6] Bands sign up on Supernova.com, create a profile and wait for a live show opportunity.

Tickets are typically $10-$15CAD. Bands are not compensated for ticket sales but they are permitted, and encouraged, to sell merchandise at these shows without any commission fees. Although running all-ages shows can be quite costly because of expenses such as venue rental and security, much controversy surrounds Supernova’s ticket model. ^[7]

Bands are asked to sell tickets in order to secure the best set times but everyone is guaranteed an opportunity to play. This way, the band that brings out the biggest crowd will get the best set time and provides each band an opportunity to gain exposure by sharing an audience. Some bands believe this to be an unfair catch and accuse Supernova of being “yet another cog in the machinery of the music industry” (Walker, 2003). ^[8]

Prizes like recording studio time are offered at each Supernova show. They differ for each show, tour, and series and vary by city. Prizes are awarded based on judging and fan voting. Bands are judged by in-house judges. Judging criteria is based on show performance, stage presence, crowd reaction, and song originality. There has also been much controversy surrounding the selection of judges and the credibility of their opinions. Several bands have claimed preferential treatment and bribes accepted by judges, although no instances have ever been reported.

Supernova shows rely on self-promotion. Supernova provides bands with promotional materials such as flyers, tickets, and web site support to help them advertise their involvement. These materials are available at no extra cost to the bands.

Supernova shows all offer bands a standard backline for performance. Any additional equipment needed is at the discretion of the bands. A standard backline includes:

• 4-piece drum kit (1 floor tom, 1 bass drum, 2 mounted toms)
• 1 bass amplifier
• 1 guitar amplifier
• Microphones

[edit] Battle of the Bands® Trademark

Supernova owns the trademark of Battle of the Bands® in Canada.^[9] It was trademarked in 1998. Companies like Yamaha [3], Paramount Pictures [4] and Rogers [5] have partnered with Supernova to create branded Battle of the Bands® to gain access to this trademark.

[edit] Tours

Supernova books professional headlining acts and incorporates them into Battle of the Bands® shows; often presenting them with a multi-city tour.

Past headlined tours include:

• Social Code
• Britt Black
• Johnny Truant ^[6]
• Rides Again ^[7]
• illScarlett ^[8]
• Armchair Cynics
• Idle Sons
• Summerhero
• Flashlight Brown
• The Black Maria

[edit] Series

Supernova offers bands tiered competitions in the form of series. These series feature multilevel Battle of the Bands® shows in various cities with bands competing to be a finalist in a final round. Rounds are normally broken down into qualifying, city finals, regional finals, and voting rounds.

Annual Supernova series include:

• Summer Warfare ^[9]
• Out of the Garage ^[10]
• Band on the Run ^[11]

Past series include:

• Musicfest ^[12]
• Molson Canadian Battle of the Bands®
• School of Rock ^[13]
• Without a Paddle ^[14]
• Yamaha Last Band Standing ^[15]
• Rogers Battle of the Bands® ^[16]
• Indie Soundclash ^[17]

[edit] Participating Cities and Venues

Supernova produces shows in various cities in Canada and the United States.^[18]

[edit] Cities

[edit] Canada

Greater Toronto Area
Hamilton
London
Kitchener
Guelph
Oshawa
Ottawa
Barrie
Montreal
Winnipeg
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
Victoria

[edit] United States

Buffalo
Brooklyn
New York City
Chicago
Los Angeles
Detroit
Cincinnati
Columbus
Dallas
Houston
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Milwaukee

[edit] Venues

[edit] Canada

Annex Wreckroom
El Mocambo
Healey’s Roadhouse
Reverb and Holy Joe’s
Mavericks
Café L’Inconditionnel
The Pound
Tom Lee Music Hall
Chapel Arts Centre
Croatian Culture Centre
The Underground
Avenue Skate Park
Jet Nightclub
Graffiti Gallery
Music Hall Lounge
Foundation Nightclub
The Dungeon
Absinthe
The Gig

[edit] United States

Club Infinity
20th Century Theatre
Liquid Lounge
Fitzgeralds
Garfield Artworks
The Modern Exchange
Studio Seven
Whiskey Dicks
Rave Bar

[edit] Battle of the Bands® Prizing

Bands participating in Supernova Battle of the Bands® can expect to win prizes such as recording time at a local studio, and merchandise packages that include CD duplication, production, branded apparel and accessories. In special cases, Supernova has booked a first place winner into a headlining tour and into music festivals such as NXNE 2008 and CMW 2008 ^[19].

[edit] Supernova.com

Supernova launched its first website in 1997 to give indie bands an online home. Supernova.com existed as a means for bands to register, create a profile, and to sign up to play Battle of the Bands®. Over time features were added to the website such as picture uploads, customizable profiles, messageboards, and voting polls.

In 2007, Supernova.com re-launched as a web 2.0 social network. Users interact with each other by posting and sharing content such as blogs, photos, audio, and videos. Fans, bands, and industry members can also create their own profiles and promote themselves to others. Bands promote their music and shows, fans promote their interests in music and bands, and industry professionals promote their services.

Supernova.com comprises user-generated and Supernova-generated content. Supernova.com lists dates for upcoming Battle of the Bands® shows and features news, reviews, band interviews, and contests.

Supernova.com is also an online extension of Supernova’s Battle of the Bands®. Fans are able to go online after a live show and vote for their favourite band to win a prize or advancement into a qualification round.

[edit] Supernova Alumni

The following professional artists have played Supernova shows:

Band	Year	Venue	City	Series/Tour
Billy Talent	1995	Gasworks	Toronto	Battle of the Bands
Sum 41	1996	Opera House	Toronto	Battle of the Bands
Three Days Grace	1996	Opera House	Toronto	Battle of the Bands
Sassing Mackenzie	1998	The Reverb	Toronto	Battle of the Bands
Finger Eleven	2000	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
Swollen Members	2002	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
Rascalz	2002	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
Bif Naked	2002	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
GOB	2002	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
30 Seconds to Mars	2002	Playdium	Mississauga	Musicfest
Default	2003	Summit Park Mall	Niagara Falls	Musicfest: Rock The Border
Theory of a Deadman	2003	Summit Park Mall	Niagara Falls	Musicfest: Rock The Border
Britt Black	2005	Various	Various	National Tour
Flashlight Brown	2005	Various	Various	National Tour
Social Code	2005	The Docks	Toronto	muSICK Series
Gymclass Heroes	2005	Club Infinity	Buffalo	Musicfest
Breaking Benjamin	2005	The Docks	Toronto	muSICK Series
No Use For A Name	2005	The Docks	Toronto	muSICK Series
Magneta Lane	2006	Playdium	Mississauga	Summer Warfare
Silverstein	2006	Playdium	Mississauga	Summer Warfare
illScarlett	2006	Various	Various	National Tour
Cancer Bats	2006	Playdium	Mississauga	Summer Warfare
Armchair Cynics	2006	Various	Various	Western Tour
Idle Sons	2006	Various	Various	Ontario Tour
Social Code	2006	Various	Various	National Tour
Summerhero	2006	Various	Various	Ontario Tour
The Black Maria	2006	Various	Various	Western Tour
Johnny Truant	2007	Various	Various	National Tour
The Saint Alvia Cartel	2007	Playdium	Mississauga	Playdium Warfare

[edit] Supernova Controversy

[edit] Ticket Sales

Supernova has been criticized for their ticket model. Concerns were publicized when a Street Cents viewer wrote into the show about Supernova’s ticket policy. He was frustrated with being asked to sell tickets to a Supernova show. Street Cents, a youth advocate television program, approached Elliott Hurst with the viewer’s concerns. Elliott explained that many clubs and venues will not let a band play unless they can guarantee a crowd.

[edit] Judging

Concerns have been raised regarding Supernova judges. As posted by a user on Supernova.com, the judges are not visible. This leads bands to believe that no judges are present. Supernova conceals the identity of its judges at shows to discourage prejudiced judging.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Supernova Series & Tours"
2. ^ Wall, K: "Logging on to the Indie-Net", Young People's Press, August 27, 2003
3. ^ "About Supernova"
4. ^ Wall, K: "Logging on to the Indie-Net", Young People's Press, August 27, 2003
5. ^ Michelmore, B:"Summit Park Mall Gets Ready To Rock",The Buffalo News, July 11, 2003
6. ^ "Street Cents". Season 14, Episode 14. Perf. Connie Walker. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC, Toronto. 3 February 2003.
7. ^ "Street Cents". Season 14, Episode 14. Perf. Connie Walker. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC, Toronto. 3 February 2003.
8. ^ "Street Cents". Season 14, Episode 14. Perf. Connie Walker. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC, Toronto. 3 February 2003.
9. ^ "Industry Canada"

[edit] External links

• Supernova.com[20]
• Supernova on YouTube[21]
• Supernova on Myspace[22]