TRANSMISSION CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE DEC. 5-8 IN VANCOUVER -- Ever hear of this one? It's a really well-thought-out new conference (in its second year) ...it's invite-only, it costs $1000 to register (keeps all the riff-raff out), they cap the attendance at 250, they feature about 20 export-ready artist showcases, and it's in a helluva city. This year's attendees include KCRW Los Angeles MD Nic Harcourt, Nettwerk's Terry McBride, IODA's Kevin Arnold, Mog's David Hyman, EMI Publishing Canada's Michael McCarty, Maple Music GM Allan Reid and NBC/Universal TV Music's Alicen Schneider (among a host of other international industry players).

Showcasing export-ready artists include Canadian acts Apostle Of Hustle, Attack In Black, Dan Mangan, Die Mannequin, Hayley Sales, Les Breastfeeders, Mother Mother, Patrick Watson, Plants And Animals, Pride Tiger, Shout out out out out, Sweet Thing and The Acorn. Also showcasing are Australian singer/songwriter Clare Bowditch, U.S. artists Eleni Mandell, Meiko, and Smoosh, and Finnish band Rubik.

Have a look at www.transmitnow.com for more info.