E20: The Regrettable Men of CanCon with Jesse Hawken

Welcome to Long Distance, Bit Weird, a podcast from international comedy couple Sooz Kempner and Michael Balazo. One of them lives in the UK, the other in Canada. Two people from two radically different cultures.

This week, writer and podcaster Jesse Hawken drops by to talk about some VERY lucky Canadian musicians who benefited from the government's Canadian Content (CanCon) rules.

Implemented under Pierre Trudeau's government in 1971, CanCon rules were created to combat the overwhelming dominance of American music on Canadian radio, ensuring domestic artists had airplay. All of this, it was hoped, would foster a distinct Canadian cultural identity. Did it work? Hard to say. But CanCon certainly allowed guys like David Wilcox, Kim Mitchell, Gowan, Stompin' Tom and, uh, Doug and the Slugs to have careers. 

BUT FIRST: Sooz talks about a fire! Michael talks about Drake's ice sculpture! PLUS: another exciting edition of the hit segment "Actual Customer Letters to Wetherspoon News," in which we read genuine letters written to a damn pub.

Follow Jesse on Bluesky HERE. And be sure to check out his excellent podcast Junk Filter.

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If you like what you hear, you can support Long Distance, Bit Weird on Patreon. Subscribers will get early access to episodes, bonus content and special surprises. In fact, you can watch several Travelodge episodes, along with the classic British animated films Watership Down and the bonkers Canadian documentary Project Grizzly in FULL right now with witty/sweary commentary from Sooz and Michael. 

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SHOWS

April 26 - Birmingham, UK! Sooz is performing at Hare of the Dog @ Hare & Hounds. Get your tickets HERE!

April 30 - Chippenham, UK. Michael is opening for Sooz at the Chippenham Comedy Club @ the Old Road Tavern. Get your tickets HERE!

May 2- Machynlleth, UK!  Sooz is performing a work in progress of her standup show Imposter at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival. Get your tickets HERE!