Secret Garden 2015 (Media Kit)

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NEWS RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
Attention: Music Editors Dylan Doyle & Susan Monyo
Media Relations, 8th
Octave PR
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Friday, July 3, 2015 media@8thoctave.com
Discover Toronto’s secret gardens
A communal festival like no other
TORONTO - Communion Records, a British independent music label,
is launching its first ever Secret Garden festival in Toronto.
Secret Garden 2015 takes place from July 3-5 in secret locations
within the GTA, such as Kensington Market, High Park and Trinity
Bellwoods. The festival features prominent local and
international singer-songwriters in unique settings.
“We have wanted to host this kind of festival in Canada for a
long time,” said Ben Lovett, co-founder, Communion Records.
“Toronto’s rich blend of culture, diversity and cultivated green
space make it the perfect location to host Secret Garden 2015.”
Communion co-founders Ben Lovett, Kev Jones and Ian Grimble
developed the concept for Secret Garden with the goal of
returning true artist appreciation to the forefront of the live
music experience. With little distraction, white lights,
cushions and blankets, attendees can comfortably soak up the

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sounds of Matt Corby, Ben Howard, City and Colour and many other
Canadian and Communion artists.
“This is a one-of-a-kind festival for indie music lovers in
Toronto,” said Ben Howard, Secret Garden 2015 headliner. “It’s a
nice change of pace from the larger crowds that artists are used
to playing for. I love the Secret Garden concept because it
offers cosy, outdoor environments, with little barrier between
performers and listeners.”
The three-day festival boasts a colourful roster of indie and
folk artists. Each concert has a limited number of tickets and
fans must apply for an invitation to each show via e-mail at
www.communionmusic.co.uk. The venues, which also include
Christie Pits and Ward’s Island, will be announced via email
approximately 24 hours before set times.
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About Communion Records
Communion Records is a UK-based, independent record label
established in London in 2006. Originally founded as a community
music night for local West London acts, Communion became a full-
service music label in 2010. The label supports diverse artists
throughout the UK, US, Canada and Australia. The label prides
itself on showcasing artists in smaller, intimate venues where
fans feel more engaged in a communal experience.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Attention: Music and Entertainment Editors
Monday, June 29, 2015
Launch of Toronto’s first Secret Garden festival
TORONTO – The UK-based Communion Records brings indie music
lovers an outdoor festival with a twist. Secret Garden 2015
features local and international artists in intimate venues,
which remain undisclosed until 24 hours before show times.
Exclusivity is key, as guests apply for tickets via email and
are notified of details closer to the date. Secret Garden 2015
aims to restore artist appreciation in Toronto.
What: Outdoor indie/folk music festival featuring artists
in cosy garden and park settings.
When: Friday, July 3, 2015 from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Interviews and scheduled photo-ops: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Festival: 1:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 2015 from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Festival: 1:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Festival: 1:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Who: Confirmed acts include: Matt Corby, Ben Howard, City
and Colour, Tennis, Gotye, Daughter and Broken Social Scene.

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• Ben Lovett and Kev Jones, co-founders of Communion and
members of Mumford & Sons and Bear’s Den, will be
available for interviews
Where: Precise locations to be publicly revealed 24 hours
prior to stage times. Email maz@communion.co.uk by
Wednesday, June 30 with subject: “MEDIA OP” to receive
advance notice.
Possible venues include:
• High Park – TTC to High Park Station
• Kensington Market – Intersection of College and
Augusta Ave., west of Spadina Ave.
• Trinity Bellwoods – Intersection of Dundas St. W and
Ossington Ave. Closest TTC: Ossington Station
• Ward’s Island – Toronto Island ferry to eastern end
of Centre Island
• Christie Pits – TTC to Christie Station
Visuals: In addition to interviews, media will have the
opportunity to photograph the intricate design and
elaborate décor of the various stages during set up.
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Dylan Doyle & Susan Monyo
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

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FACT SHEET MEDIA CONTACT
Octave PR
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Secret Garden 2015
• July 3-5 at secret locations in Kensington Market, High
Park, Christie Pits, Echo Beach, Fort York Garrison Common,
Trinity Bellwoods and Ward’s Island
• Applications for tickets are available via email with a
strict capacity of 100 attendees at each venue
• Sixty-three per cent of surveyed Torontonians voiced a need
for an increase in folk music representation at festivals
• Total of 35 acts over three days
• Merges well-known international and Canadian artists:
o E.g. Gotye, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, Toronto’s Trust
and Alvvays, Hamilton’s Melissa McClelland and St.
Catharines’ City and Colour
• Creates a serene, ethereal esthetic featuring décor such as
twinkling lights, candles, tree lanterns, wind chimes,
dream-catchers, etc.
• Food trucks featuring Korean, Tex-Mex, Chinese, Thai and
more
• Guests may bring blankets, cushions and foldable chairs to
the event

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• Ben Lovett and Kev Jones, co-founders of Communion, will be
available for media interviews
Communion Records
• Founded in 2006 by Ben Lovett, Kev Jones and Ian Grimble as
a community club night at the Notting Hill Arts Club in
London
• Club night featured mostly West London acts
• 2010: Launched as a full-service music label with artists
such as Gotye, Daughter, Matt Corby, Bear’s Den, The Staves,
Michael Kiwanuka and Ben Howard
• 2011: Launched its first annual music festival, Bushstock.
The one-day festival takes place at multiple venues in the
Shepherd’s Bush area of West London
• 2012: Advent of Communion USA led to the launch of
Communion in the Redwoods, a three-day folk festival in Big
Sur, California
• Communion also runs smaller stages at major festivals such
as The Great Escape, Camden Crawl, SXSW, Bestival and CMJ
• 2013: Announcement of partnerships with Mumford & Sons
"Gentlemen Of The Road" imprint and Island Records
• Communion Presents: Operates as a London promoter in
intimate churches with 1000+ cap venues
• Monthly club nights in cities throughout the UK, US, and
Australia
o Featured cities: London, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester,
New York City, Nashville, Melbourne and Sydney
• Communion’s social media statistics:
o 29,700+ Facebook likes
o 14,900+ Twitter followers

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Communion’s Philosophy
• Based on artist appreciation, collaboration and a lack of
top management interference
• Ben Lovett, co-founder: “We founded Communion as a way for
people to get together and play music without all the
hassle of dealing with money-grabbing venue promoters. No
matter what the venue size, they’ve always been amazingly
intimate occasions.“
• While the label supports big name artists, it chooses to
showcase them in smaller, more accessible venues where
possible
• Communion does not condone the culture of celebrity and
looks at the live music experience as occurring between
performers and listeners, not celebrities and fans
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BIOGRAPHY MEDIA CONTACT
Octave PR
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BEN LOVETT, Communion Records
Communion Records co-founder Ben
Lovett would blush if you called him
a musical Renaissance man to his
face. The 28-year-old Grammy Award-
winning musician, acclaimed producer
and record label executive is one of
the music industry’s best-kept
secrets. It comes as no surprise
that Lovett is the creative mind
behind Secret Garden.
Lovett founded Communion in 2006 with partners Kev Jones and Ian
Grimble. As a producer, he has worked closely on more than 30
full-length albums from Communion artists in the last four years.
Lovett helps to plan all Communion events, including club nights,
concerts and festivals. He is also responsible for artist
management and label partnerships.
Apart from his work with Communion, Lovett is a founding member
of the Grammy Award-winning British folk band, Mumford & Sons.

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He plays keyboard, piano and sings backing vocals for the band.
Mumford & Sons’ first full-length studio album, Sigh No More
(2009), won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 2011. Their
second studio album Babel (2012) received the Grammy Award for
Album of the Year.
Outside of Communion, Lovett has produced albums for numerous
British folk artists, including Peggy Sue and Simon Felice. He
co-produced Ellie Goulding’s critically acclaimed debut studio
album Lights (2010), which included a cover of Elton John’s
“Your Song”. The track peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Lovett attended Hallfield School in Birmingham before moving to
London. He also attended King’s College School in Wimbledon,
where he met Mumford & Sons’ lead vocalist, Marcus Mumford.
Ben Lovett recently announced his engagement to fashion designer,
Jemima Janney. He currently resides in London, UK.
- 30 -
Image source: http://rockonphilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/image.jpg

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BACKGROUNDER MEDIA CONTACT
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A summer festival with a secret
You’ve been in the sweaty pit of ravers in Downsview Park for
VELD. You’ve felt the sun on your back at Fort York for Field
Trip Music & Arts Festival. You’ve cheered for an encore in
every venue across Toronto during NXNE. Now, you’re on the hunt
for a more intimate and peaceful live music experience.
Your favourite blogs have featured reviews of the UK Secret
Garden shows, but they’ve always felt light-years away. Then,
you learn about Secret Garden 2015 – happening in Toronto. You
look through your list of festival expectations. Exclusive?
Check. Relaxing? Check again. A festival that celebrates
musicianship, not celebrity status? You’re three for three.
You sign up for the Communion Records mailing list, waiting to
receive more information about Toronto’s Secret Garden festival.
The days slip away, inching closer and closer to that first
weekend in July. Finally, you receive instructions: The first
100 people to send their names and contact information will
receive tickets to headliner Matt Corby’s exclusive Secret
Garden 2015 set, location TBA. You waste no time responding,
fumbling to spell your name properly. Minutes pass with bated
breath until – Congratulations! You’re going to see Matt Corby
at Secret Garden 2015!
You arrive at the secret location promptly at 7 p.m. You spread
your floral blanket out on the grass and chat amongst your
friends. The sun has fully set and the outdoor LED lights that

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have been strung across the space are fully lit. The stage is
modest, much smaller than any festival you’ve been to before.
However, the hanging bunts and leafy Chinese evergreen plants
are quaint and somehow familiar. Despite the open space and cool
summer breeze, you feel at home.
Finally, Matt Corby emerges from behind the red curtains lining
the back of the stage. The field you’re sitting in is completely
quiet except for the soothing melodies coming from Matt’s guitar.
You quietly sing along, looking left and right, until you
remember: There are only 99 other people experiencing this right
now. There will be no headline tomorrow reading “Records broken
at Secret Garden 2015, more than 15,000 attendees.” You’re
sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with those fans
devoted to a simple idea: a secret.
You aren’t doused in sweat. There are no people elbowing their
way to the front of the stage. You haven’t lost your voice from
screaming. There is only you, the musician and the starlight.
- 30 –

8th
Octave PR
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To: Aubrey Jax, Culture & Events Editor, blogTO
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY for Monday, June 29, 2015 – Intimate UK
music festival SECRET GARDEN comes to Toronto (PDF attached)
Aubrey:
For a moment, imagine how you feel when a secret is shared with
you. Imagine that warm, fluttery feeling when you alone have
access to a tiny morsel of valuable information. A secret
inflates the ego, stirs excitement and provides a powerful rush.
There’s a reason for the old adage “knowledge is power.”
Secrecy is the foundation of Communion Records’ exclusive
concert series, Secret Garden. This July, for the first time
ever in Canada, Communion will host its three-day festival
experience at outdoor venues throughout Toronto. Each concert
has a limited number of tickets and fans must apply for an
invitation to each show. The venues are announced approximately
24 hours before set times. In this case, secrets do make friends.
I think the Secret Garden 2015 story would be perfect for blogTO.
Your series on Toronto’s best seasonal festivals has
consistently featured the best emerging live music experiences,
such as your feature on the Toronto Urban Roots Festival.
We would be glad to answer any further questions, or send any
additional information you may require. Thank you for your time.
Media Relations, 8
th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

8th
Octave PR
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To: Jordan Darville, Head Writer, Chart Attack
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY for Monday, June 29, 2015 – Intimate UK
music festival SECRET GARDEN comes to Toronto (PDF attached)
Jordan:
For years, the Toronto music scene has pushed the boundaries of
what’s possible. From Calvin Harris’ closing set at VELD 2014 to
Broken Social Scene’s legendary set at Field Trip 2013, Toronto
has seen it all. Or has it?
Communion Records’ exclusive concert series, Secret Garden 2015
is the game-changer that Toronto has been waiting for. The
festival features performances from international and Canadian
artists in outdoor venues throughout the city. The catch? Each
concert has a limited number of tickets and fans must apply for
an invitation to each show. The venues are announced 24 hours
before set times. In this case, secrets really do make friends.
As the creative force behind Secret Garden and member of the
Grammy Award-winning British folk band, Mumford & Sons, Ben
Lovett would be a natural fit for your Longreads section. Aside
from his Grammy Award and impressive resumé, Ben is a
trendsetter in the world of Britfolk. I can assure you that Ben
would cooperate fully with any writers or photographers assigned.
Media Relations, 8
th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

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Octave PR
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To: Stephen Carlick, Senior Music Editor, Exclaim!
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY for Monday, June 29, 2015 – Grammy
Award-winning musician Ben Lovett brings his intimate SECRET
GARDEN festival to Toronto (PDF attached)
Stephen:
Metric. Broken Social Scene. Owen Pallett. Each of these
legendary musicians broke out on the Canadian music scene with
the help of a live festival experience that no longer exists in
the same form today. What is the unknown artist to do?
Communion Records’ exclusive concert series, Secret Garden 2015
is the game-changer that Toronto has been waiting for. The
festival features performances from international and Canadian
artists in outdoor venues throughout the city. The catch? Each
concert has a limited number of tickets and fans must apply for
an invitation to each show. The venues are announced 24 hours
before set times. In this case, secrets really do make friends.
As the creative force behind Secret Garden and member of
internationally renowned British folk band, Mumford & Sons, Ben
Lovett is no stranger to the pressure of the music industry. His
rise from a struggling musician to a Grammy Award winner and
record label executive is a true Cinderella story. I can assure
you that Ben would cooperate fully with any writers assigned.
Media Relations, 8
th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

8th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com
(Image source: Tessa Kit Zawadzki
(www.facebook.com/tessakitzawadskiphotography)
Winthrop, WA, Australia
Secret Garden creates magic in the moonlight
Stages at the festival are elaborately adorned, such as this one
from a Secret Garden show in Western Australia. Set designs
feature twinkling lights, candles, lanterns and flowing fabric
to create an otherworldly atmosphere. Secret Garden aims to
sonically and visually entice festivalgoers’ imaginations.
- 30 -
Friday, July 3, 2015 Contact: Susan Monyo
Media Relations, 8
th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

8th
Octave PR
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(Image source: Alexander Hedström (www.axelhpage.tumblr.com))
Borlänge, Sweden
Matt Corby plays exquisite and ethereal secret garden
Communion Records’ artist Matt Corby is a headliner at Secret
Garden 2015. The three-day festival creates a tranquil ambiance,
similar to this concert played in Sweden. Attendees will feel at
ease in the intimate, outdoor environment.
- 30 -
Friday, July 3, 2015 Contact: Susan Monyo
Media Relations, 8
th
Octave PR
416-828-0355
media@8thoctave.com

8th
Octave PR
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REFERENCES
• Alvi, N. (n.d.). Ben Lovett Interview. Retrieved November 3,
2014, from http://thequarterly.co.uk/features/ben_lovett/
• Harris, S. (2012, March 27). Interview - Ben Lovett of
Communion. Retrieved November 4, 2014, from
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/interview-ben-lovett-
of-communion
• N/A. (n.d.). Communion. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from
http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/
• N/A. (2014, October 24). Communion (music). Retrieved
November 1, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communion_(music)
• N/A. (2013, February 3). Exec Profile: Ben Lovett
(Communion CEO). Retrieved November 3, 2014, from
http://musicconnection.com/exec-profile-ben-lovett-
communion-ceo/
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• Saunders, H. (2013, September 30). Ben Lovett's Communion
Launches Club Night Series in Nine U.S. Cities. Retrieved
November 3, 2014, from
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/09/communion-
launches-club-night-series-in-nine-us-ci.html
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