Bombargo, Rosie & the Riveters and Lucy James among nominees for inaugural Saskatchewan Music Awards
SaskMusic has unveiled the list of nominees for the inaugural Saskatchewan Music Awards, and some local Prince Albert talent made the list.
There are a total of 18 categories including artist of the year in nine different genres, single of the year, industry achievement, venue of the year, producer of the year and the Breaking Borders award presented by the Derek Bachman Foundation. The awards are intended to highlight the local music community in Saskatchewan.
The awards will kick of Saskatchewan Music Week, and take place on Nov. 25 at The Exchange, 2431 8th Ave., Regina.
The long list of best Saskatchewan album will also be announced at the event, with public voting to commence online the following day.
Among the shortlisted nominees is Bombargo, the Saskatoon-based band fronted by Prince Albert’s Nathan Thoen. They’re up for rock/pop artist of the year, along with One Bad Son, Surf Dads, the Pistolwhips and the Sheepdogs.
Another Saskatoon-based band with Prince Albert roots has also been shortlisted.
Rosie & the Riveters, which is performing at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre Thursday, was nominated as roots/folk artist of the year. They’re going up against Colter Wall (the son of former Premier Brad Wall), Ellen Froese, Jeffery Straker and Kacy & Clayton.
The Ness Creek Music Festival in Big River is shortlisted in the venue of the year category, going up against Saskatoon’s Capitol Music Club and Broadway Theatre, Regina’s The Exchange and Swift Current’s Blenders Music Series at the Lyric Theatre, Swift Current.
Under Industry achievement, Jam Street Music Sessions owner Lucy James has made the list of nominees. She is going up against 91.3 CJTP – Regina Community Radio, Shann Gowan, Susan Busse, The Broadway theatre and Trifecta.
In addition to teaching at Jam Street, James runs monthly open mic events that help give young artists exposure while exposing kids to live music. She also helps put the music together for events such as the Street Fair and Culture Days.
“It’s cool. It feels good,” she said.
“It did surprise me, because there are so many people doing awesome work in the industry. It’s nice to be recognized.”
James said that it’s about time there were general music awards in Saskatchewan. Previously, there have only been provincial country music awards.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said.
“There hasn’t been anything for the rest of the music industry. It’s such a good stepping stone too. It’s an opportunity to be recognized by the rest of the country.”
While those acts were receiving the nomination news, another local act was shortlisted for a different set of awards.
The Wolfe, the rock trio that got its start at Jam Street Music, was nominated for two Indie Week Awards – best emerging artist and best music video. They also announced that they’ll be opening for One Bad Son at the Coors Event Centre in Saskatoon on Dec. 22.
Full list of Saskatchewan Music Awards nominees:
Official 2018 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominees
Alternative Artist of the Year
Bears in Hazenmore
Close Talker
Megan Nash
Nick Faye & The Deputies
The Garrys
Avant Garde/Experimental Artist of the Year
Factor Eight
Jesse Brown
Marie-Véronique Bourque
respectfulchild
Steve Leidal
Wolf Willow
Country Artist of the Year
Blake Berglund
Jay Semko
Jess Moskaluke
Justin LaBrash
Tenille Arts
Electronic Artist of the Year
Economics
LOA
Natural Sympathies
Sölus-Sun
VBRTR
Indigenous Artist of the Year
BrownCanShine
Dale Mac
Joey Stylez
Marentin Fehr
Yellowsky
Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Def3
Factor Chandelier
Pimpton
Samurai Champs
Shawn Jobin
Metal/Loud Artist of the Year
Altars of Grief
Blue Youth
Hell Hounds
Shooting Guns
Soul Mates
Rock/Pop Artist of the Year
Bombargo
One Bad Son
Surf Dads
The Pistolwhips
The Sheepdogs
Roots/Folk Artist of the Year
Colter Wall
Ellen Froese
Jeffery Straker
Kacy & Clayton
Rosie & the Riveters
Venue of the Year
Blenders Music Series at the Lyric Theatre, Swift Current
Capitol Music Club, Saskatoon
Ness Creek Music Festival, Big River
The Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon
The Exchange, Regina
Producer of the Year
Bart McKay
Factor Chandelier
Jason Plumb
Jonathan Cruz and Leonard Chan of VBRTR
Ryan Andersen
Industry Achievement Award
91.3FM CJTR, Regina Community Radio
Lucy James – Jam Street Music Sessions
Shann Gowan
Susan Busse
The Broadway Theatre
Trifecta
