By Kerry Doole
Awards news
The nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards were announced yesterday, and the list was headed by Toronto's Blackburn Brothers, recipients of a record-setting nine noms. MattAndersen was cited in five categories, and Brandon Isaak in four. Returning to its roots, the Awards show will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto), where the awards were held from 2000 to 2006 on Feb. 12. Tickets are on sale now here. See the full nominees list here.
– The 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards will take place on Dec. 2 at The Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon. The awards ceremony will include musical performances and the honouring of the Indigenous Music Achievement Award recipient. Tix here. Multiple nominees in the 20 awards categories include Katie Tupper, The Hunter Brothers, People of the Sun, Teagan Littlechief, Shantaia, Jess Moskaluke, Jesse Brown, and Nige B. More info here.
Industry news
– At its AGM in Toronto last week, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) announced its 2023-2026 Board of Directors. See the full list here.
– At the upcoming Creative Export Seminar in Moncton (in French, Nov. 9) or Halifax (in English, Nov. 10), attendees can discover the Government of Canada’s Creative Export Strategy, with unique funding streams and international business-to-business opportunities for both for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations. Led by Canadian Heritage and Global Affairs Canada, the Strategy supports a broad range of projects through its funding program, with up to $90K under the new Export-Development stream and up to $2.5M under the Export-Ready stream. Register at exports@pch.gc.ca by Nov. 6.
– The ECMA Board of Directors Election is now open until Nov. 16. Ten nominees, including one incumbent, are vying for three spots on the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Board of Directors, one from each region of the following regions: Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador. You can find out more about the candidates here. Successful candidates will serve a two-year term from Nov. 2023 until Nov. 2025.
– Music BC recently announced its new Board of Directors. More info here.
– A reminder that the final submission deadline for the 2024 Juno Awards is Thurs. Nov. 2 at 11:59 pm ET. Submit here. With support from TD, a program created by CARAS supports independent Canadian artists from underrepresented communities to help cover the cost of submission fees for the 2024 Awards in up to five categories. Approved applicants will have their submission fees waived.
Artists news
– Wyatt C. Louis is a Calgary-based Indigenous roots singer/songwriter who recently signed to noted indie label Royal Mountain Records and will tour in the US with Noah Reid in Nov. and Jan.. Here is new single, Bobtail Road.
– Acclaimed singer/songwriter Suzie Ungerleider returns to her former Ontario stomping grounds for four shows this month, beginning with a star-studded night at Toronto's Hugh's Room that features guests Justin Rutledge, Caroline Marie Brooks of Good Lovelies, and Whitehorse. Gigs follow that in Meaford, Ottawa and Peterborough, then mid-late Nov. shows in Gibsons, BC, Edmonton, and High River, AB. Itinerary and tix here.
– Punk enfant terrible Art Bergmann plays The Horseshoe in Toronto tonight (Nov. 2), backed by an all-star band. Expect material from the new album ShadowWalk, plus old favourites. Tix here. On Nov. 4, Bergmann and his biographer (and former FYI scribe) Jason Schneider join moderator Mary Dickie to discuss the recent memoir, The Longest Suicide. This takes place at The West End Phoenix (WEP) HQ at 3 Bartlett Ave. in Toronto (1-3 p.m.) Info here.
– Award-winning Indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids launches their major label (Sony) debut with a single featuring vocal cameos from Tia Wood and Lex Leosis. This precedes a forthcoming album, due for release next summer. A new series of North American tour dates, expanding their Hot Planet Tour into 2024, has also been announced. Details here
– Toronto indie singer/songwriter Paul Manchin recently released Master, a compilation of 40 songs from his catalogue. Producers of the material include David Bottrill, Moe Berg, Chris Briscoe, Brent Bodrug, Denzil Remedios, Black Jack, and Manchin. It includes a new single and video, First, written and produced by Manchin and Black Jack. Check it out here.
– Brazilian-Canadian guitar/composer Rodrigo Samoes recently won a bronze Global Music Award for his latest (and third) album, TRE. His style fuses Brazilian music and jazz improvisation and has earned international recognition. He has collaborated with Canadian jazz artists, including Bill McBirnie, Joel Miller, Flavia Nascimento, and Sienna Dahlen.
– Harmonica virtuoso Carlos del Junco is bringing in a full electric quartet for his return to Hugh's Room in Toronto on Dec. 2. His group comprises guitarist Eric St. Laurent, bassist Henry Heillig, and drummer Illios Steryannis. Tix here.
