Dylan Menzie, Vishtèn Connexions, Lawrence Maxwell Head List of 2025 Music PEI Awards Nominees

This morning (Dec. 10) at a press conference in Charlottetown, Music PEI announced the nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Prince Edward Island’s music community.

Heading the pack of contenders with six nominations apiece are rootsy singer-songwriter Dylan Menzie (a previous multiple Music PEI Award winner), Lawrence Maxwell and roots/world music ensemble Vishtèn Connexions, followed by artist/producer Hikado with five, and indie rock band Absolute Losers and fiddle star Richard Wood with four nominations each.

Also announced at the press conference was the special recognition being accorded two honourees: Phase II, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by the City of Charlottetown, recognizing the group’s enduring contributions to the Island’s music scene, and Rory O’Donnell, the recipient of the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions, honouring his impact on the Island’s community and music landscape.

Public voting for two fan-favourite categories — Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year and Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year — opened on Dec. 10 and runs until Jan 3, 2025. Fans are encouraged to support their favourite nominees by casting their votes online.

Early Bird Festival Passes for Music PEI Week 2025 are on sale now at musicpei.com, until Jan. 13. Priced at $80 (valued at $135), these passes grant access to all the festival’s major events, including the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert, presented by the City of Summerside at the Scott Macaulay Performing Arts Centre, and the 24th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala, presented by the Atlantic Lottery at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Music PEI Week will take place from March 4-8, 2025, with events across the Island celebrating PEI’s music scene. Speaking at the nominees announcement, Music PEI Executive Director and co-founder Rob Oakie declared that "We are a small but mighty community. Our artists punch well above their weight."

For the full list of nominees and more information, visit musicpei.com.

The nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards are:

Terra Nova Fund Achievement in Classical Music

• Luminos Ensemble
• PEI Symphony Orchestra
• Sarah Hagen
• Tiffany Liu

Achievement in Jazz Music

• Andrew A. Melzer
• Carlie Howell
• Dan Rowswell

Achievement in World Music

• Richard Wood
• Tiffany Liu

The Buzz Album Art of the Year

• Carlie Howell - Let It Land

Graphic Design by Carlie Howell, Photography by Story Thorburn

• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid

Graphic Design by Niyi Adeogun, Photography by Justin Rix

• Elsie - All By My Lonesome

Artwork by Elsie Richmond

• Hikado - Enough

Graphic Design by Julia Lopo

• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Artwork by Renee Laprise, Graphic Design by Jordan Beaulieu & Roberta Landreth

Atlantic Lottery Album of the Year

• Absolute Losers - At The Mall
• Dennis Ellsworth - Hardcore Freewheelin'
• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions

• Rory O’Donnell

Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year

• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell - Pouring Out My Heart
• Noah Malcolm - Cereal
• Tara MacLean - Live in My Hometown
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Digital Presence of the Year

• BraedenV
• Diddyturner
• Hikado
• Luisa Güiza

Long & McQuade Educator of the Year

• Angie Arsenault
• Mark Parsons
• Rory O’Donnell
• Shawn Doiron

Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year

• Brad Milligan
• Dylan Menzie
• Inn Echo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Tiffany Liu
• Todd MacLean

Craig Fair Productions Instrumental Recording of the Year

• Aaron Comeau - FULLY UNFORMED
• Andrew A. Melzer - Cool Bandtracks & Instrumentals #2
• Inn Echo - Hemispheres
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Todd MacLean - Apricity

City of Charlottetown Lifetime Achievement Award

• Phase II

ADL Live Music Production Professional of the Year

• Chris Knox
• Shawna Picard

Live Sector Award

• Craig Fair Productions
• Island Jazz
• Jack Pine Folk Club
• Open Mic with KINLEY

Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year

• Absolute Losers - Bender

Directed by Abbey Wilson

• Hikado - Days Go By

Directed by Jacob Puiras

• KINLEY - Charlotte

Directed by Jenna MacMillan

• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See in Me

Directed by Jesse Duarte

• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion ft. Rowen Gallant + Jesse Périard

Directed by Millefiore Clarkes

Holland College Musician of the Year

• Craig Fair
• Keelin Wedge
• Logan Richard
• Mat MacEachern
• Maya Márquez

Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year Presented by The Gray Group

• Bettii - Shyyyyyy:)
• Carlie Howell - Let It Land
• Gizmo - Buddy System
• Hikado - Enough
• Luisa Güiza - Me Sana

Discover Charlottetown Pop Recording of the Year

• Absolute Losers - At The Mall
• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See In Me
• Noah Malcolm - January
• Pearly Gates - Sunny Sunshine Song

Rising Tide Community Fund Prix De L’Acadie

• Aubin pi la S.C.B
• Sirène et Matelot
• Vishtèn Connexions

City of Summerside R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

• Joce Reyome - Mr. Rain
• Lefunk - Reflection

The Guardian Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year

• BraedenV - Fade Out
• Cavy - Bad Games (feat. Merkules)
• DEMIXX - ESCAPISM?
• Norm Strangely - Norm Strangely
• Rightflow - VIOLENCE

Receiver Coffee Co. Recording Sector Award

• Adam Gallant
• Colin Buchanan
• Jon Matthews/The Sound Mill

Rodd Hotels & Resorts Rock/Loud Recording of the Year

• 20 Eyes - Summer Camp
• Gizmo - Buddy System
• Heather - Never Mind, Goodbye
• Oakdrive - 107
• Space Bud - Decisions

Stay Golden Custom Single of the Year

• Absolute Losers - By Fright
• Bettii - Shyyyyyy:)
• Hikado - Enough
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See In Me
• Logan Richard - Feels This Way

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year

• Dylan Menzie
• Gizmo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Noah Malcolm
• Whitney Rose

KENT Building Supplies Traditional Roots Recording of the Year

• Luka Hall - To Be Honest
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Shane Pendergast - Crossing The Bridge
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion