Manitoba Music
Propagandhi Wins National Songwriting Prize
Punk outfit Propagandhi has once again proved the power of the people. The left-wing quartet has just been named the winner of SOCAN's first annual ECHO Songwriting Prize for its song "A Speculative Fiction." The band beat out finalists Laura Barrett, Final Fantasy, The Stills, and Wolf Parade.
SOCAN initiated the prize in order to identify developing talent in today's independent music scene. According to SOCAN's website, "the prize honours some of the most innovative, creative and artistic songs created in the past year by emerging songwriters in Canada." A panel of industry experts whittled the finalists down to the top five and then the public was able to make the final decision through online voting. Winning songwriters will receive a $5000 cash prize.
"I like to see a good band get some sort of recognition," says Derek from G7 Welcoming Committee Records, the band's Winnipeg-based label. In true G7 fashion, he continued, "this is the one that was voted for by people, actual listeners as opposed to some panel of dorks."
Propagandhi's latest album, Potemkin City Limits, has been garnering critical and audience acclaim since its release in October 2005, posting catalog sales in the hundreds of thousands and making it onto must lists everywhere. The band is currently on tour in Ontario and heads to the UK in the new year.
SOCAN initiated the prize in order to identify developing talent in today's independent music scene. According to SOCAN's website, "the prize honours some of the most innovative, creative and artistic songs created in the past year by emerging songwriters in Canada." A panel of industry experts whittled the finalists down to the top five and then the public was able to make the final decision through online voting. Winning songwriters will receive a $5000 cash prize.
"I like to see a good band get some sort of recognition," says Derek from G7 Welcoming Committee Records, the band's Winnipeg-based label. In true G7 fashion, he continued, "this is the one that was voted for by people, actual listeners as opposed to some panel of dorks."
Propagandhi's latest album, Potemkin City Limits, has been garnering critical and audience acclaim since its release in October 2005, posting catalog sales in the hundreds of thousands and making it onto must lists everywhere. The band is currently on tour in Ontario and heads to the UK in the new year.