Manitoba Artists and Music Organizations Ready to Win at the Western Canadian Music Awards

Manitoba’s music industry is poised for honours at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards. Artists and music organizations are up for 31 awards in 21 categories that recognize those making a real impact on Western Canada’s music scene. Manitoba’s roots, pop, and classical music communities have a strong presence, as do organizations working in live music and artist development. The winners will be revealed this fall during BreakOut West in Kelowna, October 10-14.

High energy rock outfit Attica Riots is a double nominee this year, with nods for BreakOut Artist of the Year and Recording of the Year for its debut album, Love Sunshine & Hysteria.

Adam Fuhr and Keegan Steele, the writers behind Yes We Mystic’s moody orchestral pop, have picked up a nomination for Songwriter(s) of the Year.

The emotive country-folk of Grant Davidson’s Slow Leaves and the playfully captivating Little Miss Higgins are both nominated for Roots Solo Artist of the year.

Fresh sounds from Manitoba are making waves in the Pop Artist of the Year category with emerging songwriter Olivia Lunny and soul-influenced group Lanikai.

Classical acts from Manitoba have landed three nominations for the Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year award, including Gwen Hoebig & Karl Stobbe, Megumi Masaki, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Other artistic nominees for artistic awards include singer/harmonica player Tracy K for Blues Artist of the Year, music legend Fred Penner for Children’s Artist of the Year, dark synth pop duo Ghost Twin for Electronic/Dance Artist of the Year, new soul rockers Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds for Francophone Artist of the Year, modern country crooner Desiree Dorion for Indigenous Artist of the Year, psychedelic rock outfit Apollo Suns for Instrumental Artist of the Year, smooth duo Jeff Presslaff and Julian Bradford for Jazz Artist of the Year, Jordan St. Cyr for Spiritual Artist of the Year, bilingual songwriter Kelly Bado for World Artist of the Year, and composer Keri Latimer for Visual Media Composer of the Year.

Manitoba is punching above its weight in the industry categories again this year, with nods for venues, festivals, artist management companies, and more. The Winnipeg Folk Festival, West End Cultural Centre, and Broadway Neighborhood Centre’s Just TV Program have nabbed nominations for the Community Excellence award, while WFF and WECC are also nominated for Impact in Live Music. The WECC has a total of three nominations, with a third nomination for Impact in Music Marketing alongside Pipe & Hat Music Group. Artist management groups Prairie Mix and Mighty Cypress Talent are up for the Impact in Artist Development award. Graphic artists are also representing this year, with Jadyn Klassen as well as Roberta Landreth of Treehouse Design nominated for Excellence in Visual Design.

BreakOut West features a conference and music festival with over 50 showcasing acts, offering an incredible opportunity for emerging and established artists to be a part of the Western Canadian music community. Participating artists and other music professionals have the chance to meet key industry stakeholders creating opportunities for new waves of exciting industry developments from business deals to international tours.

Many of this year’s Manitoba nominees have participated in Manitoba Music’s professional and market development programs during their careers, accessing assistance to develop their business skills, showcase in new markets, and make critical industry contacts. Manitoba Music’s programs are supported by the Province of Manitoba, FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada's private radio broadcasters, and Manitoba Film & Music.

2018 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS ARTISTIC NOMINEES FROM MANITOBA

Blues Artist of the Year
Tracy K

BreakOut Artist of the Year
Attica Riots

Children’s Artist of the Year
Fred Penner

Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year
Gwen Hoebig & Karl Stobbe
Megumi Masaki
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Electronic/Dance Artist of the Year
Ghost Twin

Francophone Artist of the Year
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds

Indigenous Artist of the Year
Desiree Dorion

Instrumental Artist of the Year
Apollo Suns

Jazz Artist of the Year
Jeff Presslaff & Julian Bradford

Pop Artist of the Year
Lanikai
Olivia Lunny

Recording of the Year
Attica Riots

Roots Solo Artist of the Year
Little Miss Higgins
Slow Leaves

Songwriter(s) of the Year
Adam Fuhr and Keegan Steele, Yes We Mystic, “Undertow”

Spiritual Artist of the Year
Jordan St.Cyr

Visual Media Composer of the Year
Keri Latimer, This is Not Paris

World Artist of the Year
Kelly Bado

2018 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY NOMINEES FROM MANITOBA

Community Excellence Award
Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Just TV Program
West End Cultural Centre
Winnipeg Folk Festival

Excellence in Visual Design
Jadyn Klassen
Roberta Landreth, Treehouse Design

Impact in Artist Development
Prairie Mix
Stu Anderson, Mighty Cypress Talent

Impact in Live Music
West End Cultural Centre
Winnipeg Folk Festival

Impact in Music Marketing
Pipe & Hat Music Group
West End Cultural Centre

For a complete list of 2018 WCMA nominees, please visit breakoutwest.ca.