Manitoba Artists Land Western Canadian Music Awards in Whitehorse, Winnipeg Announced as Host City of BreakOut West 2020

BreakOut West to Return to Winnipeg in 2020

Local Acts Win Top Honours in Pop, Francophone, Classical, Producer, and Visual Design Categories

Artists from Manitoba picked up hardware at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) in Whitehorse, taking top honours for pop, Francophone, classical, producer, and visual design. 

Celebrating the accomplishments of some of Western Canada's best and brightest, the envelopes were opened at the WCMAwards Reception on October 3 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre that kicked off the BreakOut West festivities and at an industry brunch on October 5.

Electro-soul artist Rayannah was a double winner this year, earning Francophone Artist of the Year and sharing Producer of the Year with Saskatchewan's Mario Lepage for their work on her debut full-length album, Nos repaires. Vocal powerhouse Begonia brought home Pop Artist of the Year. The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra won for the Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year award. Graphic designer Jadyn Klassen picked up Excellence in Visual Design.

Other winners include acclaimed Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark, who was inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame and BC-based hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids, who recently showcased in Australia as part of Indigenous North, earned BreakOut Artist of the Year.

Winnipeg was announced as the host city for BreakOut West 2020. BreakOut West, which changes location within Western Canada every year, was last in Winnipeg in 2014.

The awards are part of BreakOut West, which features a professional development-focused conference and export development showcase festival. 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. This year’s showcasing acts include Manitoba artists Alpha Toshineza, HAVS, Lev Snowe, Madeleine Roger, Malcolm-Jay, Micah Erenberg, Mise en Scene, Rayannah, Seanster and the Monsters, Sebastian Gaskin, and Silence Kit.

Many of this year’s Manitoba nominees and winners 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.

BreakOut West presents an important 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 the opportunity for a new wave of exciting industry developments.

2019 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS | INDUSTRY

Audio Engineering Award
Ben Kaplan, Fader Mountain Sound – BC

Community Excellence Award 
National Music Centre – AB

Excellence in Visual Design
Jadyn Klassen – MB

Impact in Artistic Development
National Music Centre – AB

Impact in Live Music 
Dan Mangan – Side Door – BC

Impact in Music Marketing
National Music Centre – AB

Producer of the Year
Rayannah & Mario Lepage – MB / SK

Recording of the Year 
Dan Mangan – BC

Video Director of the Year
Johnny Jansen - Said The Whale, UnAmerican – BC

2019 Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award 
Duncan Sinclair

2019 Heritage Award
Hank Karr

2019 Western Canadian Music Hall Of Fame inductee
Susan Aglukark

2019 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS | ARTISTIC

Blues Artist of the Year
Ndidi O – BC

BreakOut Artist of the Year
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC

Children’s Artist of the Year
Raffi – BC

Classical Artist / Ensemble of the Year 
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra – MB

Classical Composer of the Year
Carmen Braden – NT

Country Artist of the Year
Brett Kissel – AB

Electronic / Dance Artist of the Year
I M U R – BC

Francophone Artist of the Year 
Rayannah – MB

Indigenous Artist of the Year 
Northern Haze – NV

Instrumental Artist of the Year
Five Alarm Funk – BC 

Jazz Artist of the Year
Jodi Proznick – BC

Metal / Hard Music Artist of the Year
Striker – AB

Pop Artist of the Year
Begonia – MB

Rap / Hip Hop Artist of the Year 
Vials – BC

Rock Artist of the Year
Dan Mangan – BC

Roots Duo / Group of the Year
Rosie & the Riveters – SK

Roots Solo Artist of the Year
Mariel Buckley – AB

Songwriter(s) of the Year 
Dan Mangan, Cold In The Summer – BC

Spiritual Artist of the Year
Warren Dean Flandez – BC

Urban Artist of the Year
LOA – SK

Visual Media Composer of the Year
Jeffery Straker, The Storm Orchestral – SK

World Artist of the Year
Buckman Coe – BC

Updated October 5 with Industry Award winners and announce Winnipeg 2020