Artists & Industry from Manitoba Earn 26 Western Canadian Music Awards Nominations

Strong Showings in BreakOut, Indigenous, Jazz, and Rock Categories

The music community in Manitoba is in the spotlight at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards. Artists and music companies are up for 26 awards in 19 categories that recognize those making a significant impact in Western Canada’s music scene and beyond. 

The 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards and Industry Awards will be announced in this fall in Calgary during BreakOut West, which will also feature a four-day music conference, a three-night multi-genre music festival and special events. 

This year's nominees from Manitoba span genres and sectors with strong showings in categories for BreakOut Artist of the Year, Indigenous Artist of the Year, Jazz Artist of the Year, and Rock Artist of the Year. 

Boy Golden has two nods including BreakOut Artist of the Year and Producer of the Year for Liam Duncan. Boy Golden’s title-track video "Church of Better Daze" has earned Martin LaFrenière a nomination for Video Director of the Year. 

Three of five nominees for Rock Artist of the Year are from Manitoba, including Ariel Posen (who is also up for Recording of the Year), New Wales, and Royal Canoe. 

Also sharing categories this year, Cassidy Mann and Jade Turner have earned nominations for Indigenous Artist of the Year, Erin Propp & Larry Roy and the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra are up for Jazz Artist of the Year, and Del Barber and Sweet Alibi have been nominated for Roots Artist of the Year. 

Other nominees include Anthony OKS (Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year), Casimiro Nhussi (Instrumental Artist of the Year), Field Guide (Pop Artist of the Year), Grant Davidson (Songwriter of the Year), Jocelyne Baribeau (Francophone Artist of the Year), Landon Lake (Video Director of the Year for Don Amero "My Poor Mama"), Leith Ross (BreakOut Artist of the Year), Mahogany Frog (Visual Media Composer of the Year), Son of Dave (Blues Artist of the Year), 

Industry up for awards this year include double nominee Birthday Cake Records (Impact in Artist Development and Impact in Music Marketing), Red Tie Productions (Community Excellence Award), and Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (Impact in Live Music).

Now in its 20th year, the Western Canadian Music Awards celebrate exciting industry and artistic talent coming out of Western Canada. Voting is now open to all members of the music industry associations from the west, including Manitoba Music, SaskMusic, Alberta Music, MusicBC, Music NWT, and Music Yukon, and runs until June 22.

2022 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS ARTISTIC NOMINEES

Blues Artist of the Year
Brandon Isaak - BC
David Gogo - BC
Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - BC
Son Of Dave - MB
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer - BC

BreakOut Artist of the Year, Sponsored by FACTOR
Boy Golden - MB
Haley Blais - BC
Kyle McKearney - AB
Leith Ross - MB
The Garrys - SK                              

Children’s Artist of the Year                   
Beppie - AB
Music with Mandy - AB
Smilin' Rylan - AB
The Oot n' Oots - BC
Will's Jams - BC

Classical Artist or Ensemble of the Year, Sponsored by Canadian Music Centre (CMC)
Aventa Ensemble - BC
Christopher Tyler Nickel - BC
Mark Takeshi McGregor - BC
Standing Wave - BC
Tom McCaslin - AB             

Classical Composer of the Year               
Dorothy Chang - "Soaring Spirits" - BC
Edward Top - "Donemus Records" - BC
Fred Stride - Saskatchewan All Star Big Band "Saskatchewan Suite" - BC
Jordan Nobles - "Chiaroscuro" - BC
Stephen Chatman - "Stephen Chatman" - BC                       

Country Artist of the Year             
Dan Davidson - AB
Hailey Benedict - AB
Jess Moskaluke - SK
Nice Horse - AB
Tyler Joe Miller - BC

Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year               
OBLVYN - AB
Elazion - BC
Gl0bal - BC
Rumpus - SK
Sabai - BC
Takis - BC                       

Francophone Artist of the Year, Sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique)       
Étienne Fletcher - SK
Jocelyne Baribeau - MB
Matt Stern - BC
Ponteix - SK
The Pxrtals - SK

Global Artist of the Year               
Aasiva - NV
Andino Suns - SK
Notas de 4 - AB
Will TOA - BC
Omianan – BC

Indigenous Artist of the Year                 
Cassidy Mann - MB
Jessica McMann - AB
Jade Turner - MB
Kyle McKearney - AB
Snotty Nose Rez Kids - BC           

Instrumental Artist of the Year             
Astrocolor - BC
Casimiro Nhussi - MB
Keanu Ienco - BC
Mohamed Assani - BC
Waxwing - BC      

Jazz Artist of the Year                   
Al Muirhead Quintet - AB
Erin Propp & Larry Roy - MB
Esteban Herrera Quintet - AB
Ryan Oliver - BC
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra - MB  

Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year               
Archspire - BC
Before & Apace - SK
Flash Back - SK
Osyron - AB
Trench – AB

Pop Artist of the Year                   
Field Guide - MB
Haley Blais - BC
Mathew V - BC
Nuela Charles - AB
Velours - SK           

Producer of the Year                     
Factor Chandelier - SK
Liam Duncan - MB
Megan Nash, Dana Rempel, Darnell Stewart, Tanner Wilhelm Hale - SK
Ryan Worsley - BC
Zach Gray, James Younger - BC

R&B Artist of the Year                   
Katie Tupper - SK
NADUH - BC
Sargeant X Comrade - AB
TOVA - SK
Uyemi - AB           

Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year             
Anthony OKS - MB
Def3 & Late Night Radio - BC
K-Riz - AB
Mouraine - AB
Snotty Nose Rez Kids - BC                       

Recording of the Year                   
Ariel Posen - MB
Megan Nash - SK
Samantha Savage Smith - AB
Snotty Nose Rez Kids - BC
The Dead South - SK

Rock Artist of the Year
Ariel Posen - MB
Dear Rouge - BC
King of Foxes - BC
New Wales - MB
Royal Canoe - MB      

Roots Artist of the Year               
Ben Sures - AB
Del Barber - MB
John Wort Hannam - AB
Maria Dunn - BC
Sweet Alibi - MB          

Songwriter(s) of the Year Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Grant Davidson - Slow Leaves "Stick Around" - MB
Katie Tupper - "How Can I Get Your Love?" - SK
Mathew van Vooght - Mathew V "Healing" - BC
Sam Lynch - "Keeping Time" - BC
Tim Buckley - T. Buckley "Holding My Place" - AB      

Spiritual Artist of the Year                       
Amanda Hagel - SK
Danny Floyd Cole - AB
Elenee - SK
fonzdot - AB
Two Late To The Party - AB      

Video Director of the Year Sponsored by Manitoba Film & Music                   
Amy Mantyka - Megan Nash "Chew Quietly / Clean Slate " - SK
Brandi Sidoryk & Krista Wodelet - Nice Horse "High School" - AB
Eva Dominelli - Gentle Party "God Complex" - BC
Landon Lake - Don Amero "My Poor Mama" - MB
Martin LaFrenière - Boy Golden "Church of Better Daze" - MB

Visual Media Composer of the Year                   
Alfredo Santa Ana - Chained - BC
Jesse Zubot - ANCiEnT SkY - BC
Jesse Zubot, Pura Fé - Spirit Emulsion - BC
Jesse Zubot, Russell Wallace - Monkey Beach - BC
Mahogany Frog - Faust - MB

2022 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY NOMINEES

Audio Engineering Award             
Andy Schichter - BC
Dan Davidson - AB
Ryan Worsley - BC
Scott Franchuk - AB
Sheldon Zaharko - BC           

Community Excellence Award               
Curbside Concerts - AB
National Music Centre - AB
Red Tie Productions - MB
Sakamoto Agency - BC
The Happy Nun Café - SK

Excellence in Visual Design                     
Bronwin Parks - Feisty Creative - BC
Shalom Toy - Cosmic Cavern - AB
Kenton Doupe - Factor Eight - SK
x/o & Venom–s Studios - BC
Angie C, David MacKenzie, Kristen Carleton & LK Visuals - BC                       

Impact in Artist Development               
Birthday Cake Records - MB
Cordova Bay Entertainment Group, Inc. - BC
Curbside Concerts - AB
National Music Centre - AB
Tiny Kingdom - BC

Impact in Live Music Sponsored by Canadian Live Music Association                         
Curbside Concerts - AB
Folk On The Rocks - NT
King Eddy - AB
National Music Centre - AB
Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club - MB

Impact in Music Marketing                     
Birthday Cake Records - MB
Chronograph Records - AB
Curbside Concerts - AB
Fallen Tree Records - AB
National Music Centre - AB