Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
April 19, 2016
Music Industry Continues to Promote Province’s Identity
Provincial Government Recognizes Recent Music Industry Success
April has been a tremendous month for Newfoundland and Labrador artists. Atlantic Canada’s best and brightest musical talent were honoured this past weekend at the East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) in Sydney, while the JUNOs, which were presented on April 3 in Calgary, celebrated the best in national talent. The Swinging Belles won Children’s Album of the Year at the JUNOs, and Hey Rosetta!, Amelia Curran, Fortunate Ones and Everglow won ECMAs in various categories.
“Congratulations to our Newfoundland and Labrador 2016 JUNO and ECMA winners. Supporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s music community helps local musicians foster their talents and skills which ultimately plays a role in the success of the province. As we witness more and more artists make their presence felt on the world stage, we also see the tremendous role that these institutions play in their success. We are thankful for the significant platform these awards shows provide for our local artists. Nominees and winners alike bring the very best of our province to the national stage and make us all incredibly proud.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
The Swinging Belles, a swing band for kids, won the Children’s Album of the Year Award at the JUNOs. The JUNO win comes on the heels of the trio also winning the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Award for Children’s Album of the Year. Made up of educators and performers, Laura Winter and Erin Power, and guitarist Duane Andrews, the Swinging Belles released their debut album in December 2014 with the support of MusicNL and the NL Arts Council.
Newfoundland and Labrador artists – Hey Rosetta! Amelia Curran, Fortunate Ones and Everglow - won eight ECMAs at the 2016 ceremony in the following categories:
- Album of the Year: Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight
- Songwriter of the Year: Amelia Curran
- Folk Recording of the Year: Amelia Curran – They Promised You Mercy
- Group Recording of the Year: Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight
- Song of the Year: Hey Rosetta! –“Soft Offering (For the Oft Suffering)”
- Rising Star Recording of the Year: Fortunate Ones – The Bliss
- Fans’ Choice Video of the Year: Everglow – “Feel Your Heart”
- Rock Recording of the Year: Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight
“From the Awards Show, to the Hey Rosetta! Big Ticket, to our comprehensive Industry Conference, and everything in between, Eastlink East Coast Music Week 2016 has been an incredible success. The entire week is made possible by dedicated volunteers and event staff, our official venues and sponsors, and the overwhelming hospitality of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this unforgettable event."
- Andy McLean, Executive Director of East Coast Music Association
The East Coast Music Association is a regional collaboration of music industry professionals in Atlantic Canada. The primary activity of the association is the annual East Coast Music Week, a five-day event that attracts industry professionals, talent buyers, media, and record labels from around the globe. East Coast Music Week includes the ECMA gala, one of the country’s premier music events. A full list of the 2016 ECMA winners can be found in the backgrounder below.
QUICK FACTS
- The best of Atlantic Canada’s music industry were honoured last week at the East Coast Music Awards, held in Sydney, while the JUNOs were presented on April 3 in Calgary.
- Four Newfoundland and Labrador artists - Hey Rosetta! Amelia Curran, Fortunate Ones and Everglow - won eight ECMAs at the 2016 awards.
- The Swinging Belles, won the Children’s Album of the Year Award at the 2016 JUNOs.
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Media contacts:
|
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Jeff Lawton Marketing and Communications Manager East Coast Music Association 1-800-513-4953 marketing@ecma.com |
BACKGROUNDER
2016 ECMA Winners
Aboriginal Artist of the Year: City Natives – Voltron
Album of the Year: Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight
Songwriter of the Year: Amelia Curran
Folk Recording of the Year: Amelia Curran – They Promised You Mercy
Group Recording of the Year: Hey Rosetta! - Second Sight
Traditional Instrumental Recording of the Year: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy – One
Solo Recording of the Year: Jenn Grant – Compostela
Song of the Year: Hey Rosetta! –“Soft Offering (For the Oft Suffering)”
Rising Star Recording of the Year: Fortunate Ones – The Bliss
Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
Fans’ Choice Video of the Year: Everglow – “Feel Your Heart”
Enregistrement francophone de l’année: Joey Robin Haché - Repaver l’âme
Pop Recording of the Year (TIE): Coyote - Proof of Life & Christina Martin – It’ll Be Alright
Rock Recording of the Year: Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight
2016 04 19 4:10 p.m.