Recapping the Junos

Canada’s annual music industry love-in, the Juno Awards, took place this past weekend in my backyard in Vancouver, Canada. For my first column as part of the Nerdles team, I grabbed my backstage pass and hit the town. Here’s what you need to need to know about the Canadian music scene.
Serena Ryder

Winner of the Adult Alternative Album award, Serena Ryder is a tiny little thing with a big, big voice that’s seen the world… and then some. Though I’ve heard her name before, I’d never listened to her roots and country-inspired before this weekend and I’m blown away. It says something when a room full of music industry people give her a standing ovation when she won her Juno.

I’ve been listening to her 4th album, Is It OK, non-stop since this weekend ended. Take a listen to the the hit single Little Bit of Red and get in touch with your rootsy, folk-rock side:

The Sam Roberts Band has quickly taken the reins as our premier live rock band (from Canadian rock icons, the Tragically Hip). I had the chance to see them live at last summer’s tragic (and not in the good
way) Pemberton Music Festival. Despite the dust winds and poor organization, Sam Roberts thoroughly entertained a crowd of drunk and sunburned music fans. Sam Roberts won the Best Rock Album award, much deserved. For some strange reason this award was given at the private gala dinner instead of during the live television broadcast. Instead, Nickelback won a bunch of awards on live TV. I’m so embarassed as a Canadian. That is the last time you’ll ever read that name in this column again.

A pleasant surprise at the gala dinner was the band that opened the show, Beast. This new band dub their sound “trip rock” and if you like loud, aggressive beats with a demonic edge, then you should definitely check them out.

I was really happy to check out hot, new band, Arkells, on the street party stage. They rocked it loud and hard and definitely were my favourite show of the weekend. Check out their single, Oh, The Boss is Coming!, it’s getting lots of airplay around these parts.

Joining the Arkells on stage was local-girl-done-good, Zaki Ibrahim.
She’s part M.I.A. and part India Arie and all good. I’ve been wanting to see her live for a couple of years now and I finally had the chance this weekend. She didn’t disappoint!

Finally, I can’t sign off before mentioning the Trews. The East Coast rockers were everywhere. Headlining the street party, chillin’ in the VIP Suite, walking the red carpet, entertaining the gala dinner guests. This band played hard and rocked the audience wherever they went. To be honest, I’d never really listened much to them before. But after having them blow out my ear drums a few times this weekend, I think it’s time to give them a listen.

It’s been a long weekend, and I’m beat. But man, oh man, what a fun weekend! Here’s some Trews to keep you rockin’ till next time…

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