Newfoundland ECMA Nominees
Hello everybody and welcome to Rock Eden Magazine’s exciting 2018 post about all the wonderful Newfoundland and Labrador talent that is being recognized at The 2018 East Coast Music Awards and Conference.
Let’s get right down to it. First let’s talk about the nominees:
Matthew Byrne: - Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year
Matthew Byrne released his highly anticipated third album - Horizon Lines – in August 2017. This newest collection of traditional material explores a unique repertoire of songs from both sides of the Atlantic and continues Byrne’s journey through his own unique musical lineage.
By the time the awards show happens, Matthew will have just returned from a brief tour of the United States. Immediately after the ECMAs, Byrne will back in St. John’s for a show on MAY 11 at The Rooms. Be sure to check it out!
Check out the trailer for the ECMA nominated album here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS0_YNpPI6A
www.matthewbyrne.net
Earle and Coffin - Blues Recording of the Year
This teenaged blues duo have been stirring up a storm lately with their accomplishments, which include:
- 2018 ECMA Nominee Blues Recording of the Year
- 2018 International Blues Competition Semi-finalist
- 2017 MusicNL Classic Coast 101.1 Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year
- 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award for Young Performers of the Year
Nick Earle and Joe Coffin are from St. John’s and are two young bluesmen you should definitely get to know. In February 2017 they released their sophomore album “Wood, Wire, Blood and Bone”. This “potluck” of electric blues, rock, and be-bop inspired originals and classic blues standards is what earned them their ECMA nomination.
Earle and Coffin just returned from Trinidad in March where they were being filmed for the Clue One New Releases TV Show. Club One New Releases features the best music from up-and-coming artists all the way from Canada to the Caribbean.
We recently had them in for a live performance here at Rock Eden. You can check out that video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzjlYaWfiNU
For more, visit:
Duo Concertante - Classical Recording of the Year
Duo Concertante, consisting of Nancy Dahn and Timothy Steeves’, are partners in music and in life. Their name, Duo Concertante, was taken from the inscription over Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata which reads in stilo molto concertante, implying that the two performers must be equal and dynamic voices.
They have performed at Wigmore Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, the National Arts Centre, and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.
Here is a promotional video for their album “Incarnation” which earned them their ECMA nomination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHnEn2OTG6k
For more information, visit www. http://duoconcertante.com/
Jason Benoit - Country Recording of the Year
CCMA award-winning country artist, Jason Benoit, hails from Fox Island River, on the island’s west coast. This small town singer/songwriter knows what country music is all about, breaking onto the scene in 2013 and since having four top 30 hits.
In 2017, Benoit released his first full-length album called “WAVES” with JV Records/Sony Music Canada. This is the album that is up for the 2018 ECMA.
Here’s Cold Day Comin’ from WAVES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boo2PhXvn-M
For more information, visit www.jasonbenoit.com
Rozalind MacPhail - Electronic Recording of the Year
One of the world’s leaders in flute looping and live film scoring, this classically-trained flutist blends effected flute, electronics, voice, omnichord, field recordings and silent film through Ableton Live. MacPhail creates music for film and live performance and has released several albums of original work. Her most recent work, Sunset Sunrise, is up for Electronic Recording of the Year
MacPhail is currently on a 25-date Atlantic Canadian Tour. Part of that tour includes an electronic music showcase at the ECMA on May 5th, so be sure to check that out if you are there.
Here is a performance of “The Gaze” live from Suncor Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kUAch8a6ms
For more information, visit http://www.rozalindmacphail.com/
Amelia Curran - Album of the Year; Solo Recording of the Year; Folk Recording of the Year
As you can see from the header, St. John’s singer/songwriter and mental health advocate Amelia Curran is nominated for a slew of ECMAs this year for her album Watershed.
According to Curran’s website, the album “marks a threshold, a shake-up, a directional change. The tenor of this new album is openness (not to be confused with optimism), a reflection in part of Curran’s increasingly public efforts to battle the stigma of mental health issues in the arts. As a whole, the album calls for compassion and unification as a breakwater against the sea of cruelties we inflict upon each other, and upon ourselves.”
Here is the video of the first single from Watershed, called Gravity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpSAjO5Meyg
For more information, visit: http://www.ameliacurran.com/
Informants - Gospel Recording of the Year
Informants are based out of St. John’s and “…they are pioneering a movement of acceptance, art, worship, and mission in their local communities and churches.”
Their ECMA nominated album Uprising was released in April of 2017 and features the singles Courage and Hollow Grave.
Here is the official video for Hollow Grave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuknQRaVdcM
For more information visit: www.informantsmusic.com
Ouroboros - Group Recording of the Year
Ouroboros is a band with an unconventional make-up and an undeniable entertainment factor. With an arsenal of horns, drums and vocals, they deliver a dynamic new spin on world and jazz traditions.
From carnival-esque originals to Klezmer party jams, the band explores folk influences from West Africa, Eastern Europe and Newfoundland, with a thrilling improvisational synergy.
Kitchuses was not only nominated for an ECMA this year, it was also shortlisted for the Borealis Music Prize.
Check out this live video of Cabbage from the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJvLwuHdu70
For more visit: https://www.yourouroboros.com
Carolina East - Indigenous Artist of the Year
Carolina East is a starry-eyed singer from around the bay. She has a quick wit, winsome spirit, and is a powerhouse vocal talent. Her self-titled, debut EP was produced by Rob Wells and features an uplifting collection of undeniably catchy tunes that straddle the line of pop, country and soul.
Carolina East will also be playing during ECMA, so be sure to check her out at Radio ECMA and the ECMA Indigenous Stage Showcase.
Here’s the official lyric video for the singe, That’s Ok:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbyKbsNwoNM
For more information, visit www.carolinaeast.ca
Florian Hoefner - Jazz Recording of the Year
Florian Hoefner was born and raised in Germany, trained in New York City and now calls St. John’s his home. He draws from a plethora of influences that come together to form his own unique brand of modern jazz. The New York Times has sung his praises as a “composer-bandleader of insightful resolve” and Downbeat has said he is a “harmonically daring pianist […] reaching toward new sonic territory.”
The ECMA nominated album, Coldwater Stories, is a solo-piano record (he sometimes plays with a group) that seems to draw inspiration from his new home. With track titles such as “The Great Auk”, “Iceberg 1”, and “Iceberg 2” Hoefner gives a nod to his new home while pushing the boundaries of improvisation and musical convention.
Check out the album teaser here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7mMdqUiXE
For more information, visit http://www.florian-hoefner.com/
Heather Bambrick - Jazz Recording of the Year
If it seems like we just talked about this award category, it’s because we did. Newfoundland and Labrador is lucky enough to have TWO nominees in this category in 2018.
The second in our list in Heather Bambrick. Bambrick is a JUNO-nominated jazz vocalist who has received praise from notable jazz musicials like Anita O’Day, Larry Coryell, and Guido Basso.
The ECMA nominated album You’ll Never Know was independently released in November 2016 and features a superb selection of songs and musicians.
Check out Heather’s cover of Lovers in a Dangerous time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpkrEmAa1g
For more information visit www.heatherbambrick.ca
If you thought that list of ECMA nominated Newfoundland and Labrador musicians was impressive, there’s still more to come. Next up we have the industry professionals:
Lawnya Vawnya: An Exposition of Independent Art and Culture in St. John’s - Event of the Year
Lawnya Vawnya is a non-profit arts organization that organizes a multidisciplinary independent music and art festival each spring that spans downtown St. John’s.
This year’s headliners are Alvvays and Land of Talk and the festival features a solid lineup of local talent as well.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit http://lawnyavawnya.com/2018/
Rock Eden Magazine - Media Outlet of the Year
That’s right – it’s us! We are your friendly neighborhood media organization seeking to promote Newfoundland and Labrador musical talent, as well as those artists who choose to perform here.
Stay tuned to our Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rockedenmagazine/)
And Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rockedenmagazine/) for live updates from the 2018 ECMAs!
Chris Kirby - Producer of the Year
Not only is he an accomplished singer-songwriter and the touring keys player for Matt Andersen’s band, Chris Kirby is also a producer. He has produced award-winning works by Charlie A’Court, Keith Mullins, Kim Wempe, Brianna Gosse, and Everglow. He has also self-produced two award-winning albums of his own.
For more, visit: http://www.chriskirbyonline.com/
Jud Haynes - Graphic/Media Artist of the Year
Krista Power - Graphic/Media Artist of the Year
Krista Power is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer, specializing in original surface pattern designs. She is also well-known for designing album covers, including the striking design for Soap Opera’s (formerly known as India) recent album.
Jud Haynes is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer (www.judhaynes.com), screen print artist (www.rehearsalsrehearsals.com), concert promoter (www.mightypop.ca), and musician (www.anincrediblewoman.com). His recent design work includes pieces for July Talk, The Once, Jim Cuddy, and Bahamas.
Together, Power and Haynes run MIGHTYPOP, a company that books and promotes Newfoundland shows for touring artists. They have booked and promoted shows for Owen Pallett, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Timber Timbre, Henry Rollins, Japandroids, Hayden, Ron Sexsmith, Silver Mount Zion, Great Lake Swimmers, METZ, Dan Mangan, Bahamas, John K Samson and Said the Whale
The Ship Pub Kitchen: Venue of the Year
The last nominee on our list is the legendary Ship Pub and Kitchen. As you all know, The Ship is a historic pub that serves good food, good music, and good times.
To keep up with their latest shows and food on special, visit https://www.facebook.com/TheShipPubKitchen/
SHOWCASING ARTISTS
And to top off the extensive list of Newfoundland and Labrador nominees, we have another extensive list of Newfoundland and Labrador showcases. If you’re in Halifax for ECMA Week 2018, but sure to check out these awesome acts:
Alex Byrne & MikeWave, Beauwater, Bleu, BRDGS, Carolina East, Clare Follett, Earle & Coffin, Fairgale, Florian Hoefner, Fortunate Ones, Heather Bambrick, Ian Foster, It Could Be Franky, Janet Cull, Matthew Byrne, Ouroboros, Rozalind MacPhail, Rum Ragged, Soap Opera, Steve Maloney, The Combine, The Kubasonics and The Once.
For a complete list of showcasing artists, as well as to find showcase times, visit http://ecma.com/showcasing-artists
We’ll be at the ECMAs all weekend and will be bringing you some exclusive interviews and updates in the coming weeks. Follow us on Instagram @rockedenmagazine to stay updated on the festivities in real time!
We’ll post a full list of winners when the conference ends. Here’s the list of what we know so far: http://ecma.com/news/rose-cousins-kinley-les-pa%C3%AFens-and-joel-plaskett-among-winners-at-2018-east-coast-music-awards-show