Well, after 10 hours sleep in four days, two packs of foam earplugs, one worn out notebook after writing down hundreds of names of new bands and an uncountable amount of plastic cups of beer, the East Coast Music Awards weekend has finally come to an end. Here's what happened.
The annual awards and conference took place in Moncton, N.B. fore first time in 14 years. The man-of-the-hour was New Brunswick's own Roch Voisine, who not only performed at the awards gala, but also hosted it and was interviewed by CBC's own Jim Corcoran about the music industry yesterday and today.
You can check out the complete list of award winners. However, I thought it would be fun to make a list ECMA psuedo-winners:
2012 ECMA Buzz Band - Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers
Ben and his band of hard folkers not only away the audience at the awards show, but as he would walk by you could hear people saying, "There goes Ben Caplan, he's awesome." If there was a buzz band, they were it.
Best Discovery Band - Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys
Gordie and his crowd are from PEI, and they look like a group of misfits that would've gotten arrested in Mayberry by Andy Griffith. Bowler ties, cowboy shirts, fedoras belie the true impact and musicianship of this group. Gordie is a masterful fiddler, but more Bob Wills than Natalie McMaster. The Rhythm Boys are made up of some of the top country backers in all of the East Coast. They play hot country, bluegrass and western swing like it was played in the 1930s. You won't believe it until you see it.
Most Poignant Moment - Catherine MacLellan at the ECMA Awards Show
Catherine paid tribute to her late father Gene by singing his "Snowbird" at the awards show. From the first few words, the audience immediately realized who this was, what song this was and how this was going to be very special.
Catherine's interpretation of her father's music brings out the true heartbreak and sadness in that song, something that's missing from Anne Murray's famous version. It was a brave, poignant and beautiful performance.
Best Moment of Canadian Unification at an East Coast Event - Corb Lund, Jenn Grant, Andrew James O'Brien and Andy Brown at the Bluebird North Songwriter's Circle.
People shook their heads when they heard Corb Lund was going to be at the East Coast Music Awards. After all, no artist better represents the Canadian West than Taber, Alberta's Corb Lund. Every year the ECMA brings in one artist from outside, and this year they brought in Lund to host one of the two annual songwriter's circles. There was something so cool, and so... Canadian about seeing Andy Brown from New Brunswick, Jenn Grant from P.E.I. and Andrew James O'Brien from Newfoundland joining in and singing alongside a fella who knows more about steers than scallops.
Most Contrast between Performer and Venue - Sherman Downey and the Silver Lining at Plan B
Now I should say this: Plan B is a VERY cool bar. Normally a very safe, happy place full of positive vibes and indie rock. For most of the night, that was the case. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, someone got arrested that night. In fact a couple of people did. And it happened while Sherman Downey was singing his sunshine-y, driving, happy folk rock. There was something so strange and beautiful about the juxtoposition between a crowd of hippies dancing and bouncing, and someone getting cuffed outside.
Well there you go. Those were my highlights of the weekend (from what I can remember at least). If you want to learn more about the event, you can find a lot of great things at the official ECMA Website.
Related links:
ECMAs promote, honour, N.B. music
Live session with Jimmy Rankin, up for 8 ECMAs
East Coast Music Awards 2012: The Grant Lawrence Primer and Trivia Special