Victoria will host next year’s Western Canadian Music Awards, which will be held September 17-20 and will include an awards show, a gala, and the BreakOut West music conference and fest – this year’s annual three-day event, which was hosted in Winnipeg at the Club Regent Event Centre, wrapped up this past weekend.
Folk entity The Fretless won instrumental recording of the year for their self-titled release, while Pigeon Hole, who also performed at the event, earned electronic/dance recording of the year for their album Chimp Blood. Del Barber won both Songwriter of the Year and Solo Roots Recording of the Year while Royal Canoe nabbed Independent Album of the Year. Imaginary Cities picked up the award for Pop Recording of the Year and Said The Whale brought home Rock Reading of the Year.
Ron Paley received the 2014 Heritage Award, and the 2014 Industry Builder was awarded posthumously to Manitoba’s great music champion, Kevin Walters. Announced yesterday during a tribute from J.P. Ellson, this award will now be called The Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award.
The 2015 Western Canadian Music Awards will take place during BreakOut West 2015 in Victoria, BC which will run concurrently with Rifflandia Festival September 17 to 20, 2015.
Photo: The Fretless/Jenna Shouldice
