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SAVE THE DATE
The 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards will be held
December 2 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan!
NOMINEE ANNOUNCEMENT OCTOBER 26/2023
Check back here or watch our socials for the
exciting announcement!
SaskMusic Opens 2023 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominations
SaskMusic is pleased to announce that the nomination intake for the 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards will open on September 8. The sixth annual awards will honour excellence in the Saskatchewan music industry and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members over the past year. An awards ceremony will be held December 2, 2023 at The Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon to unveil the winners, along with numerous musical performances and the honouring of our Indigenous Music Achievement Award recipient.
The awards were initiated to draw greater public recognition to the amazing and multi-faceted music being created in our province. With newly updated award categories for this year, we invite Saskatchewan recording artists and industry members working in all styles of music across the province to make their submissions now. We are very excited to celebrate and share the excellent work of our talented artists and industry personnel at this year’s SMAs.
Submissions to all Artistic and Industry categories of the SMAs are free, and will be open until 11:59pm CST, September 25, 2023.
Visit the submission page to learn more about the eligibility criteria and to submit as of September 8.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners
(REGINA) December 12, 2022
The fifth annual Saskatchewan Music Awards were held last night, celebrating the Saskatchewan music industry in a sold-out show held at the beautiful Darke Hall in Regina. Throughout the night, twenty-one awards were presented, along with performances from eleven different artists, including a very special performance of the Treaty 4 Flag Song by Aaron Tootoosis and tributes to our Indigenous Music Achievement Award honourees, Brian MacDonald and John Arcand.
Featured was a lineup of amazing live performances – by Zhe the Free, People of the Sun, Aaron Tootoosis, Kateryna Grace, Étienne Fletcher, Nikamok, Michelle and Lee Arcand, TOVA, Jesse Brown, Dump Babes, and ARIEL.
Retro folk/roots artist Jake Vaadeland secured two awards with Roots/Folk Artist of the Year and the fan-selected Album of the Year. Vaadeland recently signed management and booking agency deals, and has been garnering rave reviews in both music industry showcases, and through his live shows across Saskatchewan.
SaskMusic was thrilled to recognize two individuals who have been foundational to Indigenous music in the province, Brian MacDonald and John Arcand, with Indigenous Music Achievement Awards.
Brian MacDonald has been an educator with Onion Lake Cree Nation for over 50 years, advocating for Cree language education in the school system, and releasing the Cree Songbook approximately forty years ago. It has since been used in nehiyawewin kiskinohamâkosiwin (Cree education) everywhere from elementary schools to university classes, right across the country. His daughter Lianna MacDonald explained, “Growing up with Nōhtawiy, it was instilled in our heads how important speaking our Cree language was. Brian is a leader in Cree language development to not only our community of Onion Lake but also to many communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta, as he has shown great concern for the fast-growing rate of language loss our younger generations have experienced. Growing up, we were always reminded of how important our language is as it is a catalyst to other aspects of our culture such as the connections to songs, ceremonies and prayers.”
John Arcand, “Master of the Métis Fiddle” is renowned across the country. His passions for the preservation of the Métis Traditions, old time fiddling, and his work with youth are widely lauded, making him the most decorated fiddler in Canada. Among his accolades, John was named to the Order of Canada in 2008, and invested into the Order of Gabriel Dumont "Gold" for a lifetime of outstanding service to the Metis of Canada. He has represented Canada by performing at events around the world, released 17 albums containing both original songs and those preserving the traditional Métis tunes of his Father and Grandfather, and inspired thousands of students through his private lessons and the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, which ran for almost 25 years. Now retired from performing, John enjoys teaching private students, continues to compose and is focusing on his other passion – making fiddles.
SaskMusic is very proud of all the nominees and winners this year, and continues to be inspired by the depth and breadth of our community, its resilience, and its passion for creating new music.
The Saskatchewan Music Awards show will be available for viewing online later this month.
In conjunction with the Saskatchewan Music Awards, the Very Prairie Music Summit was held in Regina December 9-11. Over twenty music industry professionals – local, national, and international - were lined up to participate in one-on-one meetings, networking events, and panels ranging from practical, informative sessions for independent artists, to discussions on ‘big picture’ music industry topics.
SaskMusic thanks everyone who attended these events, and especially those who support the Saskatchewan music industry and our artists year-round by attending shows and purchasing and streaming their music.
SaskMusic would like to thank Creative Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan, and FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) for their support of the SMAs and Very Prairie.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners
Album of the Year: Jake Vaadeland, "Everybody but Me", Cut Knife
Alternative Artist of the Year: The Garrys, Saskatoon
Country Artist of the Year: Hunter Brothers, Shaunavon
Electronic Artist of the Year: Factor Eight, Saskatoon
Experimental or Contemporary Artist of the Year: TOVA, Regina
Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Coleman Williams & Yohan Yemba, Regina
Indigenous Artist of the Year: Berk Jodoin, Leader
Industry Achievement: CAMP - Community Arts Mentorship Program, Asquith
Instrumental Artist of the Year: Nige B, Saskatoon
Metal/Loud Artist of the Year: Flash Back, Regina
Music Company of the Year: Dingwall Guitars, Saskatoon
Music Professional of the Year: Brent Ghiglione, Regina
Music Video of the Year: Dylan Hryciuk - Versa Films for "Repent," Halocene, Saskatoon
Producer of the Year: Bart McKay, Saskatoon
R&B Artist of the Year: People of the Sun, Regina
Rock/Pop Artist of the Year: Megan Nash, Moose Jaw
Roots/Folk Artist of the Year: Jake Vaadeland, Cut Knife
Single of the Year: Jess Moskaluke, "Knock Off", Langenburg
Venue or Festival of the Year: The Exchange, Regina
Indigenous Music Achievement: John Arcand, Saskatoon
Indigenous Music Achievement: Brian MacDonald, Onion Lake Cree Nation
Saskatchewan Music Awards and Very Prairie in Regina, December 10-11
Final Details Announced!
December 2, 2022: The fifth annual Saskatchewan Music Awards and Very Prairie Music Summit are set to take place in Regina next week.
Very Prairie, a weekend of informative panels, one on ones and networking for Saskatchewan musicians, artists, and others working in the music industry, will be taking place Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 with the University of Regina’s College Ave Campus serving as the hub. Individuals and bands at any stage of their music career are invited to attend, learn and share, with free admission. The weekend schedule and registration can be found at www.veryprairie.ca with more than twenty local, national and international music professionals joining panels including:
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Out Now: How to Release Your Music
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Indigenous Identity and Music Paths
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Getting Your Face Into Festivals
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The Next Level: Showcase & Export Readiness
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Radio Strategies, College and Community
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Money Talks (grant applications and funding tips)
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Women in Music Saskatchewan Brunch and Panel Discussion
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It Takes a Village: Building Your Team
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The Future of Music
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Protective Spaces
On Saturday December 10 at 6pm, ADVANCE - Canada's Black Music Business Collective presents a Saskatchewan Music Industry Mixer in conjunction with Very Prairie at Hampton Hub (1221 15th Ave) for Black artists and music professionals. Artists, musicians, producers, DJs, creatives, and aspiring Black music peeps are invited to connect with others in the industry. Hosted by ADVANCE and SaskMusic.
As well, Very Prairie Live will present live music with Shirley & The Pyramids and Thinktank at O'Hanlon's Irish Pub on Friday, December 9. Doors at 9pm, music at 10pm. On Saturday, December 10, catch Katie Tupper, Zochi, Marissa Burwell, Nige B, InfoRed and MELODNA at The Cure Kitchen + Bar starting at 8pm. Free admission.
The Regina Public Library Film Theatre (located at the Central Branch) and Regina Folk Festival will be presenting a week of music-based films in conjunction with Very Prairie. Free admission; schedule online at https://www.veryprairie.ca/rpl-music-films .
The Saskatchewan Music Awards return on Sunday, December 11 with a huge show planned. Taking place at the newly restored historic Darke Hall in Regina 7:30-10:30pm, awards in twenty artistic and industry categories will be presented during the show.
Live performances will include Aaron Tootoosis, ARIEL, Dump Babes, Etienne Fletcher, Kateryna Grace, Jesse Brown, People of the Sun, TOVA, and Zhe the Free. We will honour Master of the Metis Fiddle John Arcand, and creator of Cree Songbook Brian MacDonald with Indigenous Music Achievement awards for their positive and lasting impacts on the Indigenous music community, with performances of their music by Lee and Michelle Arcand and Nikamok.
The SMAs are intended to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of the Saskatchewan music industry over the past year. The full list of nominees is online at www.saskmusicawards.com
Tickets are on sale at https://tickets.darkehall.ca for just $21+tax in advance/ $26+tax at the door. General seating, doors open at 7pm. The after party, open to everyone, will be held at The Fat Badger.
2022 Saskatchewan Music Awards Tickets on Sale Now!
The fifth annual awards will return in person after two years of virtual presentations, taking place at the newly restored historic Darke Hall in Regina on Sunday, December 11/22, 7:30-10:30pm. All twenty awards will be presented during the show.
Featuring performances by Aaron Tootoosis, ARIEL, Dump Babes, Etienne Fletcher, Kateryna Grace, Jesse Brown, People of the Sun, TOVA, and Zhe the Free. We will honour John Arcand and Brian MacDonald with Indigenous Music Achievement awards for their immense contributions, with performances of their music by Lee and Michelle Arcand and (TBA).
The SMAs are intended to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of our Saskatchewan music industry members over the past year, with both artistic and industry nominees recognized.
Tickets are on sale now at https://tickets.darkehall.ca for just $21+tax in advance/ $26+tax at the door. Grab your tickets now to be sure your space is reserved. Doors open at 7pm. The after party, open to everyone, will be held at The Fat Badger.
November 7/2022 -
Public voting begins!
Public voting on four Saskatchewan Music Award categories will run November 7 through midnight November 16. (now closed).
The eighth annual Best Saskatchewan Albums of the Year Long List poll is back! Now leading into the Album of the Year winner at the Saskatchewan Music Awards, the poll recognizes full-length albums, in any genre, released by Saskatchewan artists over the past year.
Following the initial SMA submissions intake, our jurors selected their favourites to come up with our Long List. Now it’s up to music lovers to narrow it down to the Top Ten!
Only one vote per valid email address will be accepted for the duration of the voting period. The Top 10 will roll out on SaskMusic's social media in December, with the winner announced during the December 11 awards show in Regina.
BSA was started to draw awareness to and celebrate our homegrown Saskatchewan music. We encourage everyone to seek out and support local artists in many different genres.
Take a listen to a sample:
Long List: Spotify playlist
Long List: YouTube playlist
Links to our previous BSA Top Tens: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
On the Industry side, this year we have three Saskatchewan Music Award categories open to public voting.
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The Industry Achievement Award will recognize excellence in the provision of skills and/or services and by those helping to build the community and music industry of Saskatchewan (April 2021-October 2022). Individuals, groups, or businesses can be nominated. Final nominees were selected by jury. The winner will be determined by a combination of jury and public vote.
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Music Company of the Year will recognize a music business/organization that has demonstrated excellence in services, sales, or craftsmanship in their offerings to the public and/or music industry (April 2021-October 2022). This is the first year for this category. Final nominees were selected by jury. The winner will be determined by a combination of jury and public vote.
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Venue or Festival of the Year will recognize live music venues and music festivals that strove to celebrate and present live music (April 2021-October 2022). The category will consider both in-person shows/events and alternate programming initiatives, as well as excellence in programming and community engagement. Final nominees were selected by jury. The winner will be determined by a combination of jury and public vote.
Previous recipients of Industry Achievement and Venue of the Year can be found here.
October 27/2022 -
The 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominees
Tickets available now for the December 11/2022 awards show via the Darke Hall box office!
SaskMusic is pleased to announce the 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award nominees. The fifth annual awards will return in person after two years of virtual presentations, taking place at the newly restored historic Darke Hall in Regina on Sunday, December 11/22. The slate of performers for this year’s show will be announced over the coming weeks.
The SMAs are intended to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of our Saskatchewan music industry members over the past year, with both artistic and industry nominees recognized. Tickets will be on sale beginning November 1 at https://tickets.darkehall.ca for $21+tax in advance/$26+tax at the door.
This year, SaskMusic is reserving one performance spot on our awards show to showcase an emerging talent. Artists aged 25 or under, performing in any genre, are invited to submit for this opportunity before the deadline of midnight, November 4.
The public is invited to vote on four Saskatchewan Music Award categories this year. Beginning November 7 and ending midnight November 16, voting will be open via this website for:
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Album of the Year: recognizing an album-length project released by a Saskatchewan artist between Oct 15/21 and Oct 3/22 in any genre. Public voting on the Best Saskatchewan Albums of 2022 long list will determine the Top Ten albums of 2022, and ultimately, the recipient of Album of the Year presented at the SMAs.
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Industry Achievement: recognizing excellence in the provision of skills and/or services and by those helping to build the community and music industry of the province. The category winner will be determined by a combination of industry jury and public vote.
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Music Company of the Year: recognizing a music business/organization that has demonstrated excellence in services, sales, or craftsmanship in their offerings to the public and/or music industry. The category winner will be determined by a combination of industry jury and public vote.
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Venue or Festival of the Year: recognizing live music venues and music festivals that strove to celebrate and present live music. The category winner will be determined by a combination of industry jury and public vote.
One vote per email address will be accepted for each of the above categories over the course of the voting window.
In conjunction with the SMAs, SaskMusic presents the Very Prairie Music Summit from December 8-11. This educational event for the Saskatchewan music scene will include workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities. We’ll dive into an array of music industry topics that we hope will provide practical and straightforward information, and encourage musicians and industry at any stage of their career to attend, learn and share as we’re joined by local, national, and international guest speakers. The Summit will be held at the University of Regina - College Avenue Campus with evening events at various locations. Registration for Very Prairie is being taken here.
Additionally, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Music Awards, RPL Film Theatre (Regina Public Library - Central Branch) is pleased to present a series of free music documentary screenings celebrating the rich musical traditions from this and surrounding territories, December 7-10.
Follow along on SaskMusic’s socials for updates!
SaskMusic sincerely thanks Creative Saskatchewan and The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) for their support of these events.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominees
Please note, the recipient(s) of the Indigenous Music Achievement Award will be announced during the December 11 awards show.
Alternative Artist of the Year
GreenWing
Gunner & Smith
Nick Faye
Ponteix
Slow Down Molasses
The Garrys
Country Artist of the Year
Donny Parenteau
Hunter Brothers
Jake Vaadeland
Jordyn Pollard
Shantaia
Electronic Artist of the Year
Factor Eight
Flatland Funk
Nige B
Patrick Moon Bird
Theo Noble
Experimental or Contemporary Artist of the Year
Marie-Clo x éemi
mileshigh
Spencer Krips
The Corner Hotel
TOVA
Zochi
Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Coleman Williams & Yohan Yemba
Factor Chandelier
Lynksfr
Rooky
THINKTANK
Instrumental Artist of the Year
bfa beats
Brian Baggett
Nige B
Spencer Krips
The Corner Hotel
Metal/Loud Artist of the Year
Alien to the Ignorant
Flash Back
Hollow Oax
Singularity
Tyler Gilbert
ZAYD
R&B Artist of the Year
ADEOLUWA
Ariel
Katie Tupper
People of the Sun
TOVA
Rock/Pop Artist of the Year
Étienne Fletcher
Katie Tupper
Megan Nash
Ponteix
The Garrys
W3APONS
Roots/Folk Artist of the Year
Graham Tilsley
Jake Vaadeland
Jeff D. Michel
Kara Golemba
Last Birds
Megan Nash
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Berk Jodoin
Donny Parenteau
Dump Babes
LJ Tyson
Patrick Moon Bird
Single of the Year
Broke to Brand New, Shantaia
Ember, Factor Eight
Fluttering, GÅEL, Jesse Brown
Here and There, Jesse Brown, Denis Turbide
How Can I Get Your Love, Katie Tupper
I'm the Horizon, W3APONS
Knock Off, Jess Moskaluke
Live Inside, Katie Tupper
Peace, Love & Country Music, Hunter Brothers
Music Video of the Year
Dylan Hryciuk - Versa Films for Repent, Halocene
Dylan Hryciuk - Versa Films for Les Annees Ft. Témé Tan, Ponteix
Farideh Olsen, Director, for Otherside of Truth, Farideh
Hot Tag Films for Make It Right, Nick Faye
Joshua Stade for Never Ending Nights, The Gladstone
LJ Tyson & Kurt Binar Lindo for Home On A Rainbow, LJ Tyson
Marie-Clo x éemi for À fleur de pot, Marie-Clo x éemi
Prehistoric Productions for Wasteland, Dirty & The Perks
Rob White for Last Night, Surf Dads
Ryley Konechny, RAKK Productions for Layaway Luv, Ariel
Industry Achievement
Brent Ghiglione
CAMP - Community Arts Mentorship Program
Grey Records
Nigel Childs
North Sask Music Zine NSMZ
Producer of the Year
Bart McKay
Donny Parenteau
Factor Eight
Mario Lepage
Matt Stinn
Walter Jeworski
Venue or Festival of the Year
Creative City Centre
SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
The Bushwakker Brewpub
The Capitol Music Club
The Exchange
The Happy Nun Café
Music Company of the Year
Dingwall Guitars
Music In The House
Sawchyn Guitars Ltd
School of Rock Regina
Sharp 5 Records
Music Professional of the Year
Brent Ghiglione
Jared Robinson
Jayson Brinkworth
Matt Stinn
Orion Paradis
The Best Saskatchewan Albums of the Year Long List
The winner receives Album of the Year
AK Productions, Scope of Work 2
Alien to the Ignorant, A Dying Art
Andrea An, Bloom
Berk Jodoin, Half Breed
Blu Beach Band, A Dog's Breakfast
Brian Baggett, Let Nothing You Dismay
Carlyne Ray, No Hurry In Growin' Up
Christopher Sleightholm, The River Flew Right Past
Coleman Williams & Yohan Yemba, 3Stock
Cyndi Aarrestad , Offerings
Dan Cugnet, 45
Dara Schindelka, Saturn Returns
Dirty & The Perks, (Naked, on the Shore.)
Dump Babes, niya kîminîcâkan
Factor Chandelier, Time Invested II
FPG, Spirit World
Gunner & Smith, Hear You In My Head
HarveyDent, Highlight Room
Hollow Oax, XRY FACE
Jake Vaadeland, Everybody But Me
Jarrid Lee, It's Time
Marissa Burwell, Bittersweet
Megan Nash & the Best of Intentions, Soft Focus Futures
Mileshigh, i THiNK i FEEL BETTER
Parab Poet, Babelism
Patrick Moon Bird, Going Through the Motions
Rooky, SATORI
Sage Hunter, In the clouds
Spencer Krips, behold, the sonic universe
The Criminal Kid, Dear Disaster
The Gladstone, NightMood
The Local Group, Nero's Waltz
Thomas Oakes, Love Underground In A-Minor
Tyler Gilbert, Kill the Magic
October 24/2022 -
Join us online for the Nominee Announcement
SaskMusic will announce the nominees of the 2022 Saskatchewan Music Awards at 11:00am SK time (MST), Thursday October 27/2022 with a filmed presentation on our social media channels: www.facebook.com/SaskMusic1/ and www.youtube.com/saskmusic.
The announcement will reveal nominees in numerous artistic and industry categories.
The awards are intended to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of our Saskatchewan music industry members over the past year. The 2022 awards event will take place at the newly restored historic Darke Hall in Regina on Sunday, December 11/22. Information on tickets, and registration for the Very Prairie Music Summit being held in conjunction with the awards, will also be announced.
The Very Prairie Music Summit is an educational event for the Saskatchewan music industry, being held in Regina December 8-11/2022. Updates are being posted on SaskMusic’s social media accounts and on this website.
SaskMusic sincerely thanks Creative Saskatchewan (www.creativesask.ca) and The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) for their support of these events.
Proudly Presented by SaskMusic.
September 13/2022 -
SaskMusic Opens 2022 Saskatchewan Music Award Nominations
SaskMusic is pleased to announce the nomination intake for the 2022 Saskatchewan Music Awards. The fifth annual awards will honour excellence in the Saskatchewan music industry and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members over the past year. A live and livestreamed awards ceremony is being planned to take place in conjunction with the Very Prairie: Saskatchewan Music Summit, taking place December 8-11/2022.
SaskMusic explains, “There is a wealth of exciting music being created in Saskatchewan deserves much broader attention. The awards will help us to celebrate and share this wide variety of music with music lovers both here at home and beyond our borders. We invite Sask. artists and industry members to make their submissions. We’re really looking forward to once again sharing and celebrating the hard work of our talented artists and industry folks.”
Submissions for the Artistic and Industry categories of the SMAs are open until 11:59pm CST, October 3, 2022.
Continue on to category rules and eligibility criteria
or
download them in PDF form.
For updates, visit this page, and make sure you’re subscribed to the SaskMusic E-Release.
Questions? Contact SaskMusic at 1-800-347-0676 (toll free within Sask) or 306-347-0676.