Twelve artists with ties to Vancouver Island were recognized with nominations Tuesday during the rollout for the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards.
Cowichan Bay’s Blue Moon Marquee and former Hot Hot Heat frontman Steve Bays of Victoria led the way with three nominations between them. Blue Moon Marquee, which won their first Juno Award in March, are in the running for blues album of the year, alongside Brandon Isaak of Duncan, while Bays will compete for video director of the year.
Winners in the 22nd annual event will be unveiled during BreakOut West, which will be held Sept. 25-29 in Saskatoon, Sask.
The Victoria-born Bays, who now lives in Vancouver, is also competing for audio engineer of the year award, alongside Astrocolor’s Neil Cooke-Dallin of Victoria, who also earned a nomination in the category. University of Victoria associate professor Merrie Klazek, jazz artist Angela Verbrugge, and Michael Kaeshammer are among the other nominees feted Tuesday.
Vancouver Island nominees:
Blues Artist of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee (Cowichan Valley)
Brandon Isaak (Duncan)
Instrumental Artist of the Year
Merrie Klazek (Victoria)
Jazz Artist of the Year
Angela Verbrugge (Victoria)
Producer of the Year
Liam Moes (Sidney)
R&B Artist of the Year
Emerald Osagie (Nanaimo)
Recording of the Year
Michael Kaeshammer (Sidney)
Video Director of the Year
Steve Bays (Victoria)
Sandy Rossignol (Victoria)
Audio Engineering Award
Neil Cooke-Dallin (Victoria)
Steve Bays (Victoria)
Impact in Live Music
Midnight Agency (Victoria/Vancouver)
Classical Artist or Ensemble of the Year
Emily Carr String Quartet (B.C.)
