Nominees for the 2016 Western Canadian Music Awards were announced yesterday, and performers with ties to the Vancouver Island area were well represented.
Aidan Knight, who performed a sold-out show on Saturday at Lucky Bar, led all performers with three nominations. Nick Blasko, co-owner of Amelia Artists and co-producer of the Rifflandia Festival, notched a pair.
The 14th annual music industry awards show is partnered with the BreakOut West festival and conference slated for Oct. 13 at Casino Regina in Saskatchewan. BreakOut West and the Western Canadian Music Awards were held in Victoria for the first time in 2015.
Here are some of the local nominees participating in October’s event:
• Blues Artist of the Year:
David Gogo, Nanaimo
David Vest, Victoria
• BreakOut Artist of the Year:
Aidan Knight, Victoria
• Children’s Artist of the Year:
Raffi, Salt Spring Island
The Kerplunks, Gabriola Island
• Rap/Hip Hop Artist of the Year:
Alpha Omega, Victoria/Vancouver
• Recording of the Year:
Aidan Knight, Each Other
• Rock Artist of the Year:
Aidan Knight, Victoria
Rae Spoon, Victoria
• Roots Duo/Group of the Year:
Jon and Roy, Victoria
• Roots Solo Artist of the Year:
Oliver Swain, Victoria
• Producer of the Year:
Colin Stewart/Hive Studios, Victoria/Vancouver
• Urban Artist of the Year:
The New Groovement, Victoria
• World Artist of the Year:
Locarno, Victoria/Vancouver
— Mike Devlin
