Hey there, I don't want to spend too much time on this, because I have a feeling I'm preaching to the choir. But did you hear the Juno nominations this year? My God. Could they care less about Canadian music? Nickleback has 5 nominations, so it's not surprising to see AC/DC nominated as well, considering the theme of the Juno's may be just keep releasing the same album and we promise we'll nominate you. How else can you explain the nominations of Celine Dion, Michael Buble or Simple Plan?
My current hero right now is Stompin' Tom Conners, and I'll tell you why. In the 70's Conners gave back his 6 Junos, in protest to the trend of Canadian musicians recieving awards while living, and pandering to the USA. He thought that the Junos should be an award for Canadians who's main base of operation is Canada. Maybe he's being a bit idealistic, the Canadian government (especially now) seems uninterested in supporting local talent, so making a living in Canada can be almost impossible. But you have to respect his patriotism. Couldn't a protest like that be more true today? All of our worst music is watered down to be exported to the United States; Nickleback, Celine Dion, Brian Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, Michael Buble, Alanis Morrisette (who has a nomination this year!?!? Apperanlty she still releases albums), Theory of a Deadman, the list goes on and on.
But maybe I'm being pessimistic. Does anyone really think the junos represent the best of Canadian music anymore? It's a chance for the dinosaurs at the major labels to slap each other on the back and congratulating themselves for a job well done (and to try and forget the quickly declining sales for one night). David Foster will win for best producer (remember him? He wrote the theme for the Calgary olympics), Nickleback will win a few awards, teenage girls everywhere will soon be ashamed about liking Avril, and the Major Label folks will go back to blaming downloaders for all of their problems.
I'll end this note with a bit of optimism. Here are the few nominations actually worth our time.
NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR
Crystal Castles
Plants and Animals
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
In The Future, Black Mountain
Soft Airplane, Chad VanGaalen
Parc Avenue, Plants and Animals
VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Parkdale, Elizabeth Shepherd
(Jazz is one catagory that the Canadian music industry has NEVER been interested in, so seeing Elizabeth up there is hopefully a step in the right direction)
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Soundtrack, The Creaking Tree String Quartet
FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Coeur de pirate, Coeur de pirate
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Daniel Lanois
Any opinions, comments? I'd love to hear them, just send me a note in the comments section below. bye!
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6 comments:
the Junos are too bad...
Your best post yet and interesting Conners note. It is disappointing to see names like Nickelback and Celine Dion in the nominations--I mean, do they even show up for the award show or do they send an acceptance video from Las Vegas where they're currently exploiting middle America's misguided desire for live entertainment? Ahem.
yeah, outrageous...its all about the marketing...these pathetic bands have a way of appealling to the masses. and, well, the masses are stupid, lazy people who buy into whatever they hear on these pinhole radio and tv stations. they drink budlight, tim hortons coffee, work some lame ass monkey-could-do-it job, and love hearin songs that are as shallow as a pube after a haircut. bands who work harder at puttin their crap in peoples faces will be more successful...the world today is LAZY (for the mostpart). THAT is the target audience.
who the hell is that coeur de pirate girl!?
this is why you need to live in Montreal with me. I need your talent in finding the really cool small little venues and indie bands.
ha, yeah I know, she's pretty hot (and adorable... and talented!)
Thanks for the comments Sam, Alexis and Steve, I think we all feel pretty much the same way.
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