Latest news with #EastCoastMusicAwards
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Cape Breton's Gordie Sampson marks 20 years since breakout album ‘Sunburn'
It's been two decades since Cape Breton's Grammy winning songwriter Gordie Sampson released his breakout album 'Sunburn.' The record not only launched him into Nashville's songwriting scene, it also earned him multiple East Coast Music Awards and a Juno nomination for Songwriter of the Year. Now, 20 years later, Sampson is re-releasing the album with a twist – full commentary from the artist himself. 'It's just like when you watch a movie and it's the director's commentary,' said Sampson in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. The updated version gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the songs came to life and how Sampson himself remembers (or doesn't remember) it all. 'I had to call some friends, because I either didn't remember, blanked it out, or whatever,' said Gordie. 'Sometimes I lied. Sometimes I didn't know and just made it up because I make stuff up for a living. I mean, that's what I do.' Originally released in 2004, Sunburn featured the now-signature title track – a staple of songwriter circles ever since – as well as the songs 'Paris' and 'You (Or Somebody Like You),' which later found new life through country stars Faith Hill and Keith Urban. 'I put that out just as I was going to Nashville, and that record really kicked open a couple of doors for me down there,' said Sampson. To mark the milestone, Sampson is bringing the celebration back home to Cape Breton with a major show set for Aug. 3. 'The Red Farm show – August 3rd,' said Gordie. 'Myself, Dylan, Jodi Guthro, Bahamas, Sloan, my daughter Amelie is opening the show. It's gonna be super fun. Bring your RV, bring your beer, bring awesome.' Fans can now stream Sunburn with commentary. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hamilton Spectator
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Mallard's second album takes a folksier trail
Last year, a number of Newfoundland and Labrador artists were approved for ArtsNL Professional Project Grants. One such successful applicant was musical artist Jenny Mallard of St. John's. Originally from Mount Pearl, Mallard has been working in the music industry since 2015. Alongside writing and performing, she has been involved with MusicNL and the East Coast Music Awards. She has toured the province with other bands, and went on her first solo tour last summer. Mallard released her debut album, Into the Deep, in 2022. She describes it as a concept album about finding herself through music, and her journey in life. 'It told the story of falling in love and then things going sour and then really finding myself as an individual,' she said. Mallard's second album, recorded with the assistance of the ArtsNL Professional Project Grant she received, is produced by Robert Kelly. Songs on the album will be released individually over the course of the year, after which the album will be released in its entirety. While she describes her first album as country-pop, Mallard said this album will be folkier. 'Everything that I write is from personal experience, and that's what makes my music so vulnerable,' said Mallard. 'Make Believe' is a song about finding love after believing you never would, which Mallard said is currently a big theme in her life. 'Dim Her Light' is a song about female empowerment, and Mallard's frustration with the oppression and disrespect women continue to face in society. 'One Damn Phone Call' is based on the call Mallard received that informed her that her father had Stage 3 colon cancer. 'It's about receiving that phone call and your whole world just turning upside-down,' she said. Her father was diagnosed a year ago, and recently completed his treatment and rang the bell. Songs on the album are being released around relevant occasions and events. For example, 'Make Believe' came out around Valentine's Day, 'Dim Her Light' near International Women's Day, and 'One Damn Phone Call' will come out close to Father's Day. Another song of Mallard's, 'Howl', is about her struggle with bipolar disorder and how people in her life helped her when she was unwell. Regarding the title, she said a howl can simultaneously be a battle cry, a sign of pain, and a sign of strength. 'It's about my story, but also how I took strength from other people in my life to get me through what I was going through,' said Mallard. 'The whole message of the song is that you can get through whatever you are going through.' She noted the song does not explicitly mention BPD, but rather is about a girl looking back at her past self and yearning for it, something Mallard feels many people can relate to regardless of whether they struggle with their mental health. When asked about future goals, Mallard said, 'I want to work in music and just be happy in doing what I'm doing.' While some short-term goals are to go on tour, release her second album, get played on the radio, and so on, her long-term goal is to focus on songwriting, which is her greatest passion. 'I do like performing and I do like the photoshoots and the being in the limelight but, really my heart is with songwriting,' she said. Mallard describes co-writing as her favourite thing to do, and has co-written with artists such as Darcy Scott, Mackenzie Critch, and Becca Bartlett. 'It's so fun, especially when they're your friends,' she said. She also enjoys seeing those artists record her co-compositions on their albums and releases. 'Seeing another person perform a song that you wrote together is also a really emotional experience,' said Mallard. 'Especially when you're getting so vulnerable with other people and you're talking about themes and things that are going on in your life. It's the best experience ever.' Mallard has a business degree from Memorial University which she said could also allow her to coach others and help them release their own music, potentially even working as a manager. Describing what she wants for her distant future, she said, 'I want to be by a lake, songwriting, with people that I love, or people that I really like working with.' Jenny Mallard's first album is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. She has accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and also has her own website, .
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
P.E.I. artists bring home 4 East Coast Music Awards
P.E.I. artists are bringing home a handful of East Coast Music Awards from the 37th annual award gala held Sunday. The East Coast Music Awards festival and conference recognized and showcased the work of East Coast artists from May 7-11 in St. John's. The Acadian group Vishtèn Connexions won the album of the year award for their album Expansion, which pays tribute to founding member Pastelle LeBlanc. LeBlanc died of breast cancer in 2022. "This Connexions project was an homage to LeBlanc, who left over 150 pieces on her iPhone," Emmanuelle LeBlanc said during her acceptance speech. "It's really meaningful for us because we just keep going to work with her and be able to keep going and play … her music," said Pascal Miousse. The group also won awards for folk release of the year and fusion release of the year for their song, Kouma. P.E.I. folk-pop artist Noah Malcolm won the award for pop release of the year with his song, January. The win marks Malcolm's first East Coast Music Award. The Stompin' Tom Award — recognizing the long-term contributions of one individual in each of the East Coast Music Association's five geographic regions — was given to was given to Ghislaine Cormier. Cormier is the executive director of the Fédération culturelle de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Here's a complete list of P.E.I.'s 2025 East Coast Music Award winners: Album of the year: Vishtèn Connexions — Expansion. Folk release of the year: Vishtèn Connexions — Kouma. Fusion release of the year: Vishtèn Connexions — Kouma. Pop release of the year: Noah Malcolm — January. Stompin' Tom Award: Ghislaine Cormier.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ECMAs end on high note, with a dozen more awards for N.L. musicians
The East Coast Music Awards has come and gone, and some Newfoundland and Labrador musicians are walking away with new trophies and memories. Brazilian duo Ana and Eric, based in St. John's, opened the event's second awards show with a gentle acoustic performance Sunday morning. Eighteen music awards and six industry awards were given out, in addition to honorary awards. Twelve of Sunday's winners are from Newfoundland and Labrador. Heather Feather took home the prize for children's artist of the year. She said in a speech that her "world fell apart" when she became disabled, but she was able to lean on the music community. "All of a sudden, everyone just rallied closer," she said. Dance release of the year went to 17-year-old Summer Bennett. "Even being nominated is crazy," Bennett said. The 2024 CBC Searchlight Top Teen promised she wouldn't cry on stage, despite the surprise. "It's really special," she said. "I started writing music at six years old. Trying to write pop music is, of course, very different from anything else." Celebrating the win in her home province — where dance music isn't the most popular genre — made the moment even more meaningful, said Bennett. Some tears were shed in the audience as the honorary musicians' achievement award went to the late Chris Ryan, who died unexpectedly in October. Ryan was the kind of person who would support a fellow musician in a heartbeat, said his partner Amber Miller, who accepted the award. "He opened for festivals at a moment's notice, most recently cancelling his own birthday party so he could play guitar for another musician so they could be in the spotlight," said Miller. Nearly every person in the room stood to give applause when Miller walked off stage. The show-stopping moments continued when experimental hardcore band The Order of the Precious Blood took the time to dedicate their award to the music scene they came from. The five-piece group, fronted by Paul Brake, won loud release of the year. "A band like us doesn't exist in a vacuum," Brake said to the audience. "There's such a rich culture of this kind of music on the east coast." Brake riddled the names of dozens of bands from Newfoundland and Labrador and other Atlantic Canadian provinces, adding that his band's award belongs to all of them. In an interview after the event, the vocalist said he wanted to use his platform to lift up artists who feel as though they aren't recognized in the larger music industry. "We want to make sure that … their names are heard in rooms that they wouldn't get spoken in otherwise," said Brake. "Once you get playing and you find your voice, the sky's the limit." The remaining Newfoundland and Labrador winners from Sunday are: Ana Luísa Ramos, global music release of the year, Mark Fewer, instrumental release of the year, Quote the Raven, roots release of the year, Hurricane Music, artist management of the year, Jud Haynes, content creator of the year, Zach Snow, media person of the year, Wade Pinhorn, industry builder honorary award, and Korona Brophy, Stompin' Tom honorary award. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
ECMAs end on high note, with a dozen more awards for N.L. musicians
The East Coast Music Awards has come and gone, and some Newfoundland and Labrador musicians are walking away with new trophies and memories. Brazilian duo Ana and Eric, based in St. John's, opened the event's second awards show with a gentle acoustic performance Sunday morning. Eighteen music awards and six industry awards were given out, in addition to honorary awards. Twelve of Sunday's winners are from Newfoundland and Labrador. Heather Feather took home the prize for children's artist of the year. She said in a speech that her "world fell apart" when she became disabled, but she was able to lean on the music community. "All of a sudden, everyone just rallied closer," she said. Dance release of the year went to 17-year-old Summer Bennett. "Even being nominated is crazy," Bennett said. The 2024 CBC Searchlight Top Teen promised she wouldn't cry on stage, despite the surprise. "It's really special," she said. "I started writing music at six years old. Trying to write pop music is, of course, very different from anything else." Celebrating the win in her home province — where dance music isn't the most popular genre — made the moment even more meaningful, said Bennett. Some tears were shed in the audience as the honorary musicians' achievement award went to the late Chris Ryan, who died unexpectedly in October. Ryan was the kind of person who would support a fellow musician in a heartbeat, said his partner Amber Miller, who accepted the award. "He opened for festivals at a moment's notice, most recently cancelling his own birthday party so he could play guitar for another musician so they could be in the spotlight," said Miller. Nearly every person in the room stood to give applause when Miller walked off stage. The show-stopping moments continued when experimental hardcore band The Order of the Precious Blood took the time to dedicate their award to the music scene they came from. The five-piece group, fronted by Paul Brake, won loud release of the year. "A band like us doesn't exist in a vacuum," Brake said to the audience. "There's such a rich culture of this kind of music on the east coast." Brake riddled the names of dozens of bands from Newfoundland and Labrador and other Atlantic Canadian provinces, adding that his band's award belongs to all of them. In an interview after the event, the vocalist said he wanted to use his platform to lift up artists who feel as though they aren't recognized in the larger music industry. "We want to make sure that … their names are heard in rooms that they wouldn't get spoken in otherwise," said Brake. "Once you get playing and you find your voice, the sky's the limit." The remaining Newfoundland and Labrador winners from Sunday are:
