January 26, 2015
Before there can be winners, there must be nominees.
This week’s Music News Monday takes a look back at some of the brightest Canadian music stars of 2014. While not a complete list, consider it a set of educated guesses of potential JUNO nominees.
Kiesza, “Hideaway”
Best guess: Single of the Year, Video of the Year, or Breakout Artist of the Year
Kiesza, a Calgarian through-and-through took 2014 by storm.
Her single “Hideaway” hit No.1 in the U.K and got attention worldwide for its catchy, 90s-esque beat, and an eye-popping music video with nearly 200 million views on YouTube.
It’s worth watching more than once.
Kiesza – Hideaway
Leonard Cohen, Popular Problems
Best guess: Best Album of the Year
Cohen’s September released album Popular Problems has been heralded as “a masterpiece” and reached Gold status in Canada.
Another JUNO nomination would be Cohen’s 18th—that is, if he gets only one nomination this year, but anything’s possible. Cohen was nominated for three JUNO’s back in 2013 including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (Sponsored by SiriusXM Canada), and JUNO Fan Choice Award (Presented by TD).
Serge Fiori, Serge Fiori
Best guess: Best Album of the Year
Serge Fiori’s self-titled album was arguably 2014’s biggest surprise of the year. The former Harmonium lead-singer arrived back on the scene after a 28-year hiatus.
News of the album’s release was well received, particularly among those in Canada who recognize Fiore’s name. Alain de Repentigny of La Presse said the album is a continuation of the Fiori-Seguin duo of 1978 and their successful album Two Hundred Nights Per Hour.
Serge Fiori reached both Gold and Platinum status for 2014.
Tanya Tagaq, Animism
Best guess: Aboriginal Album of the Year, Artist of the Year,
Tagaq’s fourth album made a splash in 2014 after winning the Polaris Music Prize and setting the bar high for live music shows after her standing-ovation performance of “Uja” and “Umingmak” at the Polaris Music Prize Gala.
Tanya Tagaq “Uja” and “Umingmak” (live) – Polaris Music Prize
Tagaq has been gaining some traction down south too, as Rolling Stone named her one of the 10 New Artists You Need to Know: January 2015.
Chromeo, “Jealous (I Ain’t with It)”
Best guess: Single of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year
Chromeo – Jealous (I Ain’t with It)
Their fourth studio album in a decade, the Montreal duo’s album White Women peaked on the Canadian Billboard album chart at number 11 and features collaborations with various artists including Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend.
With its “chunky, ringing guitar chords” Pitchfork said “Jealous” offers proof Chromeo’s songwriting ability has “gotten stronger.”
Agree or disagree, the nominee list will be released Tuesday, January 27.
The JUNO Awards 2015 will take place in March 9-15 in Hamilton.
In other news…
- Quebec, In the Dead of Winter
- From barn to North on 29
- “Lindsay Shedden says goodbye to Alberta Music”
- Deadmau5 back in the kitchen
- The Piano Hero we need and deserve
- Toronto’s top ten folk families
- Guvernment nightclub to close,
–Leyland Bradley
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Get at me @LeylandMarie or leyland.bradley@gmail.com.