The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) celebrated the artists and industry veterans at the top of Canada’s music scene this evening at the 2024 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada, at the Halifax Convention Centre. The exclusive industry event was co-hosted by Aba Amuquandoh and Damhnait Doyle, featuring electric performances from five Canadian artists and the presentation of 40+ JUNO Awards including the prestigious Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, awarded to Chip Sutherland.
The JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada put a spotlight not only on Canadian music veterans, but also its rising stars with 17 awards going to first-time winners:
The Beaches (Rock Album of the Year), The Beaches are doing everything their way. After more than a decade together as a band, sisters Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass) and Kylie Miller (guitar) plus closest friends Leandra Earl (guitar and keys) and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums) are entering a new era. On the new album “Blame My Ex,” the 2x JUNO Award-winning Toronto band channels heartbreak into self-discovery through 10 exuberant songs that revel in pain and redemption.
Tate McRae (Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Single of the Year Presented by YouTube), Calgary native singer/songwriter/dancer Tate McRae is fast becoming one of her generation’s most exciting young artists, with over 6.1 billion career streams, over 945 million video views, and multiple #1 Top 40 and dance hits. Accolades include nominations for a Billboard Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and multiple JUNO Awards. She was featured on Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood list, Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. Tate has two EP releases under her belt – TOO YOUNG TO BE SAD (2021) and ALL THE THINGS I NEVER SAID (2020). In 2022, Tate released her highly anticipated debut album, i used to think i could fly, which landed at #1 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums Debut Chart, charted in the Top 10 in multiple countries upon release, and has garnered over 1.4 billion streams to date. The album received praise from the likes of Billboard, who said “Tate McRae steps into stardom on her long-awaited debut album” while GRAMMY.com stated “each track shows McRae is ready to be one of her generation’s most raw-and-real superstars.”
New West (Breakthrough Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters), One vision. Endless possibilities. Meet New West. The Toronto-based “collective” comprises four individual artists, namely Kala Wita, Vella, Ben Key, and Noel West. For as different as they respectively may be in terms of where they’re from, how they create, and why they’re here, they fit together as seamlessly as long-lost puzzle pieces. They rotate between instruments and pass around the mic, morphing in real-time across each and every song with an unabashedly warm nostalgic undercurrent. Their very first release “Those Eyes” hinted at the potential of their chemistry.
Aysanabee, Co-Songwriters: Ali Willa Milner, Charlie McLean, Derek Hoffman, Sean Sroka, (Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN, Alternative Album of the Year), In less than a year, Aysanabee has gone from releasing his debut album, the powerful interweaving of generations, memory, and storytelling of Watin, to arriving centre stage in his career. From making history as the first Indigenous artist to reach #1 on Canadian Alternative Rock Radio, to being shortlisted and performing at the Polaris Music Prize Gala, Aysanabee has travelled an impressive distance from unsigned artist to internationally touring, award-winning breakout. Among his many accomplishments, Aysanabee was nominated for a 2023 JUNO Award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, won 3 Indigenous Music Awards, a Jim Beam Indie Award, and a Folk Music Ontario Award for Recording Artist of the Year.
Colin Stetson (Instrumental Abum of the Year), Colin Stetson (born 1975)[1] is a Canadian-American saxophonist, multireedist, and composer based in Montreal.[2] He is best known as a regular collaborator of the indie rock acts Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Bell Orchestre, and Ex Eye. In addition to saxophone, he plays clarinet, bass clarinet, French horn, flute, and cornet.
Les Cowboys Fringants & lOrchestre symphonique de Montréal (Francophone Album of the Year), Orchestre classique de Montréal, conducted by/dirigé par Jacques Lacombe (Classical Album of the Year). Colin Stetson was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and spent a decade in San Francisco and Brooklyn honing his formidable talents as a horn player, working extensively live and in studio with a wide range of acts including Tom Waits, TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. Meanwhile, he has developed an utterly unique voice as a soloist, principally on saxophones and clarinets, his intense technical prowess matched by his exhilarating and emotionally gripping skills as a songwriter. He settled in Montreal in 2007.
Constantinople (Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble), Inspired by the ancient city illuminating the East and West, Constantinople was founded in 2001 in Montreal by its artistic director, Kiya Tabassian. The ensemble has 20 albums to its credit on labels Analekta, Atma, World Village, Buda Musique, Ma Case, Dreyer Gaido and Glossa. Over the course of the decade, Constantinople has created nearly 50 works and travelled to more than 270 cities in 55 countries. Setar virtuoso and acclaimed composer, Kiya Tabassian has carved out a privileged place on the international music scene with his ensemble Constantinople and also as a soloist. Past master in cross-cultural musical encounters, he travels across the five continents for presenting his creations and his music on stages from all over the world.
Nicole Lizée (Classical Composition of the Year), Nicole Lizée is a Canadian composer of contemporary music. She was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan and received a MMus from McGill University. She lives in Montreal, Quebec. At one time, she was a member of The Besnard Lakes, an indie rock band from Montreal.
Blue Moon Marquee (Blues Album of the Year), Blue Moon Marquee is a Canadian swing blues duo from British Columbia, consisting of vocalist and guitarist A.W. Cardinal and vocalist, bassist and drummer Jasmine Colette. They are most noted for their 2022 album Scream, Holler & Howl, for which they received dual Juno Award nominations for both Blues Album of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024.
K-Anthony (Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year),
From the tranquil shores of Falmouth, Jamaica, comes a musical force that blends reggae and R&B into an irresistible fusion. Inspired by his roots and the uplifting power of island music, K-Anthony’s melodies will transport you to a place of joy and positivity.Armed with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and classical training, K-Anthony weaves intricate harmonies that resonate deep within your soul. His lyrics are carefully crafted, placing love for God and unwavering hope at their core.
Bambii (Electronic Album of the Year Presented by Nissan), Crypotopsy (Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year), Amanda Marshall (Adult Contemporary Album of the Year), BAMBII is a Canadian DJ and producer.She rose in popularity through the Toronto nightclub scene.[6] In June 2023 she performed at Melbourne’s Rising arts festival.[7]
In August 2023 she released an EP titled ‘Infinity Club’. The release was rated four out of five stars by NME.
Kyle Brownrigg (Comedy Album of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada), Kyle Brownrigg is an undeniable presence in Canadian comedy. In 2019 he was a finalist in SiriusXM’s Top Comic Competition, one of JFL42’s New Faces, was selected for the prestigious Just for Laughs Homegrown show, and as a result he was awarded the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Breakout Artist.
Aqyila (Traditional R&B/Soul ecording of the Year), Toronto R&B artist, Taahira Aquiyla Duff, known to her fans as Aqyila, is making the rest of 2023 her own. With the release of her debut EP, For The Better, Aqyila looks to build on the success of her viral debut release, “Vibe for Me (Bob for Me),” which racked up over 10 million streams worldwide and landed her first JUNO Award nomination for ‘Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year.’ Since then, Aqyila has only seen more growth and success. She was tapped as an ambassador for TikTok’s #RnB month in November 2022 and has landed opening spots for other talented artists like Kimbra and Cat Burns. The rising songstress has since released her first EP, For The Better, featuring “Pressure,” and “OH,” both songs showcasing her maturing vocals and songwriting skills. “Hello,” another song on the EP deeply resonated with her audience on TikTok and has become a fan favourite.
BLOND:ISH (Underground Dace Single of the Year), To Vivie-ann, being BLOND:ISH is about more than being a DJ. It’s all about ENERGY and taking her fans to ‘Happy Happy World’, a road paved with music, wellness, eco-activism and tech – all with a healthy dose of magic. A DJ, producer, record label head, environmental activist and Web3 entrepreneur, she breaks down traditional barriers between artist and fan, uniting her community through pillars of purpose. As a DJ, BLOND:ISH creates sounds that are meant to heighten your senses, open your heart and make you feel good. Transcending typical genres, her expert selections are transformative – be it live or recorded. As an entrepreneur, she helms a Web3 investment fund and is on the cutting edge of the space. As a philanthropist, she has spearheaded the launch of Bye Bye Plastic, a charity dedicated to eliminating plastic waste at festivals and venues. As a human, BLOND:ISH is dedicated to loving all and creating inclusive atmospheres that take people to Happy Happy World.
Joel Wood (Traditional Indignous Artist Or Group of the Year), Joel Wood is a Plains Cree musician from Treaty 6 Territory. Joel has been singing traditional music his entire life and is a member of world renowned Powwow/Rounddance drum group, Northern Cree, since the age of 9. Joel is joined by his wife, Tonia Jo Hall, on this album. Joel is a multi JUNO nominee and multi award winning solo artist since 2020.
