Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire dominate at the 10th annual Music NB Awards picking up their 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th awards.
Matt Carter
This is a big year for Music NB and its annual award event, which also makes it a big year for New Brunswick music. I’ll even go out on a limb and call it one of the most significant years New Brunswick music has witnessed in some time. I mean, who would have thought we’d see a year when Motherhood and Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire walked away with what many consider to be the two biggest awards on offer – Recording of the Year (Motherhood – Dear Bongo,) and Group of the Year (Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire)? But that’s exactly what happened last night at the tenth annual MNB Awards.
As the kickoff to Festival (506), the association’s annual industry conference and showcase, the MNB Awards offer a chance to celebrate and recognise the musicians, the recordings and the diverse industry that exists here in the province. In the past, the majority of awards were chosen by a jury of industry professionals, but things were different this year. After announcing a serious revamp to its award process which now, in addition to a jury, allows voting from the association’s membership and the general public on practically every category up for grabs, this year’s awards offered a broader representation of New Brunswick’s music and music makers.
“The Prix MNB Awards were overhauled this year, to take into account the evolution of the music industry. It is important for us to celebrate the variety of ways in which artists and industry professionals practice their craft and earn a living,” said Jean Surette, MNB Executive Director.
“The Prix MNB Award Show is an opportunity to remind ourselves that New Brunswick artists–on and off of this evening’s stage–warrant our support, respect and engagement,” said Penelope Stevens, MNB President and a member of Motherhood. “Our Awards are only able to recognize a small snapshot of the hundreds of creators in the province. There are dozens of artists performing in basements and DIY spaces across the province, and they need our support too.”
The event took place at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre and saw a total of 19 awards handed out. Congrats to all the winners!
RECORDING OF THE YEAR – Motherhood // Dear Bongo
ENREGISTREMENT DE L’ANNÉE – Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire // Viens avec moi
SOLO RECORDING OF THE YEAR – Maggie Savoie // Tumeur à l’égo
GROUP RECORDING OF THE YEAR – Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire // Viens avec moi
SOCAN SONG OF THE YEAR – Adyn Townes // House on the Ocean (authors: Adyn Townes & Meg O’Neil)
CHANSON SOCAN DE L’ANNÉE – Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire // Spread the love (auteurs: Serge Brideau, Léandre Bourgeois, Maxence Cormier, Michel Vienneau, Michel (Mico) Roy, Pierre Guy Blanchard et Benoit Bouchard)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – Chloé Breault // Quand on y pense
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Which Witch is Which
CHAMPION OF THE YEAR – The East
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – Indigo Poirier
VISUAL IDENTITY OF THE YEAR – Area 506 Festival
HARDEST WORKING OF THE YEAR – Tomato/Tomato
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR – Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire
ARTIST IN ROTATION OF THE YEAR – FM Berlin
VENUE OF THE YEAR – The Capital Complex
FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR – Paddlefest NB
MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Carole Chouinard
FANS’ CHOICE – Which Witch is Which
CHOIX DU PUBLIC – Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire
