AND THE NOMINEES ARE ...
Cardinal leads the way for EMAs
One thing about our Edmonton scene: The municipal sound is not easy to pigeonhole — further proven by the just-announced Edmonton Music Awards nominees.
On that topic of crossing genres, it’s definitely a good year to be powerhouse singer Celeigh Cardinal, up for seven EMAs, including album, female artist, single, Indigenous recording, singer/ songwriter and roots/folk recording of the year — plus the onlinevoted people’s choice award.
On the other side of the sonic planet, meanwhile, crisp and raucous metalhead Striker is up for six prizes, including album, single, group, metal recording and music video of the year, and with 78 other local acts, is also up for the people’s choice popularity click-and-vote.
Besides Striker, group of the year nominees are Derina Harvey Band, nêhiyawak, The Dungarees and Whale and the Wolf.
The night of seven live performances and 27 awards will be held June 28 at Winspear. Red carpet will be at 6 p.m., the show kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
Joining Cardinal in the race for female artist of the year are Lindsey Walker, Lyra Brown, Mallory Chipman and Olivia Rose. Josh Sahunta, Justin Hogg, Martin Kerr, Mike Dominey and Rellik are on deck for male artist of the year.
For album of the year, it’s between Cardinal’s Everything and Nothing At All, Walker’s This Desolate Bliss, self-titled albums each by Striker and the Dungarees, and the Royal Foundry’s Lost in Your Head.
This year’s program sees three new categories covering instrumental, francophone and Latin music.
A legacy award will be announced soon, and you can vote for the people’s choice award on the Edmonton Music Awards site.
The hilarious Bridget Ryan will host the gala once again. Tickets are available starting at 10 a.m. Monday through the Winspear box office.