Alicia Toner, one of the new names at this year’s Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week, is featured in a story about her musical career to date, including her five Music P.E.I.
Newcomers and established performers to share the Music P.E.I. spotlight for the next few days
After a decade spent in the musical theatre world, 31-yearold Alicia Toner has broken into the music scene.
Toner was born in Fredericton, N.B. and moved to the Island four years ago via Toronto and her first album, “I Learned the Hard Way”, was recently nominated for five Music P.E.I. awards, tying with Liam Corcoran and Catherine MacLellan for the most nominations this year.
After she received her degree in musical theatre at Sheridan College, Toner eventually signed on with the Charlottetown Festival where she was involved with productions, including “Anne of Green Gables-The Musical”, “Evangeline”, “Million Dollar Quartet”, “Ring of Fire” and “Spoon River”.
Inspired by strong female artists like Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams and Brandi Carlile, Toner describes her sound as roots-contemporary.
“It’s a little bit of folk, a little bit of country, a little bit of rock influences,” she told The Guardian during a recent interview.
The singer-songwriter, who is also classically trained on the violin and plays guitar, is thrilled to receive the Music P.E.I. award nominations.
“It was very shocking, it was very exciting. I was happy to be nominated for one, so five is pretty cool,” she said, adding she was pleased with the way her album turned out.
“I’m proud of it as a whole, I’m proud of how it came out. It’s not the recognition that I’m proud of, it’s the product.”
Toner is nominated for female solo recording of the year, new artist of the year, roots contemporary recording of the year, SOCAN songwriter of the year and video of the year, with the video for the title track directed by Island production company Confound Films.
Toner is one of several new names to appear in the list of nominees for the 2018 Metro Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week, which runs Jan. 24-28 in Charlottetown.
Other newcomers to the awards week include Danny Drouin, Aaron Hastelow, Marcella Richard and Rick Sparks,
“It’s really great to see new names,” said Rob Oakie, executive director of Music P.E.I., adding there will be a lot of great music throughout the week.
Several years ago the week’s format changed, and Oakie said he is pleased with the direction it’s taken.
“The awards are turning into a lot of fun. We’ve changed it from a gala to a party,” he said, adding the artists love the new format. “It’s a lot more informal, but it’s really like a big party and an opportunity for the artists to celebrate each other.”
One award was given out during last night’s SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert; the remaining awards will be presented at the Rodd Charlottetown at the Music P.E.I. Awards Party Sunday afternoon. Hosted by Irish Mythen, it is an invitation-only event and not open to the public.
Oakie said those interested in hearing music should buy tickets to the Festival Finale on Sunday, which features all of the nominees.
In addition, there are shows tonight and Saturday night, as well as Music Mosaic headlined by Vishten, Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Carrefour Theatre. It is open to everyone with children under 12 getting in for free. The multicultural show is a way to showcase Island talent across cultures, Oakie said.
“It’s our effort at trying to develop a community event that’s a little more inclusive,” he said. “It truly is a multicultural show this year. And, really, it’s a result of the diversity that’s happening in P.E.I. The cultural diversity here has exploded in the last few years.”
This year, the award for new artists has been renamed the Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year Award in honour of Doyle, who died last year.
He was instrumental in helping Music P.E.I. get started. The recipient of the award wins a $1,000 bursary.
“Lloyd was all about finding new artists, that was his passion. More than anything else, I think was discovering new artists, so we thought this (award) was appropriate.”