by WGO staff
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) announced the 2021 East Coast Music Award nominees on Tuesday. Artists and industry players from the Cape Breton region racked up 23 nominations including four for long-running Cape Breton supergroup Beòlach. Other multiple nominees from the region include Mike McKenna Jr. with three, and Jamie Foulds, Celtic Colours International Festival, Shift From Tha 902, and Maxim and Gervais Cormier with two each.
The 2021 East Coast Music Awards are scheduled to take place in Sydney, May 5-9. But what that will look like, exactly, is still a little unclear. ECMAs have typically been schmoozy, boozy affairs full of musical mayhem and shenanigans with hordes of wild-eyed musicians and music fans running rampant all over the host city, taking over every hotel, bar, restaurant, and performance space in sight—at least, if WGO’s coverage of past ECMAs is to be believed.
ECMA 2021, however, is due to hit the deck smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic that has most of the world locked down, with restrictions being placed on travel and the introduction of a whole new social phenomenon—physical distancing. While these clearly aren’t the ideal conditions for an event like the East Coast Music Awards and Conference—which usually sees thousands of musicians, technicians, managers, agents, event organizers, and music fans from the four Atlantic provinces and beyond gathering for a weekend of showcases, networking, and celebration—there is a sense that the show must go on.
“We’re taking our lead from Public Health and the government departments managing the response to COVID-19,” says Andy McLean, CEO of ECMA. “We will comply with whatever public health measures are in place at the time, and are planning for a hybrid event, with both in-person and online elements; a first of its kind, as we begin down the road to recovery for the Atlantic music industry.”
“Our host community is excited to have us back in Sydney,” McLean continues, “and we recognize the need for the music community to gather as best it can, in a safe and supportive environment. Bringing in folks from outside Atlantic Canada is obviously a no-go, and we’ve moved our Conference online to reflect this. We’re optimistic for an Atlantic Bubble, but will adjust plans as needed to make sure safety continues to be our number one priority.”
The full list of artists from the Cape Breton region nominated for 2021 East Coast Music Awards is as follows: Beòlach (Group Recording of the Year, Instrumental Recording of the Year, Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year, Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year); Mike McKenna Jr (Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Rising Star Recording of the Year, Fans’ Choice Video of the Year); SHiFT FROM THA 902 (Indigenous Artist of the Year, Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year); Maxim and Gervais Cormier (Instrumental Recording of the Year, Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year); Jamie Foulds (Producer of the Year, Studio Engineer of the Year); Celtic Colours International Festival (Event of the Year, Industry Innovator of the Year [In light of COVID-19]); Pretty Archie (Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year); Lakewind Sound Studios Ltd. (Studio of the Year); Launch Media Design (Visual Artist of the Year); Mike Shepherd (Studio Engineer of the Year); Soundpark Studios (Studio of the Year); Hauler (Rising Star Recording of the Year); Jordan Musycsyn (Inspirational Recording of the Year); Jimmy Rankin (Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year).
Further announcements from the ECMA, including showcasing artists, conference details, and more will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
