What’s your favourite local band?
If you don’t have a quick answer, a visit to the Kootenay Music Awards site (kootenaymusicawards.com) can help you get acquainted with some of the great talent in our own backyard.
Five music industry judges sifted through hundreds of nominations to come up with this year’s shortlist. There are lots of extremely talented and hard working musicians on the list that are making a name for themselves well beyond the Kootenays.
Metal band Savage Blade get a ton of press in European hard rock magazines and have a huge following in Germany. Folk singer James Lamb has built up a fan base on the Canadian festival circuit and the CBC radio program Canada Live has broadcast two of his concerts.
They tour around the globe, but for many of these groups it’s here in the Kootenays where they write and record their music, here where they have their CD release parties.
It’s worth getting to know these acts, and the Kootenay Music Awards website is a great place to start. There’s a play button to listen to a song by each of the artists. And while you’re there you can vote for the music you like.
If you want to hear more from these bands, why not check them out next time they play in town. It’s not hard to find them. They regularly serve as opening acts for touring artists or come together for community events.
In the coming week alone you can see five KMA nominated artists. Rhoneil (nominated for Best Country/Folk, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year) is playing a fundraiser at Finley’s this Saturday. James Lamb (nominated for Best Country/Folk, Album of the Year and Song of the Year) is at the Royal on Thursday. And on Friday Clinton Swanson (Best Live Act nominee) has his regular gig at the Royal’s After Work Swing Party and later that night Lint (Best Roots and Blues nominee) and Rafferty Funksmith (Best DJ nominee) will also take to the Royal stage.
Support the local music scene by getting to know more Kootenay musicians. Find some new favourites. And don’t forget to vote.