exploremusic

Unless you’ve been watching the Junos evolve over the decades as I have (hey, it’s my job), it’s easy to write them off as just another cheesy awards show on par with the Grammys and the American Music Awards.  That would be a mistake.

While the goal of the Junos is to get people to buy more music—that’s what every awards show is about—the Junos succeed in celebrating the many different facets of Canadian music.  Sure, the TV broadcast consists mostly of just the most commercial stuff—but not always.  Props must go to the organizers for showcasing bands like Metric who picked up a nice win last night for Group of the Year.  (The fact that they won is a big deal; their Fantasies album was released around the world without the help of a major label. )

A couple of thoughts after the weekend’s awards:

• Why aren’t Blue Rodeo worldwide superstars?
• Justin Bieber:  Get a haircut.
• Thirty-two awards were handed out at the gala on Saturday night.  Why didn’t a bunch of them make the TV broadcast.  You’re telling me there’s no appeal for saving Rock Album of the Year for the TV show?  And it wouldn’t it have been cool to see Arkells accept their New Group of the Year awards in front of a national audience?
• Drake won New Artist of the Year, Rap Recording of the Year based on just his mixtape?  The pressure is on to deliver a proper album.
• Wow.  Lots of winners record for indie labels (Metric, Arkells, Joel Plaskett, the Happiness Project, Bell Orchestre, Deadmau5, Dubmatix, etc, etc.)  What does that say about how this part of the industry has come of age?
• Classified:  Solid rapper.  Watch this guy carefully.
• How can you not love K’Naan?  Dignified and humble.
• Damn, but Billy Talent is a solid live band.  Ben has come a long way from the days when he used to fetch me coffee and protect me from meth-addled weirdoes who walked into the studio.
• All of our performers sang in key—unlike what we heard at the Grammys
• Show producers:  Stop trying so hard to be cool.  The whole production seemed forced and fake.
• There is a Canadian star system, but it still needs work.