JJ Shiplett, Matt Blais, Locomotive Ghost lead nominees in the second annual YYC Music Awards

It’s another strong group of homegrown talent that will vie for the hardware as the YYC Music Awards unveil this year’s nominations.

Local roots artist JJ Shiplett leads the pack with six, including for Male Artist of the Year, on the strength of his major-label debut, Something to Believe In.

Other multiple nominees include: area rocker Matt Blais and folk act Locomotive Ghost with four nominations; hip-hop act SEVEN, pop-rapper King Dylan and blues-rock act The Static Shift with three; and a handful with a pair of nominations including FOONYAP, Amelie Patterson and Amy Hef.

“We are extremely excited to see Calgary’s rich music scene has produced a variety of amazing nominees for this year’s YYC Music Awards,” YYCMA media director Shannon Ambrose said in a release. “The YYCMA wishes every nominee the best of luck this year and in their future endeavors.” 

This year’s event will be an expanded one, with a gala at The Palace Theatre Sept. 24, after last year’s successful inaugural awards sold out the National Music Centre’s Studio Bell.

Tickets for the show, which will also feature performances by some of the nominees, are available here.

And should you wish to participate in it in another way, voting for the The People’s Choice Award is ongoing now until Aug. 19. on the wards website here. 

Here’s the complete list of nominees for the second YYC Music Awards:

Alternative Recording of the Year:
Amelie Patterson – Roll Honey Roll
Amy Hef – What Comes Next?
Mindseed – Rush Hour Crush
The Static Shift – Common Bliss
White Chocolate Thunder – Take My Hand

Blues Recording of the Year:
Britt Walchuck – Mamma Told Me
Carly Reirson – Fantasy
Williams, Wayne & Isaak – Messed Up Daddy

Country Recording of the Year:
Drew Gregory – All About It
FOXX Worthee – Sweet Revenge Sweet Revenge
JJ Shiplett –  Something to Believe In
Mark Lorenz – Smoke Clears
Shane Harluk – I Like You Best

Female Artist of the Year:
Amelie Patterson – Honey Roll
Amy Hef – What Comes Next?
Carly Reirson – Fantasy
FOONYAP – The Fun Machine
Lisette Xavier – Starcrossed

DJ/Electronic Recording of the Year:
Citysleep – II
Esette – The Rise featuring Piper Davis
Restrickted – Rev’d Up Ft Kay L
Titus1 – Shoulda Known
Zach Taylor – Insomniac

Group of the Year:
Citysleep – II
Julius Sumner Miller – Why Is It So?
Locomotive Ghost – Into the Glow
The New Electric – Living Loud
The Sweets – Wild

Industry Person of the Year:
Candace Webber – Stampede City Sessions Live Music Broadcast Series, President & Executive Producer
Graham Mackenzie – Major Minor Music Project
Kodi Hutchinson – JazzYYC, Producer, Radio Host & Director
Mike Little – Legion Lounge Studio, Producer, Musician & Mentor
Patrick MacIntyre – Ironwood Stage & Grill, Manager

Jazz Recording of the Year:
Al Muirhead – Northern Adventures – The Canada Sessions Vol. 1
Brendan Rothwell – This is Love
Cheryl Fisher – Quietly There
Johnny Summer – When It’s Christmas Time
MJ de Waal – Sophisticated Lady

Male Artist of the Year:
Jake Vance – The Poet
JJ Shiplett – Something to Believe In
Matt Blais – Set Me Free
Ruben Young – Take Her Down
SEVEN – Run It feat. Merkules

Metal Recording of the Year:
All Above Me – King & Crown
Burning Effigy – Lost Serenity
Julius Sumner Miller – Why Is It So?
Red Cain – Hiraeth
SPURN – Comfort In Nothing

Music Video of the Year:
Chron Goblin – Backwater
FOONYAP – The Fun Machine
JJ Shiplett – Darling, Let’s Go Out Tonight
King Dylan – Untouchable
Matt Blais – Set Me Free

People’s Choice:
TBA August 20th

Pop Recording of the Year:
Boy and Gurl – LOSS
JOELLE – Rag Doll
King Dylan – Untouchable
Locomotive Ghost – Into the Glow
Ruben Young – Take Her Down

Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year:
A.Y.E – Nox
Kay L – I’ll Be Fine
Kay L – In This Moment
King Dylan – Untouchable
SEVEN – Run It feat. Merkules

Rock Recording of the Year:
Cable Street – Right Beside You
Stricken One – Despite
The Heirlooms – Touch You
The Static Shift – Common Bliss
White Chocolate Thunder – Take My Hand

Roots/Folk Recording of the Year:
Jake Vance – The Poet
JJ Shiplett – Something to Believe In
Locomotive Ghost – Into the Glow
Matt Blais – Set Me Free
Nancy Laberge – For Loving You

Singer/Songwriter of the Year:
Drew Gregory – All About It
Dustin Farr – Slow Burn
Dustin Farr – We Are Alberta
JJ Shiplett – Something to Believe In
Matt Blais – Set Me Free

Single of the Year:
Drew Gregory – All About It
JJ Shiplett – Something to Believe In
JOELLE – Rag Doll
Locomotive Ghost – Into the Glow
SEVEN – Run It feat. Merkules