TORONTO, ON – Today, the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) was overwhelmingly pleased to see that this year’s JUNO nominations have put a spotlight on Canada’s independent music industry. Well over 33 Independent Canadian labels have artists with nominations at this year’s awards, including high-profile nominations in some of the night’s largest categories.

This was particularly true for those categories rewarding emerging talent. Both the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Group of the Year categories were almost entirely composed of artists signed to independent labels. Indeed, Canada’s Indies have always been adept at developing emerging Canadian talent, a fact greatly underscored by this year’s nominations.

“If you look at the acts who have been nominated for the breakthrough categories; for the alternative categories; for categories like jazz, roots and blues, you’ll see that most have been developed and promoted by one of Canada’s independent music labels,” said Stuart Johnston, President of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). “This year’s nominees are a true testament to the strength of the Canadian music industry.”

“CIMA congratulates all the artists nominated,” continued Johnston. “We look forward to a true celebration of the strength and diversity of Canadian music in March.”

The current CIMA labels with nominations include:

604 Records (Brad Kissel), Aporia Records (Donovan Woods), Arts & Crafts Productions (The Darcys), Blue Rodeo Productions (Blue Rodeo), CanAudio (Melanie Durant), Coalition Music (USS), Cordova Bay Entertainment (David Gogo), CP Records (The Weeknd, Mia Martina), Dare to Care Records (WE ARE WOLVES), Dine Alone Records (Monster Truck), Hidden Pony (Rah Rah), Homeskool Prom (Courage My Love), Justin Time (Coral Egan, Brandi Disterheft, Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra), Last Gang Records (AC Newman, Lindi Ortega, Ryan Hemsworth), Linus (Downchild), Marquis Records (Stewart Goodyear), Nevado Records (Royal Canoe), Sonic Records (Matt Mays), Outside Music (The Sadies, Justin Rutledge), Tribal Spirit/Pirate’s Blend Records (A Tribe Called Red), Paper Bag Records (Born Ruffians, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan), Pheromone Recordings (The Wilderness of Manitoba), Rezolute (Wake Owl), Secret City Records (Basia Bulat), Six Shooter Records (The Strumbellas), Stony Plain (MonkeyJunk), True North Records (The High Bar Gang, Ruth Moody [Recording Engineer of the Year]), Whammo (Jacynthe).

Visit the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences website for a full list of nominees.