NEW VIDEO : Said the Whale - "We Are The Music: Musicians for (spare) Change"

This is too funny. Vancouver favourites Said the Whale grab a bunch of their friends, including Hannah Georgas, Dan Mangan, Bend Sinister, We Are the City, The Awkward Stage, Analog Bell Service, 41st and Home, Parlour Steps and The Zolas to serenade their favourite local Triple-A format radio station, 100.5 The Peak.

In their own words,

In these tough economic times, no one has been affected more than the struggling musician. Thankfully, there's a beacon of hope: A Vancouver radio station called 100.5 The Peak is doing everything in it's power to promote local music, and provide financial stability for the scene. Together, alongside some of Vancouver's favourite artists, we have reached deep into our hearts to create a tribute to this station.

This is our tribute. We hope that you will also reach deep into your hearts, find your inner struggling musician, and join us in this journey towards a world where musicians can live free from the stresses of day jobs, rent payments, and reality in general. There is still hope...

WCMA 2009 Nominees

The Westrn Canadian Music Awards, which will take place in Brandon MB, have announced their nominees for 2009. The following is a selection of categories and those nominated, and personal notables are italicized.

Blues Recording of the Year
The Twisters - Come Out Swingin' (BC)
Big Dave McLean - Acoustic Blues-Got 'Em From the Bottom (MB)
John Lee Sanders - Bucket Full of Blues (BC)
Amos Garrett - Get Way Back - A Tribute to Percy Mayfield (AB)
Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir - Ten Thousand (AB)

Independent Album of the Year
The Waking Eyes - Holding On To Whatever It Is (MB)
Shout Out Out Out Out - Reintegration Time (AB)
Hot Panda - Volcano… Bloody Volcano (AB)
Library Voices - Hunting Ghosts (and other collected shorts) (SK)
the Sheepdogs - The Sheepdogs' Big Stand (SK)

Pop Recording of the Year
Marianas Trench - Masterpiece Theatre (BC)
Hey Ocean - It's Easier to be Somebody Else (BC)
The Awkward Stage - Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights (BC)
JP Hoe -The Dear John Letters (MB)
Carly Rae Jepsen - Tug Of War (BC)
Record of the Week Club - Record of the Week Club (MB)

Rap and Hip Hop Album
Moka Only - Carrots and Eggs (BC)
Grand Analog - Touch Your Toes (MB)
Sweatshop Union - Water Street (BC)
Dragon Fli Empire – Redefine (AB)
The Mavericks Team - Election Year (AB)

Rock Recording of the Year
The Waking Eyes - Holding On To Whatever It Is (MB)
Theory of a Deadman - Scars and Souvenirs (BC)
Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane (AB)
54-40 - Northern Soul (BC)
The Pack A.D. - Funeral Mix Tape (BC)

Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year
Chic Gamine - Chic Gamine (MB)
The Deep Dark Woods - Winter Hours (SK)
The Duhks - Fast Paced world (MB)
Scott Nolan - Receiver/Reflector (MB)
Oh My Darling - Oh My Darling (MB)

Roots Solo Recording of the Year
Steve Dawson - Waiting For The Lights To Come Up (BC)
Dan Mangan – Roboteering (BC)
Romi Mayes - Achin In Yer Bones (MB)
Geoff Berner - Klezmer Mongrels (BC)
Ndidi Onukwulu - The Contradictor (BC)

Songwriter of the Year
Romi Mayes - Achin In Yer Bones (MB)
The Duhks - Fast Paced World (MB)
Scott Nolan - Receiver/Reflector (MB)
Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane (AB)
JP Hoe - The Dear John Letters (MB)