YYC Music Awards celebrating Calgary's scene
Trophies being handed out in 17 categories from best metal recording to single of the year
The first ever YYC Music Awards are being handed out this weekend.
Sunday's show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the newly opened Studio Bell, with awards being handed out in 17 categories ranging from best DJ/electronic recording artist to single of the year.
Up for five of those awards this weekend is Windigo. Two members of the Calgary-based band — singer and guitarist Anthony Kameka and bass player Del Coburn — stopped by the CBC studios Friday to perform on The Homestretch.
Formed in 2011, the band has released six albums over the last five years.
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Bridging a gap with street art in Bridgeland
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | How a lost entry and an untimely illness made the Old Farmer's Almanac the 'Google of its day'
"It's a good effort to bring the community together," said Colburn on the inaugural awards show.
"It's very inclusive, there's lots of diverse nominations."
The music scene in Calgary is healthy and growing, said Kamelka.
"Every year it gets astronomically better," he said.
"I've been playing music here for about 10 years and I've been seeing it grow and this year, especially with the Junos and National Music Centre opening and some great artists coming out of this town."
Well known in Calgary and growing in popularity across the country, Windigo has found success internationally this year as well after a popular Australian Youtuber used one of their songs, Lost In You, in a video.
"It had 100,000 views or something, and ever since then, one person plays your song then more people want to listen to it," said Coburn.
Here's the in-studio view of our House Band <a href="https://twitter.com/windigomusic">@windigomusic</a> <a href="https://t.co/iavaXSXJ6L">pic.twitter.com/iavaXSXJ6L</a>
—@CBCHomestretchAs a result, Kameka said they are hoping to arrange a small tour Down Under next year.
They haven't given up their day jobs just yet, however, as Komeka works during the week as a claims examiner for an insurance company while Coburn is a peace officer with Alberta Health Services. Their goal is to eventually give those gigs up and play music full time.
"We want to do it for a living," said Kameka.
"The goal is to tour the world and release albums and be self-sustaining in that aspect."
Kameka released LP in February, new album out later this year, which was recorded live in Chestermere.
"I'm really excited to have it out there and show people how we've evolved," said Kameka.
"We just did one take for everything and it sounds great."
With files from CBC's The Homestretch