The Cadre -

10 February 1998

Island representation at the ECMA's

BY TODD MACLEAN

PEI was represented well at this year’s ECMAs, with a strong list of perform- ers, including Lennie Gallant, Tara MacLean, Paper Soul, Slide, Neer White, and Ri- chard W

Nominees and award

showcase and at the Gala itself.

Tara MacLean, who tours mostly throughout States how aid that the East Coast Music Awards experi-

ence is still ial to her pectiatlehtotales bet seats

” Fie

, and it lets them have the opportunity to share

knowledge other art- ists in the East Coast Music scene.

4, followed by touring

to pro-

New Brunswick has it all

BY PETER GILLIS

oF a light-hearted acoustic riffs to down and dirty blues, the New Brunswick music scene as it all.

At least half a dozen groups were showcased at the ECMA's, and even more were nominated for awards. The big winners were Julian Austin, for Country Artist of the Year, and The Glamour Puss Blues Band, taking the award in the Blues/Gospel category.

“I think it’s acoming of age for us,” said Paul Boudreau, bassist for Glamour Puss. “Yesterday our truck broke down and today we've won an award.”

_ “For the last while we've been telling ourselves that we won't get our hopes up, we're just going to keep cool and lose very graciously,” he said. "By the expressions on our fee: Paon't know if we won very graciously.”

Julian Austin, a native of Saint John, released his debut album What My Heart Already Knows in May, 1997. The first single, “Little Ol’ Kisses” reached nuber one on RPM charts and the video was number one on Country Music Television.

Other nomineees included Julie Doiron, for Alternative Artist, Roch Voisine, for Male Artist and Btn and Modabo, for Group of the Year.

“The nonimation is incredible,” said Mike Doyle, lead singer from Modabo. “Aside from being good exposure in terms of developing a very young career musically, it’s very cool. Three guys

rom New Brunswick. Who knew?”

Spotlight - Modabo

They've been called the Barenaked Ladies of the East Coast, blending energetic, live performances with humorous lyrics. Compare them to who you want. In the end, Modabo will stand out from the rest.

Modabo (their name taken from a CODCO skit) evolved from a series of acoustic trios that rew out of jam sessions in Fredericton about five years ago. Their first big gig was opening for arnet Rogers at the Fredericton Playhouse. Rogers was so impressed with their set that he offered

to help produce their first CD. That self-titled album garnered two 1996 ECMA nominations.

ugh they walked away empty-handed, the recording did get them invited to the Ng Folk Festival, The Newfoundland Labrador Folk Festival at other prestigious events. 'y have even played in front of 80,000 in F enna Austria. Some of their television ae include ATV's Uj and Coming, CBC's Upon the Roof. They've also been featured on CBC-Radio’s Morningside Atlantic Airwaves.

Last weekend, they were nominated for Group of the Year, and performed live on the nationally broadcasted gala Sunday night. | caught up with Mike Doyle Friday night after the showcase to get his ts on the ECMAs.

“The ECMA’s are alive and well and ‘wow’,” said Mike. “The atmosphere is electric, magic purple lightning, everyone is having a good time and getting what they deserve. It is a wonderful time to be from the East Coast. Everybody feels like a community. It is like the last frontier, it’s wonderful that we have this gem on this planet,, that hasn't been polished yet.”

The true importance of the week though, is the opportunity young artists get to take the next step in their careers.

“| think they've been invaluable to create an awareness and to celebrate the music and the culture, the art and the history.” However, It couldn't have been done without the city. “Halifax is amazing. It has proved itself with the G7 in terms of being on the world class stage. They've certainly, — out done themselves. The people from Halifax, the Haligonians being proud to be a part of something greater than all of us.

Their latest CD, The Many and the One, has just hit the music stores.