The Novaks take Rock Recording of the Year

Newfoundland and Labrador artists were almost shut out at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) Sunday night - almost.

The ECMAs weekend ended in Sydney, Nova Scotia with the annual gala of performances and awards presentations.

Of 24 nominations for Newfoundland and Labrador musicians, only one resulted in an award win.

Saving grace

The Novaks' "Things Fall Apart" acted as the saving grace, taking home the ECMA for Rock Recording of the Year.

The band was also nominated for Group Recording of the Year, but lost out to Nova Scotia's In Flight Safety for "We Are An Empire, My Dear."

Joel Plaskett big winner

As for winners outside of this province, Nova Scotia's Joel Plaskett ran away with the bulk of the music note statuettes handed out, for work on his album "Three."

The artist took home ECMAs for Entertainer of the Year, Male Solo Recording of the Year, FACTOR Recording of the Year (for the single "Through and Through and Through"), Group Single of the Year (for "Through and Through and Through") and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year (for the same single) at the gala event.

As The Telegram reported online, Plaskett was also awarded Pop Recording of the Year at a pre-gala event earlier in the day and also received an industry award for Producer of the Year at an event earlier in the East Coast Music Awards weekend.

Asked if there was such a thing as too many wins, Plaskett answered reflectively,"Yeah."

"I'm really humbled to win 'em, but I'm in a community with so many of these fantastic musicians who are all my friends who I've seen nominated, so I feel kind of sheepish. But also I feel lucky to be acknowledged for the work and the time that I've put in on doing this. It took me a long time," said Plaskett.

Ferry troubles

As for artists from this province, travelling to Cape Breton came at a financial cost and was simply a headache for some- including two members of Sherman Downey's band who did not make their Saturday showcase set due to ferry troubles.

Still, said musician Chris Kirby - nominated for four awards and winning none - the trip was worth the trouble.

Part of the value is in the fun of it all, said Kirby, who also had family reunions as part of his Nova Scotia excursion.

"My dad is from Sydney and my grandmother, his mother, still lives here. So (Friday) night we stayed at the hotel Nanny Kirby and my folks are up for the trip too," he said. "It was a packed house."

Nanny Kirby's was not the only packed house for Kirby over the ECMAs weekend.

He played to hundreds at a Saturday evening songwriters' circle and joined with his regular band, The Marquee, to perform a midnight show at the Capri Cabaret to a house full of fans, fellows and ECMA delegates.

Networking important

In that sense, the value of the East Coast Music Awards was also in the networking and business side of things, said Kirby.

"There's work to be done and connections to be made and people come hear to make those deals and make money as well as have fun. So, as long as you keep your eye on the prize."

That prize is not always a statuette.

Professional exposure

The right kind of exposure and a chance to make business connections was possible for all Newfoundland and Labrador artists this weekend. From Sharona Clarke to Matthew Hornell and The Diamond Mines, many musicians took part in one-on-one sessions with industry delegates.

As well, while it may not have drawn the same audience as the Oscars in its first year of online broadcast, the East Coast Music Awards gala did reach an audience of potential new fans.

The Once on gala show

The gala show included performances by Kirby, country artist Karla Pilgrim and folk group The Once.

While it was a disappointing event in terms of awards for provincial artists, the gala show included standout performances as well as an announcement that Ashley MacIsaac had received funding for a new album.

Still, there is a sting in this year's ECMA results.

"They always say it's an honour to be nominated and it is. Winning is not what I do it for, but it's certainly nice," said Kirby.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com

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