Newfoundland and Labrador Artists and Industry Earn 54 ECMA Nominations

Newfoundland and Labrador’s music scene is in the spotlight for the 2025 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs).  Artists and music companies account for 54 of the ECMA nominations announced today . This year’s event returns to St. John’s for the first time since 2015, bringing the best of East Coast music to the capital city from May 7-11, 2025.

This year’s nominees from Newfoundland and Labrador earned big nods in three major categories; Fan’s Choice Awards (presented by TD) with seven out of eleven nominations, as well as both Dance and Country Release of the Year with three out of six and five nominations respectively.

Kellie Loder earned five nominations including Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year, Fans’ Choice Video of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, and Release of the Year. 

Four time nominees include Rum Ragged (Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year, Traditional Release of the Year, Folk Release of the Year, Group of the Year) and Ian Foster (Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, Fusion Release of the Year, Innovator of the Year)

Quote the Raven (Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice Video of the Year, Roots Release of the Year)  and The Once (Group of the Year, Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year, Release of the Year) are triple nominees

Double nominees for artistic awards include Justin Fancy (Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year, Country Release of the Year), Mallory Johnson (Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year, Country Release of the Year), Summer Bennett (Indigenous Artist of the Year, Dance Release of the Year), Natasha Blackwood (Songwriter of the Year, Jazz Release of the Year)

Rounding out the nominees for music categories include; Baraka (African Canadian Artist of the Year), The Irish Descendants (Album of the Year), Stompbox (Blues Release of the Year), Rachel Cousins (Breakthrough Artist of the Year), Heather Feather (Children’s Artist of the Year), Miss Kris (Children’s Artist of the Year), Bekah Simms (Classical Composer of the Year), Florian Hoefner (Classical Composer of the Year), Carolina East (Country Release of the Year), Alex Byrne (Dance Release of the Year), The Volta (Dance Release of the Year), Ben Diamond (Electronic Release of the Year), Rozalind MacPhail (Electronic Release of the Year), Ana Luísa Ramos (Global Music Release of the Year), Zay Nova (Global Music Release of the Year), Deantha Edmunds (Indigenous Artist of the Year), Iris Trio (Instrumental Release of the Year), The Order of the Precious Blood (Loud Release of the Year), Andrew Rodgers (Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year).

Music companies, media and entrepreneurs have also made a strong showing in industry categories, including Derrick Sturge of Pharos Music and Hurricane Music Artist Management (Artist Management of the Year), Jud Haynes and Kristan Toczko (Content Creator of the Year), Greg Smith and Zach Snow (Media Person of the Year), The Ship Pub (Venue of the Year).  The full list of nominees is below.

“The East Coast Music Awards underscore the wealth of culture and music showcased within our province.  MusicNL’s investment in the music economy, and support of our music industry continues to elevate our performers to the national and international spotlight,” says MusicNL’s Executive Director, Tamara Kater. “The annual event not only honors achievement but also fosters export business for our music sector, bringing international delegates to do business with our province’s music industry.  Through these collaborative efforts, MusicNL’s year-round work strengthens the cultural landscape, and ensures that Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique musical voice continues to resonate both locally and on the global stage, especially during our own MusicNL Week, taking place from November 12 to 16, 2025, and the ECMA events.” 

This marquee industry gathering highlights the extraordinary musical talent that is a cornerstone of Atlantic Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador artists who are foundational to the region’s soundscape. MusicNL takes pride in seeing the province’s innovative musicians, composers, and industry leaders receive recognition for their outstanding work over the past year. The ECMA Festival and Conference components present an exceptional opportunity for industry development through the array of live performances, professional development sessions, and networking events. MusicNL invites artists, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts alike to participate in the showcase of Atlantic Canadian talent and to experience the rich musical heritage of the region.

Voting is now open to all members of the music industry associations from the region including Music NL, MusicPEI, MusicNS, Music·Musique NB and CBMIC.

For more information on ECMA 2025, visit ecma.com

List of 2025 East Coast Music Award Nominees

MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES

African Canadian Artist of the Year | Artiste afro-canadienne ou afro-canadien de l’année

• Baraka “Galaxy”
• Jah’Mila “Never Fail”
• KAYO “Get Me Right ft JRDN (Prod. NULO)”
• Maggie Andrew “About Us”
• Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Zombie”

Album of the Year | Album de l’année

• Classified “Luke’s View”
• Jah’Mila “Woman of the Sun”
• Maggie Andrew “DAY JOB”
• Quote The Raven “Map The Dark”
• The Irish Descendants “The Irish Descendants Christmas”
• Vishtèn Connexions “Expansion”

Artiste acadien(ne) ou francophone de l’année | Acadian or Francophone Artist of the Year

• Jacques Surette “Conséquences”
• Joey Robin Haché “Jerrycan”
• Les Hay Babies “Soyez fiers”
• Sirène et Matelot “Coeur chaviré”
• Suzie LeBlanc “Nous partirons”

Blues Release of the Year | Sortie blues de l’année

• 11th & Duke “The Phoenix”
• Campbell & Johnston “Find Your Way”
• Connor Fox “Ain’t No Time”
• Lookout Tower “Dust Jackets”
• Stompbox “Just Don’t Know It Yet (She’s My Girl)”

Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Révélation de l’année

• Brett Matthews “If I Die Today (Feat. Classified)”
• Callum Gaudet “Ghosts”
• Clare Siobhan “Flare”
• Jacques Surette “Conséquences”
• Loviet “Broken Lips”
• Rachel Cousins “Hell & High Water”

Children’s Artist of the Year | Artiste jeunesse de l’anné

• Art Richard “Bonjour Canada”
• Heather Feather “Ants in My Pants”
• Micaela Comeau (Wuzzô) “I’m Made From Stardust”
• Miss Kris “The Day Has Just Begun”
• Mr Super Dude X KinderChartin’ “Sticker on My Toe”

Classical Composer of the Year | Compositrice ou compositeur classique de l’année

• Bekah Simms “Foreverdark”
• Florian Hoefner “Bird Island Suite: IV. Song for the Song of the Leach’s Storm Petrel”
• India Gailey “Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth: I. SKY”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Motewolonuwok”
• Julia Mermelstein “Bending, breaking through”

Classical Release of the Year | Sortie classique de l’année

• Blackwood with India Gailey “Benedicite”
• India Gailey “Problematica”
• Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Blizzard”
• SHHH!! Ensemble “Causes, 1.1 Negative Energy”
• Suzie LeBlanc “pour une Amérique engloutie”

Country Release of the Year | Sortie country de l’année

• Brett Matthews “If I Die Today (feat. Classified)”
• Carolina East “I’m Not Scared”
• Julie Aubé “I Found Mine”
• Justin Fancy “She Just Is”
• Mallory Johnson “suitcase”

Dance Release of the Year | Sortie dance de l’année

• Alex Byrne “When We Dance”
• Bad Friends “Mmam”
• Cloverdale “Believe In The Music”
• PINEO & LOEB “Chrome”
• Summer Bennett “Just a Phase – Dave Aude Remix”
• The Volta “Lights Out”

Electronic Release of the Year | Sortie électronique de l’année

• Ben Diamond “Something Sawed”
• DenMother “Ghost Gear”
• Rich Aucoin “Sonica”
• Rozalind MacPhail “In Perfect Time”
• SHHH!! Ensemble “Causes, 1.1 Negative Energy”

Folk Release of the Year | Sortie folk de l’année

• Noah Malcolm “Cereal”
• Old Man Luedecke “My Status Is The Baddest (feat. Bahamas)”
• Rum Ragged “The Road to Lushes Bight (Island Stock)”
• Terra Spencer “Real Love (featuring Ian Sherwood)”
• Vishtèn Connexions “Kouma”

Fusion Release of the Year | Sortie multi-genre de l’année

• Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers “The Dream Canoe”
• Capital 6 “Not My One”
• Ian Foster “Gossamer”
• India Gailey “Problematica”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok”
• Vishtèn Connexions “Kouma”

Global Music Release of the Year | Sortie monde de l’année

• Ana Luísa Ramos “Clouds”
• Dee Hernandez “Just Friends”
• KAYO “Lightning In A Bottle”
• Richard Wood “CareBear Forever”
• Zay Nova “Keep Your Head Above the Water”

Group of the Year | Groupe de l’année

• Moira & Claire “no hesitation”
• Neon Dreams “The Art of Letting Go”
• Rum Ragged “The Road To Lushes Bight (Island Stock)”
• The Once “Oh You”
• The Town Heroes “Hockey Fights”

Indigenous Artist of the Year | Artiste autochtone de l’année

• Deantha Edmunds “Angmalukisaa: IV. Rings 4 (Arr. for Voice & String Orchestra by Robert Carli)”
• DeeDee Austin “Tell Me ( Why Am I So Different)”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Ancestors Too Young”
• Summer Bennett “Just A Phase”
• Wolf Castle “Gravity / Levity”

Instrumental Release of the Year | Sortie instrumentale de l’année

• Blackwood with India Gailey “Passages”
• Iris Trio “Bird Island Suite: IV. Song for the Song of the Leach’s Storm Petrel”
• Mark Fewer “The Simple Life (Arr. for Violin & String Orchestra by Andrew Downing)”
• Sam Wilson “the moon song”
• Shaun Ferguson “Sound Mind”
• Symphony Nova Scotia “Piano Concerto in One Movement: Andantino – Allegretto”

Jazz Release of the Year | Sortie jazz de l’année

• Amirault Brothers “St-Antoine’s March”
• Capital 6“Not My One”
• Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Zombie”
• Natasha Blackwood “Good Machines”
• Sam Wilson “the moon song”

Loud Release of the Year | Sortie loud de l’année

• BLEVK “Ascension”
• Elevate The Virus “Famine”
• Les Moontunes “Elephant Wizard”
• Omnivide “Cosmic Convergence”
• The Order of the Precious Blood “Suffer & Die”

Pop Release of the Year | Sortie pop de l’année

• chasing luma “is this as good as it gets?”
• Logan Richard / Moira & Claire “Unrequited Love Blues”
• Maggie Andrew “About Us”
• Mat Elliott “Church Street”
• Noah Malcolm “January”

Producer of the Year | Réalisatrice ou réalisateur de l’année

• AA Wallace “Archiviste”
• Ben B. Creelman “Bad Habit”
• Classified “Luke’s View”
• Cloverdale “Believe In The Music”
• Jeremy VanSlyke “Alikeness”

R&B / Soul Release of the Year | Sortie R&B/soul de l’année

• aRENYE, NULO “City On Fire (feat. Kayo & BASYL)”
• Bakers Duz’n “Lesson #1 (Radio Edit)”
• Dee Hernandez “Blessed”
• Jah’Mila “Never Fail”
• Mat Elliott “Church Street”

Rap / Hip-Hop release of the Year | Sortie rap/hip-hop de l’année

• Classified “Sure Enough”
• DK “something real”
• HARMZ “Family Highs”
• Stephen Hero “Can’t Stop (working) ft. Aquakultre”
• Wolf Castle “Gravity / Levity”

Release of the Year | Sortie de l’année

• Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers “The Dream Canoe”
• Classified “Amnesia”
• Jah’Mila “Never Fail”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Skicinuwihkuk”
• Kellie Loder “When It Comes To You”
• The Once “The Bend”

Rock / Alternative Release of the Year | Sortie rock/alternatif de l’année

• Absolute Losers “By Fright”
• Maggie Andrew “DAY JOB”
• Mo Kenney “Evening Dream”
• Sluice “Agis comme du monde”
• The Town Heroes “In Your Head”

Roots Release of the Year | Sortie folklore de l’année

• Jeremy Dutcher “Skicinuwihkuk”
• Jessica Rhaye, Bill Preeper, Sandy MacKay “Rocky Hills”
• Quote The Raven “Already Gone”
• Terra Spencer “East to West”
• Vishtèn Connexions “Gaillard featuring De Temps Antan”

Solo Artist of the Year | Artiste solo de l’année

• Classified “Amnesia”
• Ian Foster “Gossamer”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Take my Hand”
• Kellie Loder “When It Comes To You”
• Kylie Fox “Alberta”
• Rich Aucoin “Sonica”

Songwriter of the Year | Compositrice ou compositeur de l’année

• Classified “Wonder”
• Jeremy Dutcher “Skicinuwihkuk”
• Kellie Loder “When It Comes To You”
• Natasha Blackwood “Pleading Guilty”
• Old Man Luedecke “The Raven and The Dove”
• Terra Spencer “Real Love (featuring Ian Sherwood)”

Traditional Release of the Year | Sortie traditionnelle de l’année

• Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers “Whale Hunting Song”
• Lucy MacNeil “Radio Sweethearts”
• Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen “The Quartermaster”
• Rum Ragged “Paddy Hyde”
• Vishtèn Connexions “Gaillard featuring De Temps Antan”

Vocal Release of the Year | Sortie vocale de l’année

• Chœur Louisbourg “L’appel”
• Halifax Camerata Singers “Yôtin (The Wind)”
• Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus “Maybe”
• Laura Roy “Lucy”
• Measha Brueggergosman-Lee “Pur ti miro”

Fans’ Choice Awards presented by TD include:

Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year | Choix du public – Artiste de l’année

• Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers
• Andrew Rodgers
• Daniel James McFadyen
• Dylan Menzie
• Ian Foster
• Justin Fancy
• Kellie Loder
• Lennie Gallant
• Mallory Johnson
• Rum Ragged
• The Once

Fans’ Choice Video of the Year | Choix du public – Vidéoclip de l’année

• Classified “Amnesia” (Directed by: Classified)
• David Myles “Devil Talking” (Directed by: Griffin O’Toole)
• Jah’Mila “East Coast Family” (Directed by: Jeff Miller)
• Jeremy Dutcher “Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok” (Directed by: tranquilo)
• Kellie Loder “Can’t Go Back” (Directed by: Ashlea Wessel)
• Maggie Andrew “About Us” (Directed by: MooseCanFly)
• Neon Dreams “The Art of letting Go” (Directed by: Dan Lewis Cole & Frank Kadillac)
• Old Man Luedecke “She Told Me Where To Go” (Directed by: Pangalactic Pictures Inc)
• Quote The Raven “Already Gone” (Directed by: Cody Westman)
• The Town Heroes “Hockey Fights” (Directed by: Matt Corkum)

*Public voting for the Fan’s Choice awards opens today, Wednesday, February 26 until March 14, 2025. Cast your vote at: ECMA.com

INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES/ Palmarès des nominations (industrie)

Artist Management of the Year | Gérance de l’année

• Derrick Sturge (Pharos Music Inc.)
• Evan Newman
• Hurricane Music Artist Management
• Jayden Duplessis
• Todd Mercer

Content Creator of the Year | Créatrice ou créateur de l’année

• Classified
• Jud Haynes
• Kristan Toczko
• Richard Lann
• Scott Legge

Event of the Year | Événement de l’année

• Congrès mondial acadien 2024
• Goolaholla!
• Halifax Jazz Festival
• Nova Scotia Music Week
• The 2024 JUNOS

Innovator of the Year | Innovatrice ou innovateur de l’année

• Ariel Sharratt
• Chelsi Madonna
• Ian Foster
• John D.S. Adams
• Micah Smith

Media Person of the Year | Représentante ou représentant des médias de l’année

• Chuck Boudreau
• Darcy Walsh
• Greg Smith
• Richard Lann
• Zach Snow

Venue of the Year | Salle de spectacle de l’année

• Marigold Cultural Centre
• Sanctuary Arts Centre
• Shore Club
• The Carleton
• The Ship Pub

Awards Breakdown by ECMA Region

Newfoundland & Labrador: 54
Cape Breton: 8
New Brunswick: 36
Nova Scotia: 95
Prince Edward Island: 1