(Updated) The Western Canadian Music Alliance (WCMA) announced the 2022 Western Canadian Music Award Artistic winners on September 23 via a livestreamed broadcast, and with a watch party in Calgary AB, where BreakOut West is getting ready to kick off. The WCMAs honour outstanding artists and music industry professionals from across western Canada.
The broadcast featured performances by Pop Artist of the Year winner, Nuela Charles (AB), and The Garrys (SK), who won BreakOut Artist of the Year. Attendees at the watch party were treated to a special set by Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year, producer and DJ, OBLYVN (AB). You can watch the saved broadcast here.
The winners of the 2022 Western Canadian Music Industry Awards will be revealed at the Industry Awards Brunch on Saturday, October 1 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.
A full list of 2022 WCMAward nominees, in both the artistic and industry categories, can be found here.
2022 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS
ARTISTIC WINNERS
Rock Artist of the Year – Royal Canoe (MB)
Indigenous Artist of the Year – Snotty Nose Rez Kids (BC)
Country Artist of the Year – Nice Horse (AB)
Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year (Sponsored by Canadian Music Centre) – Standing Wave (BC)
Classical Composer of the Year – Dorothy Chang, Soaring Spirits (BC)
Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year – Archspire (BC)
Pop Artist of the Year – Nuela Charles (AB)
Visual Media Composer of the Year – Mahogany Frog, Faust (MB)
Instrumental Artist of the Year – Astrocolor (BC)
Children’s Artist of the Year – The Oot n’ Oots (BC)
Blues Artist of the Year – The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer (BC)
R&B Artist of the Year – Sargeant X Comrade (AB)
Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year – Snotty Nose Rez Kids (BC)
Francophone Artist of the Year – Sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique) – Étienne Fletcher (SK)
Producer of the Year – Ryan Worsley (BC)
Spiritual Artist of the Year – Elenee (SK)
Jazz Artist of the Year – Al Muirhead Quintet (AB)
Roots Artist of the Year – Sweet Alibi (MB)
Songwriter(s) of the Year – Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) – Sam Lynch, Keeping Time (BC)
Global Artist of the Year – Andino Suns (SK)
BreakOut Artist of the Year (presented by FACTOR) – The Garrys (SK)
Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year – OBLVYN (AB)
INDUSTRY WINNERS
Audio Engineering Award - Sheldon Zaharko (BC)
Community Excellence Award - National Music Centre (AB)
Excellence in Visual Design - Bronwin Parks - Feisty Creative (BC)
Impact in Artist Development - Birthday Cake Records (MB)
Impact in Live Music - Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (MB)
Impact in Music Marketing - Birthday Cake Records (MB)
Recording of the Year and Stingray Rising Star - Snotty Nose Rez Kids (BC)
Video Director of the Year - Amy Mantyka for Megan Nash, Chew Quietly / Clean Slate (SK)
2022 Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees – Tegan and Sara
2022 Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award – Gerry Stoll
2022 Heritage Award – Steve Wood and Northern Cree
About the Western Canadian Music Alliance / BreakOut West:
The Western Canadian Music Alliance is a pan western organization created by the Alliance Member Music Industry Associations (MIAs) of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, The Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory, and in partnership with Nunavut, to promote and celebrate western Canadian music. WCMA, with the financial support of each provincial and territorial government partner, FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada's private radio broadcasters, annually hosts their core artist and industry development event, BreakOut West. The event is held in a different western Canadian city on a rotational basis and is the prime music industry event in western Canada. BreakOut West 2022 will be held in Calgary, AB from September 28 to October 2, marking the 20th anniversary of the event.
