The Acadian Vishtèn groups, of Prince Edward Island, and the Hay Babies, new Brunswick, won a prize each at the 37th Gala of the Music Association of the East Coast (AMCE/ECMA).
A first award ceremony took place Thursday evening as part of the event which takes place in Saint-Jean, in Newfoundland and Labrador, until Sunday.
Vishtèn artists, Emmanuelle Leblanc, Pascal Mousse and Megan Bergeron, won the album of the year album for Connexions-Expansion.
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Emmanuelle Leblanc, Pascal Mousse and Megan Bergeron de Vishtèn.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Honorine Ngountchoup
Emmanuelle Leblanc recalled that this album is a tribute to her sister Pastle Leblanc, member of the group died in 2022.
[Pastelle] Leave more than 150 songs on his phone. She liked to record all kinds of melodies and all kinds of instruments. We took this, and yes, it was a difficult project. We want to thank all of our employees. Many people participated in this project
said Emmanuelle Leblanc.
THE Hays Babiesor Julie Aubé, Katrine Noël and Vivianne Roy, won the Acadian or French -speaking artist’s prize of the year. Absent, they reacted in a video presented to the public during the gala.
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The Hay Babies during a launch of their Tintamarre album in Montreal on October 3, 2024.
Photo: Élise Jetté
Thank you very much for this beautiful price. We are really happy, especially with our new album Tintamarrewhich is for us our Acadian album. We are very proud to be the acadian artists of the year
said Katrine Noël.
Other prices
The Côte Music Association also awarded the following prices to several other artists:
- Afro-Canadian artist of the year: Maggie Andrew
- Revelation of the year: Loviet
- Country release of the year: Brett Matthews pour If I Die Today (with Classified)
- Prix d’excellence Dre Helen Creighton : The Ennis Sisters
- Group of the year: Neon Dreams
- Aboriginal artist of the year: Deantha Edmunds
- Registration rhythm and blues/soul of the year: Jah’mila pour Never Fail
- Solo artist of the year: Classified
- Composer of the year: Old Man Luedecke pour The Raven and The Dove
- Artist of the year, public choice: Kellie Loder
- Video of the year, public choice: Kellie Loder pour Can’t Go Back (directed by Ashlea Wessel)
- Traditional release of the year: Rum Ragged for Paddy Hyde
The second award ceremony will take place on Sunday.
Recall that several artists announced a boycott of the event this year by accusing the board of directors a lack of transparency following the dismissal of former director general Israel, last fall.
In March, the president of the association, Michelle Eaglesrecognized these concerns and expressed his commitment to listening, free discussion and a more inclusive future.
