Words by: Nadya Domingo | Photos by: Nim Mendoza –
River Junction Band at Toronto Independent Music Awards. October 6th, 2012. (Photo: Nim Mendoza)
Jessica Stuart links arms with her friends last Saturday night as they face the Phoenix Concert Theatre stage with wide smiles on their faces. Some of them have been nominated for a Toronto Indie Music Awards prize.
“And the winner is…” says the presenter. “Haley Roscoe!”
None of her friends have won – including Stuart and her band, The Jessica Stuart Few, who were nominated for the Adult Contemporary award. But the women each have the exact same smile on their faces as they did before the award was given.
“It means a lot to be singled out as noteworthy musicians,” Stuart says of finding out about the band’s nomination. “I experience my weird, wacky ways through music. This is how I communicate to the world.”
Smiles are everywhere at the sixth Toronto Indie Music Awards (TIMAs). The bi-annual show has been bringing together the best of the Toronto independent music crowd since 2004. Musicians congratulate each other and hardly dwell on lost categories. Bands huddle together under the glistening light of the disco ball and cheer for their fellow nominees. The media room is packed with PR, writers, photographers, singers and band mates, each itching to meet one another. It’s hard to tell who is who.
The Toronto indie scene means everything to the people of the TIMAs. Eric Alper, a long-time contributor to the indie scene, has loved every minute of his involvement with the TIMAs. As a judge for the past five years, Alper says that the awards are a unique platform for independent artists in Toronto.
“These bands are truly independent. They don’t have a lot of support,” Alper says. “This could be the biggest stage they’ve played on. Period.”
Alper says that the TIMAs are different than other indie awards shows because these artists are completely indie – meaning they aren’t signed to a major label.
Karina ES at Toronto Independent Music Awards. October 6th, 2012. (Photo: Nim Mendoza)
Skye Sweetnam, the lead-singer of Sumo Cyco, has made the transition from being signed to a major label, to being in an independent metal band. Sweetnam says that Toronto indie music has a totally underground feel to it.
“I friggen love Toronto. There’s something about it,” Sweetnam says. “It feels kind of underground because it’s not like New York, L.A., or Paris. It’s the cooler version of New York.”
Many indie bands come to Toronto to launch their music careers, as it’s often described as the “hub” of the music scene. There’s an indescribable feeling of Toronto – but its one of inspiration, hope and community. It’s a feeling that not only musicians feel, but those surrounding the industry.
Sean Ward, a comedian-rapper-filmmaker extraordinaire, has been hosting the TIMAs since 2008. The Toronto-native says that Toronto is nothing short of inspiration for him – he would walk around the streets of Toronto as a young man and appreciate the feeling of magic the city had to offer. Ward says this is why he’s so thankful to be a part of something like the TIMAs.
“There’s a lot of creativity and genius here, and I feel blessed to be in close proximity to all of these amazing people and artists, and this magical thing that’s happening in Toronto.”
Stephanie Braganza at Toronto Independent Music Awards. October 6th, 2012. (Photo: Nim Mendoza)
Canadian artist Bif Naked says she’s a “huge fan” of the nominees for the 2012 Toronto Indie Music Awards (TIMAs). Bif is a judge for this year’s TIMAs. She laments over not being able to make it to the awards – but she knows exactly how she’d act around the nominees.
“Oh my god, I’d run up to them like a geek. I’d say, ‘I’m your biggest fan!’” she laughs. “All of the bands are just so good.”
The proceeds of this year’s awards show are going to Musicounts, a charity that helps fund music education in Canada. Michael Hurley, the manager of Musicounts, is filled with thanks for the awards show.
“[The TIMAs] help us to cement our status as a charity that is looked up to. It reaffirmed the fact that we are supported by all different sectors of the community,” Hurley said. “It’s artists who sort of champion our message for us. They’re the ones who speak for us.”
A wave of performances strings together a magical night of celebrating Canadian talent. It’s slightly underground, slightly undiscovered, and almost famous. These are the indie bands that make the music of the city.
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