I absolutely loved the entire Juno 2008 experience in Calgary, so when Vancouver was announced as the host for 2009, it made sense to fly out for a week of Canada’s best music.
Friday afternoon began with a tour of the VIP lounge at the Shangri-la hotel, which also took us to see the spa and suites, which most of the journalists present couldn’t possibly afford. Then it was off to the 1000 square foot lounge. Celebrities and VIP’s visited throughout the weekend, taking in the panoramic view of downtown Vancouver and partaking in snacks and cocktails. Swag is one of the things found at any type of awards presentation, and this was no exception: guests were treated to jeans, iPod covers, and saxx underwear.
The Commodore Ballroom is a historic venue in downtown Vancouver, both for its location, age, and the fact that so many incredible bands have played there. This was the site of the Welcome Gala. VIP’s mingled while snacking on sushi, chicken skewers, and mushroom croquettes. The highlight of the evening was a set by DJ Brace, who would later win the Instrumental Album of the Year Juno - and his set proved why.
“What I am really happy about is to bring this to wherever I can,” Brace told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. “What I am doing right now is something very new that allows me to play notes on my turntable. So I can get down the way I used to without needing a live band. I am still performing in the way I am used to. ...I like to play in obscure places, so a lot of places I play are not hip-hop related because I want to educate people. Playing the Gala was a challenge but I am really glad I had it.”
It was then across town to the UBC campus and Thunderbird Arena, for the annual Juno Cup. The fundraiser for MusiCounts pitted former NHL greats against Juno nominees and musicians. With literally seconds to go, the rockers tied the game at 11 points each, and made history in a shoot out to win for the first time in 5 years.
“I would imagine next year they (the NHL) won’t be so easy on us. I think what they wanted was for it to be tied and for Lanny McDonald to win and that didn’t happen. We were the beneficiary of their trying to create drama,” rockers team captain Jim Cuddy said. “It has been a very good gathering of the tribe. The NHLers are such great guys and so generous with their time. I would rather be here tonight than some industry party. This is a really great kickoff to Juno weekend, which is really about celebrations.”
Last year’s ARGRA rodeo headliner Aaron Pritchett played in the game for the first time, and spoke to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine afterwards.
“I did assist on the tying goal that put us to the shoot out. It is a wicked thing to be a part of. All of these ex-hockey players I looked up to for so many years - playing with your musical idols as well - is just a dream come true. It is a really big day for me,” he said. “I didn’t know they had never won in six seasons. They finally win lucky seven!”
Kathleen Edwards was busy herself. In addition to playing the hockey game, she opened for City & Colour the night before in concert, and also performed with Bryan Adams at the Juno broadcast.
“The rest of the weekend could be shit because this was really fun. It was a great kickoff,” she said. She did regret that she was the only girl on the ice since Sarah McLachlan had to pull out due to an injury. “I was hoping she would be my companion in this. The guys are great and a lot are friends so it was easy. It is awesome to be on the team that won for the first time. I am still in shock that we won. I will be back next year, I have to keep my good name and score some more points.”
The Juno weekend truly is an experience, with more than 100 artists playing in the city. While we didn’t make it to any of the JunoFest shows, we did brave the rainy weather to head down to Granville Street. Fans lined up for hours to meet bands like The Cancer Bats, Dallas Green, The Stills, Sam Roberts Band, Doc Walker, Aaron Pritchett, Divine Brown and many more.
“It is nice to get to talk to people who buy the record. People say things like it means a lot to them and that is always nice, as much as I feel weird about it. I don’t see what the big deal is but I understand what it means to meet someone who has done something that means a lot to you. It is nice to have an interaction with the people who make you who you are,” Green told us in an interview.
“It was an interesting event. To be quite honest I don’t think everyone knew who we were, they were there to see Sam Roberts because he is so handsome,” said Tim Fletcher of The Stills, who won Best Alternative Album and Best New Group. “For the people that did know who we were I think it was very important for them, and we were really happy to have been there. I think it meant a lot to the people that it meant something to, and it meant a lot for us to be there for them.”
“It is always good to get down to who we do it for, which is the fans. We wouldn’t have awards or things like houses if it weren’t for the fans, which are the most important thing,” added Doc Walker’s Chris Thorsteinson
The Juno Awards Gala took place at the Westin Bayshore on Saturday night. Last year dragged a bit at four hours, but this year smoothly came in at three hours and had a number of amusing highlights. To say Jane Bunnett was happy to win Contemporary Jazz Album of the year would be an understatement. As one reporter put it, she was “drunk with happiness” at the win. She was highly entertaining, if a little odd, posing with the Juno on her head and calling Stephen Harper an asshole, much to the delight of reporters.
It is hard not to be in awe of iconic singer Buffy Saint Marie, who won best Aboriginal album.
“Be smart and take care of yourself and your gift. It is a gift we carry as musicians and creative people. I think so often it is easy to get detoured in a way by all of the temptations and lack of stability. Get enough sleep, take a bath now and then and don’t miss the airplane,” she said to GayCalgary when asked what advice she would give to the 89 first time nominees. “Learn to dance, it keeps you skinny.”
Humanitarian Award recipient Sarah McLachlan didn’t speak to media on Saturday evening, but did do photos. I walked by her on the way to the bathroom, which was a highlight of the weekend. Also a highlight were the Barenaked Ladies, who won best children’s recording for Snacktime. Their interview ended with Ed Roberts freestyling about winning the award, which can be found on YouTube.
Afterwards we headed to the RockSTAR and PLAY MPE party at Lift Restaurant on the harbour. This beautiful venue was packed with industry professionals and celebrities who danced, drank, and literally did backflips. It was a perfect ending to the evening.
Sunday night was the Juno Awards. Due to the overwhelming media response initially we were not able to join in at the media room, so instead we were supposed to be watching the show from the press box. However, many of the media that RSVP’d did not show up (don’t ask me why, but I am not complaining) and partway through we were escorted down to do Q&A with Juno Award winners. Sadly, we missed Sarah McLachlan literally by three minutes. In addition to singing a bit of “Adia” for the reporters, she was gracious enough to take photos with many present. The one downside to an otherwise great weekend.
We did get to speak with new artist of the year Lights as well as Loverboy and Nickelback. Comic Russell Peters, who hosted for the second year in a row, cracked up the reporters. He opened the show with a tribute to Bollywood dancing.
“That will never happen. That was a one-off special for you guys in honor of the heavy south-Asian population,” he said. He then cracked up when on the photo side of the room someone knocked over a light rig. “You loser! You are the worst paparazzi ever! You’re papa klutzy!”
The 2009 Junos was certainly a success. Like last year, GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine was treated as an equal member of the media, as any other outlet. While the 2010 Juno Awards in St. Johns may not be on the radar for us, you can bet we will be attending again and bringing you the best in Canadian Music.
Due to press deadlines, not all Juno coverage could be submitted for this issue. Look for more from the 2009 Juno’s in our May Edition!
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine would like to thank the following for making Juno week possible: Russ Lloyd, Kathryn Holmes & Holmes Creative Communication, CARAS, Cristina Fernandez, Jessica Dunn, Eric Alper, Shamus Neeson, Lainey Liu, and all of the other publicists, artists, friends and fellow journalists that made Vancouver such a great time.
