Patrick Watson Cleans Up at GAMIQ Awards

Patrick Watson has cleaned up at the GAMIQ Awards, Quebecs Awards for Independent Music. Watson won five awards in all including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Show of the Year and International Career of the Year. Also taking awards were Coeur de pirate for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Beast for Electro Artist of the year, Bell Orchestre for Experimental Album of the Year, and Malajube for Indie Rock Album of the Year. The full list goes:

Artist of the Year presented by Artisti

Patrick Watson
(The award comes with a $1,000 grant)

Songwriter of the Year presented by the SOCAN

Patrick Watson

(The award comes with a $1,000 grant)

International Career of the Year presented by the MIMI

Patrick Watson

Show of the Year

Patrick Watson

Breakthrough Artist of the Year presented by enMusique.ca

Coeur de pirate

Singer-songwriter Album of the Year

Tu m’intimides – Mara Tremblay

Electro Album of the Year

Beast – Beast

Experimental Album of the Year

As Seen Through Windows – Bell Orchestre

Folk/Country Album of the Year

Dans la nature jusqu’au cou – Avec pas d’casque

Hip-Hop Album of the Year

Comme à la télévision – Omnikrom

Indie Pop Album of the Year

Wooden Arms – Patrick Watson

Indie Rock Album of the Year presented by CISM

Labyrinthes – Malajube

Metal/Hardcore Album of the Year

Musique barbare – Mononc’ Serge & Anonymus

Punk Album of the Year

The Brains – The Brains

Rock'n'Roll Album of the Year

Cassette II – Band de Garage

World Album of the Year

La mécanique – Kodiak

DVD of the Year

Presque sold out – Vulgaires Machins

Tribute Award

Jean-Robert Bisaillon

Brand New 'Coeur de pirate' song on Q TV

Thanks to CBC Radio 3 for the head's up: Coeur de Pirate playing a brand new song 'Place de la Republique' at the Glen Gould Studio in Toronto for Q!

Coeur de Pirate - 'Place de la Republique'

Dawson City Music Fest: The Preview

So in just under a week's time the greatness that is the Dawson City Music Festival will take place. Being a resident Yukoner it has been my pleasure to partake in this festival on more than one occasion and each time has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Dawson City has what I will call the 500 kilometer appeal, now this rule of appeal can be adjusted depending on your distance from the place, but as I'm in Whitehorse and Dawson is about 500 km north of me its what I'm going to call it.

Firstly there is the weather, I know it poured rain last year but that was an anomaly, el nino or something, for the most part the weather is amazing. High 20's the entire weekend and sun all day and night. Where else in the country can you travel north for hotter weather. This summer has been a great one for the Yukon and we can proudly boast to being the hottest place in Canada on more than a few days this year.

Secondly there is the famed midnight sun. Now by the end of July darkness is slowly creeping into our nights down in Whitehorse, but 500 km's north in Dawson, the nights are still bright and warm. Its like getting an extension on a term paper, those bright summer nights lingering for a few more days. There is nothing better than going into the Palace Grand for the Radio 3 showcase, getting out at 10 or 11 and then putting your sunglasses back on as you trek to the beer gardens. Then as 2 am rolls around and things are closing up you grab that sixer you left in your car and head for a friend's campsite to keep the night going, just tell yourself you'll go to bed when it gets dark and see how it works out.

Thirdly there is the drive. Now you can fly into Dawson and many do, it is much shorter and a lot more convenient, but the drive from Whitehorse to Dawson should be experienced at least once. If you're driving in from elsewhere in the country then you might groan at the thought of another 5+ hours tacked on but here's what I suggest. If you can, arrive in Whitehorse a day or two early, camp or grab a room in town(you can stay in my yard if you need to), recover, enjoy the city, and grab some supplies for the weekend(things in Dawson are a little more pricey than Whitehorse). Then the next day get an early start, or a late one its not like its going to get dark, and head north. An experienced Yukoner can do the drive in about 5 hours, I believe the exact distance is 480km. Sections of the road are unpaved and this can make for some dusty periods if the weather is dry. There are plenty of stops to make too: just under an hour outside of Whitehorse is the Braeburn lodge, stop here to grab some humongous cinnamon buns, then just outside of Carmacks (another hour or two down the road) you'll see the five finger rapids. There's a great pullout here with a spectacular view so snap some shots while you can. You can gas up in Carmacks or wait another hour for Pelly Crossing. You'll also pass by Moose Creek Lodge on the highway and if they're open you can grab a Also watch your speed in between the two communities, the cops are awake festival weekend and checkstops have been known to happen. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as well as they like to roam alongside and on the highway. Umm I think that's all I can think of for the drive, as you can tell I'm a big proponent of it and would definitely count it as part of the festival experience.

Alright so on to the music, this is a music blog after all and you want to know who's playing. Dawson has another stellar line up this year which includes: Chad Van Gaalen, The Acorn, Coeur de Pirate, Johnny and the Moon, Sunset Rubdown, Luke Doucet, Eekwol and Mils, Lana Rae, Triple Forte, Melissa McClelland, The Handsome Family, Alma de Espana, Gadji Gadjo, SoCalled, Iskwew, Mother Mother, Crash the Car, Katie Moore, Elena Yeung, Headwater, and Bend Sinister. I've had the chance to catch Chad Van Gaalen and Bend Sinister in concert before and I'm looking forward to seeing them again, but as you can see they are only a fraction of the talent performing at this festival and I can't wait to see everybody else. The stages in Dawson range from a waterfront gazebo, to your customary festival tent, to the much lauded Palace Grand which you have to see to believe.

So come one come all to Dawson City, home of the Klondike Gold Rush and the best little festival in Canada. If you're in Whitehorse on Thursday, stop by the MacBride Museum to say hi or ask for a ride, otherwise track me down in Dawson it would be great to see you there!

Lucas