Winners of the 2023 Jim Beam Indie Music Awards

[A summary from Elisa F. G. – AC]

Canadian Music Week is always a good time unless you need to find Alan and if that’s the case good luck, you’d have a better chance of catching Polkaroo June 5th – 10th.

The nation’s largest new music festival has been killing it for 41 years, this year it’s pouring straight Bourbon and making it a double to salute the 22nd Anniversary of Jim Beam INDIES, a celebration of Canadian music, artists, teams, and all those that keep the independent music scene thriving. Whoever the bartenders were for the June 8th, 2023 festivities, they had their work cut out for them, with all the winners announced and performances there was much to celebrate and plenty to ‘chin-chin’ to.

Hosted by ET Canadas’ Shreya Khanna, with live performances by Jim Beam Talent Search winners FKB, AR Paisley Ayasanabee, Brett Kissel and Maestro Fresh Wes, with a special guest set by Charlotte Cardin, the 2023 video of the year award winner. There must be no feeling like the feeling one gets when winning a massive award, then having to contain all that excitement to walk back on stage to perform, not an easy feat I imagine! Making it look so easy (and damn cool) were all 2023 INDIES winners – July Talk for Album of the Year, Alexisonfire took home Artist of the Year, Tegan and Sara took home Group of the Year, many Canadians beaming as they were announced winners…or maybe it was the Jimmy Beam, none the less everyone was having a well deserved blast!

Hip/Hop Artist of the Year went to AR Paisley, 604. Records took home label of the year, Aysanabee proudly accepted Indigenous Artist of the Year, Grae was announced Pop Artist of the Year and Producer of the year went to Ikky. Arts & Crafts Music won Publisher of the Year, Dylan Sinclair nabbed R&B artist of the Year  and Simple Plan most likely all smiles as they took home Rock Artist of the Year.

Roots/Folk Artist of the Year went to The Dead South, Billy Raffoul’s song “We Could Get High” won for Best Song, no doubt that tune gets stuck in many people’s head, it’s a catchy one! INDIES Hall of Fame Award found its rightful owner in Alexander Mair and Charlotte Cardin & Lubalin’s Phoenix (Reprise) proudly accepted Video of the Year.

A night to remember, milestones to be proud of, badass tunes from some of Canada’s finest musicians and it’s still not over, Canadian Music Week conference and festival wraps up June 10th 2023 – is that enough time to grab another couple doubles? You decide.