Artists from Manitoba Land Nominations for the 2018 Indigenous Music Awards

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Recording Acts from Manitoba Up For Hardware in Best Country, Pop, and Blues Album Categories

Winnipeg, MB – Five Manitoba artists have earned nominations for this year’s Indigenous Music Awards. The IMAs – which recognize the accomplishments of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit recording artists and music industry professionals from around the globe – will reveal the winners at this year's gala on May 18 at the Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg. 

Pop rock outfit Indian City landed three nominations this year, including nods for Best Music Video for "Through the Flood", Best Pop Album for Here & Now, and a Best Producer/Engineer nod for band leader Vince Fontaine of Rising Sun Productions.

The Best Country Album categories includes three Manitoba-based acts. Desiree Dorion has picked up a nomination for her latest release, Tough Street. Richard Farrow landed a nod for his album, God Willing. Tom Dutiaume is up for his debut solo album, Out of the Shadows.

Local blues legend Billy Joe Green is up for Best Blues Album for his latest recording, Born To Lose. Malcolm Campbell has earned a nod in the same category for Interstate Blues. 

CBC Radio: Unreserved and Native Communications Inc.'s Indigenous Music Countdown have both earned nominations for for the Best Radio Station Program Promoting Indigenous Music.

Several of this year’s nominees from across the country have participated in Manitoba Music’s Indigenous Music Development Program initiatives, including the Indigenous Music Residency and Market Builder Residency for Indigenous Artists and Industry. Recent participants include IMA nominees Desiree Dorion, Ansley Simpson, Mob Bounce, Twin Flames, Liv Wade, Once a Tree, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Melody McKiver, Jeremy Dutcher, and Celeigh Cardinal.

The IMAs take place during the Manitoba Ahbee Festival, which runs from May 16 to 20, 2018 in Winnipeg and includes a music conference, international pow wow, trade show and marketplace, youth education day, and more.

Manitoba Music's programs and services are made possible by the generous support of the Province of Manitoba, FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada's private radio broadcasters, Manitoba Film & Music, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, The SOCAN Foundation, and members of the music industry of Manitoba.

For a complete list of 2018 IMA nominees, please visit indigenousmusicawards.com/