Trouble and disapointment

my mom says she likes it when i blog about my feelings and things i do and the way i think etc etc. i don't think this is what she had in mind....

back in the summer, whilst a bevy of great cds were being released by hoards of Canadian bands, I found myself getting excited for the Juno's. This was surprising as I have never been moved to even read day old articles on Juno winners, let alone watch the program. But, as I listened to great album after great album, and anticipated more releases from various worthy Canadian bands, I just knew that this year the Juno team could not deny the amazing talent coming from our home and nation land.

But alas, I finally discovered the list for the 2008 Junos, and I have been let down. Now...maybe this sounds a bit harsh. I mean, there are things I'm happy about...

I will say that I'm happy that Feist is positioning her self...or being positioned...as Canada's new it girl. Not that I was terribly ahead of horse, but I remember trying to force Feist down the throats of people nearly two years ago, only to be rebuffed. I think it was the Sara McClaughlan (sp?) stereotype that tainted the idea of listening to another young modern female Canadian singer songwriter (could we have more labels on that?...probably only when talking about t/s...and dontchaknow, labels determine type/quality of music, durr Canada). But luckily, the reminder, and the brilliance of 1,2,3,4 finally provided Feist a much deserved place in the hearts and ipods of many. And, thank God for that too, at last, we have a new Canadian darling who isn't boring, or depressing, or an air head, or Celine Dion (trust me when I say Feist helps our relationship with France, whereas Celin only damages it). So good for us, and good for the Junos, and good for the mainstream industry for finally tuning in to Feist's artistry and musical brilliance. Pat ourselves on the back, it only took her three solo albums, a stint with Divine Right, an ipod commercial, and to be a part of one of Canada's best indie-rock offerings (Broken Social Scene) to finally grab everyone's attention. [for serious, we are a slow nation when it comes to recognizing and finding our own home grown tallent, we'd rather stick to being lost in some kind of american pop cultural imperialism and gorge ourselves on the likes of good charlotte and their subsequent followers and wannabes - only listening to the five wannabe-american-pop-cut-out Canadian artists that the likes of Much Music decides to play on constant repeat so that they can fulfill their can con requirements - playing six avril videos in a row does not constitute diverse canadian content!...and you know what, why wouldn't someone like avril lavigne want to mimick the american superstars, they're from a land that recognizes and supports their own musicians...but i digress].

I'm also happy to see Tegan and Sara get A nod. Yes, one little nomination where they are pitted against the likes of the Arcade Fire and Patrick Watson. As much as I love those petite twins from Alberta, I feel as though the 'best alternative record' is actually really providing heavy competition, and T and S don't seem lined up to win. That said, I'll go back to their one nomination - and the lack of nominations for Stars, Emily Haines, and the Weakerthans. All 'mainstream' artists. All brilliant song writers. And yet, none of them have been nominated for best song writer. No no. That designation as a nominee for 'best song writer' goes to the likes Avril Lavigne. Because 'hey hey you you i don't like your girlfriend' is pure Canadian gold. Richer than maple syrup I tells you. Apparently Tegan and Sara could have been less honest when they wrote 'I'm not unfaithful, but I'll stray' or Knife Going In and they could have been a little more fan friendly when they penned the lyrics to I take All the Blame. And apparently Emily Haines would have been better off to use word magnets thrown not-so-strategically against her fridge instead of actually writing prose when working out the songs for Knives Don't Have Your Back. Don't you know, mainstream Canada won't recognize your ability to write a song, Emily, unless you stop it with those metaphors and not-parsed-down-enough emotions. And who were the Weakerthans kidding, as if smart pop lyrics make it anywhere in Canada. Learn your lesson boys, if you want to see your name on the next list of nominees, make your rhymes simple and sweet, use words that are easy to spell, and if all else failes - go the route of Rhianna (not a Canadian, but if she were, best believe she'd be nominated for best song writer) and break up words, singing only syllables.

Ugh.
I could go on.
But I'll just say this. Thank God for CBCRadio3. Because if it didn't exist, I would actually think that Avril and Celine (WHO GOT NOMINATED TWICE IN THE SAME CATEGORY!!!!) are adequate representations of Canadian music. CBCRadio3 is incredible at promoting Canadian talent, and lets face it, a good portion of us only first heard of Feist because of them. I would give up on Canadian music if their website and podcast didn't exist, because honestly, where else would artists (and i stress artists) find a home in Canada? For flipping serious.