Canadian Independent Music Award Winners

(CelebrityAccess News Service) — Canada's most prominent independent recording artists were honored March 3 at Canadian Independent Music Awards ("The Indies") held at The Phoenix Concert Theatre. The event, now in it's fourth year, launched Canadian Music Week festivities.

Presented by Max Trax in association with FACTOR, CIRPA, Chart Magazine, 102.1 The Edge and Playindies, "The Indies" were hosted by Joey "Shithead" Keithley and Bif Naked and included live performances by Alexisonfire, Jimmy Bowskill, DOA, Bif Naked, Pavlo, Rick Threat, The Arcade Fire, The Salads and The Trews.

Brian Chater, president of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA), received the inaugural Canadian Independent Music Industry Builder Award. Further honouring the award's first recipient, it will henceforth be called the Brian Chater Industry Builder Award starting in 2005.

New to this year's "Indie" Awards was the addition of the Indies Hall of Fame Award. Punk band DOA, the longest reigning punk act in Canada, was inducted into the Indies Hall of Fame during the awards show. CBC's Galaxie Rising Stars Award was presented to The Arcade Fire, which received a cash prize of $2000.

Canadian Independent Music Award winners:

Favorite Album — Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"

Favorite Single — Default "Taking My Life Away"

Favorite Solo Artist — Bif Naked

Favorite Group — The Weakerthans

Favorite Video — Alexisonfire "Pulmonary Archery"

Favorite International Indie — Dashboard Confessional

Favorite Blues Artist/Group — Jimmy Bowskill

Favorite Children's Artist/Group — Etienne

Favorite Classical Artist/Group — The Gryphon Trio

Favorite Country Artist/Group — Brad Johner

Favorite Electronica Artist/Group — Fidgital

Favorite Folk/Roots Artist/Group — Great Lake Swimmers

Favorite Francophone Artist/Group — Martin Deschamps

Favorite Jazz Artist/Group — Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards

Favorite Metal Artist/Group — Protest the Hero

Favorite Pop Artist/Group — Roch Voisine

Favorite Rock Artist/Group — The Salads

Favorite Urban Artist/Group — Warsawpack

Favorite World Artist/Group — Pavlo

Favorite Latin Alternative Artist/Group — Plan C

Indies Hall of Fame — DOA

Industry Builder Award — Brian Chater

–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen