BREAKOUT WEST
WRAPS UP ITS 21st YEAR IN KELOWNA, BC
OVER 550 REGISTRANTS & 1,200+ FESTIVAL ATTENDEES
WELCOMED FOR THIS PAST WEEK’S EVENTS
74 CANADIAN SPEAKERS, PRESENTERS & MENTORS,
45 INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES, 26 CONFERENCE SESSIONS & OVER 1,100 ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS
59 WESTERN CANADIAN + INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
GAVE OVER 110 PERFORMANCES DURING THE
THREE-NIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL
WINNERS OF THE 2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC
INDUSTRY AWARDS REVEALED
SASKATOON, SK ANNOUNCED AS HOST CITY
OF BREAKOUT WEST 2024
KELOWNA, BC – October 16, 2023 – BreakOut West has officially wrapped its 21st year! Now celebrating more than two decades of immersive music industry and artist career development, plus highlight performances by some of the best acts coming out of western Canada and beyond, BreakOut West is thrilled to see another standout year come to a close.
“Thanks to everyone who helped make Breakout West a tremendous success,” says BreakOut West Executive Director, Michael Dawson. “We’re proud to have had a record number of submissions from artists and to have been able to present a sold out event in Kelowna. Every artist that graced a stage was exemplary and it’s our distinctive honour to present them as part of Breakout West.”
For five days, over 550 conference registrants and 1,200+ festivalgoers descended upon Kelowna, BC, which celebrated its third time hosting the event (previously held in 2010 and 2018). The 2023 event season wrapped yesterday after an exciting week filled with countless opportunities to connect and engage with professionals from across the music industry, while experiencing captivating live performances from the incredible talent coming out of the western provinces. Delegates joined from 12 different countries, with 119 speakers engaged across 26 conference sessions and over 1,100 one-on-one meetings, while attendees were able to take part in numerous meet up events and establish countless business opportunities. Music discovery was celebrated with 59 showcasing artists giving over 110 performances across Kelowna’s downtown core and cultural district.
Important topics of discussion were highlighted including the Breaking Down Racial Barriers panel, which brought together influential stakeholders and key decision makers from the Black music community and the broader music industry, service providing organizations, funders and government bodies that play pivotal roles in our industry. The speakers discussed the consolidated findings of the Western Canadian BDRB roundtables on anti-Black racism held by Alberta Music, SaskMusic, Manitoba Music and Music BC, with a resolute focus on solutions, as well as addressing the pressing racial barriers facing Black music artists and professionals in the region, toward a music scene that is truly inclusive and equitable for all.
BOW 2023 saw exciting new international additions, including its first-ever musical performer from Ireland – katie phelan – and a deep dive into the Hong Kong market. In partnership with Ear Up Music Global, BOW welcomed four industry delegates and two musical acts – Charming Way and The Hertz – from Hong Kong, to share their stellar performances and insight into the market’s growing and vibrant musical community.
Along with the conference and festival programming, the winners of the 2023 Western Canadian Music Artistic Awards were revealed during the Wednesday night Opening Reception, while the Industry Awards Brunch celebrated the recipients of those categories on Saturday, October 14. The Industry Awards Brunch also formally honoured the recipients of this year’s Specialty Awards – Razcalz (Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees), Mint Records (Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award) and Willie Thrasher (Heritage Award). See below for the 2023 Industry Award winners, and find a full list of all the 2023 Western Canadian Music Award recipients and nominees here.
BreakOut West 2023 saw incredible support from Creative BC, the province of British Columbia, the City of Kelowna, Tourism Kelowna, and Creative Okanagan, as well as generous partnership from local and national sponsors, all of which generously invested in the week’s events, enthusiastically bringing BOW back to Kelowna.
Looking ahead to the next year, BOW is thrilled to be heading to Saskatoon for the very first time.
“As the CEO of Discover Saskatoon, our announcement to host BreakOut West 2024 fills me with immense pride and anticipation,” says Discover Saskatoon CEO, Steph Clovechok. “Our city is a nexus of bridges and harmonious connections, and our commitment to music is strengthened through our invaluable partnerships with the Indigenous Music Association of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon. Together, we strive to present a confluence of traditions and innovations, celebrating both our rich musical lineage and the contemporary beats that pulse through our streets. The world is warmly invited to experience the symphony of cultures, sounds, and flavors that Saskatoon has to offer. In 2024, let’s come together and make resonant memories that will last a lifetime.”
2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY WINNERS:
BreakOut Artist of the Year (Sponsored by FACTOR)
Boslen – BC
Katie Tupper – SK
Leith Ross – MB
Mariel Buckley – AB
MAUVEY – BC
Children’s Artist of the Year
Beppie – AB
Ginalina – BC
Ira Pettle – BC
Mom Bop – BC
Will et Seeka – BC
Classical Artist / Ensemble of the Year (Sponsored by Canadian Music Centre [CMC])
Karl Stobbe – MB
Krisztina Szabó – BC
Mark Takeshi McGregor – BC
Megumi Masaki – MB
musica intima – BC
Classical Composer of the Year
Christopher Tyler Nickel – Oboe d’amore Quintet “IV. Con fuoco” – BC
Jessica McMann – The Bear and the Wild Rose – Home “Muskwas Mountain Home”-AB
Katerina Gimon – Borealis “Roots Beneath” – BC
T Patrick Carrabré – Transformation “Orpheus 1” – BC
Vincent Ho – Sandman’s Castle “R1ddler” – AB
Country Artist of the Year
Gord Bamford – AB
Hunter Brothers – SK
JoJo Mason – BC
Nice Horse – AB
Whitehorse – MB
Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year
Boogey The Beat – MB
Khanvict – BC
Modern Biology – BC
RUMPUS – SK
The Librarian – BC
Francophone Artist of the Year (sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique)
Andrina Turenne – MB
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Jocelyne Baribeau – MB
Sala – MB
Sympa César – AB
Global Artist of the Year
Cristian de la Luna – AB
El Leon & The Strangers – MB
Gisela Romero – AB
Onna Lou – MB
Ruby Singh – BC
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee – BC
Celeigh Cardinal – AB
Jayli Wolf – BC
PIQSIQ – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC
Instrumental Artist of the Year
Adam Dobres – BC
Elise Boeur & Adam Iredale-Gray – BC
Glen Gillis – SK
Hello Moth – AB
Jasmine Jazz – BC
Jazz Artist of the Year
Chris Andrew – AB
Jocelyn Gould – MB
Melody Diachun – BC
Up and Over Trio – AB
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – MB
Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year
Gnarwhal – NT
Grimelda – SK
KEN mode – MB
New Jacobin Club – SK
Osyron – AB
Pop Artist of the Year
Begonia – MB
Josh Ramsay – BC
Kaeley Jade – AB
Louise Burns – BC
MAUVEY – BC
Producer of the Year
Boogey The Beat – MB
Deadmen – MB
Jill Barber, Erik P. H. Nielsen – BC
Kevvy – BC
Louise Burns – BC
R&B Artist of the Year
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Katie Tupper – SK
Kuba Oms – BC
Major Funk – YT
ZENON – AB
Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Arlo Maverick – AB
Boslen – BC
Cartel Madras – AB
Dill the Giant – MB
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC
Recording of the Year
Dear Rouge – BC
MAUVEY – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC
Whitehorse – MB
William Prince – MB
Rock Artist of the Year
Dan Mangan – BC
Hotel Mira – BC
Kris Anders – BC
The Royal Foundry – AB
The Zolas – BC
Roots Artist of the Year
Jake Vaadeland – SK
Jill Barber – BC
Mariel Buckley – AB
The Bros. Landreth – MB
William Prince – MB
Songwriter(s) of the Year (Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) SOCAN
Alexa Dirks and Matt Peters – Begonia “Butterfly” – MB
Leith Ross – “We’ll Never Have Sex” – MB
Ryan Dyck – Skinny Dyck “TV Blue” – AB
William Prince – “When You Miss Someone” – MB
Young D, Yung Trybez – Snotty Nose Rez Kids “Hot Planet” – BC
Spiritual Artist of the Year
Andrea Menard – BC
Cikwes – AB
Dee Daniels – BC
Stirling John – AB
Two Late To The Party – AB
Video Director of the Year (Sponsored by Manitoba Film & Music)
Jayli Wolf – “Holding On” – BC
Lester Lyons-Hookham – Dan Mangan “Fire Escape” – BC
Mayumi Yoshida – “Different Than Before” – BC
Michael Linton – Mariel Buckley “Neon Blue” – MB
Ryan Steel – Begonia “Married by Elvis” – MB
2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY NOMINEES
Audio Engineering Award
Andy Schichter – BC
Cam Loeppky – MB
Eric Cinnamon – AB
Johnny Gasparic – AB
Sheldon Zaharko – BC
Community Excellence Award
ADVANCE Canada’s Black Music Business Collective – BC
Folk On The Rocks – NT
Good + Plenty Arts Collective – MB
Hitmakerz – NV
National Music Centre – AB
Excellence in Visual Design
Feisty Creative – BC
Lyle Bell – AB
MAUVEY and Bree Laryea – BC
Roberta Landreth – MB
Sonny Assu – BC
Impact in Artist Development
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chris Wynters – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
Tiny Kingdom – BC
UWIDO – BC
Impact in Live Music (Sponsored by Canadian Live Music Association)
Folk On The Rocks – NT
JazzYYC – AB
National Music Centre – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
West End Cultural Centre – MB
Impact in Music Marketing
All Good Promotion & Marketing – AB
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chronograph Records – AB
National Music Centre – AB
West End Cultural Centre – MB
