Not since Amelia Curran’s 2010 Juno win for Hunter, Hunter (Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo) has a local band won a Juno. This weekend, fresh off their Canadian Folk Music Award win, The Swinging Belles won a Juno for Children’s Album of the Year. 

Fans were not surprised by the win: their combination of killer harmonies, catchy tunes, and endearing lyrics are most certainly worthy of the highest honours. And while the band does pen top-notch tunes for toddlers, their brand of swing music, and the quality thereof, has just as many moms and dads dancing at their events, and spinning their album, More Sheep, Less Sleep, at home.

Alan Doyle and Fortunate Ones were both shortlisted for the same award: Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, which Buffy Sainte-Marie won for Power in the Blood. Matt  Maher was also nominated in the Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year category, which was won by Dan Bremnes’ Where the Light Is.

Long Distance Runners’ album art was up for Recording Package of the Year; created by The Overcast’s very own Joel Upshall (Photography) as well as Duncan Major. Their album art comes with a special insert you slide across the front of the album to make images move. However, Cam Dales and Ben Clarkson won that award for their design of Dan Mangan + Blacksmith’s Club Meds.