SYDNEY, N.S. — Nova Scotia’s Joel Plaskett emerged as the big winner Sunday at the East Coast Music Awards in Cape Breton.
The lanky pop-rocker snagged the night’s first award: single of the year for Through and Through and Through off his album Three, which was released last March. Within the next two hours, Plaskett took to the stage three more times at Centre 200 in Sydney to claim recording of the year, male solo recording of the year and entertainer of the year.
“I’m super flattered to be keeping company with people who are busy and making music and doing great things,” Plaskett, sporting a casual button-down shirt, told reporters.
Plaskett, who headed into the awards ceremony at the head of the pack with eight nominations, also snagged pop recording of the year earlier Sunday when a handful of awards were handed out.
While Plaskett said performing outside of Canada is a boon to his flourishing singer-songwriting career, he doesn’t plan to stray from his Atlantic roots.
“I’m pretty firmly planted here on the East Coast, I think,” said Plaskett, who’s from the Halifax suburb of Dartmouth. “I grew up here and I like the pace and I’m pretty attached to it.”
Halifax’s In-Flight Safety landed alternative recording of the year early in the awards show for their album “We are an Empire, My Dear.”
Despite being nominated for six awards, the group’s lead singer said the first win came as a surprise.
“The fact that we won one is kind of shocking because we figured Plaskett would win every one. He wasn’t in this category, so we had a chance,” joked John Mullane.
“We’ve been working really hard, and this is a proud moment for us in a year that’s been very busy.”
In-Flight Safety also accepted group recording of the year.
The gala awards ceremony caps four days of gigs showcasing the region’s musical talent.
In all, 24 awards were up for grabs at the gala, which were streamed online.
Moncton-based loud quartet, The Motorleague, walked away with the ECMA’s first-ever fan’s choice video of the year.
The Canadian Press
