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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOURTH ANNUAL CANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS HONOUR INDEPENDENT RECORDING ARTISTS

Toronto, Ontario (January 21, 2004) Independent recording artists will be honoured at the Canadian Independent Music Awards ("The Indies") on Wednesday, March 3, 9 p.m., at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto. The event, now in its fourth year, launches Canadian Music Week (CMW) festivities.

Sponsored by Nielsen SoundScan and Playindies, the Canadian Independent Music Awards are now comprised of 20 categories, including six new awards - ìFavourite Albumî, ìFavourite Singleî, ìFavourite Solo Artistî, ìFavourite Groupî, ìFavourite Videoî and ìFavourite International Indieî. Due to the overwhelming quantity of submissions received for the ìMajor Indieî category this year, the new awards were created in order to recognize the success of the independent music scene in Canada and across the globe.

Nominees are chosen by committees made-up of industry professionals from all areas of the Canadian music scene and this year the fans will decide on the winners by voting online for their favorite independent recording artist at www.cmw.net from January 26 to February 15. For a complete list of nominees, please see below.

This yearís awards ceremony will also include the presentation of the Galaxie Rising Stars Awards of the CBC, which helps new artists make a name for themselves in the Canadian music industry.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or on the Canadian Music Week web site at www.cmw.net.

About Canadian Music Week

Canadian Music Week is Canada's largest annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country's music, media and entertainment industries. Combining two information-intensive conferences; a cutting-edge trade exposition; five awards shows and the Canadian Music Week Festival, CMW spans over a four-day period from March 3 to March 6, 2004 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

About Nielsen SoundScan

Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout Canada and the United States. Point-of-sale data is collected weekly from Retailers, Mass Merchants and Non ‚Traditional outlets (On-line stores, Venue sales, etc.) and made available to our subscribers each Wednesday. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Canadian Music Network and Billboard music charts. For more information about our services and available subscriptions log on to www.soundscan.com or contact (416) 979-4616.

Related Web Links:
Canadian Music Week: http://www.cmw.net
Nielsen SoundScan: http://www.soundscan.com
Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

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Media Contacts:

CANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES 2004

Favourite Album

Broken Social Scene "You Forgot It In People"
Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"
Manitoba "Up In Flames"
The Constantines "Shine A Light"
The Hidden Cameras "The Smell Of Our Own"

Favourite Single

Closure ìLook Out Belowî
Default "Taking My Life Away"
Hipjoint Inc. feat. Craig Smart "What Went On"
Sum 41 "Still Waiting"
Theory Of A Deadman "Make Up Your Mind"

Favourite Solo Artist

Bif Naked
Bruce Cockburn
Gordon Downie
Kathleen Edwards
Molly Johnson

Favourite Group

Broken Social Scene
Joel Plaskett Emergency
The Dears
The New Pornographers
The Weakerthans

Favourite Video

Alexisonfire "Pulmonary Archery"
Gob "Give Up The Grudge"
Pilate "Into Your Hideout"
Swollen Members "Breath"
The Salads "Get Loose"

Favourite International Indie

Ani DiFranco
Dashboard Confessional
Interpol
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz
Sevendust

Favourite Blues Artist/Group

Glamour Puss
Hot Toddy
Jimmy Bowskill
Nanette Workman
Ray Bonneville

Favourite Children's Artist/Group

Debbie Carroll
Etienne
Jack Grunsky
Norm Hacking & Kirk Elliott
Rick Scott & Harry Wong

Favourite Classical Artist/Group

Isabel Bayrakdarian, James Parker, Cello Ensemble
James Ehnes & Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal
Karina Gauvin & The Canadian Chamber Ensemble
Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
The Gryphon Trio

Favourite Country Artist/Group

Aaron Pritchett
Brad Johner
Doc Walker
Gil Grand
J.R. Vautour

Favourite Electronica Artist/Group

Delerium
Fidgital
Manitoba
Mythos
Plastikman

Favourite Folk/Roots Artist/Group

Be Good Tanyas
Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
Carolyn Mark and the Room-Mates
Great Lake Swimmers
Oh Susanna

Favourite Francophone Artist/Group

Eric Lapointe
La Chicane
Les Respectables
Marie-Chantal Toupin
Martin Deschamps

Favourite Jazz Artist/Group

Great Uncles of the Revolution
Holly Cole
Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards
Mike Murley & David Occhipinti
Richard Underhill

Favourite Metal Artist/Group

Alexisonfire
Gorguts
Protest the Hero
S.T.R.E.E.T.S
Voivod

Favourite Pop Artist/Group

Amy Sky
Hip Joint featuring Craig Smart
Molly Johnson
Roch Voisine
Sky

Favourite Rock Artist/Group

Gob
Sum 41
The Salads
The Trews
Theory Of A Deadman

Favourite Urban Artist/Group

Carl Henry
Choclair
Swollen Members
Warsawpack
X-Quisite

Favourite World Artist/Group

Pavlo
Sattalites
The Fables
The Mighty PoPo
The Navigators

Favourite Latin Alternative Artist/Group

Bomba
Carlos Cruz
Colectivo
Nick "Brownman" Ali & CRUZAO
Plan C

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