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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR CANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

Toronto, Ontario (March 3, 2004), The country's most prominent independent recording artists were honoured at tonight's 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. (For a complete list of winners, please see below).

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, were inducted into the Indies Hall of Fame during the awards show. CBC's Galaxie Rising Stars Award was presented to The Arcade Fire. The band received a cash prize of $2000.

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.

CANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS 2004

Favourite Album
Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"

Favourite Single
Default "Taking My Life Away"

Favourite Solo Artist
Bif Naked

Favourite Group
The Weakerthans

Favourite Video
Alexisonfire "Pulmonary Archery"

Favourite International Indie
Dashboard Confessional

Favourite Blues Artist/Group
Jimmy Bowskill

Favourite Children's Artist/Group
Etienne

Favourite Classical Artist/Group
The Gryphon Trio

Favourite Country Artist/Group
Brad Johner

Favourite Electronica Artist/Group
Fidgital

Favourite Folk/Roots Artist/Group
Great Lake Swimmers

Favourite Francophone Artist/Group
Martin Deschamps

Favourite Jazz Artist/Group
Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards

Favourite Metal Artist/Group
Protest the Hero

Favourite Pop Artist/Group
Roch Voisine

Favourite Rock Artist/Group
The Salads

Favourite Urban Artist/Group
Warsawpack

Favourite World Artist/Group
Pavlo

Favourite Latin Alternative Artist/Group
Plan C

Indies Hall of Fame
DOA

Industry Builder Award
Brian Chater

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

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Media Contacts:

Maureen McTague
Holmes Creative Communications
416-628-5606
mmctague@holmesmark.com

Emma Batori
Holmes Creative Communications
416-628-5613
ebatori@holmesmark.com

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