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(October 9, 2019 Halifax, NS) Voting for the Downtown Truro Partnership Entertainer of the Year Award is now open to the public. The nominees are (in alphabetical order): Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers, AQUASOCKS (Aquakultre & Ghettosocks), Erin Costelo, Jenn Grant, T. Thomason, and Willie Stratton.

All Music Nova Scotia Award winners will be announced during the 2019 Music Nova Scotia Award Celebration on Sunday, November 10th at 7:00 PM in the Elm/Oak Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Truro. This celebration is part of Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW), held in Truro next month from November 7-10. 

Click Here to vote for Entertainer of the Year

Voting closes on Friday October 25th at 5:00 PM (ADT). 

The Music Nova Scotia Entertainer of the Year Award is presented by the Downtown Truro Partnership. 

Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers

Alan Syliboy was born and raised in Truro and lives at Millbrook First Nation. He looks to the indigenous Mi’kmaq petroglyph (stone etchings) tradition for inspiration, and developed his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms.

Hubert Francis star of Brookes Diamond production, “Drum” from Elsipogtog First Nation, Lead guitarist Evan Syliboy formerly with Alan’s band Lonecloud, and bassist, composer, sound designer, video/sound editor,  Lukas Pearse of Halifax NS, plus group leader, percussionist/spoken word artist Alan Syliboy. The show consists of songs, spoken word and stories accompanied by multi-media art film and live performance.

Although this is the core group, Alan frequently calls upon other musicians and dancers to enhance his live performances.

AQUASOCKS (Aquakultre & Ghettosocks)

AQUASOCKS is the highly anticipated musical collaboration between Halifax mainstays, Ghettosocks (Juno Award Nominee and ECMA & MNS Award winner), and up-and-coming, Aquakultre (CBC Searchlight Award winner). These two artists fuse and intertwine their distinctive lyrical stylings on the 10 track debut full-length album, HOLOS, set to a jazzy and vibrant musical backdrop. The rhymes are witty and poetic touching social commentary, concepts of community, and social justice – without coming across as didactic. AQUASOCKS is a rap group whose members’ friendship can be felt throughout the songs.

 

Erin Costelo

Erin Costelo mines the truth - through writing, arranging, producing and masterful live performance. With a voice unlike any other in Canada she has the ability to successfully float between genres and stages, her unwavering vision continuously offering the best sound and voice to a feeling, idea or story. She’s had the opportunity to open for Mavis Staples, Dr. John and Bettye Lavette and has recently performed with Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Band.

Erin Costelo’s multi-award winning album, Down Below, The Status Quo, was short listed for the 2017 Folk Music Ontario ACTRA RACS Recording of the Year Award, made the Polaris Prize 'longer' list and awarded an East Coast Music Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. Her music has been streamed over half million times, viewed hundreds of thousands of times online and landed on !earshot "Most Played of 2016" chart.

Jenn Grant

Jenn Grant is a multi-award-winning Canadian artist. Consequence of Sound called out Grant’s “majestic vocals" on her latestrelease "Love, Inevitable." Stereogum noted she created “something that’s both a bit familiar and a little otherworldly.” Jenn has has numerous Juno Award nominations and is widely regarded as one of the finest songwriters to come out of Canada. 

 

T. Thomason

T. Thomason is a pop artist living between Halifax and Toronto. Winner of CTV's hit music reality show “The Launch”, T. has impressed fans with his emotional and highly energetic live performances throughout his 11 year career. 

T. released his self-titled album this past September. Described by Halifax’s The Coast as “equal parts scar tissue and sparkles”, Thomason’s latest release is deeply vulnerable and honest. A must-hear for anyone who has wondered who they are, and what’s to come. 

Willie Stratton

Willie Stratton is a tall drink of water from Halifax who sings both ballads for wide open spaces, and ripping numbers for honky tonkin' at the saloon. Joined by a rotating cast and crew of musical cronies, Willie's honky tonk revue is always fresh and exciting  - and surely not to be missed!