News Article

Charlottetown, PE – Music PEI is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Prince Edward Island’s vibrant music community. This year, Dylan Menzie, Lawrence Maxwell, and Vishtèn Connexions lead the pack with an impressive six nominations each, followed by Hikado with five, and both Absolute Losers and Richard Wood with four nominations apiece.

The awards highlight the incredible talent and dedication of PEI’s artists and industry professionals, showcasing a wide range of genres and contributions to the Island’s music scene.

This year’s celebration includes special recognition for two remarkable honorees: Phase II, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by the City of Charlottetown, recognizing the group’s enduring contributions to the Island’s music scene, and Rory O’Donnell, the recipient of the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions, honoring his impact on the Island’s community and music landscape.

Public voting for two fan-favorite categories—Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year and Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year—opens on December 10th and runs until January 3rd, 2025. Fans are encouraged to support their favorite nominees by casting their votes online. These awards are entirely fan-determined, making every vote count!

Music PEI is also excited to announce that Early Bird Festival Passes for Music PEI Week 2025 are on sale now at www.musicpei.com. Priced at just $80 (valued at $135), these passes grant access to all the festival’s major events, including the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert, presented by the City of Summerside at the Scott Macaulay Performing Arts Centre, and the 24th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala, presented by the Atlantic Lottery at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The Early Bird rate is available until January 13th or while supplies last—don’t miss your chance to grab this incredible deal!

Music PEI Week will take place from March 4th-8th, 2025, with events across the Island celebrating PEI’s music scene. This year’s festival promises unforgettable performances, inspiring stories, and the long-awaited awards ceremony honoring the best in Island music.

A special thank you goes out to all the funders who make Music PEI Week possible, including the Province of Prince Edward Island, Innovation PEI, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Skills PEI, SOCAN, the City of Charlottetown, and the City of Summerside.

Music PEI would like to extend its gratitude to our sponsors. Our gold sponsors include The Gray Group, Pride PEI, Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 – Stingray Radio Stations, SOCAN, Atlantic Lottery, PEI Mutual, and Cavendish Farms. We also thank Rodd Hotels & Resorts, Maritime Electric, Whitecap Entertainment and PEI Car Rental.

Furthermore, we acknowledge our silver sponsors: Terra Nova Fund, The Buzz, Craig Fair Music Productions, ADL, Discover Charlottetown, Receiver Coffee Co., The Guardian, Rising Tide Community Fund, Stay Golden Custom, Kent Building Supplies, Long & McQuade, Sara Roach Lewis Solutions and Holland College. Finally, we thank our bronze sponsors: Inn at Bay Fortune, Wagworthy, Arsenault Best Cameron Ellis, CYMBA Music Publishing, COWS, Maritime Madness, Locarius, Heartwood Guitar Care Services, Kendra Stretch Realty, Jan & Sue’s Chocolates, Downtown Charlottetown, Blaze Pizza, Foulkes Productions, and Straight Bridge Crossing Limited, along with many valued community partners.

And finally to our jurors, fans, and industry professionals who support this celebration of music.

For the full list of nominees, voting links, and to purchase festival passes, visit www.musicpei.com. Get ready to celebrate the sounds that define Prince Edward Island!

The nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards are:

Terra Nova Fund Achievement in Classical Music

• Luminos Ensemble
• PEI Symphony Orchestra
• Sarah Hagen
• Tiffany Liu

Achievement in Jazz Music

• Andrew A. Melzer
• Carlie Howell
• Dan Rowswell

Achievement in World Music

• Richard Wood
• Tiffany Liu

The Buzz Album Art of the Year

• Carlie Howell – Let It Land

Graphic Design by Carlie Howell, Photography by Story Thorburn

• Dylan Menzie – North American Dream Kid

Graphic Design by Niyi Adeogun, Photography by Justin Rix

• Elsie – All By My Lonesome

Artwork by Elsie Richmond

• Hikado – Enough

Graphic Design by Julia Lopo

• Vishtèn Connexions – Expansion

Artwork by Renee Laprise, Graphic Design by Jordan Beaulieu & Roberta Landreth

Atlantic Lottery Album of the Year

• Absolute Losers – At The Mall
• Dennis Ellsworth – Hardcore Freewheelin’
• Dylan Menzie – North American Dream Kid
• Richard Wood – Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Vishtèn Connexions – Expansion

Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions

• Rory O’Donnell

Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year

• Dylan Menzie – North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell – Pouring Out My Heart
• Noah Malcolm – Cereal
• Tara MacLean – Live in My Hometown
• Vishtèn Connexions – Expansion

Digital Presence of the Year

• BraedenV
• Diddyturner
• Hikado
• Luisa Güiza

Long & McQuade Educator of the Year

• Angie Arsenault
• Mark Parsons
• Rory O’Donnell
• Shawn Doiron

Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year

• Brad Milligan
• Dylan Menzie
• Inn Echo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Tiffany Liu
• Todd MacLean

Craig Fair Productions Instrumental Recording of the Year

• Aaron Comeau – FULLY UNFORMED
• Andrew A. Melzer – Cool Bandtracks & Instrumentals #2
• Inn Echo – Hemispheres
• Richard Wood – Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Todd MacLean – Apricity

City of Charlottetown Lifetime Achievement Award

• Phase II

ADL Live Music Production Professional of the Year

• Chris Knox
• Shawna Picard

Live Sector Award

• Craig Fair Productions
• Island Jazz
• Jack Pine Folk Club
• Open Mic with KINLEY

Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year

• Absolute Losers – Bender

Directed by Abbey Wilson

• Hikado – Days Go By

Directed by Jacob Puiras

• KINLEY – Charlotte

Directed by Jenna MacMillan

• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur – What You See in Me

Directed by Jesse Duarte

• Vishtèn Connexions – Expansion ft. Rowen Gallant + Jesse Périard

Directed by Millefiore Clarkes

Holland College Musician of the Year

• Craig Fair
• Keelin Wedge
• Logan Richard
• Mat MacEachern
• Maya Márquez

Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year Presented by The Gray Group

• Bettii – Shyyyyyy:)
• Carlie Howell – Let It Land
• Gizmo – Buddy System
• Hikado – Enough
• Luisa Güiza – Me Sana

Discover Charlottetown Pop Recording of the Year

• Absolute Losers – At The Mall
• Dylan Menzie – North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur – What You See In Me
• Noah Malcolm – January
• Pearly Gates – Sunny Sunshine Song

Rising Tide Community Fund Prix De L’Acadie

• Aubin pi la S.C.B
• Sirène et Matelot
• Vishtèn Connexions

City of Summerside R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

• Joce Reyome – Mr. Rain
• Lefunk – Reflection

The Guardian Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year

• BraedenV – Fade Out (feat. Spivey)
• Cavy – Bad Games (feat. Merkules)
• DEMIXX – ESCAPISM?
• Norm Strangely – Norm Strangely
• Rightflow – VIOLENCE

Receiver Coffee Co. Recording Sector Award

• Adam Gallant
• Colin Buchanan
• Jon Matthews/The Sound Mill

Rodd Hotels & Resorts Rock/Loud Recording of the Year

• 20 Eyes – Summer Camp
• Gizmo – Buddy System
• Heather – Never Mind, Goodbye
• Oakdrive – 107
• Space Bud – Decisions

Stay Golden Custom Single of the Year

• Absolute Losers – By Fright
• Bettii – Shyyyyyy:)
• Hikado – Enough
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur – What You See In Me
• Logan Richard – Feels This Way

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year

• Dylan Menzie
• Gizmo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Noah Malcolm
• Whitney Rose

KENT Building Supplies Traditional Roots Recording of the Year

• Luka Hall – To Be Honest
• Richard Wood – Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Shane Pendergast – Crossing The Bridge
• Vishtèn Connexions – Expansion

Nominations by the numbers:

Multiple Nominees

Dylan Menzie – 6

Lawrence Maxwell – 6

Vishtèn Connexions – 6

Hikado – 5

Absolute Losers – 4

Richard Wood – 4

Carlie Howell – 3

Gizmo – 3

Noah Malcolm – 3

Tiffany Liu – 3

Andrew A. Melzer – 2

Bettii – 2

BraedenV – 2

Inn Echo – 2

Logan Richard – 2

Luisa Güiza – 2

Rory O’Donnell – 2

Todd MacLean – 2

Single Nominees

20 Eyes

Aaron Comeau

Adam Gallant

Angie Arsenault

Aubin pi la S.C.B

Brad Milligan

Cavy

Chris Knox

Colin Buchanan

Craig Fair

Craig Fair Productions

Dan Rowswell

DEMIXX

Dennis Ellsworth

Diddyturner

Elsie

Heather

Island Jazz

Jack Pine Folk Club

Joce Reyome

Jon Matthews/The Sound Mill

Keelin Wedge

KINLEY

Lefunk

Luka Hall

Luminos Ensemble

Mark Parsons

Mat MacEachern

Maya Márquez

Norm Strangely

Oakdrive

Open Mic with KINLEY

Pearly Gates

PEI Symphony Orchestra

Phase II

Rightflow

Sarah Hagen

Shane Pendergast

Shawn Doiron

Shawna Picard

Sirène et Matelot

Space Bud

Tara MacLean

Whitney Rose

Updated: Wed December 11, 4:15 PM

A previous version of this article incorrectly categorized Lawrence Maxwell’s submissions as two distinct projects, which resulted in splitting the nominations between them. This has been corrected, and the full six nominations have been properly allocated to Lawrence Maxwell.