CMW 2011: PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE INDIE AWARDS

PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2011 INDIE AWARDS

Canadian Music Week is proud to present the 11^th Annual celebration of The Indies at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Featuring performances by Janelle Monae, Shad, Hollerado, Bombay Bicycle Club, Hannah Georgas, and Desperate Union, the concert will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio’s “The Verge”.
One of 2010’s breakthrough artists Janelle Monae will be making her first headline appearance in Canada with a performance at the Indies. Her spectacular debut The ArchAndroid has topped the best of lists from Associated Press, MTV and Spin to iTunes, People and Entertainment Weekly as well as earning the singer two Grammy award nominations.
Praised as “Canada’s Best Rapper”, Shad has quickly become one of Canada’s most respected young artists. His third album TSOL – shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize – is a crafted mix of hard-hitting, clever rhyme schemes and soul searching social commentary. Shad’s skillful wordplay and smooth flow, combined with his engaging live shows, and outstanding music videos have earned him fans right across the globe.
Hollerado have become one of the most lovable groups on the planet thanks to insanely catchy and energetic guitar pop, boundless creativity and a relentless DIY approach. With a $4000 budget and a little help from their friends, they scored a veritable viral sensation with their video “Americanarama” – now nicknamed “The 8-Bit Human Video”.
When Bombay Bicycle Club hit the stage at The Indies, Canadian music fans will have the opportunity to discover for the first time what critics and fans in the UK have been touting as one of the most exciting new bands for the past year. Crowned the “Best New Band” at the 2010 NME Awards on the heels of their critically acclaimed debut I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, the band is preparing to release some unbelievable new material in North America in 2011.
Even before releasing an album, Hannah Georgas’ songs could be heard prominently through your TV, whether in the Gemini Award-winning “Flashpoint” or a Wal-Mart back-to-school commercial. From her EP The Beat Stuff to her debut album This Is Good, the Vancouver singer-songwriter has been edging her way to indie music stardom, topping the year-end lists of iTunes and more.
Together for just over a year, Toronto band Desperate Union have accomplished more in the past year than many bands do in their whole career. The band have already toured with the likes of CKY and Silverstein and just wrapped up a US tour supporting Soulfly. Also on their credits is airplay on MuchMusic for two of their videos – “Black and White Lies” and “At The Sun”. They’re currently in the studio working on an album with producer David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, AFI).
Tickets for The Indies will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.ca/; 416.870.800), the Canadian Music Fest website (http://www.canadianmusicfest.com/) and the Indies website (http://www.indies.ca/) as of Friday, January 14. Wristbands to gain entry into this event are available for purchase at http://www.canadianmusicfest.com/. Wristbands are limited, subject to capacity.
The Indies are made possible with the support of Astral Radio.

THE INDIES
W/ JANELLE MONAE, SHAD & MORE
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2011
FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK HOTEL – TORONTO
DOORS 7:00PM SHOW 8:00PM
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 14TH @ 10:00AM
Tickets available at Ticketmaster
Call 416.870.8000 to charge by phone
www.ticketmaster.ca http://www.canadianmusicfest.com/ / http://www.indies.ca/
TICKETS $30.00 (PLUS TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES)
ALL AGES/GENERAL ADMISSION

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For Canadian Music Week information, please contact:
Planet3 Communications: Piera Savage/Joanne Smale
T: 647.346.4101 E: info@planet3com.net

Bessie Bullard – Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: bessie@cmw.net