10 bands to watch that are up for Hamilton Music Awards

The Hamilton music awards are fast approaching, and the ballot is lined with local talent from all over the city.

Like folk? Weve got it. Rock and Roll? Thats there too. Extreme Metal? You bet.

Heres a look at some of the most exciting music thats up for awards this weekend at Mohawk College for the HMAs.

Harrison Kennedy

Blues giant Harrison Kennedy is leading the way at this years awards with five nominations, including male artist of the year, blues recording of the year and record of the year for Soulscape.

Hes currently on tour supporting the album, which is a mix of rootsy, authentic acoustic blues and more contemporary electric sounds. Kennedy is also the recipient of this years Mohawk College lifetime achievement award.

Dawn and Marra

Dundas folk duo Dawn and Marra have been doing well on the back of their most recent album, Teaspoons and Tablespoons. They just returned from the Canadian Folk Music Awards in Calgary, and are up for two HMAs, including folk/traditional recording of the year.

Monster Truck

Imagine if Mountain and Joe Walsh had a kid, and that kid grew up in Hamilton thats what Monster Truck sounds like. The bands newest effort Furiosity is turning lots of heads. Theyre up for album of the year.

Bud Roach

Hamiltons Bud Roach has a fantastic, bright tenor voice, and the works of Bach and Handel seem to flow effortlessly out of him. Roach is up for male artist of the year and classical recording of the year.

Brad Cheeseman Group

The Brad Cheeseman Groups sound is a deft mix of jazz, rock and R&B. Mixed Messages was nominated for four awards at the 2013 HMAs, including jazz recording of the year.

Buckshot Bebee and the Secret Boyfriends

Glam rock ensemble Buckshot Bebee and the Secret Boyfriends is up for two HMAs, including adult alternative recording. Check out this video for Money, which was shot at This Aint Hollywood.

The Reason

The Reason is celebrating ten years as a band, and is up for rock recording of the year. Their new EP Hollow Tree shows the band hasnt lost any steam.

Poor Angus

Its been a busy year for Poor Angus, who is pushing a new album called Gathering. The band was the runner up in the CBCs national Searchlight competition, losing out to Sherman Downey and the Ambiguous Case from Newfoundland. Gathering is up for folk/traditional album of the year.

Shattered Remains

Shattered Remains are an up and coming extreme metal band that plays chugging, downtuned, heavy music with guttural vocals in the vein of Unearth and August Burns Red. Theyre up for loud/metal recording of the year.

Lee Reed and John P

Hamilton rapper Lee Reed is still churning out heady, socially conscious hip-hop. Reed has coupled with John P for Written Large, and is up for rap/hip-hop recording of the year.

The HMAs run at Mohawk College from November 14-17, with festival performances taking place in venues throughout downtown Hamilton. Tickets for all events are on sale now through TicketMaster, Picks and Sticks and Dr. Disc.

For more information, the Hamilton Music Awards website.