Juno nominations celebrated by Sask. musicians and visual artists

Terri Fidelak and Melanie Berglund laughed together when they discovered the artwork for Malice, Mercy, Grief and Wrath hadbeen nominated for a Juno award.

"We worked really hard on this album, so it felt like we were just we just wanted somebody else or more somebody elsesto feel it too," said Berglund, perhaps more commonly known asBelle Plaine, the musician behind Malice, Mercy, Grief and Wrath.

It's been nominated forbest album artwork of the year.Regina visual artist Fidelak said she was elated. She's responsible for the album illustrations that encircle photographer Carey Shaw's work on the cover.

The album explores the act of reconciling feelings around grief, loss and forgiveness. Berglund said putting it together wasan exercise in becoming more personal with songwriting. The pair are longtime friends, but this collaboration required a deeper level of trust.

Berglund called upon her friendearly inthe process. The two worked together for more than ayear, and the final piece exceeded Berglund's expectationsbecause of Fidelak'svision and calculated approach.

"I got a better understanding of the record from working with her, which was honestly the biggest gift," Berglund said.Fidelak added,"her trust in me was an incredible gift because it meant that I could really delve into the artistic expression."

Berglund said the final piece was perfect odd, earthy and relating to the music without being literal.Fidelak noted Regan Fraser was also instrumental in helping the piece come together digitally.

The all-female team of artists is proud of the album, which expresses a lot of feminineenergy and embraces its pink (coral) nature.

"The album is a lot of feminine energy, you know about reflecting, reconciling. It's pink, coral," Berglund said as Fidelak grinned:"The best colour."

She also acknowledged that while the artwork for the album was nominated, the album itself was not. She brushed that aside and said awards aren't her yardstick, anyway.

"I know what this record did for me and I know what it's done for other people."

Sask. bands draw nominations

Other Saskatchewan bands clinched nominations for the 49thJuno Awards. The DeadSouth are up again for traditional roots album of the year withSugar and Joy.

Foxwarren has beennominated for alternative album of the year for their self-titled debut.

The band describes its story like "a page torn from the manual of rock androll authenticity, as this group of siblings and childhood friends originally formed more than a decade ago." Members include Regina's Andy Shauf, Dallas Bryson and brothers Darryl Kissick and Avery Kissick.

Country group Hunter Brothersare up for breakout artist and country album of the year for State of Mind.The band, literally comprised of five brothers, grew up singing gospel and working on their family farm in Shaunavon, Sask.

JJ Hunter said it's a phenomenal feeling.

"You definitely don't want to ever expect anything. Every opportunity that we've had along the way is just we're really grateful," he said.

"Asan artist when you start out, it's kind of a lofty goal or something that is always, maybe, in the back of your mind."

Hunter said the banddraws inspiration from all genresbut at their core they are country because that's what resonates the most.This is the first time they've received a Juno nomination, and Hunter said it means more because it's happening in Saskatchewan.

"We have a smaller population but there's so many talented artists," he said. "We're proud of where we're from and we're proud of the music that's created in our province."

Hunter said the band is also looking forward to the Juno Cup and hopes they can flex their old hockey skills. They grew up as farm kids who loved hockey. At times they would make up an entire line (two defence, three forwards)when they played.

Hunter said they're a little rusty,but will try to drum up a bit of sibling magic on the ice.

Big Dave McLeanwas nominated for Blues Album of The Year forPocket Full of Nothin'.

It's the Yorkton-born performer's fourth time being nominated for the award.

Jeffrey Stonehouseis the artistic director of 'Ensemble Paramirabo.' The group is nominated for Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber.

Stonehouse was born in Saskatoon and grew up in Regina.He is currently living in Quebec.

The awards ceremony is slated for March 15 atthe SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.