Metric Systematically Dominate Canada's CASBY Awards

Posted on Oct 23rd 2009 2:25PM by Jesse Ship
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Indie electro-rock stars Metric maintained their mainstream momentum after walking away with the top awards at last night's CASBYs.

Organized by Toronto rock radio station 102.1 The Edge, these "people's choice" awards are an acronym for Canadian Artists Selected by You. Online popularity contests may seem dubious, but it would be hard to argue that this hasn't been a breakthrough year for this particular band.

Though coming up empty-handed this summer after being shortlisted for Canada's Polaris Prize, Metric's arms were filled at the CASBYs, winning NXNE Favourite New Indie Release as well as the Favourite New Album award for their anthemic 'Fantasies.'

Most Canadians feel lucky to have singer Emily Haines as a fellow citizen, not to mention the envy of the indie rock universe, so it's doubtful many are complaining. As Haines bleated to the crowd, "We exist for the sole purpose of rocking your face off." She then rolled out a cover of 'Hey Hey, My My (Out Of The Blue)' by Canada's most famous rock 'n' roll expat, Neil Young.

Taking home the coveted Favourite New Artist award were another breakout sensation, the Arkells. These Hamilton, Ontario lads have been making their presence felt in just a few short years, landing deals with Dine Alone Records for their honest, working-class party rock. Arkells frontman Max Kerman also acted as back-up tambourinist for Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash.

Though his band recently returned from a world tour opening for No Doubt, Malinowski was showing off his solo material. He played a passionate acoustic guitar set with eyes mostly shut, causing the young girls in the audience to swoon every time he dared shine his glowing orbs upon them.

Meanwhile, Alexisonfire singer Dallas Green's side project City and Colour took home Favourite New Single award for his catchy, acoustic number 'Sleeping Sickness.' Other highlights included DJ Dean Blundell and his morning show crew performing 'Sweet Caroline.' (Depending on your maturity level, this may have been a lowlight since Blundell was prone to off-colour quips like, "let's hear it for boobs.") A cross-Canada contingent of rockers filled out the bill, including Montreal's the Stills, Toronto's illScarlett and Vancouver's Matthew Good and Mother Mother, the latter's set unfortunately fraught with feedback and mic issues.

With the Molson flowing freely and the crowd feeling patriotic, late night radio personality LoriAnn pointed out how far CanRock has come. "Canadian bands have lost their stigma and are now being considered as international acts, much more so than ten years ago, and I think that's awesome!"