Watch the video above: It’s one thing to host the best Canada has to offer, it’s another to have musicians from your neck of the woods among the country’s best. Aaron Streck reports.
SASKATOON – When Saskatoon hosted Canada’s best in 2007, it was quite the honour for the city and the local music scene. The 2015 Junos are around the corner and while the event isn’t hosted by the Bridge City, it will still be represented.
This weekend, two nominated bands from Saskatoon have a chance of winning at the Juno Awards in Ontario.
The Deep Dark Woods are hoping the second time’s the charm in the roots and traditional album of the year for a group category with Jubilee. The band was nominated for the same award back in 2012.
READ MORE: The Sheepdogs return home while keeping eyes on international horizon
The Shooting Guns are new to the list, up for best metal/hard music album of the year.
“I don’t even think I’ve won five bucks on a lotto ticket let alone been nominated for anything,” said Shooting Guns bassist Jason Loos.
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“When we started playing music together and especially conjuring up instrumental music we never in our wildest dreams thought people would even like it.”
Shooting Guns drummer Jim Ginther discovered they were nominated for Brotherhood of the Ram while checking his Twitter feed about a month ago.
“I was just floored … because all the bands we’re up against are really good and quite popular as well and we are definitely the little guy on the block,” said Ginther.
Watch below: Full-length interview with the Shooting Guns
There are no vocalists amongst the six members of Shooting Guns. Their music is strictly instrumental and their unique sound has been resonating with audiences.
“We all have pretty diverse musical tastes, but I don’t think there was any really conscious type of sound we were going for as much as it was like just trying to make fun music,” said Ginther.
The band has been together since 2008.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’re in it to play music not to win awards or make sound tracks or anything like that and I think we always will, regardless if we’re making records or going on tour,” said Loos.
It’s turned into much more; the group will be in Hamilton, Ont. for the awards Sunday and will be playing a couple of shows prior, including Junofest.
While winning a Juno is a possibility, the band is humbled just to be nominated.
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