Town of Banff

Joel Plaskett Emergency

The Joel Plaskett Emergency brings their exciting stage presence to Banff Live on Aug. 21 2008 Photo: Chris Shaw

Canada has produced some of the world's most enduring songwriters, and Joel Plaskett is being hailed as one of Canada's best.

Joel Plaskett Emergency was nominated for seven East Coast Music Awards in 2008, more than any other act. They ultimately went on to win six of those awards, matching the existing awards record.

In fact, Joel Plaskett and his bandmates have had a banner year in 2008: along with their record-breaking success at ECMA, they have chalked up a Polaris Prize nomination, six Music Nova Scotia Awards, Indie Awards recognition, and a Juno nomination for Plaskett himself as Songwriter of the Year.

The Joel Plaskett Emergency is, without doubt, one of Canada's best live acts and Plaskett is no stranger to performing. The band have has been busy in the last year touring throughout Australia, Canada and have recently completed an American tour of 16 US cities (8 states) as special guest with the Tragically Hip.

The band is riding the success of Joel Plaskett's fifth album, Ashtray Rock, released in 2007. It's a "mini rock opera," an exuberant romp through the imagination, and a celebration of everything important about growing up: love, longing, loyalty, betrayal, youthful exuberance and, above all... music.

Joel Plaskett and Ashtray Rock took the 2008 East Coast Music Awards by storm. They won awards for Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year, Rock Recording of the Year, and the coveted SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award. Topping that off was Joel's Juno Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and his placement as First Place Winner in the Billboard World Song Contest for his single "Fashionable People."

More information:

• Joel Plaskett Emergency official website