Repartee celebrate big wins at MusicNL Awards 2016

Repartee took home four awards — the most of any nominee — as the winners of the MusicNL Awards gala were announced Sunday night in Bonavista​.

• MusicNL takes over Bonavista
• Music NL tuning up for awards in Bonavista

The band won pop/rock recording of the year, album of the year and group of the year. They also shared music video of the year with Cabbages and Kings.

"I was up pretty late last night celebrating," laughed Repartee lead singer Meg Warren, awake early for an interview Monday with CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show.

'Bittersweet' win

That after-gala celebration was tempered with a bit of sadness, as all four members of Repartee have now officially moved from St. John's to call Toronto home.

"It's been really nice for us to be here and take it all in, and then it's also a little bit sad, because it's our last one," said Warren, calling the weekend both "wonderful," and "bittersweet."

Because of their funding we were able to get off the island frequently and tour.- Meg Warren, on MusicNL

Warren said MusicNL has been hugely important in Repartee's development, with office staff always available to mentor them and answer questions in the band's fledgling days.

"They've funded us numerous times. And it's expensive, as we all know, to get off the island, and because of their funding we were able to get off the island frequently and tour," she said.

There's not a lot of time for the band to kick back and enjoy the MusicNL wins; Repartee is about to embark on a coast-to-coast tour from B.C. to St. John's, along with Marianas Trench, for the group's first ever arena tour.

"We're pretty pumped."

The 2016 awards and winners complete list

Country Recording of the Year – Peter Willie Youngtree

Pop/Rock Recording of the Year – Repartee

Urban/Electronic Artist of the Year – It could be Franky

Jazz/Blues Recording of the Year – Duane Andrews

Instrumental Recording of the Year – Ewan Dobson

Folk/Roots Recording of the Year – Rum Ragged

Denis Parker Industry Builder award – Eleanor Dawson

Music Video of the Year – Repartee and Cabbages and Kings

Group of the Year – Repartee

Male Artist of the Year – Duane Andrews

Ron Hynes SoCan Songwriter of the Year – Chris Kirby

Entertainer of the Year – Everglow

Female Artist of the Year – Rozalind MacPhail

Album of the Year – Repartee

Alternative Recording of the Year – Cabbages and Kings

Rising Star of the Year – Waterfront Fire

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sandy Morris