Dylan Menzie, Vishtèn Connexions, Lawrence Maxwell top Music P.E.I. award nominations

Three acts earned six nominations each as the finalists for the 2025 Music P.E.I. Awards were announced in Charlottetown.

They were Dylan Menzie, Vishtèn Connexions and Lawrence Maxwell. 

Only the first two artists were initially listed as having six nominations, before Music P.E.I. issued a correction Wednesday. 

"A previous version of this press release categorized Lawrence Maxwell's submissions as two distinct projects, which resulted in splitting the nominations between them," it said. "This has been corrected, and the full six nominations have been properly allocated to Lawrence Maxwell."

Among the other artists receiving multiple nominations were Hikado, with five, and Absolute Losers and Richard Wood, with four apiece.

The awards will be presented during P.E.I. Music Week March 4-8.

The ceremony will include a lifetime achievement award for Phase II, recognizing the group's enduring contributions to the Island's music scene, and the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award for Rory O'Donnell.

Two awards will be determined by fan voting. Islanders can vote for entertainer of the year and music video of the year from Dec. 10 to Jan. 3 on the Hot 105.5 radio website.

The nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards are:

Terra Nova Fund Achievement in Classical Music

• Luminos Ensemble
• P.E.I. Symphony Orchestra
• Sarah Hagen
• Tiffany Liu

Achievement in Jazz Music

• Andrew A. Melzer
• Carlie Howell
• Dan Rowswell

Achievement in World Music

• Richard Wood
• Tiffany Liu

The Buzz Album Art of the Year

• Carlie Howell - Let It Land. Graphic design by Carlie Howell, photography by Story Thorburn.
• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid. Graphic design by Niyi Adeogun, photography by Justin Rix.
• Elsie - All By My Lonesome. Artwork by Elsie Richmond.
• Hikado - Enough. Graphic design by Julia Lopo.
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion. Artwork by Renee Laprise, graphic Ddesign by Jordan Beaulieu & Roberta Landreth.

Atlantic Lottery Album of the Year

• Absolute Losers - At The Mall
• Dennis Ellsworth - Hardcore Freewheelin'
• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions

• Rory O'Donnell

Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year

• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell - Pouring Out My Heart
• Noah Malcolm - Cereal
• Tara MacLean - Live in My Hometown
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Digital Presence of the Year

• BraedenV
• Diddyturner
• Hikado
• Luisa Güiza

Long & McQuade Educator of the Year

• Angie Arsenault
• Mark Parsons
• Rory O'Donnell
• Shawn Doiron

Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year

• Brad Milligan
• Dylan Menzie
• Inn Echo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Tiffany Liu
• Todd MacLean

Craig Fair Productions Instrumental Recording of the Year

• Aaron Comeau - FULLY UNFORMED
• Andrew A. Melzer - Cool Bandtracks & Instrumentals #2
• Inn Echo - Hemispheres
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Todd MacLean - Apricity

City of Charlottetown Lifetime Achievement Award

• Phase II

ADL Live Music Production Professional of the Year

• Chris Knox
• Shawna Picard

Live Sector Award

• Craig Fair Productions
• Island Jazz
• Jack Pine Folk Club
• Open Mic with KINLEY

Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year

• Absolute Losers - Bender. Directed by Abbey Wilson.
• Hikado - Days Go By. Directed by Jacob Puiras.
• KINLEY - Charlotte. Directed by Jenna MacMillan.
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See in Me. Directed by Jesse Duarte.
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion ft. Rowen Gallant + Jesse Périard. Directed by Millefiore Clarkes.

Holland College Musician of the Year

• Craig Fair
• Keelin Wedge
• Logan Richard
• Mat MacEachern
• Maya Márquez

Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year Presented by The Gray Group

• Bettii - Shyyyyyy:)
• Carlie Howell - Let It Land
• Gizmo - Buddy System
• Hikado - Enough
• Luisa Güiza - Me Sana

Discover Charlottetown Pop Recording of the Year

• Absolute Losers - At The Mall
• Dylan Menzie - North American Dream Kid
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See In Me
• Noah Malcolm - January
• Pearly Gates - Sunny Sunshine Song

Rising Tide Community Fund Prix De L'Acadie

• Aubin pi la S.C.B
• Sirène et Matelot
• Vishtèn Connexions

City of Summerside R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

• Joce Reyome - Mr. Rain
• Lefunk - Reflection

The Guardian Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year

• BraedenV - Fade Out
• Cavy - Bad Games (feat. Merkules)
• DEMIXX - ESCAPISM?
• Norm Strangely - Norm Strangely
• Rightflow - VIOLENCE

Receiver Coffee Co. Recording Sector Award

• Adam Gallant
• Colin Buchanan
• Jon Matthews/The Sound Mill

Rodd Hotels & Resorts Rock/Loud Recording of the Year

• 20 Eyes - Summer Camp
• Gizmo - Buddy System
• Heather - Never Mind, Goodbye
• Oakdrive - 107
• Space Bud - Decisions

Stay Golden Custom Single of the Year

• Absolute Losers - By Fright
• Bettii - Shyyyyyy:)
• Hikado - Enough
• Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur - What You See In Me
• Logan Richard - Feels This Way

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year

• Dylan Menzie
• Gizmo
• Lawrence Maxwell
• Noah Malcolm
• Whitney Rose

KENT Building Supplies Traditional Roots Recording of the Year

• Luka Hall - To Be Honest
• Richard Wood - Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• Shane Pendergast - Crossing The Bridge
• Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion