Best New Artist / Band

As fresh as Mary’s bread, one of the Kestrels’ very first shows was opening night of the Halifax Pop Explosion. “This was kind of big and crazy for us, as we were so new,” says bassist/drummer Adam Hartling, who shares duties with Chad Peck (guitars, vocals) and Marcus Fiddes (drums, bass, vocals). Their debut seven-inch single “Seaside” b/w “On Our Time,” out on BOM-winning label Noyes Records, is already getting CBC Radio 3 play. “We had a friend write to us saying he was in a cafe in Montreal, and our song was on the radio,” says Hartling. But the band isn’t getting lazy-ass on early successes; they’re working on a debut full-length, Primary Colours, due out in June, and recording a version of “I Am The Cancer” for an upcoming Sloan tribute album. Check out their new-new website at kestrels.ca.

First runner up: Bloodsport
Second runner up: Paper Beat Scissors