Juno Awards Archives

The Canadian Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences announced nominations for its Juno Awards today, and indie-pop duo Tegan and Sara received three nods: Songwriter of the Year, Group of the Year, and Pop Album of the Year (for Love You to Death). But while thanking CARAS for the honor, the Quin sisters also critiqued the awards' gender ratio. "In 8 categories no women were recognized at all, and in over 12 additional categories, only 1 in 5 of the nominees included a woman," Tegan and Sara wrote in a statement. "Specifically in the areas of production and engineering, it is discouraging to not see a single woman represented." Women are well-represented in some of the Juno Awards categories, like Alternative Album of the Year and Indigenous Music Album of the Year; Native Canadian songwriter and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie was also honored with the Junos' humanitarian award. But many categories—rock, metal, dance, electronic, Breakthrough Group of the Year—are dominated by men. The Weeknd, Drake, and Shawn Mendes lead this year's nominations, with five apiece. "The demographic breakdown of Juno nominations reflects the structural confines of our society and industry," Tegan and Sara write. "We must do better as it sends an outdated message to the next generation about whose art and voice and message is valuable. ... e wouldn’t be Tegan and Sara if we didn’t speak our minds about this important issue." Read Tegan and Sara's full statement here.

Juno Awards

Tegan and Sara Criticize Juno Awards for Lack of Gender Diversity

JUNO Awards 2016 Nominations: Justin Bieber, Drake, Majical Cloudz, and More

Kiesza, the Weeknd, and Magic! Win Big at the 2015 Juno Awards

Magic! Lead Canada’s 2015 Juno Award Nominations

Tegan and Sara, Arcade Fire, Drake Lead 2014 Juno Awards Winners

Feist Wins Big at 2012 Juno Awards

Feist Nabs Five Junos, Bob Dylan Bestowed Pulitzer Prize

IMPACT

How Cryptic Wisdom Has Found Happiness in Songwriting

Amber Ryann’s Underrated Artist Season Is Diversifying Playlist Curation

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast Talks Imposter Syndrome and Mental Health

Jukebox the Ghost’s Ben Thornewill Discusses Criminal Justice Reform, ACLU With SPIN IMPACT

you may like

more from spin

Live at the Fillmore 1997 Is an Electrifying Snapshot of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Their Best

5 Albums I Can’t Live Without: Joss Stone

Gifts for the Musician and Music Fan in Your Life

Get New Music, News, Reviews, And More Delivered Right To Your Inbox.