Hamilton’s music scene – then and now

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In honour of the Junos’ return to Hamilton, we asked some local names in the industry to talk about how Hamilton’s music scene now compares to the first time the Junos were held here. When the Junos first came to Hamilton in 1995, Celine Dion was topping the charts, Jann Arden was bringing home the statues, and Colin James opened the show.

CFMU program director Jamie Tennant says 1995 was a strong time for music in Hamilton well beyond the national attention brought by the Junos. “We had a lot going on here. Sonic Unyon Records was in its heyday in terms of indie bands… The Killjoys had broken out and Junkhouse had broken out. So in a way it’s very similar to today in that respect.” Mr. Tennant says there are always great bands and musicians in the city, it’s the scope and recognition of Hamilton’s music scene that comes in waves “in the last few years its been steadily going up and going strong. There’s been no waning it’s been all waxing.”

And that is something that has brought blues artist Rita Chiarelli back to her hometown. She says when she started in the music business, you had to move to Toronto if you were going to make it.

“Well that’s no longer, you know. So I think Hamilton has come out of that shadow, out of Toronto’s shadow and Hamilton is a place to be now.”

That wasn’t the case when Tomi Swick won best new artist at the 2007 Junos in Saskatchewan. “I was proud, I was so proud. I represented Hamilton everywhere I went. Every gig, every show, everything. I was like Hamilton Hamilton Hamilton. I’m not trying to give myself credit but it was before everyone was like ‘Hamilton’s cool’. People were really down on Hamilton a lot you know.”

He famously wore the city’s name across his chest during his acceptance speech. “Now that Hamilton’s got all this momentum it’s nice to see. I’m happy that I was blazing all that back then.”

While Tomi Swick doesn’t take the credit, This Ain’t Hollywood co-owner Lou Molinaro says it was a turning point for the city. “I think that kind of inspired a little bit more interest in the city and then seeing bands like The Arkells coming out of our clubs and then just going on the road and being recognized nationally. They were the biggest drawing card as well as our biggest business card.”

Arkells will be performing at the Juno awards on Sunday. And Junofest kicks off tomorrow with more than 60 acts performing across the city including Rita Chiarelli. She will be playing at Mills Hardware on Saturday.