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Better Know a Jury Member, #2: Bryan Acker June 23 2009
Bryan Acker (Halifax)
Blogger, Herohill.com
Jury Member since 2009

Please share the Top 5 Canadian records you put on your first ballot.

Timber Timbre Timber Timbre
Joel Plaskett Three
Japandroids Post-Nothing
Deep Dark Woods Winter Hours
$100 Forest of Tears

Tell us about your top ranked choice. Why #1?

When you are a music blogger, you are always looking for artists that help you define your site. I fell in love with Timber Timbre years ago when the stripped down recording were nothing more than looped acoustic strums and classic blues storytelling. So, when I got an early copy of Timber Timbre's new record, I was completely blown away. It was the type of record that reminded me why I blog about music. Taylor Kirk still has the charisma to tell a compelling stories using little more than the muted, steady strums of his guitar, but the textures he adds accentuate the ominous tones of the record and really complete his songs. Hauntingly beautiful is one of those phrases critics use that sounds ridiculous, but honestly that is the best way to describe Timber Timbre. This band is going to blossom into something great.


Reaction to the Long List: Your most pleasant surprise? Shocked by any omissions?

I was pretty shocked by a few things - not a lot of East Coast love and a few strange picks - but for the most part the records I expected to be there were picked. I think the most pleasant surprises were D-Sisive and $100. I was shocked that Jenn Grant didn't make the cut, and thought Deep Dark Woods and Dog Day had an outside chance to make the list. Really though the biggest - and most disappointing - inclusions were Cohen's live record and Beast.

Describe state of Canadian music in 5 words:

Strong, but needs more support.

Imagine the tables are turned and you are the nominee: What would you do with the $20,000 prize money?

I'd love to think I'd use music from a music prize to help the music community. It seems every day, more and more venues are closing, and the music scene her is suffering because of it. I'd love to throw the money back into a venue that would cater to local and independent touring acts, hoping to make that 12-hour drive from Montreal more appealing.

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