The spirit and success of independent music is stronger and louder than ever. Hundreds of artists, who don't fit in with the ever-narrowing radio formats, are none-the-less breaking through to a hungry public and winning the support of fans, media and tastemakers across the nation. These artists were honoured at the Canadian Music Week Festival (CMW) with the public presentation of the 4th Annual Canadian Independent Music Awards show, simply titled "The Indies".

On Wednesday March 2, 2005, "The Indies" served as the official CMW 2004 Opening Night party, kicking off the festivities for the CMW Music Festival, running from March 3 - 6, 2004. The awards were handed out at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto.

Sponsored by Max Trax, in association with FACTOR, CIRPA, Chart Magazine, 102.1 The Edge, and Playindies, this year's Canadian Independent Music Awards were comprised of 22 categories, including eight new awards - "Favourite Album", "Favourite Single", "Favourite Solo Artist", "Favourite Group", "Favourite Video", "Favourite International Indie", "Indies Hall of Fame", and "Industry Builder Award". Due to the overwhelming quantity of submissions received for the "Major Indie" category this year, the new awards were created in order to recognize the success of the independent music scene in Canada and across the globe.

This year's awards ceremony also included the presentation of the Galaxie Rising Stars Prize of the CBC, which helps new artists make a name for themselves in the Canadian music industry. Launched in August 1998, Galaxie's Rising Stars program sets out to stimulate and develop new musical talent from Canada through partnerships between the Continuous Music Network, a commercial division of CBC, and a host of organizations from the music and entertainment industry nationwide. The award was presented by Mike Giunta, Director of Programming at Galaxie, CBC's Continuous Music Network, to The Arcade Fire.

CANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS 2004

Favourite Album
Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"

Favourite Single
Default "Taking My Life Away"

Favourite Solo Artist
Bif Naked

Favourite Group
The Weakerthans

Favourite Video
Alexisonfire "Pulmonary Archery"

Favourite International Indie
Dashboard Confessional

Favourite Blues Artist/Group
Jimmy Bowskill

Favourite Children's Artist/Group
Etienne

Favourite Classical Artist/Group
The Gryphon Trio

Favourite Country Artist/Group
Brad Johner

Favourite Electronica Artist/Group
Fidgital

Favourite Folk/Roots Artist/Group
Great Lake Swimmers

Favourite Francophone Artist/Group
Martin Deschamps

Favourite Jazz Artist/Group
Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards

Favourite Metal Artist/Group
Protest the Hero

Favourite Pop Artist/Group
Roch Voisine

Favourite Rock Artist/Group
The Salads

Favourite Urban Artist/Group
Warsawpack

Favourite World Artist/Group
Pavlo

Favourite Latin Alternative Artist/Group
Plan C

Click here for a list of all nominees