The mid-to-late 90s and early 2000s were a glorious time for Canadian pop music. Fresh from minting some international megastars (Celine, Shania, Alanis) Canadian radio was flush with CanCon* friendly artists rocking some exceptionally MOR-ish but incredibly catchy pop music.
*CanCon (for those outside the true North strong and free) refers to the Canadian Content laws that require 35-40% of music played on commercial radio to qualify as “Canadian” for a least two of:
- Writer
- Performer
- Performance location
- Lyrics
While some artists made the leap to fame further afield (Nelly Furtado, Barenaked Ladies), I have a particular love for the homegrown heroes that defined my late teens.
Bands like Prozzak, Sky, SoulDecision, and Sugar Jones.
Bands that, if you didn’t grow up with them, you’ve no reason to know — here be some deep cuts of Canadian culture. 😀
Spotify
Gary Allen 