Cochrane-based pop artist Lexi Strate has hit the big time.
The singer/songwriter was recently nominated for three awards at the first YYC Music Awards, being held at Studio Bell on Sept. 25.
“It’s kind of unexpected,” Strate said. “The awards are new this year so, it’s really cool to be part of the first one.
“There’s some really awesome artists that are also nominated who I’ve been fans of, which makes it really cool to be in the same company.”
Artists are nominated in 18 categories at the ceremony, and Strate is up for Female Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (Diamond Eyes) and Pop Recording of the Year (Waves).
“It’s always been one of my goals has always been to create a buzz in my own city and province,” the 22-year-old said. “To get this kind of recognition in Calgary is super awesome.”
To add icing to the cake, Strate is also nominated for Pop Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, being held on Oct. 13 in Regina, where she will be performing alongside such famous artists as Colin James and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.
“It’s definitely a year of awards for me,” she smiled.
The success of her first EP (Waves), which was released in March, couldn’t have come at a better time for the singer after four years of hard work, trying to make a breakthrough.
“I’ve been releasing single after single since 2012, but it wasn’t until March that I had a collection of songs, so it’s been a good year,” she said. “In this day and age – especially in pop music – it feels like it’s all about the single. So originally the plan was to feel it out and experiment with my sound to find out what suits me best.”
Strate started out working with a lot of different people early on in her career, but since hooking up with Dan Davidson and Hands Up! Music a couple of years ago, she feels she’s on the right path to build on the current wave of success she’s riding.
“We’re working on another album right now that we’re planning on releasing in the new year, which is super exciting” she said. “I’ve been performing a ridiculous amount and writing.
“That’s the focus right now.”
For more information on Strate’s music, visit www.lexistrate.com.
