July 8th , 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 10TH ANNUAL FRASER VALLEY MUSIC AWARDS:
CIVL-FM Celebrates 40 Nominees, 14 First‑Timers, another $10,170 at Jam in Jubilee
Abbotsford, BC – The 10th annual Fraser Valley Music Awards (FVMA) return to Jam in Jubilee (jaminjubilee.com) on Thursday, July 17, with 40 total nominations across 11 categories and performances by select nominees (to be announced via IG @fvma.civl ). Since 2016, the FVMA’s have awarded over 240 artists with more than $75,000 in cash, including $65,000 through the #DakotaLeslieMemorialFanVote—anchored since 2020 by the now-legendary $10,170 fan vote prize. 1,000+ votes were already cast this weekend!
Fan Voting & Awards Timeline
- Fan voting closes: Wednesday, July 16
- Awards ceremony begins: Thursday, July 17 at 6:00 pm at Jam in Jubilee
- Live performances start: 7:00 pm at Jam in Jubilee
- VOTE HERE and at FVMA.civl.ca
A Landmark Year
2025 marks not just a decade of the FVMA’s but a celebration of community broadcasting, DIY organizing, and the power of regional music to thrive. Past winners have gone on to tour, record, sign major label deals, play major festivals, access grant funding, appear on BBC Asia, and even meet with BC Premier David Eby.
Media Inquiries: media@civl.ca @fvma.civl on Instagram Vote at FVMA.civl.ca
➡️ 14 First-Time Nominees
➡️ 11 Artists with 5+ Nominations
➡️ 14 Artists with 2–4 Prior Nominations
What FVMA’s Mean:
As former FVMA’s coordinator and host Harry Doupe says in COUNTERCULTURE: 20 Years of CIVL Radio in the Fraser Valley, recognition through efforts such as the FVMA’s are “such sweet validation,” for local musicians.
Nominee Breakdowns/Origins – By City below: (View all nominees here)
| City | Number of Artists |
|---|---|
| Abbotsford | 14 |
| Surrey | 7 |
| Chilliwack | 6 |
| Mission | 3 |
| Coquitlam | 3 |
| Langley | 2 |
| Delta | 2 |
| New Westminster | 2 |
| Deroche | 1 |
Featured Nominees & Notable Stats
ABBOTSFORD (14)
- Brander Raven McDonald – 3rd nomination, former winner, Singer-Songwriter
- KD Surreal – 3rd nomination, Singer-Songwriter
- Nelly P. – 2nd nomination, Country
CHILLIWACK (6)
- Michael Ryan – 8th nomination, Adult Alternative
- Ted Kim – 7th nomination
- Western Jaguar – 5th nomination
- Ryan H Wugalter – 2nd nomination, Punk
- Kaitie Sly, Alexandrah Pahl, Malevolent – 1st-time nominees
SURREY (7)
- Argel MDR – 4th nomination, former winner, R&B
- MoonTock – Dual-nominee, 5th time
- Jacob Brand, CocoLarosa (2024 Fan Vote Winner), Christians, Shamir Virgo (Former Fan Vote Finalist), Madisyn Gifford (604 Records) – 1st to 3rd-time nominations in Pop, Experimental, R&B, and Country
MISSION (3)
- elixir / elx – 7th nomination, Electronic – multiple time winner
- Villain Villain – 3rd nomination, Experimental
- Jordan Barr – 4th nomination, Hip Hop
COQUITLAM (3)
- Etienne Siew – 5th nomination, former fan vote winner, Country
- Jadhé – 3rd/4th nomination, former winner
- Reevay – 3rd nomination, Jazz/Roots/Blues
OTHERS
- Langley: Erik “The Lightning” Taylor (5th nom, Punk), Dale Sawatzky (7th nom, Jazz)
- Delta: Connor Nelson (4th, former winner, song included in Ginny and Georgia)
- Deroche: Annika Catharina (3rd nom, 2024 Country winner)
- New Westminster: The Sylvia Platters (9th nom, Rock), Stephen Carl O’Shea (9th nom Electronic)
