Homegrown Rock Band Zaftig Wins Emerging Band of the Year

Oshawa, ON. — Hundreds of music fans joined the virtual celebration as Oshawa’s ZAFTIG was named Oshawa Music Award’s Emerging Band of The Year presented by 94.9 The Rock’s Generation Next in a live segment hosted on Saturday, April 18 by Sandy Horne, Spoons Musician.

ZAFTIG is an experimental rock trio from Oshawa that combines elements of garage, progressive, and psychedelic rock. They are known for their use of flutes, synthesizers, and complex drumming patterns. In June 2019, they released their debut EP “Flight of the Mingos”, and embarked on their first tour of the east coast of Canada. Band members Evan Cunningham, Bass & Synthesizer, and Singer/Guitarist/Flutist Mark Thompson spoke about the reaction to their album and future plans for their band in a live interview hosted during the Awards show.

Brian Moncarz, host of Generation Next presented the award on behalf of 94.9 The Rock. Generation Next showcases the work of emerging rock bands across Canada, while the award for Emerging Band of The Year recognizes a band who has shown tremendous growth as a musician in the year 2019. Other nominees in the category included Ajax’s Hunter Sheridan and 15-year-old Ajax guitarist/singer/songwriter Nathan Carr who both joined to speak with host Sandy Horne for a live interview.

Drummer Mike Buntsma crashed into the frame of band’s remote acceptance speech in a display of his excitement for receiving the award. Comments of congratulations from viewers flooded the screen in a display of support for the emerging Oshawa band as the song “Wide Tide” streamed alongside photos of the band’s previous live performances.

Upcoming award presentations take place live on Saturdays at 7:00 PM EST. The Awards show can be viewed (after) from the OMA website and social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Upcoming awards presentations are as follows:

Lifetime Achievement Hall-of-Fame on April 25

Music Teacher of the Year on May 2

Artist or Band of the Year on May 9

Best Songwriter(s) on May 16

Durham Song of the Year on May 23

Through this innovative approach, the OMAs’ are still able to celebrate the creativity of Durham Region’s music industry, including the tech community. We gratefully recognize our sponsors and partners who have aided in making this initiative possible.

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For more information or further questions, please visit our website at oshawamusicawards.ca or email us at oshawamusicawards@gmail.com. For media, please contact, pressmedia.oshawamusicawards@gmail.com