Time for a power shuffle in the Canadian music industry?
Broken Social Scene thinks so.
Following their Juno win, members of the Toronto indie band took some shots at the major label side of the industry, slamming the Canadian Idol star-making machine.
"I feel really sorry for those kids in Canadian Idol because they're going absolutely nowhere," singer Kevin Drew said backstage after Sunday's awards.
"It's a trick . . . It's a Canadian music industry downfall because in three years no one is going to remember them."
The outburst came after Broken Social Scene picked up a Juno for best alternative album.
The group went backstage to meet with reporters, who wanted to know what Drew meant in his acceptance speech when he said: "Is there going to be a change in Canadian music?"
All four nominated Canadian Idols - Kalan Porter, Jacob Hoggard, Theresa Sokyrka and Rex Goudie - went home empty handed.
Drew suggested the Idol franchise and the record labels toss young artists out into the public too soon just to make a fast buck.
Hyped around the globe by tastemakers, Broken Social Scene is a major player in the indie rock scene, which has been edging its way into the mainstream of late.
They are joined by other Canadian groups such as Stars, Black Mountain, Metric and New Pornographers - all represented by small, independently run labels, which Drew says take the time to foster talent.
"I think things should have gotten a lot smaller years ago," said Drew.
"It has to change . . . People are still going for the 'instant."'
Leslie Feist - who plays with Broken Social Scene - pointed to the Idols' lack of experience.
"Collectively we probably have 200 years worth of gig experience. I feel only empathy . . . for the kids that are put in that position before they have those road scars," she said Sunday.
Susanne Boyce, president of CTV programming, seemed bemused by the backstage remarks.
"Whether you have 200 years of (experience) or a day of it - the audiences will connect with you or not," she said Monday, adding that many of the Idols do have previous performing experience.
"Why trash somebody else?"
Boyce went on to say that the Canadian music scene is big enough for all types of performers.
"What's lovely is when you see that the world has embraced Canadian music ... so it's all fine," she said. "I'm very proud of the whole Canadian music scene. I feel strongly about celebrating all the successes.
According to CTV, the Juno audience peaked at 2.1 million viewers Sunday night and was up almost 30 per cent from last year.