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It's hard to imagine any Canadian music award from here-on in not having at least one member of Broken Social Scene on the nominees list.

Even jazz isn't safe from the reach of BSS-ers ever-evolving experiments it seems, as Charles Spearin's The Happiness Project landed him in the category of contemporary jazz album of the year. The unique concept record — in which Spearin interviewed his neighbours talking about happiness and then crafted the spoken word into song — may just net the previous Juno winner his third trophy.

Shaking off jetlag from a recent trip to Japan, Spearin proved himself to be this year's most genuinely surprised nominee.

CHARTattack: Don't be modest, how do you feel about being nominated?
Charles Spearin: Honestly, I'm a little dumbfounded! It's a genuine surprise. When I started this record, I didn't think of it as a record. I thought of it as a science experiment. I was trying to make a melody out of people talking, to find out if can you do that. I didn't even expect it to be released, and now here I am at the Junos as a contemporary jazz man!

What was your musical highlight of the last year?
I did a trip to Africa at the end of January. I'm at the beginning stages of doing a film, it's The Happiness Project continued. I went to Africa specifically to interview people about happiness who live in a very, very different situation than my home, to find out what common thread there is.

Awards show producers love medleys. If you were invited to perform at the Junos in a medley with one of the other nominees, who would you want to collaborate with?
Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers, probably. I'm a huge fan. We did work together before, our paths have crossed so many times. And Howie Beck. Most Serene Republic. I have so many friends here. I'm surprised!

April Wine are this year's Canadian Music Hall Of Fame inductees. What's your favourite April Wine song?
I really only know the one with the cowbell. Or maybe it's a cymbal? When I think of April Wine that's all I can think of: "ding, ding, ding!" If that's what it takes to get into the Hall Of Fame, then good for them!

Name something you'd do with your trophy other than put it on your mantle.
Well, I have two already with Broken Social Scene.

The first one I kept in the cupboard next to my soy sauce. I didn't know what to do with it and it was funny. Then we got another one and we put it on top of the dresser, way up high. My wife recently put them both in a place where people can actually see them.

If I get a third one, I don't know. I like what Feist said. She said she was getting so many of them she could make a foosball table. I think that's a great idea.