TORONTO -- When Hedley's Jacob Hoggard takes the stage to host this year's Juno Awards, he hopes to channel some of the irreverent wit flaunted by two-time MC Russell Peters.
Some, but not all, perhaps. Hoggard needs to maintain friendships in the Canadian music industry, whereas Peters was comfortable to gleefully skewer it.
"I thought Russell killed it -- he's such a natural onstage. I think more than anything else I'm envious of his comedic licence to just cut everybody to shreds," said Hoggard, who was announced as Junos host on Tuesday morning.
"I'm a little jealous of that. I probably can't treat my peer group the same. But there's always room for a sideways remark.
"Ultimately," he added, "I'm holding the microphone and it's live. So if I truly feel like it, I can exact judgment."
Reggae-infused Toronto pop outfit Magic! leads with five nominations heading into the March 15 bash at Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre, while Montreal's dark poet Leonard Cohen and Calgary dance breakout Kiesza charge in with four nominations apiece.
As Hoggard familiarized himself with the list of nominees, however, he emphasized that there would be no way to anticipate the evening's storyline.
"If there was ever an episode that 'Unsolved Mysteries' hasn't done, it would be on the Junos -- because it's one of the most enigmatic processes we've experienced as far as who wins, and why, and how," said Hoggard, whose band has now been nominated 29 times -- including three this year -- and won only twice.
"There's always surprises and you never know why ultimately. But I think that's what's exciting about it.
"Throughout the whole music business, no one has a ... clue what's going to happen."
This is one of several instances where Hoggard punctuates his point with profanity. Given that the Junos are broadcast live in parts of the country (on CTV), does he expect nervous producers will keep a finger on the delay?
"Interestingly enough, it's not my first foray in live television working with these exact same producers -- they're the producers who put on 'Canadian Idol,"' said Hoggard, who finished in third place on the reality singing competition's second season.
"They were in the room when I first walked in 10 years ago, so we have a great rapport.... In one respect, it's sort of a very full-circle sort of thing for me."
Hedley will also perform during the Junos telecast, along with dance producer Deadmau5, Magic! and hometown rockers Arkells.
Hoggard hints that if he has a Neil Patrick Harris-style production number in him, it could emerge there.
While other details for the show have yet to be worked out, he easily names his dream collaborators for a comedy sketch.
"The Trailer Park Boys," he replied. "I have to watch it to fall asleep. I'm a huge fan.
"The original seven seasons," he clarified. "Not the Netflix series."
