2023 PARTICIPANTS
Alex Métivier
Québec
Alex Métivier
Alex Métivier is a multi-instrumentalist, a producer, and a sound recordist and mixer, but what he loves doing best is writing and performing songs. Trained at École nationale de la chanson in 2017, the Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, artist searches for light in an electrical folk song built in a personal and homemade manner. He first became known in 2018 as part of the La Voix television show with his song Éléonore, and was subsequently included in Quebec Radio station charts. His sophomore EP Dans la lumière, with Salomé Leclerc, was released in 2022. Alex Métivier is now working on a debut album.
Anna Melva
Alberta
Anna Melva
Anna Melva is currently training for a BFA in music theatre at the Hartt School for Theatre, Music, and Dance in Hartford, Connecticut. An award winning songwriter, her song “Year in Review” won the 2021 Write Out Loud contest for Young Musical Theatre Composers. In 2022 “Boys on Bikes”, another original song, won a SOCAN Foundation Award for Young Canadian Songwriters. Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Anna had many opportunities for training and performance in music, dance, and theatre. Some notable roles from her youth include Jane Banks in “Mary Poppins”, Polly Baker in “Crazy For You”, Mary in “Mary Poppins”, Katherine Pulitizer in “Newsies”, and Patsy in “Spamalot”.
Audâze
Québec
Audâze
AVIV
Ontario
AVIV
Toronto singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist AVIV, who pens D.I.Y. pop that feels universally relatable, grew up surrounded by music and learned to play piano and guitar at a young age. During the pandemic, she began writing songs in her bedroom, inspired by artists like Elliott Smith, Lorde and Radiohead, which led her to sign with Photo Finish Records in the US, and Dine Alone Records in her native Canada. In 2022, AVIV headed on her first tour, opening for Imagine Dragons in Canada, which coincided with the release of her debut EP, Drowning in the Culture. The title, which shares its name with one of the EP’s standout tracks, came from a feeling AVIV had while writing in LA the year prior, “I had a lot of unanswered questions and somehow every single song answered one of them for me,” she say.
Avril Jensen
Québec
Avril Jensen
Her debut single Attends (feat. EXKY) made it to Spotify’s “Les meilleures chansons 2021” (Quebec) playlist. In April 2022, the young singer-songwriter released COLOURS, her first English-language work. Some of her songs made it to Spotify’s most listened-to playlists, including Indie Pop & Chill (cover), Fresh Finds, New Music Canada, New Music Friday USA, RADAR Canada, IT’S A BOP!, Montréal Chill, etc. Her song “van gogh” brought her a SOCAN Foundation Award for Young Canadian Songwriters. She received her first GAMIQ nomination in the EP Pop category. Avril took part in her first Belle et Bum TV show, and acquired stage experience with the release of Quai des brumes, her participation in the International de Montgolfières in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and while opening for Martha Wainwright at Festival Santa Teresa.
Bobo Laurent
Québec
Bobo Laurent
Christine Lee
British Columbia
Christine Lee
Christine Lee is the grunge kid of the RnB scene- the hybrid of the underground 90s Korean Hip Hop kid who sings with soulful colors in the likes of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Her sophisticated musicianship with wild personality births a one-of-a-kind RnB sound. Her catchy hooks will have you singing along with the chorus, but her pop medleys contain philosophical ideas that challenge the mainstream notions of love, politics, and human nature. Her narrative and witty lyrics have won her a spot among the handful of finalists in the 2020 Canadian Songwriting Challenge. Her latest single “Day Drink” has reached listeners in over 67 countries all across Europe, North America and South America, and made it to 215 personal playlists. Christine will release her EP “Eat It” in November 2023.
Clara Dahlie
Québec
Clara Dahlie
She moves in colors and music. For Clara Dahlie, these two worlds coexist and are intrinsically linked. Growing up in a family of artists and being passionate about music from a young age, Clara combines and draws inspiration from both disciplines to create her own musical sanctuary. After studying jazz singing, Clara started producing music and fused different musical styles such as electronic music, soul, jazz and r&b, and blended her inspirations from different eras and artists such as FKA Twigs or D’Angelo. Harmonizing poems, textures, atmospheres and nuances, Clara Dahlie transports herself into a universe that is inclusive and free, as soft as it’s powerful and inviting.
Clarissa Diokno
Ontario
Clarissa Diokno
Clarissa Diokno is a Filipino-Canadian artist of soul and honesty presented in slick, pop production. Her rich, emotive vocals lie at the heart of her songs. Melodic arrangements, contemporary production, and engaging and relatable lyrics inspired by love, life, and heartbreak blend together electro-pop with R&B elements to formulate Clarissa’s dynamic style. She loves encouraging people to use creativity as an outlet for expressing emotions and hopes to inspire other artists to dream big and share their passion with the world. With five independent releases and two more by the end of this year, over 100,000 collective streams, and regular live performances in her hometown of Kitchener, Ontario, she also wants to represent her Filipino heritage and inspire other Filipino and Asian artists to chase their ambitions and know that they have a voice in this industry.
Danie
New Brunswick
Danie
Danie is a 21-year-old Singer/Songwriter. She likes to think of her music as genre-less and boundless with sprinkles of soul, color, and intimacy. Danie grew up in the Kennebecasis Valley, New Brunswick and now calls Toronto home. In July 2022 Danie was featured in an article by Nashville’s, Two Story Melody and was also a recipient of SOCAN Foundation Awards for Young Canadian Songwriters Awards. As she continues to evolve, Danie’s passion and dedication shine through, poised to leave an indelible mark on the music industry and touch the hearts of listeners worldwide.
Dilettante
Ontario
Dilettante
Dilettante — meaning “amateur of the arts” — is the semi-deadly-serious moniker of a quintet that reflects like a seasoned collective, only to laugh like absolute beginners. Reborn from Toronto mainstay For Jane, Dilettante’s “amateur” self-titled debut effort is a modulated cabaret that tests how wryly powerful pop can be. Bittersweet throwback bops create technicolour characters, shaking and glimmering like the last sequin clinging to an attic-bound jumpsuit; then, thumping ballads croon and cry like dancing slowly, alone in the spotlight with all of your closest friends. Bandleaders Natalie Panacci and Julia Wittmann are kindred vocalists — two unmistakable voices that blend impossible shapes and colours, but never lose themselves in each other. Drummer Bradley Connor, bassist Zachary Stuckey, and keyboardist Yunjin Claire Lee wheel a theatre of set pieces out to the dance floor. Expect bongos, rolling low end, and show-thieving synth leads.
Hansom Ēli
Québec
Hansom Ēli
Hansom Ēli is a Montreal-based duo born in 2019 – representing over 3.6 million streams and over 300K listeners per year – with editorial playlists bigger than ever supported in part by Spotify (The Hit List) and Apple Music (The 100 Best Songs of 2021). The duo’s opening concert for Clara Luciani at Les Francos de Montréal (2022) had a positive spin-off with the booking agency Evenko (owned by Live Nation) joining the team and quickly programming them at SXSW 2023. Artists trust them and open the door for featurings: Mike Clay (Mezcal), Nico de Andrea (Satin), KAS:ST (Our Last Dance and Who’s to Say What’s Real), Bertholet (Feel).
Laura Lucas
Manitoba
Laura Lucas
Singer-songwriter and poet Laura Lucas fell in love with storytelling from a young age. Her introspective songwriting is delivered by delicate vocals and dreamy instrumentation rooted in a warm, modern take on the indie-folk genre. Laura’s ability to captivate listeners and distill complex emotions through song is reminiscent of some of her influences such as Phoebe Bridgers and Lana Del Rey. Occasionally, her two disciplines merge, such as with poem-turned-song Moon Dream, which UK-based blog For the Rabbits described as “a luxurious slice of alt-folk, a tapestry of rich vocal harmonies.” Her poetry has appeared in various publications such as About Place Journal, Press 53, Iris Literary Journal, and elsewhere. Laura’s sophomore EP “The Dreamer,” recorded with Dustin Tebbutt, will be released in 2023.
Lev Snowe
Manitoba
Lev Snowe
Forever an observer of the fast turning world, Winnipeg-based poet Lev Snowe finds stillness catching perfect words from the sky, combining them with earthly guitars, synths, or whatever it takes to preserve a tiny moment in time. Calling on a tradition of songwriting that is both reflective and forward-seeking, Lev winds up creating the type of dreamscapes that toy with our emotions like distorted neons, channeling loose memories of 90s alt rock, 60s psychedelia, and contemporary indie folk; all woven together from the confines of his home studio.
magenta
Ontario
magenta
magenta is a 17 year old singer-songwriter born in Newcastle, England though she has spent most of her life in London, Ontario. magenta treats writing as an emotional outlet as she lays all her feelings out, without filters, pulling from her own experiences and the experiences of others. magenta aims to create music that is relatable and allows people to feel heard. She has been songwriting since the age of 13 and released her debut single, “finding myself”, in 2021. She has since then collaborated with other artists and producers. She released her first collaborative single, “Over and Over”, with French electro chill-pop artist, Lonely in the Rain, which has gained over a million streams to date. magenta also released her debut EP titled “lost in plain sight” on March 3, 2023. Her indie/folk/pop musical style alongside her relatable and vulnerable lyrics connect deeply with her growing audience.
Moira & Claire
Nova Scotia
Moira & Claire
Born on one side of Canada and now living on another, Antigonish, Nova Scotia’s Moira & Claire write lighthearted, indie folk-pop songs that appeal to East and West Coasters and everyone in between. The sisters have been singing together for longer than their professional careers, their voices harmonizing in the kind of familial magic that only living together your entire life can attain.
This year, they were a recipient of the 2023 Her Music Honourable Mention Award presented by SOCAN. In addition, their debut album was also nominated for three 2023 East Coast Music Awards including Rising Star Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, and TD”s Fan’s Choice Video of the Year.
On TikTok, Moira & Claire have gained 160K followers from around the world. Their most viewed video to date, with 2.9M views, is a cover of indie folk artist Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, who has since publicly praised the duo, saying “Moira & Claire rock”, and “they never miss”.
Their following also extends outside of social media, with 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and over 3.2M all-times streams. Their music has been featured on several Spotify editorial playlists including New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Finds, and Folk & Friends.
NIA NADURATA
Ontario
NIA NADURATA
NIA NADURATA started singing and performing on stage in grade 3 and never stopped. Since graduating from the Etobicoke School of the Arts, NIA has been cultivating her soulful, indie, Pop sound to make you fall in love with your most vulnerable years. While working as a songwriter and vocalist alongside artists such as Russ, Nonso Amadi, Chris LaRocca, and Boslen, NIA has recently began releasing singles, as she prepares the release of her own debut EP “break stuff”. Highlighting her upbringing and coming of age, NIA’s music mirrors the sounds of Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Carol King, and Billie Eilish. NIA’s lyrical vulnerability shines as she shares her trials and errors navigating through her late teens and early 20s. She opens up about self-growth, finding confidence, strengthening friendships, falling in and out of love and the art of breaking stuff (even if you’re breaking your own heart).
Omega Mighty
Ontario
Omega Mighty
Canadian R&B-fusion/dancehall artist Omega Mighty has an eclectic sound, switching from Jamaican patois, sultry vocals and an energetic rap flow with confidence. Her 2021 EP “Me & Youforia” put her on the map with the exploration of genres such as R&B, dancehall, afro-beats and pop. Born to a Jamaican father and British-Bajan mother, playing records at home is one of Omega’s earliest memories. She started in music early training in classical piano at the age of 4, vocal by age 6 and dance by age 9. Growing up in what is known as the most diverse city in Canada “Toronto”, Omega has been exposed to varying rich culture which has helped to shape her sound. Omega has since been seen gracing the stages of various festivals including RBC Canadian Open, Canada Day Vancouver, Riverfest, AfrowaveTO and more opening for acts such as Flo Rida, Fefe Dobson and The Wailers. Inspired by 90’s R&B and new age music alike, Omega draws influence from artists such as Rihanna, Wstrn, Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Brandy, Stefflondon and Vybz Kartel. Her live performance encompasses smooth sultry vocals, vibrant movement and a militant aura. Wearing multiple hats, Omega brings together energetic stage performances as singer-songwriter, producer, and creative director.
qwinn
New Brunswick
qwinn
Brittany McQuinn (qwinn) is an award-winning Canadian East Coast singer, songwriter and producer. Her early musical influences of film and video game soundtracks have shaped the synth pop sound that audiences know today. She opened for k.d. lang during her 25th Anniversary Ingénue Tour and performed at the World Junior Hockey Championships. She has songs placed on several Spotify official playlists and label releases on Circus Records and Monstercat. Her song Welcome to My Life landed a sync placement on Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia.
Sahati
Ontario
Sahati
Sahati is an artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Kosovo, currently based in Toronto, ON. With no musical confinements in her process, Sahati’s music merges genres and alternates between languages: new-wave and classics, pop and indie, Albanian and English. Performing at a variety of stages from a young age, she has made appearances at a plethora of venues and festivals throughout North America and Europe, most notably opening for Dua Lipa at Sunny Hill Festival in 2022. At the age of 14, she won first place at the International Drummers Competition in Macedonia, which encouraged her to start recording, producing, and releasing her own music. Most recent projects include collaborations with Canadian artists Molly Annelle and Maxton Cunningham of CHEEYA. When not performing her own music, Sahati can be found playing the drums or bass for other acts, or deejay-ing an eclectic club mix throughout the night.
Sheperd
Ontario
Sheperd
Sheperd’s upcoming musical venture combines the rebellious spirit of punk icons with a fusion of hyperpop, rap, and D&B, resulting in a sonic experience defined by its angry, abrasive, and antsy energy. With previous successes in the realms of pop, rap, and dance, accumulating over 2 million streams and gaining airplay on top Canadian radio stations, Sheperd has proven his versatility as an artist. However, fueled by disillusionment and a quest for authentic expression, he now seeks rebellion, resistance, and resonance.
Stromer Hills
Alberta
Stromer Hills
Vancouver born rapper, singer-songwriter, and music producer Stromer Hills continues to push boundaries and create a musical footprint. His fearless, tell-it-like-it-is songwriting style has cultivated a dedicated audience that follows his moves closely as he grows on social media and music platforms. Upon graduating from high school School in Calgary, Stromer Hills released a string of new singles, getting almost half a million plays on SoundCloud and numerous charting positions in his first year. This is a different direction from his first steps on music platforms as a rocker under artist name Skar Boy in early high school years. He spent his early years performing rock music on multiple stages around Calgary with School of Rock and his band, Off Grind. Stromer currently records, produces, mixes, and masters solo songs in the R&B/Soul and Country category. His latest EP’s track “cost you” has garnered over 10,000 views on Apple Music organically since it’s release.
Summer Bennett
Newfoundland and Labrador
Summer Bennett
Summer Bennett is a 15-year old singer-songwriter from Paradise, Newfoundland who won the 2021 MusicNL New Found Talent Contest. Her first release “Carsick” won a 2022 Government of NL Arts & Letters Award and was listed as one of the top 125 songs in the Canada-wide 2022 CBC Toyota Searchlight competition. Summer was also selected as one of fifteen female artists across Canada to attend the 2022 HoneyJam program for emerging Canadian female artists. Summer’s original music has been receiving immediate feedback from early listeners across the country. Summer was also recently awarded a 2023 Arts & Letters Award and a Youth Performing Arts Award in Newfoundland. Summer currently has three singles released and just signed with Scilly Cove Records – and is currently working with 2 x Grammy winner Greg Wells!
Velours Velours
Québec
Velours Velours
Velours Velours is Raphaël Pépin-Tanguay’s outlet. Active on the local circuit since 2022, his project has quickly carved out a place for itself among Québec’s music lovers. After performing alongside Étienne Coppée, Velours Velours recently launched its first EP, co-produced with Philippe Brach.
Velours Velours’ tasty, youthful pop offers a colourful, comforting universe of infinite possibilities. His songs’ enchanting grooves take us on a journey through everyday life, contemplating his surroundings, from the backstreets of the metropolis to the salt waters of the Gaspé Peninsula. Velours Velours is featured on Nouvelle Radio-Canada as an artist to watch in 2023, and was recently awarded the SOCAN Foundation award for a young Canadian singer-songwriter.
Yohvn Black
Nova Scotia
Yohvn Blvck
Yohvn Blvck, born Edwin Yohance Hull in St John’s, Antigua, can be found continuously breaking boundaries in Canada since immigrating to Halifax in 2013. Notable for his unique sound, charisma and exuberant performances, Blvck is an up-and-coming artist drawing from his Island roots with influences from hip-hop, R&B, and rock. He is in his element whether in the studio or on stage, where he alternates between reveling in and surrendering to his own vulnerability.