2024 PARTICIPANTS
Avery Jane
Québec
Avery Jane
Avery Jane, originally from Victoria BC, is inspired by genres such as jazz, pop, folk, neo-soul and R&B. After years of performing in big bands, theater, folk and indie-jazz bands, she began to pursue her solo career. With songs topics ranging from forgetting to buy toothpaste to giving her mother a room to visit, to unconditional love, Avery’s insightful, relatable lyrics touch on many aspects of the human experience.
BOBBI
Québec
BOBBI
BOBBI’s musical journey is a profound exploration of self-discovery and resilience. The artist’s introspective process is evident in her new EP ‘Harsh,’ premiered by London’s Wonderland magazine. After years of chasing a fantasized reality of love, relationships, and success within the commercial music industry, she made an abrupt shift in her personal life and sonic direction. This propelled her into a period of reflection, therapy, and the creation of raw, honest music.
A Canadian artist, BOBBI draws inspiration from the indie and experimental electronic scenes she immersed herself in while living in London. Rejecting the pursuit of mainstream success, she partnered with experimental-electronic producer Model 86 to craft an EP that captures the genuine essence of her experiences. The collaborative effort resulted in a unique sound that pushes boundaries in what she calls ‘Experimental Emotional Pop,’ while staying true to the authenticity BOBBI seeks in her music.
Caelin Rivers
Alberta
Caelin Rivers
Caelin Rivers is the pseudonym for Andrea Shipka. With roots in folk and pop music, Andrea grew up singing and performing. While never having thought of herself as a composer, in 2020, Shipka decided to challenge herself to explore her creative abilities and began writing instrumental piano scores. These pieces steadily began gaining popularity, sparking her interest in finding a way to combine instrumental music with her love of folk. Now, her music lives somewhere between Phoebe Bridgers and Ólafur Arnalds. At the core of her music lies a strong desire to connect with others, a passion for cinematic scores, and a genuine longing to capture life’s experiences. Caelin is working towards releasing an EP scheduled for late 2024.
Carmen Elle
Ontario
Carmen Elle
Carmen Elle is a queer, non-binary and neurodivergent musician, composer, producer and songwriter based in Toronto and Los Angeles.
Dubbed the “guitar prodigy and secret shredder of the Toronto underground,” Carmen (they/them) has played in musical projects such as Polaris Award-nominated DIANA, Army Girls and Austra. Carmen’s composition work appears on the Peabody Award-winning show Sort Of, for which they have been nominated for two CSA awards. Carmen’s clients include Netflix, CBC, HBO Max, EPIX, CTV, MTV, YouTube and InsideOut Film Festival.
A passionate advocate for musicians with disabilities, Carmen has been featured in Nylon Magazine, Vice, MTV, Exclaim! and the Toronto Star speaking about their experiences living with Autism, OCD, and ADHD. Carmen strives to uplift and inspire other disabled artists with their work and their story.
Cinzia & The Eclipse
Québec
Cinzia & The Eclipse
Mirroring the cathartic reassurance of a close friend during tough times or the celebratory energy of a meaningful connection, Montreal-born, Toronto-based artist Cinzia & the Eclipse strips away the ostentatious flare of modern songwriting to reveal the relatable side of relationships, self-discovery, and growth with her music.
Cinzia’s signature sound of blending pop and organic folk is redefined and has even greater depth as she continues to charm and dazzle her listeners with her new album, Springland. Her iconic vocal tone and playful phrasing have established her as one to watch as she finds inspiration from heartbreak, nostalgia, and the human condition.
Frank Mighty
Alberta
Frank Mighty
Syrian-Canadian artist Frank Mighty merges indie-rock with neo-psychedelic sounds, likened to “Passion Pit and MGMT” (Wonderland). His debut EP, “Whispersongs” (2021), garnered critical acclaim and was featured on Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia (70 million viewers). His latest release, “Never Homesick” (2023), reflects on themes of home and nature, featuring “Unattainable,” a fast fan favourite, earning him festival slots across Canada. Frank is gearing up for his next EP, “Nexterday,” set for release in fall 2024, along with an accompanying tour spanning Canada and the US.
GETCHNAH
Ontario
GETCHNAH
GETCHNAH is a Tamil-Canadian rapper from Scarborough. She is a first generation child of Sri Lankan refugees, and a child of the foster care community. Her goal is to share her story, in hopes of inspiring souls alike across the globe.
GETCHNAH is a multi-faceted artist. She is a professional dancer, rapper, singer and an audio engineer. She always knew the performing arts and grand theatrics was her true calling. Her path ultimately led her to creating her own music which infused many genres, such as Alternative, Rap, EDM, RnB, along with influences from South Asian music.
JD
British Columbia
JD
JD, the innovative hip hop/rap artist from Vancouver, Canada, is revolutionizing the music scene in an overlooked hip hop hub. With infectious energy and captivating storytelling, JD’s music moves and motivates listeners.
Passionate about connecting with his audience, JD crafts resonant lyrics that invite fans to join his musical journey. At performances, he immerses himself in the crowd, fostering genuine connections and elevating his fan base.
Having shared stages with industry giants like Lil Baby and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, JD embodies the essence of a self-made artist. His dedication to every aspect of his craft cements his status as a rising star in music.
Beyond his art, JD advocates for the South Asian community, showcasing how perseverance leads to endless opportunities. Experience JD’s power and passion through his music as he continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Labadé
Alberta
Labadé
Labadé is a unique artist who enjoys blending elements of surrealism and abstraction in his music. Rather than sticking to traditional genres, he hopes to create a soundscape that invites listeners into a world of dreamlike melodies and thought-provoking compositions. Labadé’s approach is about gently pushing artistic boundaries and offering a fresh perspective on music. His work, characterized by its evocative lyrics and unconventional arrangements, aims to captivate and inspire. In the ever-evolving music scene, Labadé remains committed to exploring new ideas and embracing the unconventional, all while maintaining a modest and introspective outlook.
LostsOfficial
Ontario
LostsOfficial
LostsOfficial is a young prodigy from Milton, Ontario, Canada. He is on the rise, gaining recognition around the internet for singing to streamers and connecting with famous influencers such as “Kai Cenat”, “iShowSpeed”, “Adin Ross”, and more. LostsOfficial’s hit record “Bite Me” has amassed over 5 million views on all platforms since 2021. This is thanks to Lost’s determination and spontaneous appearances on various live streams. As a young, brown artist from Canada, LostsOfficial is determined to break barriers and become the next big name in the music industry. With a unique talent and an unstoppable drive, LostsOfficial is ready to inspire others and pave the way for more diversity in the spotlight. “It’s not about if I’ll get there, it’s about how much work I have to put in to get there.” – LostsOfficial
Manna Music
Ontario
Manna
With a strong love for music and entertainment, Manna launched his SoundCloud profile in 2017. He began posting remixes of popular Punjabi songs and quickly gained attention for his mashups. With the popularity of his mixes, Manna began his career as a DJ for Eminence Entertainment.
Soon enough those mash-ups of other songs inspired him to create original music, which led him to a career in music direction. Manna was featured in many records as the music director alongside Deep Jandu. He appeared on music credits with Deep until he dropped his debut producer album “Dreams” in 2019.
Working with household names in the industry such as Karan Aujla, Deep Jandu, and DIVINE, Manna continues to release music that catches attention. His biggest song “Sheikh” with Karan Aujla amassed over 60+ million streams on its music video. Manna continues to aim big and has lots in store!
Maze
Québec
Maze
Based in Montreal, Maze is a singer, songwriter, music producer and video director whose unique sound and hypnotizing universe has landed her placements with Samsung, Netflix, BBC and more. She received support from SiriusXM and was nominated in the top 10 producers by TRAKGIRL x Aiaiai audio collaboration. Maze has made a name for herself in the local Montreal music scene with her dark and mysterious persona and her mix of alternative and electro-R&B music featuring elements of hip-hop, reggaeton, Afrobeats and cinematic sounds. Growing up in a family of sound engineers, she has worked as a producer on many writing camps such as the SOCAN Kenekt camp and the UMG x Banx & Ranx camp where she got to collaborate with artists such as Geoffroy, Lili-Ann De Francesco, High Klassified, Meghan Oak, Tianda, Grae, Izabel and more. She gets her extensive music influences from her many years as a competitive hip-hop dancer.
Nette
British Columbia
Nette
“Effortlessly soulful and self-effacingly playful, Nette’s pop gems are captivating.” (The Georgia Straight, 2024.). Since beginning her professional career as an artist, songwriter and producer in late 2021, Nette’s relatable lyrics, sparkling vocals and Swiftie-inspired production have landed her over one million streams across online platforms and 200,000 followers on TikTok. Her growing following has given her opportunities to perform at The Barnside Harvest Festival, Surrey Canada Day and the Khatsahlano Main Stage. Recently Nette was a finalist in MRG’s Elevate Music Project with the finale performance taking place at the historical Vogue theatre in Vancouver. You can find Nette performing her latest releases at local festivals this summer with much more new music on the way!
Olivia Khoury
Québec
Olivia Khoury
Olivia Khoury, a Montreal-born singer-songwriter and interdisciplinary artist, is deeply rooted in indie, jazz, and folk influences, creating a sound that defies easy categorization— blending ethereal, highly produced soundscapes with earthy acoustics. As a backing vocalist, she has shared the stage with artists such as LaRoie, Mopao Mumu, Adib Alkhalidey, Bayta, Noémie Kaiser, and Jeanne Laforest. In March 2023, she released her bilingual EP, “Portraits,” inviting listeners to contemplate six sonic portraits, showcasing elements of her vast influences, from pop to jazz. Olivia is currently working on new music to be released in the upcoming year.
Skip Waiters
Ontario
Skip Waiters
Born in Toronto but raised in the suburbs of Brampton, Skip Waiters found his joy in creating music that reflects his experiences growing up in the inner city. An individualist, Skip Waiters taught himself how to produce, write and eventually create his own sound through his love of visual arts and storytelling throughout his music. With a unique sound, Skip Waiters has been described as a blend of artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J.I.D & Anderson Paak with his wide range of flows, paired with Tyler the Creator’s unorthodox production ability.
In 2021, Skip released his first Mixtape: Personal Stereo, which was supported across all streaming platforms via multiple playlists, partnered with being the cover artist of the playlists: The New Black on Amazon Music & The Canadian-Come Up on YouTube Music. Personal Stereo gained approximately 200,000 streams across all major streaming platforms and was also acclaimed by Live Nation, Rolling Stones, Variance Magazine and Hello Canada.
In 2022, Skip released two separate EPs (Compact Disc and MP3 Player) that dove into all thing’s mental health, ego, and growing up black in Canada. He was supported across all streaming platforms via multiple playlists, partnered with being the cover artist of the playlists: Breakthrough Canada on Amazon Music, Outliers on Spotify and Canadian Come-Up on YouTube Music. Both EPs have garnered over 500,000 streams across all major streaming platforms. Now with over 2M catalogue streams, 2023 saw Skip introducing Streams of Consciousness, his first commercial album. This body of work weaves together his EP themes and underscores the significance of therapy for Black Canadians. 2024 will see Skip Waiters release his sophomore album The Human Experience that continues the discussion around self-identity, being a black Canadian, and the black family nucleus.
SLM
Québec
SLM
Hailing from the vibrant city of Montreal, Shailah L. Morris – SLM (pronounced “Slim”) – is a hip-hop artist whose roots extend from the city’s bustling downtown to the serene South Shores, seamlessly blending her Guyanese heritage into the eclectic rhythm of her upbringing. With a dimensional, evolutionary, & avant-garde sound, SLM made a mark on the music scene with her album, The Complete Flex Season (2020), her EP, Real Talk Radio (2021) & her mesmerizing performances across the nation, including Rolling Loud (2022) & The Festival Mode et Design (2022 and 2023). Metamorphic & entrancing, the scope of SLM’s talents & artistry are magnified in her latest project. As the echoes of her experiences bleed into her work, Broken Hearts Look Like Angel Wings, set to release in early 2025, promises to not only be a groundbreaking chapter in her musical evolution but act as a kaleidoscope of poetry & reverberation of her voyage through life.
Exploring the peaks and valleys of her odyssey, offering a fresh perspective on love, loss, & personal growth that connects with the reality of existence, Broken Hearts Look Like Angel Wings is not only an ode to beingness but an artifact of her unyielding dedication to sonic mastery & fervor for raw self-expression.
Spitty
Ontario
Spitty
Spitty is an Indian rapper and community leader from Brampton, Canada who is creating a monumental buzz with a dedicated following. His music carries a thoughtful yet energetic nature as he strives to inspire listeners through his songs. South Asian samples and instruments blend with North American influence to birth his unique approach to hip hop.
Recently, Spitty was featured in Complex Canada for being a Brampton Artist Ambassador and putting on free monthly open mic events for the community. His hit single, Not For Me, was featured on HotNewHipHop and Rolling Stone India. Teaming up with EverythingOShauN, Spitty’s next single, Up Now, was featured on Spotify’s Northern Bars playlist, Shifter Magazine, and in HipHopCanada. Over the past year Spitty has also begun giving speeches at schools, doubling down on his mission to motivate & inspire. In late 2023, Spitty became a global brand ambassador for the historic alcohol brand Chivas Regal.
The North Sound
Saskatchewan
The North Sound
At the heart of great songwriting is great storytelling. For The North Sound, songs are a declaration of joy, a hallmark of yearning, and a tender tale of honesty. Yet amidst the rawness, trials and tribulations, there are notes of hope and happiness. This is the duo at their best: Sharing stories in the way they know how. Forged deep in Treaty 7 Territory, where the prairies rush towards the foothills, The North Sound is a partnership between lead singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Forrest Eaglespeaker, and vocalist and composer Nevada Eaglespeaker. A fusion of authentic voices, crisp harmonies and rollicking/burgeoning indie folk-roots rock, the duo — a married couple —weave and wend through themes of family and connection, recovery and addiction. As partners who play and write together, the themes of family, love and sacrifice are inescapable — in their shared sojourn, Forrest and Nevada have forged the core of a rock-solid collaboration. And at the heart and soul of the group is an incredible story of two people who stuck it out and found a collective voice to breathe life into tribulations and traditions.
Travis Dolter
Alberta
Travis Dolter
Travis Dolter is a dynamic country music artist who brings an abundance of energy, witty sense of humor, and engaging stage presence, all while creating an unforgettable live performance. Raised on the family farm in central Alberta, Travis developed his passion for music from a young age, performing with his family band.
Travis’s talent has been recognized with top honors in prestigious competitions and nominations for several awards, including a final ballot nomination for the Country Music Alberta “Fans Choice” Award in 2022. Travis has entertained audiences across Alberta and Saskatchewan spanning a variety of venues, from theatres and rodeo dances to A-list bars and festivals.
Whether performing solo or backed by his talented band, Travis captivates audiences with his solid vocals and charismatic style. His original compositions tell stories that are paired with memorable moments and hooky melodies. Travis has been called an artist to watch and always entertains.
UNA MIA
Ontario
UNA MIA
Toronto-born, Belleville-raised Alt-R&B/Pop songstress UNA MIA embodies all that it means to be your own hero. Marked by soothing melodies and intoxicating lyrics, UNA’s music encapsulates her experience as she navigates her way through adolescence into early adulthood while discovering her sense of self along the way.