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POP Montreal Announces Lineup & Programming for 20 th Edition
POP Montreal has announced the programming for the 20 th edition of the festival , which is taking place from Sept . 22-26 . This year ’ s programming celebrates emerging talent as well as artists that have performed at the festival over the last two decades . Polaris Prize-winner Backxwash , American rapper Cakes da Killa , Montreal psych rock band Suuns , indie rock veterans The Dears , and more are set to perform the hybrid event .
The festival organizers are promising special events in line with previous years that incorporate the community and backdrop of Montreal . The festival will also host the Art POP exhibition on the third floor of the Rialto , Puces POP at Entrepot77 , conferences and discussions as part of the POP Symposium at the Rialto , Film POP at Cinéma Moderne and at Entrepot77 ( cine-concert ), as well as Kids POP at Parc Saint-Viateur .
With both in-person and virtual streamed events , once again shows will be adapted to ensure the safety of attendees . Adhering to all COVID-19 protocols , a health pass ( i . e . proof of vaccination ) will be required at the entrance of the concerts . Those planning to attend a performance must purchase tickets online in advance . There
SECRET SUN AT POP MONTREAL
will be no tickets available at the door . For all show listings and more information , go to www . popmontreal . com .
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PHOTO : JESSE DEFLORIO
Billy Raffoul ’ s “ Western Skies ” Wins SOCAN Songwriting Prize
BILLY RAFFOUL
The song “ Western Skies ,” written and performed by Billy Raffoul of Leamington , ON , is the winner of the 16 th annual SOCAN Songwriting Prize .
Canadian music fans voted from June 17 th to July 1 st for the 10 finalist songs written by emerging songwriters . The nominees were selected by a panel of 15 music industry experts for each of the prizes . For winning , Raffoul receives $ 5,000 , a Yamaha Keyboard , and a $ 500 gift card from Long & McQuade .
“ Songwriting has been a part of my life since the very beginning , and I am so fortunate to have grown up in a family full of artistic expression ,” Raffoul says . “’ Western Skies ’ is a song about the imminent threat of climate change and our responsibility to future generations . To be recognized for a song that means so much to me is an incredible honour . Thank you to SOCAN , thank you to the nominating panel , and thank you to everyone who voted for ‘ Western Skies ’ amongst an exceptional group of songs .”
For more information , go to www . socansongwritingprize . ca .
PHOTO : CARAS / IPHOTO
Finalists Announced for the 2021 Slaight Music Emerging Songwriter Award
WILLIAM PRINCE PERFORMING DURING THE 2021 JUNO AWARDS
The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame ( CSHF ) has announced the finalists of the 2021 Slaight Music Emerging Songwriter Award . Established in 2017 , the Award celebrates the current achievements and bright futures of Canadian songwriters on an upward trajectory in their career . This year ’ s finalists are comprised of six Anglophone artists and five Francophone artists from across Canada , who will be vying for the top cash prize and exclusive opportunities to SOCAN songwriting camps , mentorship opportunities , and industry recognition at the 2021 and 2022 SOCAN Awards .
The 2021 finalists in the Anglophone category are : Toronto-based alt-pop artist Lu Kala ; Polaris Prize shortlisted poet and singer-songwriter Mustafa ; Scarborough , ON ’ s Savannah Ré , who won the 2021 Juno Award for Traditional R & B / Soul Recording of the Year ; Montreal-based multi-genre singer-songwriter Shay Lia ; Toronto ’ s TOBi , whose album Elements Vol . 1 won the Juno Award for Best Rap Recording ; and Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter William Prince , whose songs have earned him a Juno Award , the SOCAN Songwriting Prize , and Canadian Folks Music Awards .
In the Francophone category , the finalists are Ariane Roy , Klô Pelgag , Laurence-Anne , P ’ tit Belliveau , and Sarahmée .
The Anglophone and Francophone winners will be announced in September . Past winners of the Slaight Music Emerging Songwriter Award include Charlotte Cardin , Jessie Reyez , Lowell , and Les Louanges .
For more information , go to www . cshf . ca / songwriter-award .
RICHARD TICHELMAN
Richard Tichelman Wins CMW ’ s 2021 Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search
Canadian Music Week ( CMW ) has announced that 20-year-old pop singer-songwriter Richard Tichelman of White Rock , BC , is the 2021 Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search Grand Prize Winner . Tichelman ’ s song “ Hands ” was streamed in one of six provincial webisodes focused on the contest ’ s finalists . The webisodes garnered more than 5.7 million impressions , and fans voted for their favourite artist in each province to help determine the grand prize winner .
As the Grand Prize Winner , Tichelman has won a free trip to Toronto to perform at the 2022 Jim Beam Indie Awards . Additional grand prize package items are a fully produced single at Metalworks Studios , a shopping spree at Long & McQuade , and gifts from Canadian Musician magazine .
Fans also voted for provincial winners , who are : Taken By Sanity from Alberta ; Brandi Vezina from Manitoba ; Weigh the Anchor from Ontario ; Ricky Paquette from Quebec ; and Good Dear Good from Nova Scotia . All the finalists ’ performances are available for viewing at www . indies . ca .
CANADIAN MUSICIAN 19