On the afternoon of Sunday, November 13th, Carleton University (SSAC/Music) presented its third annual MusikOttawa singer-songwriter competition at “Live on Elgin,” the trendy new venue at 220 Elgin Street. The event lived up to its billing: “Fans, agents, promoters and record industry reps will experience an intimate snapshot of eight young rising stars on the Canadian singer-songwriter scene.”
The standing-room-only crowd at MusikOttawa 2016 was treated to two songs performed by each artist: Malak Ghanem (3rd-year BMus, “Bend or Break” and “Rule the World”), Lindsay Thomson (2nd-year BMus, ”Red Merlot” and “I Don’t Like You Anymore”), Emily Shepherd (4th-year BMus, “No Longer Yours” and “Will Always Take Me Home”), Alex Harea (4th-year BMus, “Fall” and “Hidden Inside”), Dylan Phillips (4th-year BMus, “Life Behind the Wheel“ and “Hold You”), Jordan King (4th-year BMus, “Foot in the Sand” and “The Trees and the Sun”), Angelique Francis (2nd-year BMus, “Whispers” and “Mississippi State”) and MacKenzie DiMillo (4th-year BMus, “Cóbh” and “Bones”). Accompanying musicians included Zak Aubin (guitar), Robbie Rigg (guitar), Dan Robidoux (keyboards), Mike Giamberadino (drums), Michelle Gendron (backing vocals), Justin Walker (drums) and Ben DiMillo (guitar).
The quality of the performances were uniformly outstanding from the top to the bottom of the program, and music industry adjudicators Andrea Desjardins (Rocksteady Bookings), Erin Flynn (CHUO 89.1 FM Station Manager), Kim Lymburner (Folkrum, Hnatyshyn Foundation), Alain Ouellette (Producer/Director, Rogers TV, Craig Broadcasting, CBC) and Andrew Vincent (Executive Director, Ottawa Music Industry Coalition) had their work cut out for them in deciding upon a winner. At the end of the show, the 2016 MusikOttawa Cup was presented to second-year singer-songwriter student Angelique Francis, who gave a performance that brought the house down. The award is accompanied by a $500 cash prize, and an eight-hour day in “The Gallery” Studios, offered by co-sponsor and recording engineer Dean Watson.
The fourth annual MusikOttawa singer-songwriter competition will take place at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 12th, 2017, at Live on Elgin. The qualifying event, Carleton University’s Singer-Songwriter Showcase, takes place on the evening of Friday, February 17th, 2017, in the Kailash Mital Theatre on campus.