CHANGES
AND THE
WINNER IS...
Halifax’s Aquakultre Wins CBC
Searchlight 2018
Halifax rapper and singer-
songwriter Aquakultre is the
winner of CBC Music’s 2018
Searchlight competition.
Four finalists were chosen
from over 2,000 entries from
every province and territory
by a combination of public
votes, a Canadian music industry panel, and three
celebrity judges.
The 25-year-old self-taught musician also
known by his given name, Lance Sampson, earned
the 2018 Searchlight title with his song “Sure.” His
prize includes a spot in the Allan Slaight Juno Mas-
ter Class, a performance during Juno Week 2019,
a one-week residency at Studio Bell, home of the
National Music Centre, and a slot at this year’s CBC
Music Festival at Toronto’s Echo Beach.
For more information, go to www.cbcmusic.ca/
searchlight.
The International Songwriting
Competition (ISC) has announced
its 2017 winners, chosen from over
16,000 entries from nearly 140
countries. Once again, Canadian
artists did very well, with four first
place wins, three third place, and
39 honourable mentions.
The Canadian first place
winners are Carman, MB’s Faouzia
Ouihya for the song “Knock On My
Door” in the Teen category; Toron-
to’s Darrelle London with the song
“Sheep” in the Children’s Music
category; Winnipeg’s Jaylene John-
son for the song “This Little Light”
in the Christian music category;
and Calgary’s Dylan Edward for the
video “Untouchable” in the music
video category.
For more information, go to
www.songwritingcompetition.com.
Canadians Score Four First
Place Wins in International
Songwriting Competition
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE RECEIVING THE JUNO FOR INDIGENOUS ALBUM
OF THE YEAR
SOCAN Foundation Announces
Launch of Indigenous Songwriter
Award
The SOCAN Foundation has launched the
Indigenous Songwriter Award in partner-
ship with TD Bank Group. The annual award
recognizes the best music of any genre
created by songwriters and composers of
Indigenous descent. The inaugural award
will be presented at the Indigenous Music
Awards in Winnipeg on May 18, 2018, with
the winner receiving a $10,000 prize plus
airfare and accommodations to attend the
Indigenous Music Awards.
For more information, go to
www.socanfoundation.ca/awards/.
Creative
INSPIRATION
SURVEY
Canadian Musician surveyed musicians across the country to find out about their experiences
and preferences when it comes to inspiring creativity and fighting writer’s block.
76%
say they’ve experience prolonged
writer’s block or a lack of creative inspiration…
If you have experienced writer’s block or a
lack of inspiration, how did it affect you?
19%
53%
It worried and/or frustrated me greatly
35%
Only
have a routine or regimen
they follow when creating/writing songs
41% prefer working alone on creative
projects, while 51% prefer a combination
of working alone & with others
It was annoying, but I knew it would pass
20% It wasn’t too concerning
8% Didn’t really bother me at all
51% say their physical wellbeing (rest,
diet, exercise, etc.) has a definite, noticeable
impact on their creativity
SPEAKING OUT
What methods and/or activities do you find are helpful to inspire musical creativity?
"Discipline. I simply put my butt in a chair with a
note pad, pencil, and my instrument and begin
writing whatever comes without concerning
myself with the quality or quantity. Waiting for
inspiration is not an option; dedication to the
craft is how to be a prolific writer."
16 • C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N
"Attending writers' groups, writing regularly with
others, and not writing with a specific goal other
than creating a song ... Speedwriting with short
set time limits and no editing, then going back
and wordsmithing for long periods."
"Get stubborn and write a song, even if it's crap-
py and uninspired. Then write another trite dud.
Yet again if you have to. I find this helps flush the
mind, can reveal nuggets of lyrics or tunes that
are worth hanging onto, and still beats doing
laundry or watching bad TV to pass the time!"