Go to main content

THE TOP 10 BEST NEW ARTISTS IN CANADA HAVE BEEN DECIDED FOR CBC'S SEARCHLIGHT

Kardinal Offishall, Torquil Campbell and Sarah Slean have narrowed the Regional 24 down to the Top 10 with the help of CBC Music fans and CBC Radio One listeners.


CBCMusic.ca and CBC Radio One are on the hunt for Canada’s best new artist and have joined forces with Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. to bring back the listeners’ choice music competition, SEARCHLIGHT.

Since the polls opened on March 10, thousands of emerging musical acts from across Canada have been vying for the title of Canada’s Best New Artist. The winning act will receive $20,000 in gear from Yamaha Canada Music, and a spot on the CBCMusic.ca Festival at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, BC on June 14, 2014.

CBCMusic.ca called on judges Kardinal Offishall, Torquil Campbell and Sarah Slean to narrow the top 24 regional submissions down to the top 10, five acts chosen by them and five acts chosen by CBC Radio One listeners and CBCMusic.ca fans. The winner of Searchlight will be announced first on CBC Radio One’s Q with Jian Ghomeshi on Friday, May 9, with the announcement followed by CBC Music and CBC Radio 2.

The top 10 contenders are:
Jofo - Regular Jo
Koriass - Tséveudire
Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk - I Lost Myself
Fitness Club Fiasco - Goldmine
Crissi Cochrane - And Still We Move
Erin Saoirse Adair - The Ugly Song
Diamond Bones - Something Like Summer
The Medicine Hat - Old Bones
Dennis Ellsworth - Things I Want

Tune in to Q on Tuesday, May 6 to hear the judges reveal the Final Four, and then again on Friday, May 9, to hear who is crowned the winner for 2014’s Searchlight competition.

-30-

About CBC Music:
CBCMusic.ca is Canada’s free digital music service. For the casual listener to the hardcore fan, connect with the very best Canadian and international music, concerts and features. Simple and easy to navigate, CBCMusic.ca gives Canadians access to 50 web radio stations, 12 distinct genre-based music communities, plus CBC Radio 2 and CBC Radio 3, content from the most knowledgeable music personalities and programmers from across the country, hundreds of concerts, playlists and more.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

For a complete list of publicity contacts and for more information including series synopses, press releases, hi-res images, video clips and bios, please visit the CBC Media Centre at cbc.ca/mediacentre. Follow CBC’s publicity team on Twitter @CBC_Publicity.

For more information please contact:
Dayna Shiskos, publicist, CBC
O: (416) 205-7973


Searchlight2014-Top10_620x350.jpg

Related content

CBC Music searchlight

Discover

December 19th 2025 at 10:10

New to CBC Gem in January 2026

CBC’s winter lineup sees the return of Saint-Pierre (Jan. 5), Still Standing (Jan. 6), Small Achievable Goals (Jan. 6), Allegiance (Jan. 7), and Wild Cards (Jan 7) for new seasons, plus series and specials to build excitement for Milano Cortina 2026, including docuseries Redemption Run (pictured).
December 15th 2025 at 15:30

CBC Preview Screeners: New seasons of Saint-Pierre, Small Achievable Goals, Wild Cards, Allegiance and Still Standing

Preview screeners for new seasons of Saint-Pierre, Small Achievable Goals, Wild Cards, Allegiance and Still Standing, premiering in January 2026. 
December 8th 2025 at 13:55

CBC Preview Screener: Murdoch Mysteries Calgary Stampede episode featuring guest star Amber Marshall

Preview screener for Murdoch Mysteries Calgary Stampede episode featuring guest star Amber Marshall
November 24th 2025 at 13:30

New to CBC Gem in December 2025

Highlights of programs new to CBC Gem this December including Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe, comedy-drama Interior Chinatown, season 2 of Marie Antoinette, and all-new special Rick Mercer Stand Up for Canada.
November 24th 2025 at 11:20

2026 JUNO Awards announce appearances by Joni Mitchell and Nelly Furtado and performances by Arkells and The Beaches

The 2026 JUNO Awards announce legendary songwriter and Cultural Icon Joni Mitchell to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and 10-time JUNO Award winner Nelly Furtado will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, The Beaches and Arkells to perform live on CBC and CBC Gem.