The polls have (temporarily) closed in our Searchlight competition for Canada's Best New Artist. It was not without its controversies.
Today, we count up all of your votes in Round 2 of regional voting. Tonight, we'll reveal the Top 5 in all 24 regions of the country and the polls will re-open. Got all that?
I've been going over the regional shortlists, and the long lists before that, and have formed a couple of lists... first up:
My Top 3 Artists that didn't make it out of Round 1:
1. Mo Kenney (Waverley, NS). If you've heard my Best of 2012 or Make-Out Podcasts, you'll know that I count myself as a HUGE fan of this amazing young singer-songwriter. Hope she does mo better at the ECMAs this weekend.
2. The Matinee (Vancouver BC). Not sure if the band was too busy with last week's release of their new album We Swore We'd See The Sunrise, but whatever the case, round one voters snoozed through this amazing Matinee.
3. English Words (Charlottetown PEI). This band's song "People I Love" should be a massive, worldwide pop anthem. I don't love the people that didn't vote for this ever-evolving band of brothers (and cousins).
My Top 3 discoveries of Round 2*:
1. Inlet Sound (Toronto ON). How did I not know about this band? Imagine a young cross between the Weakerthans and Wintersleep and you're on the right track.
2. Good For Grapes (Vancouver BC). R3 fans have been tipping me off to this band for awhile but I had yet to sink into their Mumford and Sons-esque romps. Loving it!
3. Nuela Charles (Edmonton AB). I'm pretty impressed with this r'n'b/soul singer who reminds me of everything from Etta James to Adele, especially on the song "Unfortunate Love".
Who are you voting for in Searchlight? Who is your favourite discovery? Who will your votes transfer to if your fave doesn't make it through to Round 3?
Let me know by commenting on our blog, tweeting me up @grantlawrence, or emailing me grant.lawrence@cbc.ca.
*I have no idea if any of these artists will make it into round 3, which will be announced tonight at 9pm ET.
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