The Searchlight finals feature our last one-on-one matchup: in the Kootenays corner, the Good Ol’ Goats from Cranbrook, B.C., and over on the Rock, Sherman Downey and the Ambiguous Case from Corner Brook, N.L. We asked both bands to pick five of their favourite Searchlight entries from the competition. The gallery above features their two playlists, chock full of songs that present some serious touring van (or train) mixtape potential.
Despite the battle of the ‘Brooks now heating up, both bands emphasize they are more friends than rivals. In fact, the Goats reached out to Sherman early on in the competition to let them know they loved their sound.
The bands are separated by 5,545 kilometres and almost three straight days of driving along the Trans-Canada Highway. But, Sherman Downey says, once the Good Ol’ Goats' band members graduate from high school and go on their first tour, they’ll have a place to stay out east.
“We've really become friends through this whole thing and they have a couch when they come to Newfoundland," said Downey.
And Julian Bueckert from the Good Ol’ Goats is hoping they can share a stage with Downey and the band one day. “I think they are some of the coolest cats around," said Bueckert. "It would be awesome to play a show with them eventually. The dreadlocks are good news!”
You can also listen to the bands' top Searchlight tracks in this handy playlist.
This blog post will be Radio 3's focus for the day. Our hosts Lana Gay, Graham Wright and Raina Douris will play both finalists, plus you'll hear the most amazing thing that's happened to the bands since Searchlight began. And with only a few days left, it's time for you to call it: who will win? Put your predictions in the comments below!
Click the play button to listen live to CBC Radio 3.
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