Slaight Music Announces "It's Your Shot 2023"
TORONTO, ON (March 17, 2023) – Today, Slaight Music – champion and prime supporter of the Canadian music industry has announced the launch of “It’s Your Shot 2023”, Canada’s premiere songwriting and artist development competition. The contest is open to all musical genres and runs until May 31, 2023 with the winner set to be announced June 30, 2023. Artists are encouraged to submit a song and/or video to www.itsyourshot.ca for a chance to win a Grand Prize valued at $100,000 in total.
Slaight Music is proud to announce two new partners to support this initiative in 2023, Canada-based international multi-platform leading music service provider Stingray and Canada’s discovery music festival North by Northeast (NXNE). The winning artist will receive an artist development deal which includes the production of six master recordings, global DSP distribution, social media and marketing support including video content development, professional photo shoot and biography, radio promotion and publicity (if applicable). Additionally, the winner will receive business mentoring, personalized development of their brand and live performance opportunities in 2024.
“It’s Your Shot 2023 is Slaight Music’s tenth year in our commitment to provide substantial talent development funds and extensive industry expertise to Canadian Emerging Talent,” says Derrick Ross, President of Slaight Music. “We are very pleased to have the additional benefit of having NXNE and Stingray as partners who are providing significant promotional opportunities to the participants of this contest.”
“Over the past 10 years we have had over 7,500 Canadian artists enter the competition and I anticipate 2023 to be the largest number of entries to date,” adds Ali Slaight, Manager Artist Development and Music Repertoire, Slaight Music. “It’s certainly going to be another challenging year for our panel of judges.”
Steve Jones, Stingray’s SVP Brand & Content, Radio shares “The entire Stingray team is excited to be a part of ‘It’s Your Shot 2023’. Slaight Music and NXNE both have a deep commitment to developing a new generation of Canadian talent, and Stingray Radio is proud to be a partner in that.”
“North by Northeast has been committed to presenting emerging artists since 1995 — and It’s Your Shot is one of the most dynamic and generous programs for those artists is the country. Working together is a natural partnership and we are thrilled to be amplifying their efforts in 2023” adds Michael Hollett, President NXNE.
“It’s Your Shot’ is one of the many initiatives put forth by Slaight Music—a company focused on discovering, developing, inspiring, and supporting Canadian recording artists. Past winners of the “It’s Your Shot” competition include: Liz Coyles (2011/Maple Music), Thought Beneath Film (2012/Maple Music), Jillea (2013/Universal Music Canada), Sam Drysdale (2014/Warner Music Canada), Kayla Diamond (2015/Cadence), Notifi (2016/Sony Music Canada), Moscow Apartment (2018/Hidden Pony Records), Johnny Shay (2019/Black Box Recordings), and New Friends (2021/Hidden Pony Records).
“We are extremely honoured and grateful for Slaight Music and the Slaight family's generosity and interest in our group”, says 2021 winner, New Friends’ Conrad Galecki, whose win resulted in recording and releasing their EP Camaro in 2023. Adding, “As a young aspiring band, it is always such a surreal experience to know that we have support from some of the biggest names in Canadian entertainment.”
For more information on It’s Your Shot, please visit:
ABOUT SLAIGHT MUSIC
Slaight Music started in 2011, with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. Slaight Music works with artists from across the country and across the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. Slaight Music is also invested in the technology sphere, helping Canadian music entrepreneurs develop the next generation of digital platforms and services. And they support a variety of music-related events, causes and charities.
ABOUT NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE)
NXNE is Canada’s most important discovery music festival, presenting thousands of essential emerging artists, often just before they break, from across Canada and around the world since 1995. NXNE makes great music accessible and inclusive. In 2023 Musicians and live music fans are welcome at NX HQ, festival headquarters – a busy artist and festival hub – featuring performance, lounge panels, parties, band merch and more. Located at It’s OK – 468 Queen Street West – in the heart of Toronto’s live music district.
ABOUT STINGRAY
Montreal-based Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B) is a leading global music, media, and technology company with over 1,000 employees worldwide. Stingray is a premium provider of curated direct-to-consumer and B2B services, including audio television channels, over 100 radio stations, SVOD content, 4K UHD television channels, FAST channels, karaoke products, digital signage, in-store music, and music apps, which have been downloaded over 160 million times. Stingray reaches 400 million subscribers (or users) in 160 countries. For more information: www.stingray.com