Over the past month, Canadian music fans have been voting on their favourite song of the past year for the SOCAN Songwriting Prize. Now, the winner has been named: "I Want" by Alejandra Ribera.
As part of this victory, the Montreal singer-songwriter receives $5,000, a Gibson acoustic guitar, and a Roland prize pack containing studio gear.
"'I Want' is a song about hope, joy and gratitude, and I feel all of those very deeply in receiving this honour from SOCAN. I was so happy just to be nominated and am indebted to those who celebrated my nomination and supported 'I Want,'" Ribera said in a statement.
Hear the song at the bottom of this page; it comes from her 2014 Exclaim!-favourited album La Boca.
Ribera was chosen by an online public vote. The other nominees for this year's English-language prize were PUP, Louise Burns, Wake Owl and July Talk.
"In 'I Want' Alejandra Ribera sings about 'the aching of a melody,' an achingly great line in an achingly great song," said SOCAN's Michael McCart. "The strength and wide stylistic range of the nominees' songs this year offer testimony to the both the depth and breadth of Canada's enormous songwriting talent. We're thrilled with the success of any and all of our more than 120,000 members, and we're delighted to congratulate Alejandra as we celebrate her great accomplishment."
The French-language Prix de la chanson SOCAN went to Patrice Michaud for "Mécaniques générales."
As part of this victory, the Montreal singer-songwriter receives $5,000, a Gibson acoustic guitar, and a Roland prize pack containing studio gear.
"'I Want' is a song about hope, joy and gratitude, and I feel all of those very deeply in receiving this honour from SOCAN. I was so happy just to be nominated and am indebted to those who celebrated my nomination and supported 'I Want,'" Ribera said in a statement.
Hear the song at the bottom of this page; it comes from her 2014 Exclaim!-favourited album La Boca.
Ribera was chosen by an online public vote. The other nominees for this year's English-language prize were PUP, Louise Burns, Wake Owl and July Talk.
"In 'I Want' Alejandra Ribera sings about 'the aching of a melody,' an achingly great line in an achingly great song," said SOCAN's Michael McCart. "The strength and wide stylistic range of the nominees' songs this year offer testimony to the both the depth and breadth of Canada's enormous songwriting talent. We're thrilled with the success of any and all of our more than 120,000 members, and we're delighted to congratulate Alejandra as we celebrate her great accomplishment."
The French-language Prix de la chanson SOCAN went to Patrice Michaud for "Mécaniques générales."