The SOCAN Songwriting Prize has announced its 2021 winners. A fan vote has determined that Billy Raffoul won the English-language prize with his song "Western Skies," while Thierry Larose won the French prize with "Les amants de pompéi."
The winners each get $5,000, a Yamaha keyboard and a $500 Long & McQuade gift card.
Of the win, Raffoul said in a statement:
Songwriting has been a part of my life since the very beginning, and I am so fortunate to have grown up in a family full of artistic expression. "Western Skies" is a song about the imminent threat of climate change and our responsibility to future generations. To be recognized for a song that means so much to me is an incredible honour. Thank you to SOCAN, thank you to the nominating panel, and thank you to everyone who voted for "Western Skies" amongst an exceptional group of songs.
Other 2021 nominees for the English prize included Emanuel, Clairmont The Second, DijahSB and Jonah Yano; nominees for the French prize included P'tit Belliveau, Laurence-Anne and Maude Audet.
The winners each get $5,000, a Yamaha keyboard and a $500 Long & McQuade gift card.
Of the win, Raffoul said in a statement:
Songwriting has been a part of my life since the very beginning, and I am so fortunate to have grown up in a family full of artistic expression. "Western Skies" is a song about the imminent threat of climate change and our responsibility to future generations. To be recognized for a song that means so much to me is an incredible honour. Thank you to SOCAN, thank you to the nominating panel, and thank you to everyone who voted for "Western Skies" amongst an exceptional group of songs.
Other 2021 nominees for the English prize included Emanuel, Clairmont The Second, DijahSB and Jonah Yano; nominees for the French prize included P'tit Belliveau, Laurence-Anne and Maude Audet.