A feel-good folk song about finding an adventure co-pilot is a Fernie musician’s ticket to national fame.
Linden Gigliotti, who goes by the stage name Linden Anthony, will today learn if he has made the top 100 in CBC Music’s Searchlight contest, which aims to uncover Canada’s next undiscovered talent.
The 23-year-old carpentry apprentice is a first-time entrant and hopes that his original song “Sugar High” will set him on the road to stardom.
“Searchlight was something that I thought just needed to happen,” he said.
“This is the year that I get off my butt and release more music and try to broaden my audience and show the rest of Canada what I’m all about.
“Sugar High is my most recent release and it is a song that really sets the mood for the direction my music is heading.
“It’s a song about finding someone that you can adventure with, sit back and relax with or just someone that you feel comfortable around.
“I really love the ‘revolving door’ chord progression in the song that though it never changes, the dynamic does and it takes you on a bit of a joy ride.”
Born and raised in Fernie, Linden’s interest in music was sparked at a young age and he plays a number of instruments, including guitar, ukulele, bass guitar and drums.
“I started taking guitar lessons from a good friend named Will Ripley when I was in 7th grade. He taught me how to play the guitar but also how to be a musician which I thought was the coolest part of all.
“Things like how to change strings and tune by ear and learn songs by ear etc.”
Linden describes his sound as “alternative folk” with atmospheric and dreamlike qualities, and is inspired by musicians like Bon Iver and City and Colour.
“I love music that makes you think and feel things that you normally wouldn’t in your day to day life,” he said.
Linden hopes Searchlight will launch his professional music career, with a prize package that includes a mentorship program and live performances at events such as the CBC Music Festival in Toronto in May.
“To win the contest would mean the world. I don’t even know what to say other than it would be absolutely unreal,” he said.
“It’s a chance to play shows in front of the masses and really get involved with the insanely talented Canadian music scene. It would be an honour for sure.”
Fellow East Kootenay musicians Dawson Rutledge (Cranbrook) and The Burn Ins (Elkford) have also entered Searchlight.
Voting and judging of the top 100 starts March 1 and ends at 12.59 p.m. local time on March 7.
The top 10 finalists will be announced the following day with a panel of judges to decide the grand prize winner by 9am on March 19.
To vote for Linden Anthony - Sugar High, visit Cbcmusic.ca/searchlight/3895.
To vote for Dawson Rutledge - Same Old News, visit Cbcmusic.ca/searchlight/5462.
To vote for The Burn Ins - Where’d the Time Go, visit Cbcmusic.ca/searchlight/3617.