OMCI is a membership-based not-for-profit arts service organization dedicated to assisting the new generation and other independent artists in building sustainable careers intersecting the music industry in the 21st century. 

Their mandate is to assist independent artists in overcoming barriers, building strong networks, and succeeding in making a sustainable self-directed artistic practice that allows them to continue controlling their intellectual property, image, likeness, and digital assets. 

Their all-inclusive membership statistics and the community they serve strongly reflect a diverse population, including people with disabilities, women, people of colour, the LGBTQ2 community, rural and low-income participants and Indigenous artists that may concurrently belong to two - to five vulnerable populations.

Melina's BIO:

Melina Mellé is a 19-year old pop singer songwriter from Barrie, ON.

Her music influences are Ed Sheeran and Selena Gomez and her attitude is reminiscent of Alanis Morissette. Melina Mellé has prophetic insight into what teenage girls really go through. From the growing pains of dealing with parents – to having issues with boys – to the scary reality of becoming a young adult, Melina Mellé writes songs about their lives.

Melina Mellé works with songwriters and producers in Barrie, Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles.

https://www.instagram.com/melinamellemusic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MelinaMelle

Sound Mixing & Video Editing Credit: MTAV.ca

Cole Christian Bio

Cole is an alternative pop singer/songwriter brought up in Pickering, Ontario. Derived from personal experience and vivid imagination, Cole uses his music to story-tell and express what he finds to be relatable and beautiful. He released his very first single titled “Summertime” in September 2020.

"Do you remember?” is a song written about being in a relationship that was beautiful at the moment in time where it is held. Not everything always works out but it’s possible to have a dream-like experience that doesn’t last forever and remember it fondly. Writing this song was a way to reminisce and reflect on this time and allowed him to free the mind. The chorus has a very dreamy and freeing energy that reminds him of cheering out into the open.

Jessie Gosling's BIO:

Jessie Gosling is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Barrie, Ontario.

 Her dramatic and honest songs have a strong pull from the folk genre, with pop and alternative influences. Work ethic and determination shine through in all aspects of her life - Now a member of the Canadian Musicians Co-operative, Jessie has devoted herself to developing her artist brand and identity.

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in music while gearing up for the release of her debut EP on December 31st.

Jessie is excited to share her music and her story.

Follow Jessie on Instagram @jessiegosling

Zack Elliott Bio

Zack Elliott is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter based out of Bolton, Ontario. Through powerful imagery and nostalgic music, Zack draws from the inspiration fed by the natural world. He independently released his debut EP “Caught Half Alive” in March 2021.

In Limbo is a song Zack wrote in the throes of lockdown. The pandemic hit at a time when he had just finished his studies and was deciding what would come next for him. With everything being brought to a screeching halt, it left him feeling without a sense of place or certainty, of which he channeled into the lyrics. The guitar melody aims to bring an element of hope in lieu of the reality that would suggest the opposite.



Sydney Riley Writes:

Windowside Garden was inspired by a relationship I witness that was very one-sided. It was like one person couldn’t meet the other’s basic needs. Plants are like that - all they need is water, sunlight, and a little bit of love. But if one of those things isn’t there, they shrivel up, like any relationship. So I thought, ‘maybe I should write a song from a plant’s perspective’ and that’s how Windowside Garden came to be.

Follow Sydney on Instagram@sydneyrileymusic

https://www.sydneyriley.com/epk

Follow MTAV's YouTube Channel to see the latest Emerging Artist Spotlight release and more...

Elysha Vorstenbosch is a solo harp player, composer and improviser based out of Perth County. Inspired by Catriona McKay, Loreena McKinnett, Yuki Kajiura and Maeve Gilchrist, she explores the realms of Celtic, contemporary classical and world music.

 Her compositions and improvisations draw upon her life experiences, fantastical creatures and realities of the imagination, the awe inspiring creations of the world, and her curiosity of the possibilities of what the lever harp can do. 

As a member of the Canadian Musicians Cooperative, Elysha has reconstructed and strengthened her understanding of the music industry and her own brand, developed a formal marketing plan, and performed for multiple hours each week on the Canadian Musicians Cooperative livestream network. Currently studying harp under the tutelage of Sharlene Wallace at Wilfrid Laurier University to complete her Bachelor of Music, Elysha continues to refine her harp playing and explore her musical style for both composing and improvising.

Learn more about Colin Russell and Nick Robins and their music on Instagram at @colinrussellmusic, @n.ickOwO

MTAV is a proud sponsor of the Canadian Musicians Cooperative Inc. We are thrilled to present the MTAV Emerging Artists SPOTLIGHT Series 2021/22.

Sound Mixing & Video Editing Credit: MTAV.ca Camera Work: OMCI members: Julien Annand & Matt Imray Canadian Musician's Cooperative Inc. www.canadianmusicians.coop Multi Tech Audio Visual Inc.

Event Production www.MTAV.ca

Karl and Owen's Bio:

The Back Harlows are a Canadian rock group formed in Toronto in 2017. The songwriting of Owen Maggs and Karl Harrison draws from all sides of the rock genre while admittedly obsessing over psychedelic and blues. Built on the quintessential need to punch upward and have a damn good time doing it.

Sound Mixing & Video Editing Credit: MTAV.ca

Camera Work: OMCI members: Julien Annand & Matt Imray

Canadian Musician's Cooperative Inc. www.canadianmusicians.coop

Multi Tech Audio Visual Inc. Event Production www.MTAV.ca

Learn more about Laika's music by connecting on Instagram at @laikaberdey

Laika Berney - An ex-chorister, ex-librarian, and ex-lifeguard, singer-songwriter laika berdey weaves words and water to tell her stories of simple joys and wrenching heartbreak, exploring the ecstasies and disappointments of laying your heart in another’s hands (or at their feet) in a disconnected age of disposable interactions.

One of laika’s earliest songs, “bellringer” was first sketched out as a young teen fresh off her first viewing of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” and in the throes of an all-consuming high school crush with a fellow she found just as funny, charming and charismatic as Jimmy Stewart himself.  Reworked as an old teen to better suit the stylings of her undergrad band, Glass Thieves, laika brought in elements of classic jangle pop and the au moment tweecore scene to pay homage to her favourite music and favourite regrets.