Sault band caught in Searchlight

CBC is once again on the hunt for Canada's best new talent.

The annual Searchlight competition began last month as bands and musicians from across the country submitted songs for consideration during the initial round.



CBC listeners began voting for their favourites on March 23 to determine the top 25 semi-finalists in each region, paring the original 3,333 contenders down to just 545.



While a number of local artists made submissions in the first round, only one (that we can determine) made it into the semi-finals - Sault Ste. Marie's own Northwest.

Wayne Watkins (guitar, lead vocals), Mike Yakasovich (guitar, backing vocals), Greg Callaghan (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Smykacz (bass), and Marc Santos (drums) now need your vote to make it to the regional top 10 and one step closer to being crowned Canada's best new artist.

Fans and supporters have until 3 p.m. on Monday, April 20 to cast their votes, one vote per day for a specific artist.

The CBC Searchlight regional competition finalists will be announced on Tuesday, April 22.

What's up for grabs here?

The winner will receive a $20,000 credit towards the purchase of new equipment from Yamaha Music Canada Ltd., an opening slot during a CBC music event (yet to be determined), and an audio/video recording session with CBC.

With their move into the semi-final round, the lads of Northwest join a number of other Northern Ontario artists, including those from Sudbury; The Almighty Rhombus, Murder Murder, Mike Charette, Hello Holiday, and Carden Cove.

To cast your vote for Northwest, click here.

To download Northwest's debut EP, visit the band here or follow them on Facebook.

(PHOTO: Northwest outside the Rockstar Bar following their CD release celebration on October 29, 2014. Donna Hopper/SooToday)

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