Meet the finalists of 2024 Elevate Music Project

by V. S. Wells on February 14th, 2024 at 4:32 PM

1 of 1 2 of 1

Vancouver’s fiercest battle of the bands is almost ready to crown its winner.

After a stacked set of rounds, three talented local musicians have made it through to the final of the MRG Group’s Elevate Music Project. Taking place at the Vogue Theatre on March 7, the finale sees rockers BADMNY, sultry Nette, and rapper Temia battle it out for the top spot.

The main event will also see the last Elevate victor, Noble Son, return to perform. The former Vogue Theatre employee won the title the last time the smackdown happened all the way back in 2020, and hit the zeitgeist with the 2022 single “Elvis”. Since then, Noble Son has plied his brand of thoughtful folk across North America, including recent hometown support slots for Dan Mangan and Yukon Blonde, getting known as much for his punk-ass stage antics as his airy, approachable music.

Who’ll be claiming the crown this year? Here’s what you need to know about the acts hoping to win the grand prize: a showcase at Canadian Music Week, a cash prize of up to $2,500, gift cards to Long & McQuade, and a whole bevy of other bonuses to help kick their music careers into overdrive—including a feature in an upcoming issue of the Straight.

BADMNY

The three guys behind BADMNY originally began as a busking music project, jamming out on the beach to try spreading some joy. Somehow, that’s transformed into a jazzy, funky, rocky fusion that started making waves even while finding its feet. You can catch the trio pre-finals at the Pearl on February 23, supporting BRKN LOVE and Royal Tusk at what the band notes is its “first official support show.”

New single “Head Is Spinning” sees a jammy bass holding down an expansive track that’s already aiming for the big leagues. It sounds like all the best bits of the early 2010s alt scene: raspy vocals, sweet licks, and an atmosphere whispering of big things to come.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C18J9UevX3e

Nette

It’s one thing to be cool; it’s another to make it seem easy. Effortlessly soulful and self-effacingly playful, Nette’s pop gems are captivating. Her live performances have seen her trek all over the Lower Mainland, and she’s successfully brought her music to a mass platform through her TikTok account (which has 200,000 followers and counting). Her wry self-description—“write and produce cute little pop songs”—belies the hard work and artistry in her work.

Nette’s latest song, “I’m So Lucky”, is a Gen Z anthem on the power of manifesting. It’s a tongue-in-cheek ode to delusional positivity that’ll make even the hardest cynical crack a smile.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3I0DI5PNjy

Temia

Originally hailing from South London—the home of UK drill—rapper Temia has since brought her spitfire flow to Western Canada. Splitting her time between Calgary and Vancouver—and incorporating both British and Canadian influences—Temia flits between musical genres, always looking for new ways to experiment and expand her sound. With performances everywhere from the Calgary Stampede to the Junos to sharing the stage with Ja Rule and Cupcakke, the fast-rising artist leaves her mark on everything she touches.

Last year’s “Different” serves as something of a mission statement: her British accent slices through the driving hi-hats, she easily swaps between different cadences, and her cutting lyrics prove she’s got the goods. She just hits different.