Lac La Biche's Emily Auger, 17, has made it to the top of a U.S.-based competition to score a recording deal for aspiring musicians.
The local singer and songwriter has won a record deal valued at $15,000 with the California's ReAmp Studios after she beat out the final five contestants on July 23 in the studio's annual Road to a Record Deal contest that sees thousands of entries.
"It was a competition that I saw online that they had posted. Basically, there's over a thousand submissions. I found them on Instagram. They wanted to find people and help them follow their dream," Auger explained, "It was kind of long process to get there because, they pick top 20 and then they pick top five and fly them to California."
Auger sent videos to the competition of a live recording during a sidewalk show this summer in Lac La Biche where she sang Your Best from the Nashville cast, plus a home video of her slow-down rendition of Sublime's Santoria.
While she was in California, Auger recorded her song and performed live for the panel of judges. She says she enjoyed recording in an actual studio for the first time and is excited for the opportunity to record a whole album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD_vm2S5cdw
"It was so awesome. I had never been to a studio or anything like that before so, I got to go there and I got to sing any songs that I wanted to record. I did a cover and I also did my original. They were so professional and so nice, all I had to do was just go in the studio, play guitar and sing and they did everything else." Auger said.
The final decision came on July 23 inside a Huntington Beach club where Auger and the other finalists performed. She sang the Sublime song and Saturday Nights by Khalid.
Following the performances, representatives from ReAmp Studios presented the Lac La Biche teen with the $15,000 recording deal.
Auger, who has been singing ever since she was nine, was the youngest amongst the final five. The Road to a Record Deal win gives the local teen an opportunity to professionally record an audio album, shoot a video and boost her online presence.
Backup support
On her journey, the youngster saw a lot of local support that she is very thankful for. She also took the opportunity to thank her friends and family, especially her mother Tara Cardinal, who has played an important role in her inspiration.
"It was awesome. As soon as I first posted about it, I got so much support from everyone, even people who I didn't know from here. Everyone was so supportive, especially during the fundraising.... I would like to thank my mom who has helped me and supported me ever since I was very young. My family members too and everyone else who believed in me from the very beginning," said Auger.
At the finals night in California, Auger's mom said her daughter is so much more than a great voice.
"She has a good heart. She wants her music to go out and help other people," said Cardinal.
A raw video of the finals can be found at this facebook link. Auger takes that stand about the 41:20 mark.
