On July 2nd, Music BC announced the 15 B.C. artists selected to participate in ARC 2026, the organization’s flagship artist accelerator program. Following a thorough review of applications that closed on May 16th, a jury of industry professionals selected this year’s cohort, representing a broad spectrum of musical genres and career stages.
Made possible through the support of Creative BC, the Province of British Columbia, FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), and the Government of Canada, ARC is designed to equip emerging artists with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship they need to build sustainable careers in today’s music industry. The program provides a comprehensive accelerator experience, offering one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals, including managers, creative content directors, and music producers. At the end of the program, artists have the opportunity to apply their learnings and perform for local audiences, industry, and an international delegation during a multi-day showcase.
To further the program’s mission, Nettwerk Music Group announced in 2025 a new three-year partnership with ARC, through which ARC artists will receive direct support with digital strategy, audience development, and exposure to DSPs and global platforms, helping turn new listeners into long-term fans.
The 2026 ARC participants are:
Bealby Point | Indie rock, indie pop
Formed in 2018, the indie rockers of Bealby Point have built a sterling reputation thanks to their polished live performances and intricate, approachable songwriting. Drawing inspiration from modern acts including Spacey Jane, Teenage Dads, and Post Animal, the boys’ signature sound centers on big hooks, big solos, and even bigger grooves.
Since 2022 they have played sold-out shows across Canada, including such notable venues as The Rickshaw Theatre, The Horseshoe Tavern, and The Pearl. With a renewed sense of purpose, Bealby Point wants nothing more than to sit back and enjoy the ride. To chase down a dream on that not-so-distant horizon.
Cold Fame | Alt pop + rock
Cold Fame is an alt-rock duo led by vocalist Jodi Pederson and multi-instrumentalist Damian Anthony, based in Victoria and Vernon. Blending gritty rock energy with infectious hooks and explosive feminine power, the duo has quickly made its mark on Canadian radio. Their breakout single “Hello Reaper” spent nine weeks in the Canadian Alternative Radio Top 40, while “Jawbreaker” peaked at #13. Following the release of “Fight Like a Man” and a Western Canadian tour with Freeze The Fall, Cold Fame continues to build momentum with major sync placements across Netflix, CBC, and Hallmark productions.
CHLO | RnB, hip-hop
Chlo is a Filipina-Mixed R&B/Hip-Hop based in New Westminster whose unique tones and bold energy light up every stage she touches. Fueled by relatable stories, ethereal auras and unapologetic confidence, her sound is moving and has an unapologetic edge.
Maya Jade
Maya Jade | Neo-soul, RnB
Maya Jade is an emerging Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, BC. Her love for music began at a young age through choir, music programs, and piano studies, eventually evolving into songwriting and recording. Collaborating closely with her brother, who produces much of her music, Maya has developed a sound that blends smooth R&B and pop influences with heartfelt lyricism.
Known for her calming, sultry vocals, Maya draws inspiration from Sade, Cleo Sol, and Jorja Smith. Her music combines soulful melodies with contemporary production, creating an intimate and captivating listening experience. With her first EP and new releases on the horizon, Maya Jade is establishing herself as a fresh and promising voice in Vancouver’s R&B scene.
MAUVEY | Alternative electronic afro pop
Born in Ghana, West Africa, and raised between the U.K. and Vancouver, Canada, Mauvey is an experimental alt-pop artist and songwriter that makes empowering, energetic, and sassy music, offering a soundtrack of strength and connection for those who tune in. Mauvey filters his unique batch of alternative pop music with hip hop, R&B, and soul and bases his lyrics on personal experiences without forgetting to have fun. His message is one of unshakeable love, determined to distribute it through intentional songwriting, intelligent melodies, and hypnotic beats.
Connor Roff | Alternative folk
Connor Roff is a Vancouver-based queer singer-songwriter with Canadian-British roots and a richly layered folk sound. A classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist, his music draws on artists like Perfume Genius, Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright — intimate, soulful, and deeply personal.
His debut LP Brighter Than the Night (2024) earned features in over 100 publications including Exclaim!, CBC Radio play across Canada, and 45,000+ Spotify streams. He has performed at Tiny Lights Festival, opened for Andrew Cushin at The Biltmore, and played stages from Union Chapel in London (700 people) to Lululemon’s Shipyards Summer Session (400 people). His TikTok following grew over 16x in just 10 months, reflecting a fast-growing online presence across Canada, the US, and UK. Connor is currently at work on his sophomore album, due in 2027.
Dani Black | Alternative folk-pop
Canadian singer-songwriter Dani Black is making waves in the pop music landscape, backed by major songwriting competition wins and a rapidly growing fanbase. The Vancouver-based artist continues to establish herself as a formidable contemporary singer-songwriter talent with her January 2026 victory in MRG’s “ELEVATE” Music Project, which followed a win in the 2025 Great American Songwriting Contest’s pop category and achieving finalist status in the prestigious 2025 John Lennon Songwriting Competition.
Black’s live presence commands attention at both intimate venues and on major stages. She has headlined Vancouver’s iconic Biltmore Cabaret and graced the historic Vogue and Hollywood Theatres, while also connecting with audiences at community celebrations.
Black continues her momentum with her debut EP Against My Better Judgement. The contemporary and genre-bending project showcases her vocal prowess and compelling narrative style songwriting, further distinguishing her in the competitive pop landscape.
DOUR
DOUR | Post punk/gloom wave
Vancouver-based three piece band DOUR consists of singer/guitarist Zak Hilmi Salehian, bassist Bronwen O’Keefe, and drummer Dougie Pocasangre. More than a group, DOUR is an abandoned opera, presented and expressed as a ghastly coalition of madness and pain. With a haunting choir of voices and melodies, their music provides refuge from the cold.
Anna Katarina | Alt folk-pop
Anna Katarina is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter mixing alt-folk with indie-pop and hook-driven songwriting. Named one of Canada’s “Hottest Emerging Artists” by Exclaim!, she has built a growing international audience through consistent touring across North America and Europe. Her sophomore album, While I Was Dreaming (October 3, 2025), explores themes of time, memory, and the tension between intention and lived experience, pairing vintage-inspired textures with emotionally honest songwriting.
In 2025, Anna completed a 17-date full-band tour across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, selling out multiple venues and earning extensive European press coverage, including a cover feature in Germany’s Cute and Dangerous magazine.
Revay | R&B, soul, pop
Revay is a Vancouver-based Punjabi Canadian R&B, soul, and pop artist. Her work blends contemporary songwriting with cultural storytelling, centering authenticity, emotional connection, and representation for Punjabi women in music. With 37 released tracks she is building a sustainable independent career. Most recently she released her latest project ‘Nasha’, meaning intoxicated in Punjabi, in collaboration with Grammy and Juno-winning producer Chin Injeti.
Chopping Spree! | Post fusion
Thriving in the high energy live scene of Vancouver, Chopping Spree blends genres at will, making every show a sight to see with their wild, intensely fun stage presence and captivating instrumental interplay. Taking influence from the likes of King Gizzard, Casiopea, Soil & “PIMP” Sessions, and everything in between, their songs have delved into genres of jazz, 70s Japanese fusion, old school prog rock, heavy metal, psychedelia, funk/disco, post-rock/ambient and even rap. This unique experimental style creates a soundscape of hypnotic proportions while rooting their tendencies of musical bipolarity in a jazz fusion core.
Over the past year, Chopping Spree has been amassing a dedicated fanbase in Vancouver from the jazz and punk scenes alike, ensuring that every show can be enjoyed either from the always present moshpit at the front, or from the back with eyes glued to the stage. It’s a party every time, reflected through their energetic performance and technicality, each show will leave you waiting for the next one.
Felisha & The Jazz Rejects | Rock, alternative, latin
Electronic four piece rock band Felisha & The Jazz Rejects was established in 2022 by lead singer Felisha Rolin. Based in Vancouver, the band met in 2019 in Capilano University’s Jazz Studies program. Taking what they learned in and outside of school and fusing genres (jazz, rock, punk, and Latin grooves) into their own unique and unpredictable sound, they’re endlessly inspired by music and hoping to use their talents to inspire others.
Over the past four years together, the group has played over 75 shows and counting and released their debut EP Queen of Misfit Toys along 4 other singles. They have no plans to slow down anytime soon.
Seven Taviss | Vancouver | Pop, RnB
Seven Taviss is an R&B-pop artist from Vancouver making melodic, emotionally honest music inspired by his own experiences overcoming obstacles and finding his voice. Growing up with learning disabilities, music became the place where he felt understood. Today, he writes and records his own songs, blending catchy modern melodies with soulful vocals and dynamic riffs. Seven’s goal is simple: to make music people can connect to, just like the artists who inspired him.
Paris Pick
Paris Pick | Yacht-pop, indie-pop rock
Since 2013, Paris Pick has been making waves with her signature blend of alt-yacht-pop-rock, earning her the nickname “The Yacht-Pop Princess.” Based in Christina Lake, B.C., Pick has spent over a decade building a reputation for shimmering melodies, crunchy-cute guitar licks, and unforgettable hooks.
A seasoned performer, she has showcased at BreakOut West, POP Montreal, Liverpool Sound City (UK), Focus Wales (UK), and Tallinn Music Week (Estonia). Her songs balance nostalgia and modernity, pairing breezy ’70s-inspired vocals with sharp songwriting about love, growth, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Pick has shared stages with Yukon Blonde, Apollo Suns, Brass Camel, Jennifer Castle, and Wax Mannequin. With a fourth album on the horizon, Paris Pick continues charting her own course, successfully carving a niche of her own.
Talel McBriar | Indie folk
Raised in rural British Columbia, Talel McBriar weaves together sounds of traditional folk with alternative indie-rock. Guided by haunting melodies and dreamy vocals, Talel’s lyrics ruminate on the landscapes of both outer influences and inner thoughts. Originally performing in the duo Ella and Talel, their song October earned them the Kootenay Music Award for Best Original Roots Song in 2018, which marked the start of Talel’s growing presence in the B.C. indie-folk music scene. Since then, she has performed extensively across Canada, warming stages for some of her favourite artists and performing at folk festivals and showcases.
Her upcoming debut record titled Light the Hallway transforms big feelings and quiet contemplations into a collection of cathartic indie-folk ballads. Blending americana, indie rock, and traditional folk, Light the Hallway is set for release October 9th, 2026.
About Music BC
Music BC Industry Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing British Columbia’s music industry. Representing artists and industry professionals across all sectors, Music BC supports creative and business development through strategic advocacy, funding initiatives, and international networking opportunities. By fostering community-driven programs and industry education, Music BC empowers the sector to thrive in an expanding global market.
Learn more about Music BC and the ARC Program on their websites.
Cover image: Dani Black, photo by Heather Horncastle.
