Skip to content

Local talent advances in CBC Searchlight competition

PK Tessmann has earned the Vancouver Island spot in the national competition
54483comox09PKTessmann
PK Tessmann has earned the Vancouver Island spot in the CBC Searchlight competition for her song

Cumberland musician PK Tessmann has earned the Vancouver Island spot in the CBC Searchlight competition that is searching for new Canadian talent.

Her song, Cannot Explain, also won the Vancouver Island Music Awards “Best Roots / Folk recording” earlier this year. PK is one of 23 regional champions, chosen from over 3,000 entrants across Canada.

“There was some incredible talent in this competition,” PK said. “I really didn’t expect to make it past the first round and I’m ecstatic to have made it this far.”

A longtime Comox Valley Musician, Tessmann has been juggling her music career, family and “day job” for many years. Even with two young children at home and an all-consuming job in Early Childhood Education with the Comox Valley School District, she still finds time to write and perform.

“My life consumes me, and consequentially my music is about my life. If you have listened to my full CD, which I released in my 20s and my newer EP, you will probably know quite a bit about me. I think a lot of people have had similar experiences and can relate.”

Tessmann is a Vancouver Island indie-folk songstress with a voice as tasty as honey and songwriting skills that include hook-lines and catchy melodies that will leave you satisfied by an acoustic ballad or a full band groove. Her well-crafted tunes are something of substance - flowing lyrics, and subtle, whispering harmonies, complemented by a twinkle of a mandolin or electric guitar.

With the confident timing of a skilled percussionist, Tessmann strums a few chords on her guitar and her audience leans in. The sincerity of her performance and the clarity of her voice are a mesmerizing mix.

To help Tessmann advance to the final round of the competition, visit her Searchlight page at http://music.cbc.ca/artists/PK-Tessmann, share with your friends and visit her website at www.pktessmann.ca.

On Tuesday, May 5, the national top 10 will be revealed. Tune in to CBC Radio’s Q in the morning to find out the five acts voted through, and then tune in to the afternoon shows to find out which five acts the judges save.

The Searchlight winner will be revealed May 15 on Q on CBC Radio. That announcement will come after judges and votes narrow the field to a final four.