Emerging Artist Program 2026

Free Studio Time + Production Mentorship + 50% Off Accommodations
For Independent Artists

The Emerging Artist Program is back for its 4th year at Barnhouse Sound!

Last year, we gave away 300 hours of free studio time and production consulting to 34 independent artists. This year, we're continuing that commitment. If you're an independent artist with original music and a project you're ready to bring into the studio, we want to hear from you.

This program is built around more than free recording time. It's about working with producer Justin LaPointe to give your songs room to become the best version of themselves. You'll get hands-on production guidance, access to a purpose-built destination studio on Vancouver Island, and the kind of support that takes your music to the next level.

Selected artists receive free studio time with an experienced producer and engineer, plus 50% off on-site accommodations for multi-day sessions at our Qualicum Beach facility.*

*A $185 cleaning fee applies. Max 4 people per group. If your band is bigger, reach out and we’ll see what we can do!

How To Apply

Prepare a video or audio sample of your original music that represents what you'd like to record.
Submit your application by August 29, 2026 using the form below.

Apply Now!

2024/2025 Artist Highlights

Apex Breaks

Apex Breaks is a ska and reggae band from Victoria, BC, known for their high-energy live shows, tight horn section, and a sound that pulls from funk, dub, afrobeat, and psychedelia. With five songwriters in the group and a reputation as one of the West Coast's most engaging live acts, the band plays Skafest every year and brings a level of musicianship and stage energy that translates directly to the studio.

At Barnhouse, Justin LaPointe produced the session using a combination of live recording and overdubbing to capture the energy of the full band while achieving a polished studio sound. The approach let Apex Breaks retain the feel of their live performances without sacrificing clarity across a dense arrangement of horns, rhythm section, and vocals.

Maddie Toews

Maddie Toews is a singer-songwriter from Bellingham, Washington, with a lush vocal style and a deep connection to the piano. Drawing from artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Billie Marten, and Ryan Beatty, her music blends warm, layered vocal arrangements with piano-driven songwriting that's both intimate and expressive.

At Barnhouse, Justin LaPointe produced the session and contributed drums, bass, guitar, and synths while helping Maddie develop her background vocal arrangements. The collaboration brought a full-band depth to songs that had previously lived as voice-and-piano demos, giving the project a more complete, studio-realized sound.

Jahidi Vibes

Jahidi Vibes blends acoustic percussion with synths and electronic textures to create soundscapes that blend ancient and modern sounds. At Barnhouse, we focused on capturing that fusion through studio recordings and two performance videos that showcase his distinct sonic vision.

R ead the Case Study

Shanda Chapdelaine

Shanda Chapdelaine is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Victoria, BC. Influenced by artists ranging from Mumford and Sons and Shakey Graves to Greta Van Fleet, her music blends folk, rock, and roots textures. She writes, records, and performs all parts herself, and came to the Emerging Artist Program with original songs she had never brought into a professional studio.

Her session at Barnhouse marked her first time recording in a studio. Working with Justin LaPointe, she had the chance to hear her songs captured in a professional acoustic environment for the first time, with production guidance to help shape the recordings beyond what she'd been able to achieve on her own.

Blush

Blush is a coastal Canadian alt-indie rock band blending crunchy guitars, haunting synths, and dreamy vocal layers. Their debut EP Still Wet channels '90s shoegaze and grunge influences with a modern, atmospheric twist—equal parts textured and melodic.

We recorded most of the EP live off the floor—drums, guitars, bass, and keys—capturing the raw chemistry of the band. Vocals were layered in afterward using a blend of a modern Neumann U87 and a vintage Electro-Voice dynamic mic, creating a vocal tone that’s both intimate and gritty. The mix draws from both '80s synth-pop and '90s alt-rock, giving the songs a dense, nostalgic feel.

Robert Joseph

Robert Joseph is a singer-songwriter based in Black Creek on Vancouver Island, originally from Southern Ontario. His songwriting draws from artists like Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Colter Wall, and Charley Crockett, grounded in storytelling and the traditions of country and folk music. Robert is an active live performer and came to the program eager for production input and creative collaboration.

At Barnhouse, Robert worked with Justin LaPointe to capture studio recordings and video content of his original material. Having previously recorded only live one-take sessions and home recordings, his Emerging Artist session marked his first time working with a producer in a professional studio environment.

Dead Summer

We first connected with Dead Summer through our Emerging Artist Program. Nate (bass/vocals) and Michael (drums/co-lyricist) immediately stood out after hearing their application song. We tracked the bed tracks for their single “Bloom” live off the floor, then layered in extra bass, percussion, and vocals.

With only bass and drums in the mix, we had to pull a studio trick to beef up the sound. Live, Nate runs his bass through both bass and guitar amps, giving it extended frequency reach and a hybrid tone. In the studio, we expanded on that by stacking his setup with multiple vintage Fender guitar amps alongside his live rig, creating the massive bass-guitar fusion you hear on the record.

Sam Wood

Sam Wood is a singer-songwriter from Ontario whose sound sits at the intersection of indie folk and roots-influenced pop, shaped by artists like Donovan Woods, Theo Katzman, Tim Baker, and The Bros. Landreth. Sam came to the program with prior studio experience and a clear sense of what he wanted: the energy of a live performance with the flexibility to build on it through overdubs.

At Barnhouse, Sam worked with Justin LaPointe on tracking and production for new material. With two previously released songs under his belt and experience in multiple Ontario studios, he brought a working knowledge of the recording process and a desire to push his sound further in a new creative environment.

Maria Gabriella

Maria Gabriella joined us from Edmonton, bringing a fantastic group of musicians she met during her time in music school. Together, they recorded live off the floor at Barnhouse — a session inspired by classic live studio recordings, with a nod to modern influences like Amy Winehouse. Justin produced the session and added drums.

Ghost Pipe

This father-son duo from Duncan, BC brought raw, stoner-rock grit to Barnhouse in 2024. Influenced by Queens of the Stone Age and the ‘90s California desert scene, their chemistry and energy were undeniable, both in the studio and in their Live @Barnhouse session.

Read the Case Study