She is an up and coming Canadian musician with roots in Parksville and Alexandria Maillot continues to make an impression in the music industry.
Singing basically since she was born, the talented singer, songwriter and musician is now 19 years old and is about to release her debut album next month. She is also one of the top 10 finalists for the Variety’s Got Talent competition and will perform before a panel of judges on February 3 at the River Rock Show Theatre in Vancouver.
Maillot said she was fortunate to be chosen as a finalist after she sent in an audition video where she sang Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and played the ukulele.
Now living in Vancouver, the Ballenas Secondary School grad said she plans to wow the judges at the finals where she will perform Make You Feel My Love a song originally performed by Bob Dylan but recently covered by Adele. She said although she has some original music which will be on her upcoming CD, she wants to perform a song that the judges know.
“I was considering an original song but I want to hit them with something they will be able to relate to more,” she said, adding, “it is not the easy route but the safe route and hopefully it will work like a charm.”
Maillot made the top 10 in Variety’s competition last year, but Shylo Sharity won in 2011 and she has been performing steadily since then, even opening for country music legend Wynonna Judd.
Maillot said winning the contest would open a lot of doors for her, particularly since the winner will receive a Tom Lee Rising Star package and appear on the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon which airs live on Global BC February 11 and 12. The winner will be selected by a panel of celebrity and industry judges, including music manager, Bruce Allen, Global BC’s Steve Darling, Spirit of the West’s Vince Ditrich and 100.5 The Peak’s Tamara Stanners.
Maillot is hoping Ditrich who lives in Nanoose Bay will have a soft spot for her. She met the drummer and music producer when she was just 12 years old when she was at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.
“I hope he remembers me,” she said.
She also hopes to make an impression on Allen because for more than 30 years, he has been a cornerstone in the Canadian entertainment industry, guiding the careers of musicians, producers and sports figures. Allen has been a major force in the music world managing the likes of Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Martina McBride and Michael Buble just to name a few.
Maillot said she hopes Allen notices her because she is putting out her album soon and will be putting a team together to promote it.
The CD is called Just Another Girl and has seven songs that were recorded at different studios in Vancouver.
“If I could get him on my team that would be amazing. I want them to acknowledge my existence and create a relationship.”
She agreed that in the music business networking is important and she is at a point in her life where she is able to get her name out there.
“I am at the age right now where I can network and go to pubs,” she stated but agreed, “I don’t drink and I have been called the lamest 19 year old. When I am at the bar I order hot chocolate.”
Maillot may only be 19 years old but she has a lifetime of music experience and an impressive resume from performing opportunities that have included; showcasing her talents to audiences overseas in Egypt and Romania, winning numerous competitions like the PNE Shaw Star Discovery Talent Search and Victoria Idol, being featured on Virgin Radio’s Best of BC program, and catching the attention of impresario David Foster and earning a spot on stage with famed singer Jann Arden during a televised concert in Toronto.
She definitely hopes to catch the attention of the Variety judges on Feb. 3 because if she wins she will get to perform on the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon, a charity she said she would be honored to be a part of.
“It would be amazing … I love the charity. I was fortunate to be a part of it last year. If I get to do the telethon that will be really nice.”
She said she still hasn’t decided what she will wear during her performance. She admits a lot of people tell her she looks like Adele so she will be doing some serious dress shopping over the next few days.
reporter@pqbnews.com