First it was the PEAK, and now Vernon-raised musician Jodi Pederson is heading towards another pinnacle in her career.
It was just last year, on her birthday (June 11), that the Kalamalka Secondary School graduate found out she had made it into the top 12 of the PEAK Performance Project.
The renowned competition, developed by Vancouver radio station 102.7 The PEAK, is designed to educate, promote, develop and launch the careers of some of B.C. and Alberta’s up-and-coming artists.
Within two weeks of finding out she was a PEAK finalist, Pederson had to write at least eight more songs, find talented band members to join her on stage, establish her brand, work on her stage presence, and prepare for the challenges that came with the competition.
“I had my work cut out for me to say the least,” said Pederson. “The entire PEAK Performance Project experience was an incredible one and a big kick to get my career really moving and style defined.”
The project also came with a public online voting segment to help determine the top three artists, and although Pederson was not able to make it to that stage, she says the experience was noteworthy.
“The voting process, which counted for part of the final verdict on the winners, was a lost cause, I thought,” said Pederson.
However, after putting a call out to her hometown for support, Pederson says she was floored when the final votes were tallied.
“(They) were off the charts. I was so blown away by the generosity, support and love you all showed. So this is my big, heartfelt thank you to all of you who voted. Your support means the world to me,” she said.
“I am incredibly fortunate to have been raised in such a supportive, inspiring city. I could not continue to pursue my dream without your support.”
Now that the dust has settled from the PEAK Performamce Project, Pederson is embarking on the next phase of her career, and is once again looking for community support.
She is currently in the studio recording her newest single,Wild,with Vancouver producer Ryan Worlsey, who has worked with B.C. acts Dear Rouge, Derrival, and Van Damsel.
“I have started an Indiegogo campaign to raise the funds necessary to record this new tune,” said Pederson. “With every contribution, you will receive a free download of the single once complete, and a personalized thank you card from me, as well as some more great perks.”
The campaign will be running until April 11.
(Visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-jodi-pederson-recording-campaign.)
Pederson is also taking part in CBC’s Searchlight Competition, which determines from public votes Canada’s best new artist. The contest is open to all independent acts from all regions across the nation.
(To vote for Pederson, visit http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Jodi-Pederson.)
In the meantime, Pederson is planning to perform at the Bryan Adams tribute fundraiser (date to be announced) at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.
“I absolutely love Bryan Adams, and am so excited to have been selected among many talented performers to honour this incredible man this upcoming year, alongside CC, Jon Bryant, and JP Maurice,” said Pederson, adding she has also been selected to perform at this year’s Canadian Music Week, May 1 to 10, in Toronto.
