2025 Gala SOCAN Red Carpet Video Interviews – Part 5

Montréal’s La TOHU rocked to the beat of the 2025 Gala SOCAN marking the organization’s 100th anniversary with more than 100 trophies awarded in 25 categories to honour the creativity and excellence of songwriters, film composers and publishers from Québec and across Francophone Canada. Here is Part 5 of a series of interviews that we conducted on the red carpet of this memorable event held on May 4 and, as a bonus, a video recap of the gala! (All videos are in French only, for now; English-subtitled versions will be uploaded soon.)

 

For the first time ever, SOCAN proudly presented an R&B Music Award at this year’s Gala – a clear reflection of the genre’s growing impact in Québec. The very first recipient was Zeina, a rising star whose radiant presence is already being felt far beyond our borders. With a stunning voice, undeniable songwriting talent, and a savvy social media game, she’s built a loyal and passionate fanbase that reflects her unique artistic identity.  What’s the secret to her success? In her own words, as we met with her on the red carpet, it was embracing her Arab roots, which helped her craft a more authentic musical vision – one that resonates deeply with listeners.

 

 

 

 

 

This year’s Jan V. Matejcek Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in contemporary classical music, was presented to Québec harpist and composer Caroline Lizotte. A brilliant artist with an international reputation, Lizotte was named Composer of the Year at the 26^th Opus Awards Gala, and is one of the leading harp composers of her generation. Her acclaimed works are often chosen as required pieces in competitions, and are performed and recorded by harpists worldwide. A finalist at the 2023 USA International Harp Competition, she’ll also be the featured composer at the upcoming One Harp World event in Toronto in 2026, where she’ll receive the Ann Stockton Memorial Award for New Music, in recognition of her significant contributions to the harp repertoire. In our interview, Lizotte speaks with passion about this magical instrument, and how it’s capable of so much more than just celestial sounds.

 

 

A SOCAN Award for Music in Television – Drama or Fiction Series was presented to screen composer Guy Kaye and music publisher Pixcom International for their work on the hit daily series Indéfendable, broadcast on the TVA network. Scoring a show of this nature is a craft that demands speed, precision, and an exceptional ability to adapt. Kaye shared insights into his creative process, and what it takes to keep pace with the rhythm of a daily drama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re one of those people who love waking up to the cheerful theme song of Salut Bonjour, TVA’s popular morning show, you have screen composer Gaétan Essiambre to thank. He received the SOCAN Award for Music in Television – Variety or Public Affairs Program, along with the publisher Éditions TM Inc. After accepting his award, Essiambre shared what inspired him to create a theme as upbeat and likable as he is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To wrap up this series of red carpet interviews at the 2025 SOCAN Gala, we invite you to enjoy a recap montage of this memorable evening. Special thanks to Exit Media Group and Royal Photo for the video.