SQUAMISH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL TALENT COMPETITION

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! VANCOUVER ARTIST WINS VIRGIN MOBILE PRESENTS SQUAMISH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL AND GALAXIE’S RISING STARS TALENT COMPETITION

Jess Cullen has won the ultimate summer prize – the chance to perform in front of 35,000 music fans at the most anticipated live music event of the year! The Australian born singer and songwriter is the winner of Virgin Mobile Presents Squamish Valley Music Festival and Galaxie’s Rising Stars talent competition and will take home the $3,000 cash prize as well as the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at the Squamish Valley Music Festival.

“We had some absolutely outstanding applicants this year,” praised Executive Producer of the Festival Paul Runnals. “It was an incredibly difficult decision but the artistry Jess Cullen presented in her video submission was what really stood out to the judges. We are very excited to welcome her to the 2014 Festival lineup.”

Jess Cullen grew up in Australia, spending her early years with a dusty untuned piano and her parent’s old country albums, to eventually pursue a University music degree while preparing for the release of her first album. She spent five years touring England and Europe, before deciding to plant her folky/rock roots in Vancouver. Jess’ melodies on her self-titled debut album have been praised for the sophisticated balance of catchy classic rock tunes, softer introspective folk, pop sensibility, and witty lyrics. Her rich and powerful voice, along with her passion for songwriting, ultimately won over the hearts of the fans and judges, as well as the Rising Stars title. She is scheduled to perform on Friday, August 8^th on the Meadow Stage at the Festival.

Contestants submitted videos to the Rising Stars talent competition online and thousands of fans voted for their favourite artist. Five judges made the final decision in selecting the grand prizewinner.

The 2014 Virgin Mobile Presents Squamish Valley Music Festival is the largest outdoor music festival in Canada, taking placeAugust 8, 9 & 10, 2014 at the Logger Sports Grounds and Centennial Fields in Squamish, British Columbia, and will feature over 70 performers including headliners Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire and EMINEM.

For more information, please visit: www.SquamishFestival.com. Find us on Twitter @squamishfest #vmsquamish &Facebook.